What's Fun About This Book
In my opinion, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 is by far one of the best single issues of a comic book that I've read this year. You have a good jumping on point for many new readers. You have an origin story of sorts. There are plenty of tense moments; and for those readers who enjoy horror, there's something for you to! The creative team of Eastman, Waltz, Santolouco, Torres and Pattison do an awesome job telling this story. It's self-contained and it left me wanting more of its antagonist, the newly re-imagined Rat-King.
I really like this version of Rat-King. Eastman and Waltz have taken a classic TMNT villain and transformed him into what may turn out to be one of the most excitingly unique comic book villains to come along in recent years. He is a trickster of sorts as well as a boogeyman in this newest incarnation. He exists. He doesn't exist. Is he a phantom? An uran legend? Is he immortal? What's even more interesting is the fact that he just may be a character of fairy-tale myth. I won't spoil it here, but it's an interesting take. It's also, in my estimate, possible that the Rat-King was responsible for the Black Plague. Am I reading too much into this? Anyway, the villain seems to be a malevolent being set on orchestrating his next move in what can be described as an ultimate game of world domination.
What Delviry is this?
The art on this book was beautiful! Mateus Santolouco characterizations were fantastic, and he continues to wow me. Mark Torres and Cory Smith also lent a hand on several pages. Particularly, it was Torres who created the pages featuring the fairy tale legend, adding more myth to the Rat-King as an immortal. What stood out to me the most in this issue, however, were Ronda Pattinson's colors. Her palette worked for an issue calling for dark and shadow. The colors really drew me into the story. Only three characters show up for the bulk of this issue, and each stood out against the sewer backdrops. Pattinson's work also added to the horror element of the issue. Rat-King is truly a sinister force with whom the Turtles will have to contend. Kudos!
What's Not So Fun
The "why now" question arises for me regarding this issue. Why does Rat-King reveal himself now? What is his ultimate end-game? I like the fact that he knew little about Leonardo and Splinter. However, he kept mentioning a sister, a possible rival of his whom the Turtles may already be familiar. Who will it turn out to be? Will it be Leonardo's "mother?" Or was the Rat-King playing mind tricks on the "father and son" duo?
Much has been explored about the father-son dynamic in the comic book over the span of TMNT's history. This is particularly true of Leonardo and Raphael. Where Raph has struggled with family, Leonardo has struggle with duty and honor. As the "good son," Leonardo has at times been portrayed as self-righteous and holier-than-thou. The notions behind patriarchal fealty for him seems to be crumbling, especially on the heels of previous events. He respects Master Splinter, but he seems to be at odds with him. The Rat-King capitalized on this weakness. Will this tension between them weaken an already fragile relationship? Only time will tell.
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| The Rat-King bids you "Adieu!" |
The Punch-Line
...I will not forget you.
Nor will I forget this issue. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 was a fun exploration of the fears fathers and sons share in their mutual relationships. "Have I done my best to raise and protect my children/family?" "Have I done what I can to make my parents proud of me?" These are real-world questions that I hope the series will continue to ask and to resolve with some real-world solutions. All-in-all, this issue was a fun read and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the Rat-King.
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