Publishers: DC/IDW
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Freddie E. Williams
Colourist: Jeremy Colwell
Editor: David Piña
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

Things quickly go from bad to worse in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5, this mini-series’ penultimate issue. The amphibious brothers are still trapped in Batman’s universe and face reverting back to their original animal forms if they don’t get home soon. That’s bad enough, but uber-baddies Shredder and Ra’s Al Ghul have conquered Arkham Asylum.

Perpetually irritable in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 Damien/Robin’s discovery of Mickey, Donnie and Casey Jones in the Batcave leads to predictable and wonderful results. But there’s more bad news: Leo is beginning to revert, meaning the group needs to return to their universe, now possible with colleague Jones’s arrival. They’re leaving the Dynamic Duo to face Shredder alone.

Oh, and in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 the League of Assassins is converging on Gotham. Things can’t get worse, right? Amazingly they do when the Bat and Robin reach Arkham to face scary, unexpected foes. Delightfully, this roller coaster of a story is still plummeting.

Freddie E. Williams keeps up a consistent tone, Batman in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 is an underground comic. It’s funky and fits the Turtles to an aquatic T.

I don’t know if Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 is a good Batman story, but it’s a great TMNT story; building up to what should be an exciting and fun final issue. “Aw, man, it can’t be over already,” Mikey tells Batman as he hugs him.

For Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 we have to agree. Over too soon and we want a re-match DC and IDW. And when do we want it? NOW!

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker