Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #30 Review

After City Fall, can this family heal itself or are their wounds just too deep? Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

The Turtles struggle to recuperate in Northampton. Each Turtle deals with the new status quo in his own way, and each feels lost. But can they find their way to being a family again as the past haunts them?

There’s a level of insanity to this piece, which helps authenticate the continuing legacy of our heroes in a half-shell. We’re dealing with a narrative that dives head first into reincarnation, mutation, family issues and destiny. And to the credit of the creative team we have something that continues the innate strength of the franchise while updating it for a more modern audience. And just to boot there’s enough meat here to build forthcoming confrontations.

I have to celebrate the script by Tom Waltz. It’s a read that never forgets what it’s trying to accomplish, as it uses corny tools that are honest, touching but still a bit silly when you think about them after the fact. Working with Kevin Eastman this journey takes a few big strides forward as this family faces turmoil while one son writes to a good friend. Questions bubble to the surface as a confused hero, Leonardo, begins his trek toward his true self. The bulk of the piece works for me, as the text creates an interlude while offering a decent prelude without missing a single essential plot point.

I have to say I’ve become a fan of Ross Campbell and his unique style. It’s a bit different from what we’ve all gotten used to but he has a knack for giving each of these characters the proper attention and unique personality they deserve. Even without the dazzling colors by Ronda Pattison, there’s enough there to help me differentiate between these walking talking turtles. To sum up: grab this issue, find a quite corner and marvel at the pictures.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #30 is nowhere near perfect but it’s got enough emotional nuance and spirit to easily earn a recommendation.

4/5