Last Ronin ending - Page 5

~~mrmaczaps~~ · 07-22-2022, 05:15 PM

From that other thread, they're going to make one of the turtles gay in the follow up LR story... but then can they call it the Last Ronin if there are 4 more baby mutant turtles running around? Lol

Stu_Padasso · 08-03-2022, 12:21 AM

Got the hardcover come in so I got to reread the whole thing through. I wasn’t expecting a “happy” ending so I wasn’t surprised how things would turn out. The last issue did feel a bit flat in some parts. With all the build-up with cybernetics and nanotechnology I was almost expecting them to pull off a Necrosha and “resurrect” Michelangelo’s family under Hiroto’s control only to have Mikey sacrifice himself to save them. Instead we got a couple of mini-boss fights with characters that we’ve never seen before and don’t have much reason to care about before the main event.

Still, probably far better than most of the crap the Big 2 are pushing.

So, uh, are we not going to talk about how despite April’s claim that she and Casey were “contaminated “ by their contact with the turtles neither of them had been mutated or demonstrated any augmented abilities that Casey Marie had including being able to hold her breath under water for long periods of time? Or the interesting choice of clothing that Casey Marie is wearing in the epilogue?

~~AquaParade~~ · 08-03-2022, 12:57 AM

The whole second mutation angle felt off to me. They hinted at it with Mikey too but it didn’t go anywhere other then to explain why he could endure so much damage.

And does Casey need a mutation to be interesting? Can’t she just be a ninja with human capabilities like Saki? I guess that’s not my choice to make but it felt like a needless complication to make her a little stronger.

Diorm · 08-19-2022, 07:21 AM

I got the HC version too and was able to finish the series. I had a problem with Karai being killed by Hiroto just like that at the end. It felt like there was a bigger plan and they decided to kill her at the end (because they were late in releasing this series and had to cut it short?)

What I was expecting is that there would be a conversation with her and the ronin and a fight for who started the last conflict with the two clans. Because when you read issue 2, both sides think the other started it. So I was expecting like someone set them both up and all those killing were because of a third party. Imagine the turtles being killed because of a misunderstanding.

*Cowabung-Gal* · 08-19-2022, 10:13 AM

Personally I loved the ending.

Was it perfect? No. Was it a bit rushed? Yes. But I felt satisfied nonetheless. It ended beautifully in my opinion. Mikey reuniting with his family in the afterlife, that brought a tear to my eye. Plus the last image of the series (before the epilogue) is of the whole family standing on a rooftop, and if you recall, the cover of the very first TMNT issue had the four turtles standing on a rooftop too.

*Andrew NDB* · 08-19-2022, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diorm

I got the HC version too and was able to finish the series. I had a problem with Karai being killed by Hiroto just like that at the end. It felt like there was a bigger plan and they decided to kill her at the end (because they were late in releasing this series and had to cut it short?)

There was definitely no timetable they (TPTB) were racing against in any way. That seems clear.

*CyberCubed* · 08-19-2022, 12:26 PM

I assume it's because I'm older now but I read this when it came out and completely forgot everything about it besides some basic things.

~~AquaParade~~ · 08-19-2022, 01:53 PM

My opinion: The sub plots were all over the place. I couldn’t connect with the point of Karai being there and the second mutation felt superfluous. Personally, I don’t even like the idea of it. Everything feels a little more dangerous, without the “superpowers”. Casey always got along without them.

I think this story would have benefited from being told in less issues. The present timeline dragged, while they stalled to format each issue around a flashback.
At the least, I didn’t feel that they took advantage of the present timeline, despite spending five issues there.

The first issue was the best, imo, because it was paced wholly within the present timeline and allowed Kevin to do what he does best - action-packed choreography with cool characters and just a little bit of drama.

What this series nailed was tone, art, and characters. It just feels right when Kevin is writing the TMNT, in terms of character voices. And finally, we’re allowed to embrace all the themes that make tmnt great: legacy, revenge, family, and kick-ass ninja action that pulls no punches. It does that well. I don’t think it reaches the level of Return to New York or City at War, but it comes close.

They reeled most people in on premise alone, and I’d even go as far as to say that I think a lot of people overlooked the execution because the concept was great. This is what a whole generation of people want from TMNT.

So, the book isn’t perfect but it’s a giant step in the right direction. I suppose this makes the next Ronin series interesting - there is room for improvement and I want to see it fulfilled.

I’ve gotta say, I’m sort of looking forward to the potential of seeing a story set in the aftermath of TLR. I’ve never been naturally appreciative of a fifth turtle coming into the fray, for different reasons, yet I am intrigued by a whole new set of turtles, living in the legacy of the four turtles we know.

Yeah, that’s a concept that interests me, at least with Eastman and the Escorza brothers sketching it out (and that truly is tied into the appeal, for me). Sort of a Batman Beyond of the TMNT, In very general terms. Could be cool.

Btw, the hardcover reached the 11th spot on the New York Times Best Seller list.

TheLabRat · 03-29-2023, 12:44 PM

A person who breaks her promise still has "honor"? Such a cheap and hypocritical honor.

*Cowabung-Gal* · 03-29-2023, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLabRat

A person who breaks her promise still has "honor"? Such a cheap and hypocritical honor.

I’m starting to think that someone from the Foot Clan deliberately broke the truce by committing a crime, like murdering a fellow clan member, and pinning the blame on Clan Hamato. It may have all been just a misunderstanding on Karai’s part, if she is in fact an honorable person as Mikey implies. I can imagine Tatsu, Shredder’s right-hand man, conspiring to break the truce since he despises the turtles for murdering his master. I think he’d rather die than coexist with the enemy. Of course, as of yet Tatsu doesn’t exist in the Last Ronin-verse, but it could explain how the truce abruptly ended.

*Cowabung-Gal* · 02-23-2024, 12:32 AM

It took me a couple of years to finally notice this, but Hiroto went out the same way his grandfather the Shredder did in the first issue of the Mirage series: with a bang.

DexVcx · 02-28-2024, 11:24 PM

Let's hope last ronin 2 doesn't ruin it

jignat · 06-09-2024, 11:35 AM

TMNT : The Last Ronin (2022) Review

Comic Miniseries
No Spoilers....

Premise: After 3 of the TMNT and some of their close allies are brutally killed, a lone turtle vows vengeance and will end those responsible.

Notes:

This is set in its own continuity, not the Mirage or IDW TMNT. Despite that, you can follow most of the story if you have any familiarity with the franchise.

For those wondering , it is in full color with a handful of pages in black and white for occasional flashbacks.

Pros:

The tone and action. Most people in mainstream have forgotten but tmnt started as a solidly PG-13 indie comic. This series goes back to that.

The protagonist does kill some villains and flashbacks to the deaths of the others are shown.

He has survivors guilt and nightmares about the others.

The art is done by some artists I am unfamiliar with Isaac Escorza, Esau Escorza, and Ben Bishop. IMO, the art is solid and reminds me of Michael Dooney. The black and white flashbacks are drawn by CO creator Kevin Eastman.

Cons:

The "worst" thing about this story is that it feels like Frank Millers "The Dark Knight Returns" was used as a mad libs template that TMNT was shoehorned Into. There are some blade runner elements too. I could overlook it if the story was more emotional for me but a certain "vehicle" , a female character, and the end of a certain fight stuck out in my mind as being too similar.

The main villain is pretty one note. He tries to come off as very "high class" and bad ass but it feels hollow. His direct interaction with the deceased characters is limited to 2/5 of them. Also the final battle is intercut with the allies in a perilous situation in the sewers and it detracts from the urgency.

There is a two page epilogue with a sequel hook that feels clumsy.

Overall: 7/10.

Nice art/tone for a what if story that's a change of pace from most of the movies/cartoons,but a bit overrated.

~~BornAgain~~ · 06-10-2024, 10:39 AM

I mostly agree. It’s a bit overrated but that speaks to how hungry people were for a more mature TMNT story. The concept and tone took the book into the stratosphere. Nick should be pleased but also embarrassed for not taking advantage of the IP like this a long time ago.

*CyberCubed* · 06-10-2024, 03:02 PM

Yeah, I'm not sure why casuals ate it up so much, probably because as you said, most people never saw a "mature" TMNT story and just knew the Turtles through the cartoons.

For the rest of us, I dunno, the story was fine. It's a well written and drawn "elseworlds" tale, but nothing groundbreaking. I enjoyed it but I only read it once and I can barely remember the story. I probably won't revisit it for another few years.

*Drose18* · 06-10-2024, 03:12 PM

I need to re-read TLR too but I remember really enjoying lost years. Biggest downside to both is that they needed some more pages to better flesh out pretty much everything other than the other three + splinter's deaths.

TheLabRat · 06-11-2024, 03:13 AM

Those flashbacks in main books were a bit unnecessary and I think they should have focus on current timeline story. And I still think kill Mikey in finale was bad idea.

~~BornAgain~~ · 06-11-2024, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Yeah, I'm not sure why casuals ate it up so much, probably because as you said, most people never saw a "mature" TMNT story and just knew the Turtles through the cartoons.

For the rest of us, I dunno, the story was fine. It's a well written and drawn "elseworlds" tale, but nothing groundbreaking. I enjoyed it but I only read it once and I can barely remember the story. I probably won't revisit it for another few years.

Yeah, look how our generation supports Marvel, Batman, or even Joker and Deadpool. We want this stuff to grow with us. Everyone else did, but the turtles weren’t allowed to. The turtles, who were probably the single biggest children’s property of a generation were nowhere to be found. While its peers took advantage of the zeitgeist, TMNT continued to regurgitate for the same children’s demographic and drive-off without the generation that made them.

It was a humongous build-up that was finally unleashed. Nick had no idea what they have, so bless Kevin for saving his babies.

*Andrew NDB* · 06-11-2024, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Yeah, I'm not sure why casuals ate it up so much

I think a mix of, while they never read the Mirage stuff themselves, they were aware of it and zeroed in on this as some kind of a "Dark Knight Returns" to it all while being as equally as accessible. If that makes sense. Like there's a large number of people pop culturally aware of "there's this DARK TURTLES thing known as Mirage over here in the corner I've only heard whispers about!" without actually having read anything of it, and then here comes "Oh wow, the GRAND FINALE of it THIRTY YEARS IN THE MAKING!!" even though that was deceptive marketing and all around wrong.

*CyberCubed* · 03-03-2025, 11:45 AM

I just caught up on The Last Ronin II with all the future Turtles (there's only 1 issue left), and this is honestly really dull. These new Turtles have the bare minimum of characterisation and the villains are a bunch of nonsensical business men mixed with street gangs like the purple dragons. April looks like Jamie Lee Curtis and it's really taking me out of it.

The Last Ronin should of just stayed that initial 5 issue mini-series, which was fine for what it was (if a little overrated). Turning it into a on-going series was a mistake. I really hope there's no more after this.

08-19-2022, 10:13 AM	#85
Cowabung-Gal The Party Dudette Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: U-S-A!! Posts: 2,603	Personally I loved the ending. Was it perfect? No. Was it a bit rushed? Yes. But I felt satisfied nonetheless. It ended beautifully in my opinion. Mikey reuniting with his family in the afterlife, that brought a tear to my eye. Plus the last image of the series (before the epilogue) is of the whole family standing on a rooftop, and if you recall, the cover of the very first TMNT issue had the four turtles standing on a rooftop too. __________________ Cowabunga

08-19-2022, 01:53 PM	#88
~~AquaParade~~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 8,450	My opinion: The sub plots were all over the place. I couldn’t connect with the point of Karai being there and the second mutation felt superfluous. Personally, I don’t even like the idea of it. Everything feels a little more dangerous, without the “superpowers”. Casey always got along without them. I think this story would have benefited from being told in less issues. The present timeline dragged, while they stalled to format each issue around a flashback. At the least, I didn’t feel that they took advantage of the present timeline, despite spending five issues there. The first issue was the best, imo, because it was paced wholly within the present timeline and allowed Kevin to do what he does best - action-packed choreography with cool characters and just a little bit of drama. What this series nailed was tone, art, and characters. It just feels right when Kevin is writing the TMNT, in terms of character voices. And finally, we’re allowed to embrace all the themes that make tmnt great: legacy, revenge, family, and kick-ass ninja action that pulls no punches. It does that well. I don’t think it reaches the level of Return to New York or City at War, but it comes close. They reeled most people in on premise alone, and I’d even go as far as to say that I think a lot of people overlooked the execution because the concept was great. This is what a whole generation of people want from TMNT. So, the book isn’t perfect but it’s a giant step in the right direction. I suppose this makes the next Ronin series interesting - there is room for improvement and I want to see it fulfilled. I’ve gotta say, I’m sort of looking forward to the potential of seeing a story set in the aftermath of TLR. I’ve never been naturally appreciative of a fifth turtle coming into the fray, for different reasons, yet I am intrigued by a whole new set of turtles, living in the legacy of the four turtles we know. Yeah, that’s a concept that interests me, at least with Eastman and the Escorza brothers sketching it out (and that truly is tied into the appeal, for me). Sort of a Batman Beyond of the TMNT, In very general terms. Could be cool. Btw, the hardcover reached the 11th spot on the New York Times Best Seller list. Last edited by AquaParade; 08-20-2022 at 09:35 AM.

02-23-2024, 12:32 AM	#91
Cowabung-Gal The Party Dudette Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: U-S-A!! Posts: 2,603	It took me a couple of years to finally notice this, but Hiroto went out the same way his grandfather the Shredder did in the first issue of the Mirage series: with a bang. __________________ Cowabunga

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-22-2022, 05:15 PM	#81
~~mrmaczaps~~ Banned Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 2,619	From that other thread, they're going to make one of the turtles gay in the follow up LR story... but then can they call it the Last Ronin if there are 4 more baby mutant turtles running around? Lol

08-03-2022, 12:21 AM	#82
Stu_Padasso Foot Soldier Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Midwest Posts: 181	Got the hardcover come in so I got to reread the whole thing through. I wasn’t expecting a “happy” ending so I wasn’t surprised how things would turn out. The last issue did feel a bit flat in some parts. With all the build-up with cybernetics and nanotechnology I was almost expecting them to pull off a Necrosha and “resurrect” Michelangelo’s family under Hiroto’s control only to have Mikey sacrifice himself to save them. Instead we got a couple of mini-boss fights with characters that we’ve never seen before and don’t have much reason to care about before the main event. Still, probably far better than most of the crap the Big 2 are pushing. So, uh, are we not going to talk about how despite April’s claim that she and Casey were “contaminated “ by their contact with the turtles neither of them had been mutated or demonstrated any augmented abilities that Casey Marie had including being able to hold her breath under water for long periods of time? Or the interesting choice of clothing that Casey Marie is wearing in the epilogue?

08-03-2022, 12:57 AM	#83
~~AquaParade~~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 8,450	The whole second mutation angle felt off to me. They hinted at it with Mikey too but it didn’t go anywhere other then to explain why he could endure so much damage. And does Casey need a mutation to be interesting? Can’t she just be a ninja with human capabilities like Saki? I guess that’s not my choice to make but it felt like a needless complication to make her a little stronger.

08-19-2022, 07:21 AM	#84
Diorm Hench Mutant Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Québec Posts: 457	I got the HC version too and was able to finish the series. I had a problem with Karai being killed by Hiroto just like that at the end. It felt like there was a bigger plan and they decided to kill her at the end (because they were late in releasing this series and had to cut it short?) What I was expecting is that there would be a conversation with her and the ronin and a fight for who started the last conflict with the two clans. Because when you read issue 2, both sides think the other started it. So I was expecting like someone set them both up and all those killing were because of a third party. Imagine the turtles being killed because of a misunderstanding.

08-19-2022, 12:26 PM	#87
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 42,005	I assume it's because I'm older now but I read this when it came out and completely forgot everything about it besides some basic things.

03-29-2023, 12:44 PM	#89
TheLabRat Hench Mutant Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 383	A person who breaks her promise still has "honor"? Such a cheap and hypocritical honor.

02-28-2024, 11:24 PM	#92
DexVcx Random Punk Join Date: May 2023 Location: America! Posts: 31	Let's hope last ronin 2 doesn't ruin it

06-09-2024, 11:35 AM	#93
jignat Foot Soldier Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 146	TMNT : The Last Ronin (2022) Review Comic Miniseries No Spoilers.... Premise: After 3 of the TMNT and some of their close allies are brutally killed, a lone turtle vows vengeance and will end those responsible. Notes: This is set in its own continuity, not the Mirage or IDW TMNT. Despite that, you can follow most of the story if you have any familiarity with the franchise. For those wondering , it is in full color with a handful of pages in black and white for occasional flashbacks. Pros: The tone and action. Most people in mainstream have forgotten but tmnt started as a solidly PG-13 indie comic. This series goes back to that. The protagonist does kill some villains and flashbacks to the deaths of the others are shown. He has survivors guilt and nightmares about the others. The art is done by some artists I am unfamiliar with Isaac Escorza, Esau Escorza, and Ben Bishop. IMO, the art is solid and reminds me of Michael Dooney. The black and white flashbacks are drawn by CO creator Kevin Eastman. Cons: The "worst" thing about this story is that it feels like Frank Millers "The Dark Knight Returns" was used as a mad libs template that TMNT was shoehorned Into. There are some blade runner elements too. I could overlook it if the story was more emotional for me but a certain "vehicle" , a female character, and the end of a certain fight stuck out in my mind as being too similar. The main villain is pretty one note. He tries to come off as very "high class" and bad ass but it feels hollow. His direct interaction with the deceased characters is limited to 2/5 of them. Also the final battle is intercut with the allies in a perilous situation in the sewers and it detracts from the urgency. There is a two page epilogue with a sequel hook that feels clumsy. Overall: 7/10. Nice art/tone for a what if story that's a change of pace from most of the movies/cartoons,but a bit overrated.

06-10-2024, 10:39 AM	#94
~~BornAgain~~ Banned Join Date: May 2023 Posts: 223	I mostly agree. It’s a bit overrated but that speaks to how hungry people were for a more mature TMNT story. The concept and tone took the book into the stratosphere. Nick should be pleased but also embarrassed for not taking advantage of the IP like this a long time ago.

06-10-2024, 03:02 PM	#95
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 42,005	Yeah, I'm not sure why casuals ate it up so much, probably because as you said, most people never saw a "mature" TMNT story and just knew the Turtles through the cartoons. For the rest of us, I dunno, the story was fine. It's a well written and drawn "elseworlds" tale, but nothing groundbreaking. I enjoyed it but I only read it once and I can barely remember the story. I probably won't revisit it for another few years.

06-10-2024, 03:12 PM	#96
Drose18 The Catalina Wine Mixer Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,860	I need to re-read TLR too but I remember really enjoying lost years. Biggest downside to both is that they needed some more pages to better flesh out pretty much everything other than the other three + splinter's deaths.

06-11-2024, 03:13 AM	#97
TheLabRat Hench Mutant Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 383	Those flashbacks in main books were a bit unnecessary and I think they should have focus on current timeline story. And I still think kill Mikey in finale was bad idea.

03-03-2025, 11:45 AM	#100
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 42,005	I just caught up on The Last Ronin II with all the future Turtles (there's only 1 issue left), and this is honestly really dull. These new Turtles have the bare minimum of characterisation and the villains are a bunch of nonsensical business men mixed with street gangs like the purple dragons. April looks like Jamie Lee Curtis and it's really taking me out of it. The Last Ronin should of just stayed that initial 5 issue mini-series, which was fine for what it was (if a little overrated). Turning it into a on-going series was a mistake. I really hope there's no more after this.