Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Freddie Williams II, Jeremy Colwell (colours)
Release Date: 20th December 2017

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SAM
So you’ve read Batman/TMNT #2?

ADAM
Yeah read it last night

SAM
But you’ve not read volume 1 right?

ADAM
No, issue #1 of volume 2 was my first

SAM
I like Donnie’s insecurity. Plus he’s my favourite turtle so centering the comic on him was always going to be a win for me.

ADAM
Yeah, Donnie was/is my favourite too

SAM
Though the art style reminds me a bit of the new movies in this volume – more than in the last vol

In terms of the turtles themselves. Dunno, hard to put my finger on it.

ADAM
I loved it. I always take crossover stuff with a pinch of salt. If they take themselves too seriously they often fall flat

This had everything I expected of Batman and the turtles. What I didn’t expect was for it to mesh so well. When you throw the world’s greatest detective (Not my choice of words…) together with the bodacious four you’d be forgiven for thinking it’d be an odd clash

SAM
I know, right? But it’s the Dark City. It really gets that classic turtles vibe. But I suppose also, it’s that Daredevil thing, turtles coming from Frank Miller’s throwaway ooze at that point there’s more logic, less disconnect.

And as well, DC has really shown the humour in the Rebirth era with Damian -tt- Robin

ADAM
I haven’t read much Rebirth Bats but yeah the humour is great in this

SAM
There’s that awesome family pie scene in Action Comics. Substitute for pizza

ADAM
I also like not having to worry about the suspension of disbelief

SAM
?

ADAM
In Batman or Superman or whatever, why would anyone live in a city now? Like the insurance premiums on the infrastructure must be crippling

SAM
Like in Batman White Knight

ADAM
If you try to be too realistic it stretches the ability to suspend disbelief too much

SAM
Very true. Freeze stuff is great too, love Donnie admiring his tech.

Batman is so “Bat Dad” in it too.

I could handle a bit more nerd chat with Donnie and Barbara though.

It’s great stuff. They cram a lot into 21 pages without it feeling stuffed (crust)

I actually had to check it wasn’t a bonus length issue

ADAM
You couldn’t help making a pizza pun could you?

SAM
What’s your point caller?

I do think it’s a bit of a jump at the start.

ADAM
I thought I had missed something between issues

SAM
Yeah. It takes them explicitly stating a week has passed a few pages in, and then you get another jump in the Rocksteady/Bebop bit

They do get a lot in though. It’s going to please most folk. This is no anchovy vs pineapple debate.

ADAM
Yeah you’d have to be pretty square to not like this.

Has there been much Batman Robin and Ras over the years. Seems like there could be a decent premise for a short run.

Like a proper team up against something

SAM
Some. Check out Batman Beyond ;)

Funny how well Bane suits TMNT-verse though

ADAM
Yeah. Defo. In saying that, pretty much any villain barring Joker would work in the TMNT universe if you played up the camp villainy

Freeze works as is. Manbat isn’t far off what’s already there. Riddler and Penguin are more of a stretch. But Deathstroke, Lobo, Manta, Catwoman, heck even some of the supes villains if you dial back the power level

SAM
Although actually I don’t think they did play up the camp with Bane – and whilst, say, Conquest does a bit, and is fun, this is better for him being straight, and terrifying with it. His hook-up makes sense and is in keeping with the wider techie themes too.

ADAM
True. Bane is camp even when he’s menacing

SAM
Freeze edges more camp, weirdly.

ADAM
I can almost see a TMNT/Hitman crossover. Going after some truly weird stuff and the turtles having arguments with Tommy

SAM
That would work. Anything with that warped humour – section 8, Constantine even.

ADAM
The turtles have the dimensional travel schtick built in so relatrrelatirerelativrelatively easy

Kindle went mental there

SAM
I just assumed you had a Krang spasm.

But I think the relative straightness of Bat and Bane work well in the turtle verse.

ADAM
Ha

Yeah it’s a good foil

Lots going on but it’s a short run

I like that I could connect with it despite not having any recent knowledge of the Turtles – barring looking at the toys when taking the kids shopping. Don’t judge me

SAM
Depends on your choice of toppings. So 4/5?

ADAM
Yeah. The story is far out and the art is rad.

SAM
Get out.

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Rating: 4/5.

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