Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1 Review

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1 Review

Writer: James Tynion IV

Art Team: Freddie Williams II, Jeremy Colwell

DC Comics/IDW

Release Date: December 5, 2017

Cover Price: $3.99

Cowabungas & Batarangs

Did you read the first Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle crossover and love everything that was going on? Well if you did, and happened to pick up the trade paperback, you may have seen some of one of my review blurbs on the back cover. Ya shameless plug I know, but I only mention it because it infuriates Jim that I beat him to the back cover punch (while also beating him in fantasy football this week too). Anyway enough about me besting Jim. If you enjoyed everything going on the first time these two properties crossed over jump in with me and let’s check out the intro, to kick off of this second edition of the super team-up, of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II.

The issue starts off with a bearded gentlemen, out of his damn wits running, as he’s calling for the cops, and scared for his life.  We get a glimpse of what scared the hell out of him and discover its simply the Turtles doing what they do, fighting the bad guys, on motorized skateboards of course.

The Turtles find Karai fending off challengers to lead the Foot Clan thorne, who look to seize the opportunity and take her down, ever since Shredder was dealt with during the last series.  With a uneasy truce currently brokered with Karai, the Turtles help fend off her attackers, but not before Donnie suffers a few injuries that make him worse for ware, and doubting his fighting skills to boot.

Next we pop over to Gotham City where Damien and Batman corner a League of Assassins ninja and force him to give them goods about what he knows.  This ninja must be new because he spills all the beans to Batman about what he needs to know before he and Robin go off to investigate a hidden Lazarus Pit beneath Gotham City.  The Batman and Damien parts make me miss a Batman and Robin book so damn much, and I think Batman accomplishes more in these few panels than he does for arcs at a time in the regular DC Universe. I guess what I'm saying is this is my type of Batman, kicking ass and taking names leading to more ass kicking later.  

Donnie gets patched up before talking with Master Splinter about the frustrations and doubts going through his head, but mostly his lack of fighting skills. After this talk with his pops Donnie continues to wonder and is stumped how Batman is able to balance being both brilliant and strong. This leads to Donnie getting the turtle brained idea to possibly get in contact with his buddy from another dimension.  I've always thought Donnie was the weakest of the Turtles, so I like Tynion is playing to something I think most of us also think but is rarely addressed in Turtle lore ... bottom line I like it.

The issue begins its conclusion as Donnie works his way into Harold's lab to try and get a message to Batman, but he's quickly attacked inside by the same group that beat him up pretty good previously.  Donnie, startled, accidentally activates the teleporter.  Simultaneously Batman and Damien arrive to investigate the Lazarus Pit beneath Gotham, only to find Bane emerging from the pit, in a more threatening than ever manner.

The cliffhanger swaps two characters into different universes but you'll have to pick up the issue to find out exactly who went where, and what this is all going to lead to from there, but I would recommend any of fan of either the Turtle's or Batman grab this series and give it a try, I don't think you'll regret it.

Overall, Tynion gives us a fantastic issue, which kicks off this second edition of the crossover, while presenting several simultaneous dilemmas for all parties involved. Everything was setup beautifully for the story to grab my, or any readers, attention and coupled with some jaw dropping amazing art there's not much to pick on in this issue with one exception being there are some very tiny panels in this book.  While I don't like to see Donnie down and out I do like the story possibilities it opens up. I also look forward to seeing what this classic Bane has up his sleeves as well only catching a glimpse of him at the end of this book. I cant recommend this series enough to anyone getting a little tired or stale of their currently monthly options that needs a reminder why we come back every week.

Bits and Pieces

Batman/TMNT II kicks things off with a bang, presenting an action packing issue, with some intriguing story beats I cant wait to see addressed in future issues.  There’s something about the free spirit attitude of the Turtles mixed with the dark and broody Batman I really dig, so sign me up for 6 more issues of this right now.

8.5/10