Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 Review

COWABATGA!

Writer: James Tynion IV

Art and Cover: Freddie William II

Colors: Jeremy Colwell

Letters: Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 9, 2015

*Spoilers ahead, summary and score at the bottom*

The team up we have been wanting since 1984 is finally here. While a Batman/TMNT crossover sounds like something that happened in the 90's, I am glad they waited until today. I have been a fan of both the new Ninja Turtles run and the Batman series, so I was really excited for this series to come out, and I was not disappointed.

The story takes place in Gotham City: The Turtles find themselves in the DC Universe with the Foot Clan in pursuit. The Turtles move to familiar surroundings: the sewers of Gotham. While trying to figure out how they ended up in a world they barely recognize, the Turtles attempt to stop the Foot from stealing several items from labs all over Gotham. Batman is also investigating these break-ins, which he knows are being committed by ninjas. We see some great interactions between Batman and a Turtles villain, and the Turtles with a Batman villain.

James Tynion IV did a great job writing this issue, but there are some some not-so-shiny moments. I enjoyed all the scenes with the Turtles, and the personalities of all the Turtles were really well-written. The Batman part of the book seemed more stereotypical, it was all about Batman being dark and alone, not wanting anyones help; it seemed really boring and I would have liked a better take on the character. His story itself was very basic: bad guys (the Foot Clan) steal and the good guy (Batman) is going to get them. Batman's inner monologue was a little weird, especially when he was thinking about ninjas and he acted like ninjas were really tough. Batman eats ninjas for breakfast, why is this a big deal now? Of course, what we really want is the Ninja Turtles and Batman crossover; which is what the book built up to. We will most likely get a story in the next or third issue, but right now it is a build-up to our main heroes interacting.

The art in this book has me a little conflicted. The Ninja Turtles look absolutely amazing. Every time you see a Turtle in a panel, it is a grade A Turtle image. Batman in this book looks a little silly, very bulky compared to everyone else. It reminds me of the Arkham video games universe's Batman, which stood out. All of the humans looked a little off, Bruce and Alfred looked really weird when they were talking in the cave. The coloring in this book is very good, It looks like water colors (though I am not sure that it is.) Still looked great!

Bits and Pieces:

In the first issue of Batman/TMNT, the Turtles have come to Gotham City and they do not understand why. They are fighting the Foot Clan, who are also in Gotham committing burglaries from several area laboratories. We see Batman facing off against the Foot, and a tease for a future battle with a major villain. The book was great, but I found the writing for Batman very stereotypical of one specific take on his character, which did not help to make ninjas seem like tough adversaries. The writing for the Turtles was a lot of fun, especially when they fight a Batman villain. Art was amazing with the exception of Batman himself, but spot on for the Turtles. This is a very fun first issue for this long-awaited crossover.

8.5/10