IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 is a massive milestone for the franchise. Reaching 150 issues for one comic book series is always going to be a big deal. It is an incredible achievement for the creative teams that have worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the 150 issues, plus all the related annuals and one-shots. Adding to how big of a deal this is, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 marks the end of this comic book volume for the franchise. After this the series will be relaunched with Jason Aaron at the helm. How will Sophie Campbell close out this series? Let’s find out with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150.
CREATIVE TEAM
Story Consulting: Kevin Eastman
Writer: Sophie Campbell
Artists: Vicenzo Federici, Fero Pe, Dan Duncan, and Sophie Campbell
Colorists: Ronda Pattison and Luis Antonio Delgado
Letterer: Shawn Lee
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #150 SOLICITATION
“Everything has been building to this double-size celebration! And here at the end, we’ll return to the start…
Donatello has been searching for his future self to understand how he can fight Armaggon. Now, knowing where he is (or should we say “when he is”?) Donatello is racing to his past to convene with his future. Can he get there and learn what he needs to before Armaggon eats the TMNT out of the timeline?
This epic finale from writer Sophie Campbell and a roster of all-star artists pays off on years of IDW storytelling, reckoning with the history of the Turtles while also setting the stage for the next mutation of must-read TMNT comics!” – IDW Publishing
REVIEW
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 is not necessarily a goodbye to this volume. Rather it is a more than satisfying ending to Sophie Campbell creative run that still works as a series finale. By wrapping up the big Armaggon storyline Campbell naturally works in a full circle ending that calls back to the start of the series.
As we’ve seen throughout this final storyline, Donatello and Venus’ journey to defeat Armaggon provided a way to honor this series that works in the natural flow of the story. Everything from the mystical and multiverse angle that has been explored by Campbell, along with Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz before her, is paid off here.
Most importantly, the story is ultimately about the family relationships that have been key to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We see this not only in the partnership between Donatello and Venus but also in the opening with the alternate future Michelangelo. Even with everything that happened and how his future went when he needed to Michelangelo jumped into fighting the chaotic Bob.
Going from this opening to exploring different timelines integrates how the history of established in this series. How everything comes to a head with revelation how key this entire story is to set the stage for what IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was expertly handled. Specifically, how this journey Donatello and Venus ends up being what starts the reincarnation cycle for the Hamato Clan was a cool surprise. It ties everything to together well to further explain the mystical side that became a key part of this series.
In the process we see Donatello must come to terms with the lonely path he was falling. It made the state of Donatello’s future hit harder when we see the introduction of his future children. The way Donatello’s kids were created was both heartbreaking and the eye-opening experience he needed. It was a reminder to Donatello how important the bond he shares with his family is.
Coming to terms with that made how he and Venus ultimately defeat Armaggon be a better payoff. Donatello had to go through all this experience to grow as a person. It added greater meaning to how Donatello and Venus ultimately create a causal loop that explains how the IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles origin came to be.
Venus’ sacrifice hit hard. The moment was captured well to feel sad while also being a payoff to her character arc. This was ultimately her conclusion in this story. It makes Venus go from just part of the cast to be a key character to the entire mythology of this series.
The ending of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 with Donatello reuniting with his family back at the farmhouse was an appropriate way to end things. The farmhouse is an iconic setting for the franchise. Ending things with a family hug felt like the best way to conclude this series.
The artwork by Vicenzo Federici, Fero Pe, Dan Duncan, and Sophie Campbell was all handled well. They all matched the style Campbell established throughout their run to maintain a consistency throughout Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150. The consistency all made the big moments hit on feeling like this was the endgame of the series. The set design in particular worked well to match what they looked when we visited those periods in past issues.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 is a strong end to Sophie Campbell incredible run on this series. Donatello and Venus journey honored everything that came before it to make this final issue feel like things came full circle. As a fan there is no way to not have felt incredibly happy to have been along for this ride Campbell, Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, and all the creators who worked on this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series created for us to experience.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
1 thought on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 Review – Series Finale”
Comments are closed.