Written by: Tom Waltz
Art by: Cory Smith
Publisher: IDW
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #37 should have it’s title changed to Battle between Shredder and General Krang. This may sound like a negative statement, but I assure you it is not!
We begin this issue with Shredder requesting a face to face meeting with General Krang on one of the General’s ships. At first Waltz seemed to bore me with the conversation brewing between the two. It was very political and ego filled. However, I found myself diving more and more into this issue once their plans became visualized. Waltz did a terrific job of bringing two villains together, and show how different their morals and evil actually goes.
Of course, you can’t have two mad men together very long without butting heads for one reason or another. Therefore, the expected, but beautifully done shocker of a fight begins! Smith brought power to each blow with color and detail. The action seemed never ending, in the “want to shout with joy” feeling after seeing an amazing explosion in a film. My only complaint was the confusion that could apply to new TMNT readers. Waltz brings in many smaller known characters that are each in cahoots with Shredder and General Krang. They make it decently clear who is on who’s side, and why the characters have arrived. However, once the action began keeping track of all villains became a little tricky. Even for a reader knowing each character.
Not a single turtle, or even whisper or a turtle’s name came in this issue, and normally I despise that type of work. However, we all know that Shredder for one, is just as important to follow along with as these huge story lines develop. This issue was a definite necessity to the TMNT plot line, as well as a great action packed read. Waltz continues to do things right with our favorite shelled heroes. He even knows how to make you smirk at a villains’ small victory.
Read.This.Issue.
