MattGrant
Wednesday, May 07, 2008, 04:45 PM
<img src="http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=126&stc=1&d=1210175104" align=left hspace=10 >
Title: TMNT #29
Publisher Name: Mirage Studios ("http://www.ninjaturtles.com" )
Writer: Peter Laird
Pencils: Jim Lawson
Inks: Eric Talbot
Toning: Peter Laird
40 pages, Black & White, $10.00
Safety Content Label: A - Appropriate for age 9 and up.
Publishers Blurb:
Casey, the Fugitoid and their Utrom friends run into trouble at the local watering hole. Leonardo makes friends and potential enemies in the Battle Nexus. Mikey learns more about his Triceraton benefactors.
Reviewer Comments:
TMNT Vol. 4 #29 is a milestone in that its the first issue back from a long hiatus that this book has taken. Admittedly, though I read many of the earlier Vol. 1 issues (many times, I might add), I've only had sprinkled experience with a lot of what's come along since. Not really a problem here because not only is there a nice "catch up" blurb inside the front cover, but there's also plenty of familiar characters and references that make it easy to pick up and go.
At this point, the characters are pretty spread out. In fact, in 40 pages, we only have time to check in with Casey Jones (having drinks with Prof. Honeycutt aka Fugitoid, and some alien pals), Leonardo (discovering the ins and outs of the Battle Nexus, where he is currently situated), and Michelangelo (hanging out with Triceritons, heading for the Triceriton homeworlds). The blurb covers it, but we still have to worry about the whereabouts and situations of April, Donatello, and Raphael until next issue (hopefully).
I found this book a joy to read, and in a lot of ways it was a trip back to a world that I had been missing out on for some time now. Laird's writing style and characterization, though certainly progressed over the last 25 years, is still familiar enough for me to really get into it. Point being: If you've missed out on a lot, like me, there's no reason you should be hesitant to jump right back in with this issue (and at 40 pages, why not). There are plenty of fun references to older stories that, frankly, caught me off guard at points (I had forgotten about Little Orphan Alien), and cool little dialog asides like Fugitoid's explanation of Virbeer. Throw some Triceratons and a Shredder doppleganger in there, and you're good to go!
The art, by the way, is great. This should be no surprise as Jim Lawson has been tearing it up with TMNT and Tales of the TMNT for some time. I'll even take some time to mention that Peter Laird's toning is great, too! The zipatone toning style is something that's been with the turtles since day one, and its cool to see that same style applied to the current series as well, in a day and age where there are so many other options.
Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and think any TMNT fan of old would enjoy it to and be able to pick up at this point in the story. If you're not familiar with some of the classic stories (Fugitoid, Triceratons, Transmat devices, etc), it might be a little harder to jump in, but TMNT is so dang good, it might be worth the try!
Title: TMNT #29
Publisher Name: Mirage Studios ("http://www.ninjaturtles.com" )
Writer: Peter Laird
Pencils: Jim Lawson
Inks: Eric Talbot
Toning: Peter Laird
40 pages, Black & White, $10.00
Safety Content Label: A - Appropriate for age 9 and up.
Publishers Blurb:
Casey, the Fugitoid and their Utrom friends run into trouble at the local watering hole. Leonardo makes friends and potential enemies in the Battle Nexus. Mikey learns more about his Triceraton benefactors.
Reviewer Comments:
TMNT Vol. 4 #29 is a milestone in that its the first issue back from a long hiatus that this book has taken. Admittedly, though I read many of the earlier Vol. 1 issues (many times, I might add), I've only had sprinkled experience with a lot of what's come along since. Not really a problem here because not only is there a nice "catch up" blurb inside the front cover, but there's also plenty of familiar characters and references that make it easy to pick up and go.
At this point, the characters are pretty spread out. In fact, in 40 pages, we only have time to check in with Casey Jones (having drinks with Prof. Honeycutt aka Fugitoid, and some alien pals), Leonardo (discovering the ins and outs of the Battle Nexus, where he is currently situated), and Michelangelo (hanging out with Triceritons, heading for the Triceriton homeworlds). The blurb covers it, but we still have to worry about the whereabouts and situations of April, Donatello, and Raphael until next issue (hopefully).
I found this book a joy to read, and in a lot of ways it was a trip back to a world that I had been missing out on for some time now. Laird's writing style and characterization, though certainly progressed over the last 25 years, is still familiar enough for me to really get into it. Point being: If you've missed out on a lot, like me, there's no reason you should be hesitant to jump right back in with this issue (and at 40 pages, why not). There are plenty of fun references to older stories that, frankly, caught me off guard at points (I had forgotten about Little Orphan Alien), and cool little dialog asides like Fugitoid's explanation of Virbeer. Throw some Triceratons and a Shredder doppleganger in there, and you're good to go!
The art, by the way, is great. This should be no surprise as Jim Lawson has been tearing it up with TMNT and Tales of the TMNT for some time. I'll even take some time to mention that Peter Laird's toning is great, too! The zipatone toning style is something that's been with the turtles since day one, and its cool to see that same style applied to the current series as well, in a day and age where there are so many other options.
Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and think any TMNT fan of old would enjoy it to and be able to pick up at this point in the story. If you're not familiar with some of the classic stories (Fugitoid, Triceratons, Transmat devices, etc), it might be a little harder to jump in, but TMNT is so dang good, it might be worth the try!