Some thoughts on three comics out this week from IDW Publishing – including Star Wars Adventures: Return To Vader’s Castle #5, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #99 and Transformers: Galaxies #2
Star Wars Adventures: Return To Vader’s Castle #5
Return to Vader’s Castle for a spooky spin on your favorite villains from a galaxy far, far away… This exciting weekly series explores the hidden corners of the Star Wars Galaxy and features a wretched hive of scum and villainy including Darth Maul, Grand Moff Tarkin, Asajj Ventress, Jabba the Hutt—all under the shadow of Darth Vader! Fans will be excited to discover these creepy stories by fan-favorite writer Cavan Scott, with art by the greatest talent from across the galaxy, including Nicoletta Baldari, Nick Brokenshire, Francesco Francavilla, Kelley Jones, Megan Levens, and Charles Paul Wilson III!
Cavan Scott – Writer
Francesco Francavilla – Artist, Cover Artist, Variant Cover Artist
Charles Paul Wilson III – Artist, Variant Cover Artist
Completing the overreaching story arc with another story. This one features Darth Vader in a more prominent role. Featuring mind control and a plague. It’s well told and the twist is something you would see coming if you know your Star Wars lore. I like the ending of the main story too – it makes a satisfying finish to all the tales we have been told. This issue featured some nice art and colour – especially using the colours of the dark of the troopers and the orange of the lava!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #99
City at War, Part 7. New York City descends into chaos after the unthinkable events of the last issue! Bishop is relentless in his pursuit, and a final showdown between Donatello and Metalhead will prove explosive!
Tom Waltz – Writer
Dave Wachter – Artist, Cover Artist
Valerio Schiti – Variant Cover Artist
Kevin Eastman – Variant Cover Artist
We get a bit of background of Agent Bishop – how he grew up and his world view. Before we go back to the mayhem of the city!
the mayhem is well told and Bishop seems like he’s got the excuse that he wanted – he and Hun teaming up is worrying!
Meanwhile the Foot Clan are reestablishing themselves and we get to see some familiar faces. This helps reset some of the status quo.
Splinter has some soul searing of his own to do. Is it the Rat King, or just his mind? Nevertheless, there is a good Kill Bill moment here.
The Metalhead/Donatello battle is well done, don has the smarts to get over Metalhead and this works really well – and works into the bigger plan!
That bigger plan is outside of the Foot, the Turtles, The EDF, and the mutants. That is revealed on the final page and makes the look forward to issue #100 even more exciting! The battles, the betrayals and everything all come to this!
Wow!
Transformers: Galaxies #2
CONSTRUCTICONS RISING,’ PART 2!
Tyler Bleszinski – Writer
The Constructicons are training-they know their time is coming. They’re almost ready to stand at their once glorious height. They just need a sign and some energon. When a mysterious benefactor arrives promising to provide both, how can the Constructicons resist?
Livio Ramondelli – Artist, Cover Artist
Alex Milne – Variant Cover Artist
Andrew Griffith – Variant Cover Artist
The turning of the Constructicons continues here, and we see the plan! We also get to see some familiar faces and the link to the main Transformers series. I like the Incecticons and the talk that they give to the Constructicons is excellent, and possible has enough truth in it all! This is building up really well!
