Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #5 Review

Plot: James Tynion IV / Writer: Ryan Ferrier / Artist: Freddie Williams II / DC Comics and IDW My favorite time of the month has come. Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II came out this week! The talented creative team of James Tynion IV, Ryan Ferrier and Freddie Williams II continues to bring one of the most fun stories being published. The fifth installment of the “A Knight in New York” finds Donatello on a Venom-fueled rampage against the Foot Clan. Donnie has been struggling with feelings of inadequacy and inferiority this entire story. Against the warnings of Batman and the Turtles (minus Raphael), Donnie hopes Venom will be the key to defeating Bane, The Foot Clan, and his own weakness. Meanwhile, the team is reaching out to the rest of the Bat-Family in Gotham to potentially use another dangerous substance to save Master Splinter. Donnie Smash! This book excited me to no end. My heart was literally racing watching Donnie tear through the Foot soldiers. I have to give special props to Ryan Ferrier on the dialogue. Under the influence of Venom, Donatello not only grew into a monster, but his speech became very Bane-like. Verbose, cocky and terrifying. I see why Batman put his hands up in a non-threatening pose once Donnie got in his and Leonardo’s faces. To have the story focus so much on Donatello is refreshing. Not typically the most popular or interesting Turtle, I’ve always felt Donnie to be overlooked. To have him as the main driver of the story in a crossover w…