Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 is written by Jason Aaron and published by IDW. Artwork and main cover is by Rafael Albuquerque, colours by Marcelo Maiolo and letters by Shawn Lee.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Michelangelo is living in Tokyo, where he’s become a big TV star. It’s a pretty cool life, full of fame and fortune, but if he’s being honest, Mikey misses his brothers and the sense of purpose they had together. Well, in a classic case of “be careful what you wish for,” that old life looks like it’s coming to find him when ninjas show up in his apartment armed to the teeth! Continuing the all-new ongoing series from writer Jason Aaron (Action Comics, Thor), this time joined by Detective Comics and American Vampire artist Rafael Albuquerque, this spotlight story on everyone’s favorite jokester puts the second piece of the puzzle together for the future of TMNT.
Review
After a blockbuster launch just in time for San Diego Comic-Con, IDW’s brand new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles returns today with its second issue. It’s also the turn of Rafael Albuquerque to take over artistic duties this month. As this new incarnation of the book continues to focus on different characters its the turn of Michelangelo to take the spotlight.
Writer Jason Aaron is keeping his cards close to his chest. Last month’s Raphael focussed book alluded to why the brothers are currently separated. That plot strand returns this month as Mikey also alludes to bigger events which as (pardon the pun) splintered the group. The mystery surrounding this new status quo is a huge draw to the book. Whilst the stories in the moment are really a great read, this overarching mystery is a real unique selling point which sets this book apart from over versions of TMNT.
So here we are with issue #2. We find that Mikey has now moved to Tokyo and is starring in a hit TV show where he plays a ninja. He’s literally the toast of the town. But whilst those who take him at face value see a celebrity who enjoys their new found status. Behind the curtain Mikey is struggling with the loneliness which comes with celebrity. His inner narration leads us back to memories of his time with his brothers. Aaron paints Mikey a contemplative and introspective character at this stage in his life. Lamenting on his younger days and sarcastic about his current position. That is until his relatively calm is shattered by the arrival of real ninjas.
As a major throw down ensures, Aaron and artist Albuquerque work hand-in-hand to create something with packs both a visual and emotional punch. The fight is the big drawn. Seeing Mikey throwing down without his brother’s as he takes on this group of ninjas. Drugged and confused he might not be his sharpest but he’s still a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Albuquerque feels like the perfect choice for this issue, bringing a darker edge to the book. It plays in nicely to Mikey’s feelings of isolation, creating a sense of remoteness despite being in the middle of a city of fourteen million people. Within the space of Mikey’s apartment there’s plenty of opportunity for cool fight choreography. If his diamond-encrusted nunchaku aren’t enough to catch your attention, Albuquerque lands every blow of the fight with guttural veracity.
His drug-infused hallucinations are where Aaron has chance to explore the dynamic between turtles. Without fully revealing what’s happened between the brothers, there’s still plenty of time to at least show us Mikey’s perspective. Firstly, it’s nice to have each of the turtles making more of an appearance this month. Even if it’s via hallucinations. Aaron appears to be setting up some future conflict between the turtles. It’s clear there’s an emotional chasm between them which needs to be bridged before we see them teaming up again. Hearing Mikey’s perspective it seems like perhaps the perception of him as a party dude eventually became too much. A drive to feel respected feels strongly hinted at through the continued narration.
No way am I spoiling the ending here. Issue #2 is beginning to connect the dots. Aaron pulls a great cliffhanger out of his bag of tricks, leaving us on an incredible final splash page. though it seems issue #3 may not pick up on it right away, the direction of travel is absolutely where I want this series to go.
Verdict
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 continues to chart a new path for the Heroes in Half-Shell. Jason Aaron writes Michelangelo with a maturity not often seen outside of The Last Ronin. The mystery surrounding the turtles current status as a family continues to entice whilst artist Rafael Albuquerque brings a blockbuster visual action to the action-packed story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
