TMNT Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything
Written by: Ben Bates & Dustin Weaver
Artist: Sophie Campbell (pg 1-3) Dustin Weaver (pg 4-5, 11-14) Ben Bates (pg 6-10, 15-18) Giannis Milogiannis (pg 19-20)
Lettering: Shawn Lee
Colors: Bill Crabtree & Sophie Campbell

Review by Gregory Brothers

Bebop02Just in time for their appearance in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadow, which hits theaters this weekend IDW has published the first issue of the mini series: Bebop and Rocksteady Destroy Everything.

We start the series with a flash back of the narrator telling us this is the story of two unlikely and unwitting saviors who also nearly destroy reality. A quick jump after the opening splash puts us into the Turtles entering a museum to investigate the fact that skeletons in one of the exhibits look exactly like their rivals Bebop and Rocksteady. After conjoining up ancient time master Renet the group determines that Savanti Romero had something to do with the fossilized versions of their rivals. The discussion between the Turtles and Renet as they determine exactly what happened and when it happen seems to be a nod to the fact that the Turtles are constantly finding themselves traveling to different times and universes to fight evil. We find out that at the same time down in Rio De Janeiro, the flesh and blood version of the turtles enemies are running into issues with the leader of another gang that they have joined. Quickly we get to see the “human” side of the Bebop and Rocksteady and they talk complain about just wanting to fit in with anyone. After a fight between themselves and the Turtles, Bebop and Rocksteady begin their adventure by meeting two very unlikely characters.

While it does not take away from the story you can tell when the artist changes throughout the book. Most of the changes are very subtle but you can tell the difference especially in how the different artist draws Bebop and Rocksteady. I appreciate the fact that the artists do draw Bebop and Rocksteady much larger than the turtles really highlighting the fact that animals they are mutated from are very much difference in size. The colors are spot on and really pop throughout. The panel layout makes the story easy to follow without being the traditional left to right frame to frame.

Verdict:
Buy, if you are a fan of the series. When I saw the solicits a few months ago I assumed that this would just be a money grab to go along with the appearance of BeBop and Rocksteady in the new movie. However this series seems to be steeped in TMNT history and continuity. There is reference to several different storylines that the turtles have been part of so having an idea of the past is helpful but not completely necessary. The series is coming out weekly so it will be easy to get through this event quickly. I think looking at Bebop and Rocksteady through a different light where they aren’t just the heavy of a group could be interesting and what kind of effect this mini-series will have on the proper TMNT series.

Gregory Brothers
greghbrothers@gmail.com
Ohio born and raised. Avid comicbook fan who is always trying to find time to get through my ever growing read pile. When not working on that I Teach, coach youth sports, and cheer on my hometown Cincinnati teams, and Buckeyes. Can also be heard talking comics and pop-culture on The Comics Agenda Podcast.

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