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IDW temas up with Viz Entertainment! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1 Writen by Caleb Goellner, Art by Henry Prasetya, Colors by Raul Angulo & letters by Ed Dukeshire
Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village
April O’Neil visited the Leaf Village to meet with Lady Tsunade, the Hokage. April is a young reporter and is currently investigating Dr. Baxter Stockman, a rogue biologist. As a result, April sought out the expertise of the Hokage. Because Lady Tsunade is the top Medical Nija in the land of Fire. After exchaging notes and information on Dr. Stockman, the Hokage needs a team to escort April back home safe.
Team 7 is on it
Next the Hokage assigned this mission to Team 7. This squad’s members are Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki and their team captain Kakashi Hatake. Their Objective? Safely deliver April O’Neil from Konoha to the Big Apple Village. Simple enough, right? This should be a breeze walk in the park for the elite Team 7.
*Spoilers Ahead*
The Foot Clan enters Konoha
After leaving Konoha with April O’Neil, Team 7 is ambushed by The Foot Clan. The Clan has a major interest in April’s investigation. They believe April’s research on Dr. Stockman might have the key to bioengineering weapons. Before Team 7 could respond to the Foot Clan’s ambush, another squad repelled them.
Team 7 vs TMNT
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) broke into the action by disposing of the Foot Clan. Quite the epic entrance, might I add. But tensions were high and Team 7 did not recognized the TMNT as allies. Because they were wearing ANBU Masks. Also, Team 7 were not familiar with the TMNT’s village emblem. Not too many Leaf Shinobi have visited the Big Apple. Inevitably, a new fight broke out between Team 7 and the TMNT.
Shinobi knows Shinobi
In a similiar fashion, both squads jumped into the action. Team 7 was trying to protect April, as ordered by their Hokage. And the TMNT were trying to rescue April, their friend. Sasuke took on Leonardo. Then Sakura took on Rapahel.
VOTE IN THIS YEARS’ CHEERSIES!
Next, Naruto took on Michelangelo & Donatelo with the help of his Shadow Clones. Lastly, Kakashi took on Master Splinter. At the same time, April managed to pull out her camera and record the battle. There was a familiarity found between the two teams. Not only how they fought, but also in their heart’s nature.
On the same Side
During this scrimmage between shinobi, Master Splinter called a stop to the fight. He realized that Team 7 was just protecting April. On the other hand, Kakashi had enough and used his Sharingan to remove the Anbu Masks from the TMNT. When the masks were off, kakashi revealed he knew Master Splinter. Otherwise known as Hamato Yoshi. Despite both teams initial reactions to each other, Kakashi’s knowledge of Hamato Yoshi implies there’s back story at play. Maybe the Leaf and the Big Apple villages have worked together before.
How about the Art?
Because of where the story takes place, the character designs are in par with the Naruto Universe. For example, the Foot Clan ninjas wear the iconic bandanas with their villages emblem. Another example is the TMNT wearing Anbu Masks along with their bandanas. Additionally, Donatelo sports a green Flat Jacket just like Kakashi. Therefore you can also imply there is a rank hierarchy for Shinobi of the Big Apple Village. Just like in every other village in the world of Naruto. These might be small details, but they build the world immensely. Let alone it’s cool factor and great aesthetics.
Action Packed!
While these 2 IPs are known for their charged stories, this comic brings the action to the forefront. Every scene drawn by Henry Prasetya is energetic. Whereas the coloring by Raul Angulo is very bold and rich. All sequences are accelerating.
I give this issue a 10 out of 10
Although I had no expectations from this collaboration between IDW Publishing and Viz Entertainment, I am happy to say this is amazing. As a fan of both IP’s, I’m quite satisfied with the amount of care the lores are represented. There’s a beauty in world building with small details, and the creative team managed to accomplish a lot effortlessly. Clearly, Caleb Goellner did his homework on Naruto and the TMNT. Hence their voices and fighting techniques being accurate. In conclusion, whether you’re a casual fan or a life-long fan of either of these IPs, I highly recommend you check this comic book. It’s just that good!
