Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
From IDW Publishing
The fourth issue for the four brothers, Donatello, is the focus here; he is not in a good place.
This is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 from IDW Publishing.
Chris Burnham returns to art duties this issue as we finally learn the fate of Donatello! Trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill, his mind is still broken since last we saw him.
As mysterious forces gather against him, can Donnie gather himself to defeat these enemies and set himself free? Superstar writer Jason Aaron continues his exploration of the individual Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, setting the stage for their reunion.
Author: Jason Aaron
Artist: Chris Burnham
“Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together.”
Back together again, but things are not as they once were.
This issue concentrates on Donatello, who is not in a good place. This can refer to his physical and mental state.
Physically, along with wasting away due to lack of food, Donatello has been captured by a group of mutant-hating humans who are using mutants as a blood sport. Donatello is helping the other captured mutants by getting them food and fighting many battles.
Donatello has had a major mental breakdown. The events of the previous volume, along with the loss of Splinter, have really taken a toll on the turtle. However, he does have enough of his mental faculties to engineer an escape for him and the other captive mutants.
That escape is expedited by a free-for-all against him by the human captors, and then, in addition to that, the Foot Clan—who have already made attempts on the other three TMNT—attacks as well.
The characterisation of Donatello is brilliant, and it will take him some time to get into the right headspace. That isn’t to say that all is right with the other three, though. The bickering is still there, and they seem to still have some issues to sort through.
This may have to be done sooner rather than later, though, as the end of this issue gives us a look into what is against the TMNT and how bad it is!
There is some excellent, gritty art and colours here, and Donatello’s crazed reactions and expressions are perfect in this story. The bit with the rat was excellent.
I can’t wait to see what comes next!
