By Mark Rodriguez
Splinter and Shredder decided to settle their final battle once and for all in a gauntlet style match. Splinter and Shredder's forces will fight each other, and the survivors will help their masters take each other out. The Turtles face Bebop, Rocksteady, Bludgeon and Koya, and Karai, Angel and Alopex are forbidden from interfering. In a few moments the Turtles are all taken down and Shredder's mutants are ready to finish the job. What will happen now in this double-sized 50th issue of the IDW TMNT series?
With the Turtles down, Rocksteady is ready to mash 'em up with his sledgehammer. Metalhead-Don blasts the rhino in the face and then uses his flamethrower to keep the evil mutants at bay. Raph is ready to fight again, but Leo determines that they can't win just by charging into them. They have to think and act like a team to win, and Splinter also tells them to not lose focus. Shredder commands his mutants to attack, and the Turtles also jump in, ready to fight for their father.
The Turtles leap into battle, dodging their enemy's attacks, and also switching opponents to leave them confused. Shredder yells at his minions while Splinter is in meditation, telling his sons to keep control of the fight. Splinter remembers his previous life as Hamato Yoshi, back in ancient Japan when Shredder was to have him and his sons executed. Yoshi begs for their lives, but Saki says he betrayed the Foot and since his sons follow him, they will also pay.
Raph tosses kunais at Rocksteady's arm, and while the rhino is busy picking them off, his sledgehammer lands on Bebop's foot. Mikey jokes that they should make them beat each other up, and Raph agrees.
Fugitoid and Harold prepare to douse Donatello's injured body with healing mutagen, with thanks from the mysterious scaley stranger.
Splinter remembers back to ancient Japan again as we see Yoshi meditate, while Saki says it's a waste of time when they are warriors. Yoshi asks how long will he continue to wreak havoc with the Foot Clan, and Saki says he will do until he establishes order, which can only be done through chaos.
Raph and Mikey taunt Bebop and Rocksteady and they jump out of the way as the two mutants charge headfirst into each other. Leo leaps onto Koya's back and uses his weight to slam her down to the ground. He starts cutting up her wings, which concerns Bludgeon. Metalhead-Don blasts the shark in the face and then flares up bright blinding lights in his face.
Mike and Raph manage to use their speed to trick Bebop and Rocksteady into punching each other. They both dash into the turtles and run into a brick wall.
Kitsune tells Alopex that they will keep the spoils of this war. Angel snaps Alopex out of her trance and tells her the Turtles are doing good in their fight. She gives Kitsune a glare, realizing that something is up.
Koya screams for help, and Bludgeon, now blind, swats Leo with his tail telling him that she is done. Leo agrees and leaves her alone. Koya and Bludgeon admit defeat. Leo and Metalhead-Don join Raph and Mikey that see that Bebop and Rocksteady aren't quite out just yet. Don gets a message and then sets himself up to self-destruct. Everyone is confused and then shocked as Metalhead explodes, knocking Bebop and Rocksteady back.
Just then, regular flesh and blood Donatello returns, now with a steel bo, and smashes both mutants in the face with it. With the mutants finally out and everyone happy to see Donatello back again, everyone gets ready for the final match against the Shredder. Splinter allows him the right to choose where the final battle will take place, and Shredder chooses the rooftop.
The Turtles and Shredder fight it out, scoring hits on each side. Splinter meditates and remembers to his past training with Saki as a child. Their master says Yoshi has trouble controlling his anger, and Saki is too eager to dominate in a fight, things they both have to work on.
Shredder tells Raphael that he recognizes the same anger within him that Yoshi once had and he welcomes him to the Foot. Raph tosses his sai at him, but Shredder catches it and tosses it right back to Raph, which stabs him in the leg. Mikey attacks Shredder intensely, but the leader of the Foot Clan still takes him down.
Splinter continues to remember his past and remembers a time he stopped Saki from beating up some guy that was saying he was the strongest around. Yoshi tells him that he has not threatened him directly, but Saki says he did what he had to do and prove him wrong. Splinter finally awakens and steps up to the fight. Shredder taunts him but Splinter says he realizes his rage was his fault, but it was misguided. Now he knows how to channel it and when to unleash it.
Splinter takes Don's staff and hits Shredder violently with it. Shredder kicks him back, but the rat sensei lands near Mikey's nunchucks. As they fight they discuss the paths they chose in life. Splinter says he has learned to fear death, but he has never feared Shredder, and he dashes past him, slicing him lethally. Shredder is surprised and says he chooses the death of the warrior. He says his goodbyes to Karai and Kistune and impales himself with his own blades, as Splinter slices off his head.
Karai heads towards the group and tells them that she has seen true honor and leadership today. She will hand over rule of the Foot to Splinter and she will leave to Japan to learn more about the Foot's traditions. Splinter accepts to rule over the Foot and will also keep an eye on Kitsune. Mikey doesn't like this at all and says he wants no part of this, and leaves. Leo asks what will happen now. Splinter picks up Shredder's helmet and remembers fonder days when Yoshi and Saki were kids and good friends. Splinter tells Leo that they will embrace their destiny.
Back to Feudal Japan, it seems that Krang witnessed when Saki had Yoshi and his children executed. Curious about how this family directed the attention of Saki, he decides to take some DNA samples from their bodies in case it becomes useful later on...
My Opinions-
Wow. For anyone complaining about lack of actual fighting... this super sized issue doesn't shy away from the action. There's just so much to say here and there. The fighting was awesome, from the fight among the mutants, to the turtles fighting Shredder on the rooftop. And speaking of that, classic Mirage style with the Turtles having their decisive battle with the Shredder on the rooftops. We see that other than being fiercely loyal to the Shredder, Koya and Bludgeon at least care about each other's general well-being. They're both pretty much separate from Bebop and Rocksteady, even though they're all on the same team.
We see a lot of Yoshi and Saki in different points of their lives. It's a shame seeing how they went from close friends wanting to grow up to be great warriors someday, to what we have today. Yes, even Shredder was a happy carefree kid once. As he was dying Saki even asked why Yoshi turned his back on him, to which Yoshi said he never did, only to what he has become. And despite everything Saki has done to him and his family, there was still much regret on Splinter's face as he killed his brother in arms.
As for the death, wow. I'm just surprised they actually went through with it. I knew issue 50 would lead to Shredder's big defeat but this... Splinter has said several times it might have to come to this since Shredder will always be after them.... but wow, he actually killed him.
Donnie's return was awesomely done, though I still wish we saw more of how he dealt being inside the body of a cold lifeless robot body. Still don't know why they kept Leatherhead as a secret. It was a good cliffhanger last issue, but here we should have already had seen him. I am also surprised by Mikey's sudden outburst and actually leaving the group, his family.
Where will the story go now after 50 epic issues of world building and intertwining storylines? What awaits the gang, as well as April, Casey, the Mutanimals, Kitsune and the rest?
Splinter and Shredder decided to settle their final battle once and for all in a gauntlet style match. Splinter and Shredder's forces will fight each other, and the survivors will help their masters take each other out. The Turtles face Bebop, Rocksteady, Bludgeon and Koya, and Karai, Angel and Alopex are forbidden from interfering. In a few moments the Turtles are all taken down and Shredder's mutants are ready to finish the job. What will happen now in this double-sized 50th issue of the IDW TMNT series?
With the Turtles down, Rocksteady is ready to mash 'em up with his sledgehammer. Metalhead-Don blasts the rhino in the face and then uses his flamethrower to keep the evil mutants at bay. Raph is ready to fight again, but Leo determines that they can't win just by charging into them. They have to think and act like a team to win, and Splinter also tells them to not lose focus. Shredder commands his mutants to attack, and the Turtles also jump in, ready to fight for their father.
The Turtles leap into battle, dodging their enemy's attacks, and also switching opponents to leave them confused. Shredder yells at his minions while Splinter is in meditation, telling his sons to keep control of the fight. Splinter remembers his previous life as Hamato Yoshi, back in ancient Japan when Shredder was to have him and his sons executed. Yoshi begs for their lives, but Saki says he betrayed the Foot and since his sons follow him, they will also pay.
Raph tosses kunais at Rocksteady's arm, and while the rhino is busy picking them off, his sledgehammer lands on Bebop's foot. Mikey jokes that they should make them beat each other up, and Raph agrees.
Fugitoid and Harold prepare to douse Donatello's injured body with healing mutagen, with thanks from the mysterious scaley stranger.
Splinter remembers back to ancient Japan again as we see Yoshi meditate, while Saki says it's a waste of time when they are warriors. Yoshi asks how long will he continue to wreak havoc with the Foot Clan, and Saki says he will do until he establishes order, which can only be done through chaos.
Raph and Mikey taunt Bebop and Rocksteady and they jump out of the way as the two mutants charge headfirst into each other. Leo leaps onto Koya's back and uses his weight to slam her down to the ground. He starts cutting up her wings, which concerns Bludgeon. Metalhead-Don blasts the shark in the face and then flares up bright blinding lights in his face.
Mike and Raph manage to use their speed to trick Bebop and Rocksteady into punching each other. They both dash into the turtles and run into a brick wall.
Kitsune tells Alopex that they will keep the spoils of this war. Angel snaps Alopex out of her trance and tells her the Turtles are doing good in their fight. She gives Kitsune a glare, realizing that something is up.
Koya screams for help, and Bludgeon, now blind, swats Leo with his tail telling him that she is done. Leo agrees and leaves her alone. Koya and Bludgeon admit defeat. Leo and Metalhead-Don join Raph and Mikey that see that Bebop and Rocksteady aren't quite out just yet. Don gets a message and then sets himself up to self-destruct. Everyone is confused and then shocked as Metalhead explodes, knocking Bebop and Rocksteady back.
Just then, regular flesh and blood Donatello returns, now with a steel bo, and smashes both mutants in the face with it. With the mutants finally out and everyone happy to see Donatello back again, everyone gets ready for the final match against the Shredder. Splinter allows him the right to choose where the final battle will take place, and Shredder chooses the rooftop.
The Turtles and Shredder fight it out, scoring hits on each side. Splinter meditates and remembers to his past training with Saki as a child. Their master says Yoshi has trouble controlling his anger, and Saki is too eager to dominate in a fight, things they both have to work on.
Shredder tells Raphael that he recognizes the same anger within him that Yoshi once had and he welcomes him to the Foot. Raph tosses his sai at him, but Shredder catches it and tosses it right back to Raph, which stabs him in the leg. Mikey attacks Shredder intensely, but the leader of the Foot Clan still takes him down.
Splinter continues to remember his past and remembers a time he stopped Saki from beating up some guy that was saying he was the strongest around. Yoshi tells him that he has not threatened him directly, but Saki says he did what he had to do and prove him wrong. Splinter finally awakens and steps up to the fight. Shredder taunts him but Splinter says he realizes his rage was his fault, but it was misguided. Now he knows how to channel it and when to unleash it.
Splinter takes Don's staff and hits Shredder violently with it. Shredder kicks him back, but the rat sensei lands near Mikey's nunchucks. As they fight they discuss the paths they chose in life. Splinter says he has learned to fear death, but he has never feared Shredder, and he dashes past him, slicing him lethally. Shredder is surprised and says he chooses the death of the warrior. He says his goodbyes to Karai and Kistune and impales himself with his own blades, as Splinter slices off his head.
Karai heads towards the group and tells them that she has seen true honor and leadership today. She will hand over rule of the Foot to Splinter and she will leave to Japan to learn more about the Foot's traditions. Splinter accepts to rule over the Foot and will also keep an eye on Kitsune. Mikey doesn't like this at all and says he wants no part of this, and leaves. Leo asks what will happen now. Splinter picks up Shredder's helmet and remembers fonder days when Yoshi and Saki were kids and good friends. Splinter tells Leo that they will embrace their destiny.
Back to Feudal Japan, it seems that Krang witnessed when Saki had Yoshi and his children executed. Curious about how this family directed the attention of Saki, he decides to take some DNA samples from their bodies in case it becomes useful later on...
My Opinions-
Wow. For anyone complaining about lack of actual fighting... this super sized issue doesn't shy away from the action. There's just so much to say here and there. The fighting was awesome, from the fight among the mutants, to the turtles fighting Shredder on the rooftop. And speaking of that, classic Mirage style with the Turtles having their decisive battle with the Shredder on the rooftops. We see that other than being fiercely loyal to the Shredder, Koya and Bludgeon at least care about each other's general well-being. They're both pretty much separate from Bebop and Rocksteady, even though they're all on the same team.
We see a lot of Yoshi and Saki in different points of their lives. It's a shame seeing how they went from close friends wanting to grow up to be great warriors someday, to what we have today. Yes, even Shredder was a happy carefree kid once. As he was dying Saki even asked why Yoshi turned his back on him, to which Yoshi said he never did, only to what he has become. And despite everything Saki has done to him and his family, there was still much regret on Splinter's face as he killed his brother in arms.
As for the death, wow. I'm just surprised they actually went through with it. I knew issue 50 would lead to Shredder's big defeat but this... Splinter has said several times it might have to come to this since Shredder will always be after them.... but wow, he actually killed him.
Donnie's return was awesomely done, though I still wish we saw more of how he dealt being inside the body of a cold lifeless robot body. Still don't know why they kept Leatherhead as a secret. It was a good cliffhanger last issue, but here we should have already had seen him. I am also surprised by Mikey's sudden outburst and actually leaving the group, his family.
Where will the story go now after 50 epic issues of world building and intertwining storylines? What awaits the gang, as well as April, Casey, the Mutanimals, Kitsune and the rest?
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