Oroku Saki duels the Dragon Warrior in TMNT: Shredder in Hell No. 3
By Alex Widen
Image by IDW Publishing
It’s All Fun and Games until the Ki Blasts Start!
It isn’t enough to overpower Saki with intense ki energy blasts, as if this was an episode of Dragon Ball Z. Tatsuo uses Saki’s love for Kitsune against him to goad him into mistakes. Yet one thing vexes him. Kitsune had been brutally honest with Tatsuo about his role in her plans for centuries. With Saki, Kitsune hid the truth from him for a far shorter period of time. Was this more manipulation, or a genuine love? Or a fear of what Saki could accomplish if he knew the truth about his destiny, and could disrupt her plans through sheer force of will?
Image by IDW Publishing
To say that this issue, and series, is “done” by Mateus Santolouco is an understatement. He writes, draws, inks, co-colors, and produces the covers! Just about the only think he doesn’t contribute towards is the lettering! He has spent the better part of a year working on this series, and that focus continues to be obvious with every panel of every page. This is a labor of love and dedication, an act of harnessing all of his skill and perhaps even soul into a particular project.
Image by IDW Publishing
Speaking of souls, this issue introduces a psychological aspect to this. The premise of the Shredder fighting demons in Hell has always made for great visuals, but Santolouco is using it to introduce some deeper elements and themes. Chief among them is the duel between destiny and free will, with Oroku Saki learning it is never too late to try to redeem one’s soul. Another is the division of psyche, as the splitting of the Dragon’s spirit between Saki and Tatsuo may represent the Ego, the Id and the Super-Ego, respectively.