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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 4, November 2024 |
Just as enthralling as the humanoid reptile’s determination to stay (slightly) sane though, has to be this comic’s central premise, which sees Kevin Eastman’s utterly exhausted co-creation “trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill.” This perilous predicament could so easily have degenerated into a potentially monotonous, all-action slugfest if penned by a lesser writer. But in the hands of its Alabama-born author, the main protagonist is repeatedly shown to be using his wits to defeat his foes, rather than just battering them into submission with his fists and feet; “For months, I’ve been watching and listening, trying to crack the codes to the cells, the electrified fence, the main gate.”
Likewise, the Harvey Award-winner should have subverted the expectations of many a bibliophile with this book’s finale, courtesy of Donatello’s meticulous escape preparations all being thrown out the window by a sudden, shock attack upon the illegal premises by the Foot Clan. This adrenalin-fuelled assault really ups the ante for the turtle and his fellow animal-based inmates. Yet also seemingly causes the warrior’s psyche to finally snap, as he comes away from the melee tragically believing that a dead rat brained by a throwing star is actually Splinter reincarnated.
Also awesomely adding to this publication’s sense-shattering success has to Chris Burnham’s brilliant pencilling, which genuinely manages to impart just how tired and worn out poor Donnie is following his “last trip through time”. Emaciated and haggard, this particular ninja appears to be nearing the end of his road. However, the Connecticut-born illustrator still somehow manages to show a desire to fight injustice blazing away behind the character’s eyes - especially when he realises everyone else’s survival rests upon his bent shoulders.
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The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #4 by Rafael Albuqerque |
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