Tales of the TMNT #69

[oldmanwinters]

"Dark Shadows" by Dan Berger
Released April 21, 2010



I realize that we already had one thread discussing speculation about this issue, but I figured since it is already up to about 5 pages of information, we might as well close that thread and start a new one. I'm sure a Moderator can merge them if they deem that more convenient.

EDIT:
I'm posting this after getting through the first 17 pages. And... holy cow. Such intense revelations forced me to take a half time break!

Can't wait for the TMNT Entity review. This has to be A+! Well, to be fair I guess I ought to finish the issue before giving it that grade. This is the one issue I've been chomping at the bits for since it the story information was released.

[Powder]

My copy is en route with mom dukes! She went out to score taco bell and luckily my comic shop is right up the road from it! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah!

[oldmanwinters]

Well.... I just finished the last few pages....

Spoiler:

"Life at best is bittersweet," pretty much sums it up.

Final Grade: A+ (You hear me, Spengs? )
Dan Berger has never disappointed me.
But so many questions that will never be answered. And that, in itself, is a tragedy.

EDIT: Oops! I almost forgot to go back and read Dan's introduction!

Spoiler:

Looks like some questions are better off left to the imagination.

[CyberCubed]

I haven't looked at the spoilers, but people please, don't post the events of this issue in other threads.

Meaning I don't want to come across a spoiler from this story posted in a different thread, such as discussing the mirage timeline or something.

Keep your spoilers marked!

[Roseangelo]

The stuff in the spoiler quotes aren't even spoilers. Honestly, I don't get the point of those comments at all unless they're elaborated on, which probably would then require spoiler quotes.

I probably won't get this until next week, but definitely looking forward to it.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

The stuff in the spoiler quotes aren't even spoilers. Honestly, I don't get the point of those comments at all unless they're elaborated on, which probably would then require spoiler quotes.

I probably won't get this until next week, but definitely looking forward to it.

Just raising the suspense! I wanted to elaborate on the spoilers but that would require more spoilers.

Plus:

Spoiler:

Dan himself wanted the comic's introduction saved until after the issue had been read, so seeing as how I pretty much echoed what he said in the intro in my 2nd spoiler, I figured some spoilers would be fitting. ;-D

[Powder]

I just finished it. I Really dug it. Can't lie I was kinda hoping for a more 'heartfelt' 'goodbye' introduction in the beginning but I suppose I'm glad that didn't happen... woulda been pretty sad. Great ending, good art/writing as per usual. I may elaborate after more people have read it.

[Andrew NDB]

Quite the issue, amazing.

I could be wrong, but most of the future we've seen beyond this point would seem to cement what happens here as the alternate timeline the ending sort of drives it home as.

But elements of it may still happen... perhaps she

Spoiler:

blinded Donatello

at some point?

[Andrew NDB]

Also, the final act reminds me a lot of my Tales pitch a couple of years ago... with Renet time-travelling with Raphael to lament his future self and what he becomes:

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=24831

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Also, the final act reminds me a lot of my Tales pitch a couple of years ago... with Renet time-travelling with Raphael to lament his future self and what he becomes:

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=24831

That's a pretty good story pitch! You think Dan might have been reading it?

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

But elements of it may still happen... perhaps she

Spoiler:

blinded Donatello

at some point?

I was thinking the same thing!

[Powder]

I kinda **** brix when I saw the pin up in the back cause...

Spoiler:

...in my eyes, this picture was finally given a story to accompany it, though not originally drawn by Berger.

[Cipher]

To hell with you guys and your coyness. I won't be picking this up until after school lets out, and I want spoilers now.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Cipher

To hell with you guys and your coyness. I won't be picking this up until after school lets out, and I want spoilers now.

Well, fortunately Tristan Jones won't be punched in the mouth since the story is not a dream...

Spoiler:

It turns out the main story of Shadow journaling her life-or-death mission to find her "sensei", i.e.,

Spoiler:

Raphael

so that she can confront him verbally and physically in light of a vaguely described feud involving what Shadow did to

Spoiler:

Donatello

at some point was really just Renet showing

Spoiler:

Raphael

what the highest probable outcome of his decision to train teenage Shadow in ninjitsu will lead to. The other option is that he doesn't train Shadow and she likely dies at 23 by the hand of a Foot Mystic. He returns to the present to find Casey and Shadow training. He suggests he become her sensei. Likely setting into motion a dark fate that will claim his own

Spoiler:

left eye.

Back with Lord Simultaneous, Renet mourns.

This was such a jarring coda to Shadow's storyline after seeing her as the cute little preschooler in Tales #67. I love the contrast.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

This was such a jarring coda to Shadow's storyline after seeing her as the cute little preschooler in Tales #67. I love the contrast.

Well, it wouldn't be Mirage if the Turtles got a happy ending.

Thanks for laying out the plot. I categorically cannot wait to pick this up.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Cipher

Well, it wouldn't be Mirage if the Turtles got a happy ending.

Thanks for laying out the plot. I categorically cannot wait to pick this up.

No prob, there are oodles more surprising revelations in this issue concerning the Mirage time line, with so many new questions likely never to be answered!

[DrSpengler]

My Review.

Excellent issue that remarked upon so many of my personal concerns with Shadow as a character that I felt Berger was reading my mind.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

My Review.

Excellent issue that remarked upon so many of my personal concerns with Shadow as a character that I felt Berger was reading my mind.

Hey, I never noticed all the TMNT trinkets in Renet's room until you pointed that out, Spengs! Was that Raph's one-eyed bear on the couch?

Speaking of the Mirage Timeline, if we assume the future events of this issue are canon, would you place this issue's swamp scene before the epilogue scene of "A Day in the Life" (Tales #55)?

[Ninjinister]

S***, this seems heavy. Definitely going to pick it up.

[willtupper]

He won't get punched in the mouth THIS TIME!!!

Spoiler:

If the next volume of the turtle comic starts out with all the stories from the past volumes being one big dream, rest assured my dear sir. THE PUNCH IS STILL COMING!

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

Well, fortunately Tristan Jones won't be punched in the mouth since the story is not a dream...

[Ninjinister]

Originally Posted by willtupper

He won't get punched in the mouth THIS TIME!!!

Spoiler:

If the next volume of the turtle comic starts out with all the stories from the past volumes being one big dream, rest assured my dear sir. THE PUNCH IS STILL COMING!

How about you just "Poke" him on Facebook?