It feels like a long amount of time has passed since the previous issue but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 throws you right into the mix with a trio of stories all packed into a single issue. It’s one that is filled with emotion, action, and a little bit of hope.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 is broken up into three different segments. In the present, Mike and his allies are in a full assault against Stockman in hopes of getting the upper hand against Hiroto. It’s the desperate battle we’ve seen so many times before in other stories but it works and works well. What Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman deliver in their script is desperation but a lot of hope. Things look grim and like the heroes will lose but it’s done in a way that you’re convinced it won’t happen. There’s a glimmer of success within. It keeps the issue from being a complete downer because…
The issue also gives us the fate of Splinter and Donatello. Talking to April, Mike recounts his trip to try to find his Master and brother and what he discovered about their fates. It’s a sad moment that’s full of expected tragedy. While it’s sad to see the death of these two, how it’s delivered is done so in an epic manner that feels befitting.
The final piece of the comic focuses on Casey as we learn a little bit more about April and Casey Jones’ daughter. There’s some interesting revelations with the character that adds to her and opens up some possibilities for how she’ll fit into the future story. Beyond that, her interaction with Mikey is fantastic taking what used to be the “jokey” Turtle and turning him into an adult in many ways.
The art and color of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 is intriguing. There’s varying styles depending on when the story takes place creating distinct chapters visually. Kevin Eastman‘s layouts with Esau and Isaac Escorza‘s pencils and inks look fantastic. With color by Luis Antonio Delgado and lettering by Shawn Lee, the issue takes us through the history of TMNT with its styles and look. There’s moments that feel modern and others that are a throwback to the early days of the original series.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 a chapter that feels desperate but never feels depressing. There’s a lot of action and a lot of loss but it never quite hits you emotionally, because the issue keeps things focused on the living and the future. Through all of it, it focuses on the hope of success and what’s next making sure to remind readers this is but a chapter in the greater story.
Story: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz Script: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman
Layouts: Kevin Eastman Pencils: Esau & Isaac Escorza Ink: Esau & Isaac Escorza
Color: Luis Antonio Delgado Letterer: Shawn Lee
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
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Source: Graphic Policy
