Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #89

TMNT #89 is another fantastic entry into this series and a wonderful Christmas issue. I love the weaving of A Christmas Carol into the ongoing TMNT drama. It fits perfectly and was a heartwarming story for the holidays. The art from Dialynas and Pattison was delightful! Dialynas has quickly become one of my favorite artists to see on this series and I am super excited he is staying on for a few more issues. Much like TMNT #65, this looks like it will be an issue I can go back to each year around the holidays and enjoy! Read Full Review

All in all, this is a real Christmas treat for Turtles fans. Read Full Review

Its perhaps not an essential read in terms of ongoing continuity, but its still a thoroughly enjoyable festive-themed issue that gives us a much-needed reminder that behind his current role as the unflinching, frequently ruthless leader of the Foot Clan, Splinter is still the same loving father and conflicted patriarch he always has been. Great stuff. Read Full Review

Synthozoid

Dec 20, 2018

Perfect.

I Review Comics

Jan 17, 2019

TMNT #89 is inspired. It's a Christmas themed story that touches on the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol". The story works beautifully as a single issue but also gives a subtle recap of the story to this point. If you are new to the IDW Line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stories this is actually a great jumping on point as the series gears up toward its 100 issue milestone.  It's been awhile since Master Splinter has been in the spotlight of this series. Since Hamato Yoshi has taken charge of the Foot Clan his portrayal has taken more of an antagonistic bent than that of a hero. In this issue, the comic recenter's the character. It focus's on the  compassion he feels for his clan and the love he has for his children.  †‹â€‹ After dosing off Splinter is visited by the spirit of the deceased Shredder. Shredder warns Splinter that he will be visited  by the Parthenon Siblings. The siblings stand in for the Ghosts of Past, Present and Possible future.  The comic is heartfelt and ends in much the same manner that you expect if you've seen any incarnation of the classic. I finished the comic and had a huge smile on my face. The emotional beats of the story resonated with me as a father and how I would probably would feel if estranged from my family around the holidays. ​​ There aren't any action sequences in this issue but the scenes are just as poignant. I love Michael Dialyna's rendition of Splinter. He actually looks like a mouse in a robe which on the surface is ridiculous but works because the book is played completely straight outside of a few moments here and there. The ending is sort of goofy but it works. I appreciate the change of pace from the war that just ended on Burnow Island. Kudos's to all involved this is a amazing Christmas issue.  For More Reviews, Subscribe: https://www.gtmediareviews.com/ more

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• myconius

myconius - Jan 17, 2019

if you get a chance, check out the new mini-series SHREDDER IN HELL. it nicely compliments the back story between Oroku Saki and Hamato Yoshi. there's even a nice callback to one of the characters from City Fall.

Hislight

Mar 08, 2021

I normally hate these Holiday one shots but this one not only adds to the ongoing story but it does it with a lot of heart and the Splinter Shredder was badass even if he was dead.

myconius

Dec 19, 2018

this was a really fun issue. wish the rest of the series could be like this. -IDW TMNT is always strongest when it brings focus to it's unique contribution to the series, references to the past lives of Hamato Yoshi, his sons, and most importantly Tang Shen. -the Christmas carol theme was really nice. Oroko Saki's ghost was eerily chilling! -GREAT use of the members of the Pantheon. -excellent writing for Splinter and the Turtles. -the ending felt a bit rushed. i wouldn't mind paying an extra dollar or two for an extended few more pages to solidify the final vision as well as the resolution at the end. -i guess April as well as Harold and his wife weren't invited to the party?