Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #86

TMNT #86 is a great start to a new storyline and adds in some new mythos to the IDW line of TMNT. Dave Wachter's art looks good, I like seeing him get a crack at some other TMNT characters that I have not seen him do in a long time. Will The Teenagers be able to stop Agent Bishop and The EPF from taking over Burnow Island? And how long will the peace between the Utroms and Triceratons last when an all-out war breaks out? Read Full Review

David Wachter's style has become a bit darker and more jagged and that evolution fits well will this issue, which feels like the opening of a war story. Read Full Review

I Review Comics

Nov 14, 2018

TMNT #86 is a prelude to a larger battle to come. The Extraterrestrial Triceratons have taken refuge together on Burnow Island with their former enemies the Ultron's (Krang).  Unfortunately for them, they have been discovered by the Earth Protection Force (EPF). They arrive on the island lead by Agent Bishop, who is telepathy controlling the Giant Mutant turtle, Slash.   As both sides of the conflict engage, April secretly monitors the rapidly escalating situation using one of Baxter Stockman's drones. She manages gets word to the Turtles that their friends are in danger. They Turtles debate getting involved but ultimately decide to get involved and enlist the aid of Old Hob and the Mighty Mutanimals. There isn't much more t o the issue than that. We get solid character development for most of the principal players. Surprisingly the Ninja Turtles are split on getting involved with Raph and Mikey dissenting. Agent Bishop continues to be one of the scariest of the TMNT villains. If he and the EPF decide to go after the Heroes they wouldn't have much of a chance based on sheer numbers and firepower.  I loved the art direction this issue, especially the scenes portraying the war. The action is frenetic and brutal and the sense of dread is palpable as the art blends with the script. I continue to be in awe of IDW's editorial direction of this series. They consistently put together the right teams to complement the stories they are telling at the time.  ​​ Ultimately this is a filler issue. Its entertaining but is more of a cog in the wheel of a larger story. Its a solid single issue and if you can't go wrong here. If you're new to the series you may have a harder time jumping in with this arc but if you're a long term fan you're more than likely heavily invested in how this story turns out.  For More: https://www.gtmediareviews.com/ more

Hislight

Mar 07, 2021

Again with the setups...but this one has momentum..Art is the saves this issue from being dull

myconius

Sep 19, 2018

verrrry decompressed storytelling. very dragged out story-lines. ....and Bickering Mutant Ninja Turtles, in the midst of it all. the sad thing is there is a full-on battle going on, as Agent Bishop is attacking the Utroms and Triceratons, but we barely get to see any real action. most of the time we see the Turtles they are having a hard time getting rounded up. and when the Turtles actually are all together they mostly just bicker with one another. this felt like only half of a comic issue's worth of story, spread across a full issue. -the cameo of Irma from the 1987 cartoon series was distracting. it took me out of the story. -the build up to the Mutanimals intro was unnecessary. i saw it coming a mile away. we don't need bui ld-ups and plot recaps. we need plot advancement! -a character that was introduced WAYYYYY back in issue #56 is finally going to get used!! 30 issues later?? talk about a plot that really drags it's feet. that's almost 3 years that's gone by. can't say it's had the impact that i would have liked it to. i've heard of writers that write for the trade, but i think Tom Waltz is writing for the OMNIBUS!!!! more

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• Gizmo

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Tom Waltz - Oct 4, 2018

Hey, myconius! Just wanted to shoot you a quick message of thanks. I truly appreciate your dedication to our series over the years -- always enjoy reading your reviews (even when you're busting my chops LOL). Thanks for being such a loyal reader and I hope you stick around -- we've got some great things coming on the road to 100! Talk soon... Tom Waltz

myconius - Oct 4, 2018

Hey Tom! …i do bust chops out of love. hope i’m not being too overly critical. the countdown to issue 100 has me very antsy. but i’m definitely in it for the long haul.

Tom Waltz - Oct 4, 2018

My friend, you are always honest and fair and respectful. And passionate! That's why I like your reviews so much... you're an awesome fan through thick and thin and the TMNT team at IDW truly appreciates it, even when you're calling out the things that aren't exactly working for you. Keep it up and we promise to keep on doing our best to entertain you and all our other great fans! We're going to be tying up some loose ends... and bringing some surprises. Hint: issues #86-88 are BIG!

myconius - Oct 4, 2018

Thank you, Tom! i really do appreciate you taking your time to catch up with this long-time TMNT fan. definitely looking forward to seeing what goes down on Burnow Island! :) and while i have your ear, i do have to say i’m absolutely loving the stuff with Leonardo traversing and combating within the Astral Plane. . . . the Dragon teaser from Eastman/Sienkeiwicz’s ‘INSIDE_OUT’ has had me on pins and needles ever since. as has the build up with Koya’s thirst for revenge.

Gizmo - Oct 6, 2018

Dude, Tom Waltz is reading your reviews! No pressure :P

myconius - Oct 6, 2018

Tom's always been really cool with interacting with fans on forums.