Reviews - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny Of The Foot Clan #5 & The Rocketeer: Breaks Free #1
From IDW Publishing
One series ends, and another begins this week at IDW Publishing. I had a read of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny Of The Foot Clan #5 and The Rocketeer: Breaks Free #1.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny Of The Foot Clan #5
Destiny awaits Karai and her new Foot Clan. Having faced defeat at the hands of the Dog Star Clan, Karai has learned all she can about the newly discovered threat to her family’s legacy and is taking the fight to them. Here at the end, it’s magic versus technology for the fate of the Foot!
Author: Erik Burnham
Artist: Mateus Santolouco
This has been an entertaining mini-series. Not only have we got some extra history to the Foot Clan, but there have been some interesting discussions and exciting scenes that have added to the whole TMNT universe.
After Karai has undergone some magical changes, she has the knowledge and power to go after the upstart Dog Star Clan. Their links to the Foot Clan make this a good grudge match, and the upgrades provided by Karai seem to tip the balance.
Even so, there are some interesting links to the future of the Foot and Dog Star Clan and potential interactions with the rest of the TMNT universe.
This issue combined the art stylings well. Magic and technology are the key tenants of this story arc, and the combinations of these make this a good battle between the two ideologies.
This has been an excellent mini-series, with an ending of sorts at the end of the arc, with more to look forward to (and refer back to) in the future.
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
The Rocketeer: Breaks Free #1
With Betty about to start work on a new film, Cliff and Peevy join the aspiring starlet on a trip to San Francisco, where they liaise with fellow pilot and friend (and government operative) Debbie Seville. As always, trouble seems to follow Cliff, who gets caught up in a cable car accident! But at least it’ll be all smooth sailing after that, right? Not if the Rocketeer’s luck stays true to form!
Author: Stephen Mooney
Artists: Staz Johnson, and Doug Wheatley
You know, it’s fantastic to see this team on the Rocketeer. It’s a double for me, as not only do I enjoy the work on the creative team but I have always had a soft spot for the character.
This issue starts the ball rolling well for both experienced readers of the characters and those who are new to the series.
Cliff is still doing his thing as the Rocketeer, but he did promise Betty that he wouldn’t be putting himself in danger. This doesn’t seem to be the case, and after an action-packed opener, we get to the family part of the story.
Due to a change in location and different issues, the Hollywood side of the story comes with its own pitfalls, and the use of the Rocketeer as a corporate mascot is a nice touch—even if Cliff doesn’t like it.
Towards the end, there is more action, unique to the location, well-plotted, and has some excellent scenes.
As I said above, the combination of the characters, art and storytelling is excellent, and the threat looming on the horizon in the last panel sets us up nicely.
