If you did not already go see the pages on line, and you did not already get your copy and read it--then don't read this post if you don't want SPOILERS!
Loved the Hai Karate bit on the inside front cover.
So we get: Hattori!
After all these years.
Now I was really looking forward to seeing what was up with this issue because I recently reposted old fan fics. Why?
One that I never finished (but had written a rousing start to Storm 2) included the TMNT visiting Hattori and his helping them to get to Japan. I'd gone on the premise of Hattori having stayed at the company, worked hard and finally cleared it of the criminal ties. Joy of fan fics!
But this comic, with the plot by Ross May and Peter, goes a whole other direction....
I had to agree with Casey that not having help reroofing the barn was weenie excuses. Poor Casey! That's hard work. And then he gets knocked out by a stranger. Not a good day for Casey.
So now we get the Hattori story, and I'll admit, wow. This is a vastly different Hattori than I would have predicted. He's gone kinda mystic-powered super hero.
As for the reference to issues 46-47...hmm...if my TMNT comics box with the old issues was not temporarily buried and a lot of work to get access to right now? I'd go dig that up and see what that reference was.
Okay, so I'll buy into this Hattori as mystic hero concept. It's also nice to see some good interaction with Splinter. The bit about Splinter as their master was a fun touch.
So then it's off to invade the HQ.
And surprise! Foot!
Which I don't know if I will be the only one to find it amusing, but the Goseico building is a liiiiittle bit like the new Toon Foot building.
Then we get more Foot stuff and how they are tied into Goseico....I'm wondering if this story is set pre-Karai and the deal they made with her, or post-Karai. But it wouldn't make sense post-Karai--because you'd think the TMNT would have said something about Karai. They do make a comment about when will it end with the Foot.
Nice to see Don using his skills to good advantage. But then poor Mikey sure gets it from the Ninja woman.
And then we get that new layer of complexity--who is she?
I am thinking she's from Tang Shen's family. Because if she's not of the Oroku family...or it's some story we don't know anything about at all. I'm also thinking a little along the lines of what we got in the Toon on Yoshi's past. Hm....
As to the art?
Refreshing change of what we're used to seeing. Nice to get to enjoy someone else's artistic approach.
The layouts were nice, the tones were nice. I had enjoyed seeing the pencils before-hand--thanks to Fugitoid posting that info for us.
But I'm not as fond of overly buffed, ripped to the point of breaking, beefy-round Turtles. That's not my preference. That said about the look of the TMNT, I liked the art and the story telling quality of it. Even without the words in the pencils we saw, you could understand what was going on.
As for the ads to future Tales?
Yeah BERGER art!!!! I am very much looking forward to seeing some stuff done by Dan again!!
I love that Leo with Leatherhead. Nice look.
Then there's an upcoming one called Rock of Ages with Raph and Mikey, and another different art team.
That Tales of Leonardo?
Not exactly looking forward to that....<shudder>
