This issue focuses on Raphael and some of the camaraderie and teamwork of the Turtles is missing due to the narrower cast. We do get some of the usual chatter as Raphael is sent out to get pizza as Splinter forces the other turtles to train. Donning an Elmer Fudd-like mask he enters the pizza place just before some thugs arrive to rob the place. Raphael takes them down in a nicely portrayed and suitably rated G action sequence. Casey Jones shows up to point out that this is just one of a series of gang activities and the duo join forces to find the source behind the spike in crime. The team clobber and question other criminals until it leads to a returned reptilian Rudolph Cobrato. Cobrato with the gangster Vivaldi have captured April. Cobrato reveals his scheme to regain his power over snakes by using the mob to capture the needed chemicals. Raphael and Casey defeat the villains although Cobrato escapes through a drain.
Raphael’s has lots of attempts at humor but they lack his sarcastic bite and the issue over uses him breaking the fourth wall. His humor feels almost jovial which is not the Raph we know and love. The Turtles work best when they are all involved so their personalities differentiate more and their teamwork strengthens the action. Here we don’t get enough character development with Raphael and Casey to make the team-up worthwhile. And April just feels like passive add on with no clear purpose beyond her news report at the end of the issue. But in many ways the issue shines, especially with incredibly strong expressiveness and a truly classic style by the art team.
The issue has all the required action and a visually dynamic villain. The art style truly evokes the feelings of the original animated series, full of gentle violence and bright colors. This series is a fantastic ride into our childhoods suitable for all ages.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures #21
Writing: 2.5 of 5 stars
Art: 4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4 of 5 stars
Overall:
3.5 of 5 stars
Writer: Erik Burnham
Art: Dan Schoening
Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Author Profile
- M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.
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