by Carl R. Jansson
Staff Writer
With Leonardo still missing and Casey Jones in a hospital bed, the Turtles have to forge an uneasy alliance if they’re to survive in IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24, part three of City Fall, which has become a must read for Turtles fans.The story by Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow & Tom Waltz moves quickly, putting the reader right in the middle of the action, as Splinter and the three remaining Turtles form an alliance with Old Hob after he informs them he knows the whereabouts of their fallen brother. Hob takes them to a warehouse, and once inside the trap is sprung as Shredder and his Foot minions have our heroes surrounded. Just when you think it can’t get any worse for the Turtles and their Master, Shredder plays his full hand: Dark Leo! It’s brother against brother, in another exciting installment of City Fall!
This story is one of the biggest and best Turtles stories in a long time, with dire consequences for almost everyone involved. The script by Tom Waltz keeps things flowing from beat to beat briskly, but naturally. There are some genuinely funny moments between Michaelangelo and Slash, and some really tense moments with Shredder and Splinter, but that ending is a game changer. I literally let out an “oh, crap!”
The fantastic art by Mateus Santolouco gets better and better with each issue, and his action scenes have an incredible sense of movement to them. Ronda Pattison’s color palette suits the art perfectly, whether it’s an intense action scene or the Turtles sitting around discussing strategy on a rooftop. I hope this creative team remains on the book for the long haul.
Over all, this series is what every fan wants in a TMNT comic. If IDW keeps delivering the goods, I’ll keep signing for them. And you should too.
