Casey Jones is getting his first solo mini-series in over thirty years this September. Casey has become an iconic character that has been part of most of the incarnations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Thanks to IDW Publishing we got the chance to check out an early copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1.
Note that the version IDW provided is not the final copy of the comic book that will be arriving in stores on September 10th. With that said let’s get into this spoiler-free advance review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Alex Paknadel
Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan
Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
Letterer: Darran Robinson
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: CASEY JONES #1 SOLICITATION
“Spinning directly from the pages of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Casey Jones’ first solo miniseries in over thirty years!
Casey Jones was shot by D.A. Hale, he’s awake, and he has a second chance at life. Instead of taking things slow and smelling the flowers, he’s jumping headfirst into the action. Casey is hitting the streets and doing everything he can to protect the people of New York City, but those closest to him think he’s pushing too hard. April O’Neil and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, especially Casey’s closest friend Raphael, are concerned. Things are only going to get worse as a new strain of mutagen starts changing the shape of New York City, and a brand-new villain threatens everything Casey believes in.
From the critically acclaimed team of Alex Paknadel (Sentinels, Batman: Urban Legends, All Against All) and Amancay Nahuelpan (Detective Comics, Green Arrow, Crush & Lobo).” – IDW Publishing
HIGHLIGHTS OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: CASEY JONES #1
Casey Jones Shows He’s Ready To Step Up As Lead
Showing the strength of the current direction of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Casey Jones seemingly slips into the status quo. Alex Paknadel does a great job at nailing Casey’s voice as he gets used to what his current state is and where the world is. The impact of the trauma that Casey suffered at the hands of D.A. Hale is constantly felt. Paknadel does this by letting both Casey’s dialogue and actions speak to his current state of mind.
Impact Of Current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Where Casey is at this point in his life works well to provide a different perspective on the current state of New York City. Paknadel does not shy away from what the impact of D.A. Hale and the Foot Clans’ actions have on New York City. It provides a great way to explore the sense that specific groups have to constantly watch their backs. Which is where Casey perspective helps to elevate this status quo.
April O’Neil & Turtles Importance To Casey’s Character Arc
What is not said out loud can be just as important at what is said. That is certainly the case with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1 use of the franchise’s other characters. April O’Neil and the Turtles’ actions help to further emphasize what Casey ends up doing during this debut issue. And unsurprisingly its Casey and Raphael’s interaction that gets over how important the TMNT wealth of strong characters will help this series a lot.
Artwork Adds Importance To Casey’s Story
Amancay Nahuelpan delivers stellar artwork throughout Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1 that elevates Paknadel writing. There are so many great things that Nahuelpan does with Casey’s mannerisms that speak volumes for what goes on from scene to scene. It makes the talking head heavy scenes come across as dynamic as the action sequences. Credit to Luis Antonio Delgado’s coloring for helping to strengthen Nahuelpan’s artwork. Delgado’s coloring helps Nahuelpan’s artwork pop.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: CASEY JONES #1
Nothing!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1 makes the already strong current TMNT status quo even stronger. Because of where Casey started out in the new status quo he is able to provide a unique perspective on what has become of New York City. His perspective along with his personal struggles creates the foundation for a strong narrative that TMNT fans will want to follow.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1 is scheduled to be released in comic book shops and digital storefronts on September 10th.
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