Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Continues to Entertain

Writers: Ryan Ferrier and James Tynion IV / Artist: Freddie Williams II / DC Comics and IDW The Bats and the Turtles are at it again in Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #3: A Knight in New York. This issue of Batman/ TMNT reminds me how lucky we are to get a book where the quality is as awesome as the core concept. I’ll be sure to offer up my first born at the altar of the comic book gods as thanks. In this issue Batman, Master Splinter and Leonardo do reconnaissance on Bane and the Foot Clan, freshly wrestled under his control. Meanwhile, back in the turtles’ sewer, Robin keeps Raphael, Michelangelo, and Casey Jones company. Donatello is still distraught over the consequences of his interdimensional tinkering. Bane is waxing poetically about how awesome he is. There is a lot happening in this issue, yet the tone isn’t scattered and the plot isn’t rushed. James Tynion IV gets credit for the story’s script but the dialogue is done by Ryan Ferrier. There is really entertaining banter between the two hotheads, Robin and Raphael. Donatello is breaking my heart with his feelings of inadequacy and uselessness. I almost teared up reading him; I want to just give him a hug. “You do machines, Don . . . You do machines”. I haven’t read a lot of Bane but this verbose, unabashedly confident voice reminds me of the fantastic Tom King’s “I Am Bane” storyline. Please be Challenging Leo, Damien . . . Please I can never give Freddie Williams II enough praise for the amazing art he does…