heretic888
02-10-2003, 08:40 AM
Okay, these are basically my thoughts and perceptions on the new TMNT series put out by Peter Laird and Jim Lawson, with a little help from Eric Talbot and Mike Dooney.
First things first, gents and ladies, the story. No matter what anyone tells you, the story is what makes a comic worth buying. The visual artwork exists mostly to support the story, because without a good story all you have is a bunch of pretty pictures devoid of any dynamism. So, the story is what is key.
And, as far as the overall plot goes, I will undoubtedly affirm to you right now that Mr. Laird kicks major ass. The overall plot and overlapping story-archs are intense, involved, complex, and dynamic. I love 'em. I would dare say this is the best TMNT story-arch(s) that I have EVER encountered in Mirage, with the sole exception of City at War and possibly Return to New York. C'mon, dudes, you can just FEEL that build-up and tension... Laird rules at that.
Now, as far as story goes, I do have one lamentation. That is, namely how the characters are portrayed. Sometimes, it is really forced and artificial. I think we begin to see where Eastman's major contribution to the series was: the characters' portrayal and development. Laird totally rocks at the overall plots and stories themselves, but he comes up a little dry on the characters (by this, I mean the turtles, casey, april, and splinter).
How so, you may ask?? Well, Laird seems to have turned Donatello from pseudo-geek to super-geek, and I mean this by Don's dialogue. At times, it seems VERY forced and somewhat fake. Raph, I would say, is basically in character. No argument here. Leo, while mostly in character, does seem to be grandiose in Laird's portrayal at parts. His recent 'fight' with Cha Ocho is an example of this. He almost sounded like a martial arts textbook instead of a vibrant character. C'mon, guys, Leo NEVER sounded like someone from a Kurosawa film in the other Mirage books.
Some of Mike's comments are completely out of character. For example, when they are all in the waiting room waiting to hear news about April, Mike is portrayed as annoying and impatient. In the old series, Mike (with the possible exception of Donatello) was probably the MOST patient and relaxed of the four of them!! And this is 15 years later, so I would expect that he has grown even more since then and not devolved into an immature, impatient annoyance. C'mon, Mr. Laird, this is the comic not the cartoon; we all know you had to makes compromises on Mike's character to get the cartoon done, but please don't also do this in the comic.
Also, Mike's comments in the last issue that "I generally don't like to exercise" seems to fly in the face of TMNT history as well as Mike's character. If Mike doesnt like to 'exercise' why did he spend do much time in the early Mirage books sparring with Raph? In fact, the Palladium RPG plainly says Mike LOVES to spar and Raph is his favorite sparring partner. The RPG also states that Mike thoroughly enjoys his ninja training (although it also admits that just enjoys 'goofing around' as well), and only that he doesn't work as hard and isn't as obsessed with it as Leo and Raph. And, if Mike doesn't like to exercise, why did he spend so much time at the farmhouse doing just that?? Just doesn't make sense to me......
I do like how Laird is trying to elucidate Mike's agility though, as in the recent issue.... like how he is trying to note the 'skill differences' between the characters.
Artwork.... well, it takes some getting used to, but I feel Lawson's work is completely appropriate for the mood and flow of Laird's stories and scripts. And, although I would prefer Laird himself or even Eric Talbot, I think Lawson's work is just fine. Although, I will admit some of his human faces need work. He does the turtles almost flawlessly though....
So... that's my basic take: overall story = VERY GOOD, characters = bleh, needs some work, art = quite good, but needs some brushing up here and there.
Those are my thoughts. What do you all think???
First things first, gents and ladies, the story. No matter what anyone tells you, the story is what makes a comic worth buying. The visual artwork exists mostly to support the story, because without a good story all you have is a bunch of pretty pictures devoid of any dynamism. So, the story is what is key.
And, as far as the overall plot goes, I will undoubtedly affirm to you right now that Mr. Laird kicks major ass. The overall plot and overlapping story-archs are intense, involved, complex, and dynamic. I love 'em. I would dare say this is the best TMNT story-arch(s) that I have EVER encountered in Mirage, with the sole exception of City at War and possibly Return to New York. C'mon, dudes, you can just FEEL that build-up and tension... Laird rules at that.
Now, as far as story goes, I do have one lamentation. That is, namely how the characters are portrayed. Sometimes, it is really forced and artificial. I think we begin to see where Eastman's major contribution to the series was: the characters' portrayal and development. Laird totally rocks at the overall plots and stories themselves, but he comes up a little dry on the characters (by this, I mean the turtles, casey, april, and splinter).
How so, you may ask?? Well, Laird seems to have turned Donatello from pseudo-geek to super-geek, and I mean this by Don's dialogue. At times, it seems VERY forced and somewhat fake. Raph, I would say, is basically in character. No argument here. Leo, while mostly in character, does seem to be grandiose in Laird's portrayal at parts. His recent 'fight' with Cha Ocho is an example of this. He almost sounded like a martial arts textbook instead of a vibrant character. C'mon, guys, Leo NEVER sounded like someone from a Kurosawa film in the other Mirage books.
Some of Mike's comments are completely out of character. For example, when they are all in the waiting room waiting to hear news about April, Mike is portrayed as annoying and impatient. In the old series, Mike (with the possible exception of Donatello) was probably the MOST patient and relaxed of the four of them!! And this is 15 years later, so I would expect that he has grown even more since then and not devolved into an immature, impatient annoyance. C'mon, Mr. Laird, this is the comic not the cartoon; we all know you had to makes compromises on Mike's character to get the cartoon done, but please don't also do this in the comic.
Also, Mike's comments in the last issue that "I generally don't like to exercise" seems to fly in the face of TMNT history as well as Mike's character. If Mike doesnt like to 'exercise' why did he spend do much time in the early Mirage books sparring with Raph? In fact, the Palladium RPG plainly says Mike LOVES to spar and Raph is his favorite sparring partner. The RPG also states that Mike thoroughly enjoys his ninja training (although it also admits that just enjoys 'goofing around' as well), and only that he doesn't work as hard and isn't as obsessed with it as Leo and Raph. And, if Mike doesn't like to exercise, why did he spend so much time at the farmhouse doing just that?? Just doesn't make sense to me......
I do like how Laird is trying to elucidate Mike's agility though, as in the recent issue.... like how he is trying to note the 'skill differences' between the characters.
Artwork.... well, it takes some getting used to, but I feel Lawson's work is completely appropriate for the mood and flow of Laird's stories and scripts. And, although I would prefer Laird himself or even Eric Talbot, I think Lawson's work is just fine. Although, I will admit some of his human faces need work. He does the turtles almost flawlessly though....
So... that's my basic take: overall story = VERY GOOD, characters = bleh, needs some work, art = quite good, but needs some brushing up here and there.
Those are my thoughts. What do you all think???