Review of Raphael Bad Moon Rising (mini series)

[Leonardo]

If it says Review in the subject, do you really need a spoiler warning?
 
Consider yourself fair warned....

I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down to read this one....
Going to be a weird trip, was an expectation that was met.
However, the story was a fun romp into those elements I love in TMNT comics.
Raph was...so Raph.
The whole fridge raid (wind tunnel tested? ), the perfection of all that is Raphitude, the dialogue....
Only Raph can get away with a line including pooper-scooper like that.

I liked the panel layouts, (even if the one page looks like the photocopy trick), and Raph's expressions were good.

And....
New classic moment, Raph riding the bat....

 

[Ninjara]

Ummm, yeah.  That was a photocopy trick, Leo.
  But it's okay, isn't it?
  Each panel had to look exactly the same because of the 'pregnant pause'.    
 
  I think I would have done the same thing to make sure each panel looked identical.

   Ahhhh, I love Raph and Shadow stories.  I especially love it when Talbot does the inks. (Or anything TMNT related.)  Can't wait to read the next issue.  

[Ninjara]

Here's something else.

     I was just reading through this comic again this morning while having my coffee.  And I looked at the beer bottles again that Raph was taking out of the fridge.....

     See the name on the bottle?  It got me to thinking.  "Wind-tunnel tested"......okay......Mandello.....okay.....

     Why did Jim Lawson pick Mandello for a brand of beer?

     THIS IS WHAT I LOVE SO MUCH ABOUT MIRAGE!!!!!

   All their comic books have references to things in the artists' lives.  They almost invariably drop something in there, that when you do get to meet them, you've got something to talk about other than just art.

      Mandello is for Mandello del Lairo, Italy.  The Moto Guzzi museum is there!

     I looked it up just now on the internet.  I love the look of the town.....and the museum is super cool.....if you like motorcycles....which I do.

      Well, I can tell you.....besides the trip to Ireland.....when we get to the trip to Italy and the gorgeous Isle of Capri......I may cut the Capri thing short and head for Mandello del Lairo.

      And now, turning my attention to the tack on the bats....and remembering the tack in another book....seems to me horses moved into someone's life here along the way.  Hahaha.  I wonder how that's going?

      I love this little girl, Lucrezia......uh oh.  Italian name.....whaddya wanna bet?

      Anyway,  I love this character Lucrezia.  She could have her own book as far as I'm concerned.  She's really cool.

[Leonardo]

What???
No comments from the Phael gallery about Raph ralphing?
 

And yeah, they're not alone....seems to be a common comic book thing of sneaking in inside stuff. The fun is when you can hunt some of that stuff down.

[Aignatius]

Mandello del Lairo, eh?

And I thought I knew everything.      

[Ninjara]

Well, heck, Aiggie.....you were stuck in Spain for the most part weren't you?  And just a slip of a lass at the time.

     Besides, you've been so busy with the house thing, I don't expect you've had time to sit much on your tail looking at comic books.

     Comments on the ralphing?  Uh, not when you live with the guy......or someone very similar.

    Buuuuttt......I laughed.  Mostly at the girls making fun of him.  I kinda felt sorry for him.  And, uh, I know it's not any fun to hurl booze, from firsthand experience......just like some others out there I could name....tee hee.

     Tsk.  Yeah, Leo.  I laughed at Raph's misfortune.   Shame on me.

[Leonardo]

Hm, perhaps Ninjara will be the one bapped?

It is true that the girl factor ganging up in there v Raph was also an amusing undercurrent.
And I am guessing it will only be worse for Raph in the next issues....
While it's not nice to laugh AT Raph, can't help but laugh because the issue was set up with that kind of humor.
Just like when he kicks his bat into high gear to ride at the front of the pack.
 

[Kazari]

I have been so bad. I have bought all the new comics that are released, but I hardly read them. I guess lately I'm too close minded...LOL If it doesn't have Don, I don't read them XD

[Leonardo]

Raph does mention Don....
Will that work?
 

[Aignatius]

It's true, one can never have enough of Don. Oh, the others are fine in their own right, but-- they aren't Don. Enough said.  

*serious risk of getting bapped by random people at this point*

Aye, Ninjara.  Only, when one is in one European country it's pretty easy to visit the others. Just a matter of driving though a few of mountain passes, and there you have it. Benvenuto a Italia. (Hm, no, I don't know much Italian...)
And then there's the marvellous train sytem. Get a Eurail pass, and you can go anywhere. At least that's how it worked back then. Not sure if they still have that. But I'm getting off track, per usual.  

Back to the comic-- I did feel badly for Raph, I mean, how many people can actually jump on a live giant bat and not freak out about its aerobatics... great story, overall.

[Leonardo]

Don Don Don....
 

This IS a Raph mini series, for now, it's all about the Raph.
So....
Raph Raph Raph.

     

*expecting I'll get a laugh from a certain Phael*

Although, Don does deserve a mini-series, too.

Raph would probably prefer to be riding a motorcycle rather than the bat. More control over a bike v. less unpredictable animal to try to control.

And what is also making it for a possibly fun story with the next issues, is Raph going into something he really hates. Magic. So he's in a world he doesn't know all the rules, strength won't always win, and he's going to probably have to rely on the girls....
 

[Raphael]

Actually, this 'certain Phael' would like to be able to read said comic. Hopefully, I'll find some issues soon...

[Ninjara]

Geez, Raph.  Don't waste another minute.  Call Mirage and have it shipped to your house.  Katie's wicked fast at getting the orders filled.

    On second thought.....the second issue's about due out, if not already.  See?  Two Raph comics in one hit.  That's a good thing.

    My comic shop here, it's like a crap shoot trying to zero in on the arrival dates for these books.  Luckily my office did a move recently and I'm now just a few blocks away.  Makes checking in a lot easier.

[Kazari]

LOL I know I know it's Raph series LOL I'm bad. I buy the comics but I never read them. Like when I went to NYCC one year I purchased an older TMNT comic that my friend told me about, to only come home and realize I already had it! LOL

[Leonardo]

Considering Raph sort of gets picked on and stuff....
You might want to read this one. It's got some funny stuff in it.
 
 

[Raphs_Girl]

I agree with Ninjara, Raph and Shadow stories are excellent!    They are such a dynamic duo!   I almost died from excitement when I first saw the previews for this mini-series.  And my expectations were exceeded tenfold. I think Jim Lawson is absolutely amazing and he definately did such a great job with this!

The Raph Ralphing part was hilarious! *giggles* EVen though I felt bad for him...I did laugh at the same time! I'll admit it!    

[Kazari]

Okay. I am going to get bapped. I buy the comics but I don't read them *laughs* I am kind of bias..unless it's about Don, I pretty much to put it away. So I have TONS of comics that I own but don't read! I have every single issue! So yes I DO own this series...have I read it? Nope! LOL

[Buslady]

I haven't gotten the last issue but I'm not overly impressed with it. The art...mediocre. Lawson's art used to be great way back in the 90s, now it all looks like a bunch of thumbnails...and females who look like guys with boobs. The story, dissapointed me. This is not a "Raph Mini-series" this is a SHADOW story with him tagging along to make sure she's fine. Totally dissapointed. If they're gonna do a Raph miniseries, he should be the one focused on, not someone else.

when they do the others, i expect THEM to be focused on.

the micro issues were true solo stories, they're still better.

Sorry Mirage, try again better next time.