Story: James Tynion IV / Dialogue: Ryan Ferrier / Artist: Freddie Williamson II / DC Comics and IDW
Cue the happy tears. The latest crossover between the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half Shell has finally drawn to a close, and it is beautiful. This week marks the sixth and final issue of Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II by James Tynion IV, Ryan Ferrier, and Freddie Williamson II.
This story has been a wonderfully forged piece centering around the Turtles’ residential lab geek, Donatello. In a fight among a leaderless Foot Clan, thrashing for control, Donnie has his confidence shaken. He feels like a weak link and a burden to his brothers. In an effort to level up, he reaches across dimensions to Batman for advice. An unforeseen consequence develops when interference causes him to be switched across the dimensional plane with Bane.
Bane quickly grabs control of the Foot Clan and boosts their power with his patented Venom. Donnie is so desperate to rectify his mistake he resorts to taking the Venom himself to launch a one-turtle assault on Bane’s forces. Batman and Leonardo are able to break through Donnie’s rage-fueled barrage of violence and monologuing with the power of a scientific formula (think of the science nerd’s version of Lois Lane waking up Superman). Now we get to see the Purple Professor’s master plan turned into action as the Turtles — backed up by the Bat-family — try to take New York back from Bane.
This issue is very much an action-fest. Comics like this can suffer from predictability and lackluster endings, but this creative team delivers a tasty and satisfying “Crunch”. It’s been a treat watching this “Ode to Donnie” come full circle. The best part of this book is the Kill Squad that our heroes put directly against Bane.
James Tynion put together a solid AF story and Ryan Ferrier delivered some worthy dialogue. A highlight throughout has been the long-winded tirades of Bane (and Donatello, for a short time). The crown jewel of this book, though, has been Freddie Williams’ art. The detail, color and character design on this book has been consistently impressive and some of the best artwork around. In a world saturated with crossovers, we’re lucky to get a team like this once again putting together two of our favorite childhood comics / shows. Is it too early to want Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III?
9 “Done Machines” out of 10
Reading Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.
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