In an epic crossover event, IDW Publishing give reach-back support extraordinaires, The Lone Gunmen, an x-file of their own to investigate. After receiving information from the future that humanity is on the brink of extinction, the Gunmen check out several familiar urban legends (a team of ghost hunters, martial artist turtles, giant robots, and a resurrected spirit) somehow linked to the impending doom. Part three of six takes the trio of conspiracy theorists to Massachusetts to find some alleged overgrown reptiles.
Writer Ed Brisson successfully tackles the task of not straying too far from the ongoing TMNT continuity while incorporating The Lone Gunmen’s mission at hand. After seeing online reports of manphibians in Northampton (love the Weekly Weird News intro page), they head north to validate. Once the sightings are confirmed, they need more from the fearsome four than they’d bargained for. No spoilers here, but Leonardo’s scenes at the end are a particularly nice touch by Brisson (and a nod to the leader’s still-healing wounds).
Though I haven’t been a huge fan of Michael Walsh‘s pencils in the past, they are starting to grow on me. I still feel that details like facial expressions and backdrops can, at times, be murky or non existent. With the proportionality of mutant turtles though, he’s able to capture their grimacing better than some of the standard human emotions in his work on X-Files Season 10.
Great concept and execution, and while likely the intent of this series, this issue left me wanting more. Looks like I can’t just stop after the City Fall arc, I’ll have to actually see how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are faring in New England. I hope IDW never takes their licenses for granted, as of right now they are doing them justice, I pray that it stays that way.
Story: Ed Brisson Art: Michael Walsh
Story: 8 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
