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TMNT: Armageddon Game Opening Moves #1
- Writer:
- Tom Waltz
- Artist:
- Fero Pe
- Letterer:
- Shawn Lee
- Cover Artist:
- Fero Pe
- Publisher:
- IDW Publishing
- Price:
- $5.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-07-12
- Colorist:
- Ronda Pattison
In the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, there are no infinite crises or civil wars. Instead, the lean, green, ninja team gets down to business and kicks some shell when there's a dispute to be resolved. IDW Publishing's TMNT: The Armageddon Game – Opening Moves #1 by writer Tom Waltz, artist Fero Pe, colorist Ronda Pattison, and letterer Shawn Lee sets the stage for an earth-shattering event that pits unlikely allies against the evil Rat King and his goon squad.
The main protagonists of the issue are Oroku Saki, aka the Shredder, and the immortal witch Kitsune. Aka warns them about the impending war on the horizon and Rat King's devious plans, as well as who the rodent master has closely aligned himself with. Determined to go into battle prepared for all eventualities, the two embark on a journey across the astral plane to General Krang's memories to find out more about the Utrom and how to defeat him. In his past, they learn about one of his biggest battles and the way he strategizes. After Saki and Kitsune are done with him, they move on to their target.
The issue is largely Turtle-less, apart from when the heroes in a half-shell appear in the flashbacks. Instead, TMNT: The Armageddon Game – Opening Moves #1 shifts the lens to Saki and Kitsune as they attempt to figure out how to defeat their adversaries. In this case, it's all about Krang. As a build-up to The Armageddon Game, this is an expository issue, and Waltz masks the info dump in the flashback sequences; however, this does still feel more like he's telling rather than showing. Yet, this can't be leveled as a criticism against the book, since its sole purpose is to set up the big event and provide the reader with all the relevant information.
Pe's artwork goes down like a pizza-flavored treat here. In one issue, the artist explores a gamut of scenarios, hopping from feudal Japan to the sci-fi shenanigans of Dimension X and even the more modern sensibilities of New York City. It's a smorgasbord of heart-pumping action and gorgeous set pieces that merits multiple rereads.
Pattison's colors make Pe's jaw-dropping art pop. Regular readers of the main Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series will recognize both Pattison's name and work by now. The colorist understands the mood of the IDW version of the Ninja Turtles, ensuring there's a consistency and familiarity throughout. This issue fits right in with the rest of the main line, and that's exactly what it should do. Similarly, the inclusion of Lee as a letterer makes sense here. There's no point in breaking up a winning formula, so it's great to see the usual suspects working together in this book.
TMNT: The Armageddon Game - Opening Moves #1 isn't about to blow off socks or get nominated for any best-of lists. However, it serves an important function in the overall context of this event. It's the appetizer before the main course, and it only needs to tantalize the taste buds rather than fill the stomach.