Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin #3 Review
More allies are rallied to the cause of releasing NYC from the Foot’s grasp. Though they aren’t standing idly by, Hiroto has strengthened his grip and is tearing through the city to find Michelangelo.
Being a huge fan of the TMNT makes it so easy to love this series, there are so many nuggets of lore and cameos sprinkled throughout each chapter for longtime fans. However, that’s where a good portion of The Last Ronin’s effectiveness stems from. So far, the series’ emotional weight has been carried by the reader’s knowledge of these characters. Each member of this family’s love for one another is established after years of continuity, but it can feel surface level at times and jumps too quickly through these characters’ final moments. This issue’s flashback scenes are more poignant than the last, but it’s starting to feel a tad formulaic. That’s not to say it’s a horrible approach or that the story isn’t fantastic, I just haven’t been as gripped as I have from other fictional endings of beloved characters.
Eastman and Waltz are pros at writing the turtles and family of the TMNT, I love Mikey’s conversations with the memories of his brothers and how at times they can prod at his psyche. Hiroto is starting to unravel and the signs of obsession his family has been plagued with are beginning to surface. His scenes atop the skyscraper reveal a lot to his character and the inner conflict residing within.
The art to this series has been phenomenal, especially the way Mikey’s visions and flashbacks are all blended in. Eastman’s portions have naturally been my favorite, I’m so used to seeing all the turtles together in this style that it echoes just how alone Mikey must feel in these scenes. The shift in color between the flashback scenes to present day are great, the duller colors used help convey just how different the world has become.
I’m loving this series; every panel and splash of ink has worked well thus far and I’m hoping for a real gut punch of an ending. These are arguably my favorite characters of all time and their love for their family is rooted in deep in their cores and I hope it comes through even moreso than it has these last few issues.
Being a huge fan of the TMNT makes it so easy to love this series, there are so many nuggets of lore and cameos sprinkled throughout each chapter for longtime fans. However, that’s where a good portion of The Last Ronin’s effectiveness stems from. So far, the series’ emotional weight has been carried by the reader’s knowledge of these characters. Each member of this family’s love for one another is established after years of continuity, but it can feel surface level at times and jumps too quickly through these characters’ final moments. This issue’s flashback scenes are more poignant than the last, but it’s starting to feel a tad formulaic. That’s not to say it’s a horrible approach or that the story isn’t fantastic, I just haven’t been as gripped as I have from other fictional endings of beloved characters.
Eastman and Waltz are pros at writing the turtles and family of the TMNT, I love Mikey’s conversations with the memories of his brothers and how at times they can prod at his psyche. Hiroto is starting to unravel and the signs of obsession his family has been plagued with are beginning to surface. His scenes atop the skyscraper reveal a lot to his character and the inner conflict residing within.
The art to this series has been phenomenal, especially the way Mikey’s visions and flashbacks are all blended in. Eastman’s portions have naturally been my favorite, I’m so used to seeing all the turtles together in this style that it echoes just how alone Mikey must feel in these scenes. The shift in color between the flashback scenes to present day are great, the duller colors used help convey just how different the world has become.
I’m loving this series; every panel and splash of ink has worked well thus far and I’m hoping for a real gut punch of an ending. These are arguably my favorite characters of all time and their love for their family is rooted in deep in their cores and I hope it comes through even moreso than it has these last few issues.
A Look Inside
