The Ninja Turtles are back with a relaunch and a bold new approach: Each issue features a different Turtle for the first four issues. Raphael got top billing on issue #1, and on September 11th, Michelangelo takes center stage. It’s a way to honor each Turtle while also revealing the state of their world. Michelangelo is the most social of Ninja Turtles, and he’s going it alone under bright lights. He’s a TV star!
While this is a spoiler-free review, the solicitation gives much of this issue away. Michelangelo is living in Tokyo, and he’s a big-time TV star. He’s famous and sought after for photos, but something is missing. It’s his family. You better believe they’re missed even more when ninjas show up to take him out in his apartment!
That’s the basics of what is happening in the issue, but writer Jason Aaron takes things far deeper with his character writing. Michelangelo’s loneliness is apparent, but his lack of a team also deeply affects him. Sharply written captions draw you into his internal thoughts as he misses the old life with his family, even when he’s finally got the spotlight.
The jovial side of Michelangelo is also apparent, but Aaron digs deeper and finds an interesting point of view. I won’t spoil it, but it ties into his weaponry and ability to take one for the team. Through this perspective, you can see how he fits into the team, and that ties into his unhappiness even when he’s a TV star. Mikey always wore his emotions on his sleeve, and that’s very apparent here.
The art by Rafael Albuquerque and the colors by Marcelo Maiolo bring triple-A quality to the issue. The opening pages show Michelangelo’s star-studded lifestyle on the silver screen, and they feel big and hopeful. They juxtapose well with the truth in the captions. Albuquerque also stretches the pages with double-page layouts at opportune times that draw the eye across the page.
When the action kicks into gear, Albuquerque makes you believe Michelangelo is fighting for his life. Each panel is well drawn, with a kinetic feel thanks to layouts and angles on the action. This scene is capped off by some great lighting by Maiolo that catches your eye literally in the scene and highlights Mikey’s loud and proud vibe.
As far as any negatives, the plotting of this issue is a bit thin, with only a handful of scenes. In its defense, it doesn’t need to be so robust, given its focus on one Ninja Turtle. The threat the Ninja Turtles face becoming more clear, and the larger picture is certainly coming a bit more into focus. Ultimately, though, we get a few scenes when it could have been interesting to probe Mikey’s life more over more time rather than get shorter scenes and one long action scene, but I’ll take it.
By the end of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2, you’ll be very aware of Michelangelo’s state of mind and how sometimes we can get what we want and still not be happy. Aaron clearly understands this character and how he fits in the larger team while never forgetting Mikey’s endearing qualities and desire to be loved by those he cares about. Michelangelo is as complex as ever in this great second issue that highlights a hero who needs his team back. Mikey’s charisma almost smashes through the page.
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