The first thing you notice about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is how amazing the artwork is. Juan Ferryra doesn’t draw punches throughout this issue, especially when it comes to using Nunchucks. The nunchuck slams thugs with his chin, blows ninjas, and throws them with enough force to knock someone out. If you weren’t speculating, this issue focuses entirely on Michelangelo when he goes to war to release Donatello from prison and, most importantly, the clutch of the legged clan.
What stands out most for me is how Ferrelia takes advantage of every inch of the page, even when the panels break when doing his artwork. When Donatello meets Da Hieronymus Hale, the panel resembles the bar in Cage Donnie’s trapped cage. Another moment features Mikey’s nunchucks, crossing to form an X. I also love how Ferreya uses the turtle’s signature colour through the problems. Oranges can be found everywhere from the background to the word caption, as this is a question that focuses on Mikey.
But the real standout moment is the splash page where Mikey takes over the entire legion of soldiers from the Legged Clan. Ferrelia draws this as one single continuous image, featuring Mikey kicking and crashing the building while “chuking” the enemy. A bonus touch is a caption for each floor detailing the weapons used by soldiers on the floor, which becomes increasingly dangerous over time. It just matches the page where Mikey wears a yellow Brue Three-style tracksuit, which moves to another enthusiastic action-filled splash page.
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Ferrerya’s artwork is packed with punches, but there’s no discount on Jason Aaron’s writing. Aaron shows Mikey is tired despite his usual energetic outlook – tired of fighting his brother, tired of fighting the city that is trying to kill him and his family, and generally tired of fighting. That’s far from what Jokestar fans know, but it tells you how awful it is that Mikey has come to this state. Aaron also begins to peel off the reason for the turtle splitting, hinting that the wound is still raw to Mikey.
But the biggest and obvious thing about Aaaron is how Sprinters influence the turtle, even amid death. What I like about turtles is their family dynamic, which extends to the father bond they have with Splinter. There is a reason why this issue is entitled “Rotten Rat Road.” Apart from the nunchucks, rats play a major role. This includes the aforementioned rotten mice that Leonardo and Raphael commune, and the rats following April O’Neill.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is not only a visually stunning comic, but also a great character showcase for Michelangelo. Sometimes there are series that remind you why comic books are one of the best artistic mediums around. Aaron and Ferreya’s TMNT run is one of these series. TMNT fans, comic rookies, or comic fans who want to shake up the pull list will find something they love here.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” #9 is a visual wonder and emotional intestinal punch
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is not only a visually stunning comic, but also a great character showcase for Michelangelo. Sometimes there are series that remind you why comic books are one of the best artistic mediums around. Aaron and Ferreya’s TMNT run is one of these series. TMNT fans, comic rookies, or comic fans who want to shake up the pull list will find something they love here.
Ferreya’s artwork is a visual wonder, using every inch of the page to tell the story.
Aaron continues to provide emotional moments, especially when Mikey is involved.
A splash page that acts as a more or less one battle scene…and talks to people.
TMNT fans, comic book fans, and newcomers have another reason to add this to their pull list.
