Today’s Comic> TMNT Color Classics Microseries: Donatello

So I’m not the only one who uses action figures for action poses.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics: Donatello Micro-Series One-Shot

{catches breath}

IDW Publishing (March, 2013)

Original black & white Publishing: May, 1986

When Donatello goes into the basement to check on the hot water he comes across April’s new tenant, Kirby, who found a strange crystal. When tied to his pencil, the crystal brings his drawings to life, but only briefly–except for one device that is a portal to the dimension where the monsters go to. Unfortunately those monsters are attacking some local humans and our heroes use their ninja and drawing skills (Donnie does the ninja stuff, Kirby does the drawing) to attempt to help. But with the portal closing one of them will be left behind.

What they got right: This issue, later redone for both a children’s book and an episode of the second animated series, is an obvious tribute to Jack Kirby and it does a good job of that. The art has improved a lot by now, and the coloring (although part of me still wishes they’d use the official colors for the masks) is also well done. If reprints were approved for Best Scene nomination then I would have a hard time choosing one, since there are a few splash pages that would make good posters. (Although again changing Donnie’s mask to purple so it doesn’t look like Raphael is fighting monsters with Don’s staff.)

What they got wrong: There are a few things unexplained that kind of bug me. I suppose the origins of the crystal isn’t the point so I guess I can ignore that for the sake of the story, but why did Kirby draw that device and doesn’t know what it does when it appears he usually draws monsters? We only see him draw machines to help fight the monsters in the other world. For that matter why is it the only thing that stays around until Don and Kirby use it? It’s kind of inconsistent. Maybe if Kirby found he could be of use in this new world and just drew a portal to get Don home or something it would have worked better.

Recommendation: Still a great story and tribute to Jack Kirby, and the colors really help. Grab this one as soon as you can.