Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2 review: Boss of the Foot Clan
By Alex Widen
Bane has taken control of the Foot Clan! Yet can Batman and Donatello figure out how to beat him?
Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Freddie Williams II
Colorist: Jeremy Colwell
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In their last crossover, it was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their arch-foe who came to Batman’s world. Now, the man who broke Batman has found himself a part of the Green Machine’s NYC. A bruiser who is cunning enough to impress Ra’s Al Ghul makes for a deadly enemy, or the greatest leader the Foot Clan ever had. After accidentally swapping places with him, Donatello has unleashed a mess on both worlds. It’s up to Batman to begin to puts the pieces back together.
Image by DC Comics
Like any detective, much less the world’s greatest, Batman starts from the beginning. He’d originally tracked Bane to the Lazarus Pit, the frequent resource of Ra’s Al Ghul. While he and the Turtles ended Ra’s alliance with the Shredder, the “demon’s head” has managed to avoid prison. In addition to that, Ra’s knows all about the current crisis, and even wants to help. From his perspective, it’s a chance to eliminate two rivals at once. It’s a race against time to build another universal portal!
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Ice to See You!
While Batman gets a component to the portal without a fight, Donatello and Robin aren’t so lucky! The not-so-dynamic-duo find themselves running afoul of Mr. Freeze and his minions. It’s yet another scheme to put everything around him on ice. While Donatello is impressed by the gadgets, Damian Wayne can barely contain his contempt. Yet when Donatello proves right about how much a Batcycle can take and manages to cobble together a replacement on the fly, even Robin is impressed!
Image by DC Comics
The fight against Mr. Freeze is brief, while the main challenge awaits them. Alongside Lucius Fox and Batgirl, the Caped Crusader and the brainy ninja Turtle rebuild the portal to hop between worlds. What follows is a subtle yet strong moment, of the sort that James Tynion IV littered throughout the first meeting between these franchises. It showcases that he understands not only the Ninja Turtles, but Batman himself. He avoids catering to cliches to offer something different.
Image by DC Comics
To this point, Tynion IV showcases that his Batman is not a grim, brooding, unreasonable jerk. Donatello admits full responsibility for the crisis, and acknowledges that it was selfish and petty. The Foot Clan humiliated him, and Donatello wanted coaching to appease his ego. Being willing to admit that proves Donatello is the son that Splinter raised, and is honorable even when he’s in the wrong. After all, if Donatello was unable to acknowledge mistakes, he’d be a poor scientist.
Image by DC Comics
Batman Isn’t a Jerk!
The typical Batman scene would involve the Dark Knight either chewing Donnie out or saying something smug. Readers have, unfortunately, seen Batman act like this countless times, even to some of his closest sidekicks, since the 90s (and especially in the 2000s). Many fans even like it when Batman acts like this. Yet Tynion IV isn’t one of them, and while his Batman is serious, he isn’t without understanding. He actually forgives Donnie and offers some advice, much like the mentor he is.
Image by DC Comics
Meanwhile, Bane has wasted no time in taking over the Foot Clan. While Karai is nowhere to be seen, the Shredder’s hench-mutants Bebop and Rocksteady are still about. The pair have split off into their own faction without the Shredder to lead them, creating a power vacuum. While the Foot Elite were unwilling to bow to Karai, it seems like they’re more eager to do so with Bane. When the massive masked man only sends one of their men back, even the mutants kneel to him!
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While the Foot Clan under Shredder operated in the shadows, Bane leads them in direct robberies. Ever the cell boss, Bane is eager to advertise that he’s the new boss in town. Manhattan is in flames, and not even the rest of the Turtles, with Casey Jones’ aid, can stand up to it. The troupe return from one battle after Michelangelo has suffered a sprained ankle. Unfortunately, Raphael is in little mood to hear his whining and melodramatics about it, especially with a gang war raging.
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Is Another Unholy Alliance Forming?
The arrival of Batman and Robin, with Donatello in tow, brings with it a brief celebration. Mikey, as always, is eager to visit the superhero again. Yet Raphael is even less thrilled to learn that Donatello is responsible for bringing Bane to NYC. He’s actually less understanding about it than Batman was, which is also in character. However, the bickering is ended by Master Splinter, who as always, is able to calm his sons with his wise words. He and Batman exchange pleasantries.
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The dynamics between how Batman interacted with the whole mutant clan was another thing I loved about the last crossover. Tynion IV picks up where he left off in that regard. Around the Ninja Turtles themselves, Batman tends to act as he usually does in mentoring crime fighting teenagers. He mixes sternness with understanding, his skill is above them. But with Splinter, he is among an equal, if not a master. Splinter managed to sneak up on Batman himself, and there’s mutual respect.
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While Bane may be enough of a brute to cow the Foot Clan and Bebop and Rocksteady, he’s left clues behind. Thanks to April O’Neil taking snapshots of this crimes, Batman realizes Bane’s one flaw. The “venom” steroid which empowers him is in short supply, and when it runs out he’ll be vulnerable. Yet it seems like Bane is one step ahead. He’s already learned enough about this world to have its resident scientist, Baxtor Stockman, abducted to serve his ends. This can’t end well!
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Bane and the Boy Wonder!
Two chapters in, and James Tynion IV is picking up right where he left off. While he could have chosen any of Batman’s rogues for this plot, Bane does suit things well. His gimmick of automatically conquering any situation he is in, no matter how new or bizarre, is a good one for the Turtles’ world. He’s a masked man who combines skill with brute strength, the sort the Foot Clan could fall behind. Even Bebop and Rocksteady, followers at heart, would recognize a cell boss.
Image by DC Comics
In fact the only thing I hope with Bane is that he doesn’t rely too much on his gimmick. While a variety of writers have tried to have Bane kick his addiction to “venom,” such as Chuck Dixon and Gail Simone, such a simple visual angle has persisted. Part of it is due to media adaptations, yet it often makes Bane’s defeat simple. Yank the tube, stop the man. I imagine Bane will be pitted against the Ninja Turtles in the finale, and I hope they don’t manage to best him quite so easily.
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The dynamic between Robin and the Turtles is also amusing. While he’s younger than all of them, Damian is probably more stern than even Batman. Beyond a habit of naming Bat-items, Damian is pretty humorless. Even Leonardo seems more mellow in comparison. Yet he is still a kid, and still has a lot to learn despite being trained as an assassin by Talia Al Ghul. If he though enduring the wisecracks from Nightwing or Spoiler were rough, he’s in for a load of it with the Ninja Turtles!
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Does This Sequel Have a Chance to Match the Original?
The artwork by Freddie Williams II and Jeremy Colwell is nothing less than spectacular. Drawing covers to TMNT Universe for over a year kept Williams II’s skills sharp. As much as Mr. Freeze’s “sleeveless” design is lame, Williams II manages to make it work. While Tynion IV actually focuses more on dialogue and interaction than fighting, there is always enough action to allow Williams II to shine. His Bane is massive and fierce, and it’s also cool getting to see him draw other characters.
Image by DC Comics
Next: See Donatello make a mess of things in #1!
Sequels can be tough things to handle. The original Batman/TMNT had the element of being an unknown novelty behind it. It was difficult to form solid expectations, and it shattered all of them. In addition to being a top seller, it also had more heart and wit than some may have expected. Following it is a tough act to follow, yet Tynion IV is cruising wisely. Rather than try to recreate it, he’s merely continuing along with the story, and offering a thrilling new challenge while following up on established dynamics. Holy Turtle-Power, Batman! That’s how to craft solid comic books!