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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011) #21
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 21: Battle Lines
The longest running TMNT series continues as new dangers and enemies force the Turtles to make tough choices!—and they won't always be in agreement!
Multiple sources of conflict collide as the maniacal Agent Bishop goes to war with the alien forces on Earth, driving the Turtles to embrace unsavory alliances and race to stop a massacre. But this complex web of enemies and allies—as well as new divisions between the Turtles themselves—may thwart any chance they have for success!
Collects: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #86-89.
Multiple sources of conflict collide as the maniacal Agent Bishop goes to war with the alien forces on Earth, driving the Turtles to embrace unsavory alliances and race to stop a massacre. But this complex web of enemies and allies—as well as new divisions between the Turtles themselves—may thwart any chance they have for success!
Collects: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #86-89.
104 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2019
About the author
Kevin Eastman
1,115 books370 followersKevin B. Eastman is an American comic book artist, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 22, 2024
(A-) 81% | Very Good
Notes: Its highlights are mesmeric, but its gunfights get generic; and its ending's kind of sterile, just another Christmas Carol.
Notes: Its highlights are mesmeric, but its gunfights get generic; and its ending's kind of sterile, just another Christmas Carol.
March 15, 2022
Bishop and the EPF invade Burnow Island. A lot of plot threads come together. Amidst the fighting we see Bishop's backstory and it's messed up. One of the characters make the ultimate sacrifice as well. I'll miss you . Then we get a TMNT version of A Christmas Carol. It's been done so many times that it loses some of its impact but Splinter has needed a visit from three spirits for awhile now.
November 9, 2020
When Slash gets dropped, things get real.
The siege of Burnow Island stuff was pretty great, particularly Agent Bishop's backstory stuff, though to be frank I could've lived without
Onward to the next volume!
May 19, 2020
Agent Bishop wants the Triceratons, and he'll stop at nothing to get them. But with the Triceratons, the Utroms, and some surprise combatants in his way, can he get what he wants without losing himself in the process? And then, it's Christmas time! So why's Splinter looking so haunted?
The first three issues of this volume focus on the Triceratons and the Utroms fighting off the EPF, with the Turtles and the Mutanimals trapped in the middle. It's a big culmination of a lot of plot threads, and has a big emotional kick in the face right at the end which I haven't expected from TMNT; they do a lot of plot twists, but it's rare that they kill someone off, so it hurts when they do do it. Dave Wachter's on art, so of course it looks lovely, and I especially like that he manages to keep everything so well-detailed and organized when the panels get crammed full of characters.
Then the final issue focuses on Splinter as he meets the Pantheon for A Christmas Carol, Turtles-style. Splinter's been a character I've grown not to like very much, and this issue goes a long way towards humanizing him again. Plus whenever the Pantheon turn up to play, it's great fun. Michael Dialynas returns for this issue on art; he and Wachter are going to tag-team the series from now to issue 100, and I'm so excited.
Battle Lines feels like a big storyline, even for the TMNT. There are some great reveals, amazing art, and some genuinely shocking developments that I thought a series approaching 100 issues would be hard pressed to deliver. It's not surprising that this book has lasted this long, because it's really damn good.
The first three issues of this volume focus on the Triceratons and the Utroms fighting off the EPF, with the Turtles and the Mutanimals trapped in the middle. It's a big culmination of a lot of plot threads, and has a big emotional kick in the face right at the end which I haven't expected from TMNT; they do a lot of plot twists, but it's rare that they kill someone off, so it hurts when they do do it. Dave Wachter's on art, so of course it looks lovely, and I especially like that he manages to keep everything so well-detailed and organized when the panels get crammed full of characters.
Then the final issue focuses on Splinter as he meets the Pantheon for A Christmas Carol, Turtles-style. Splinter's been a character I've grown not to like very much, and this issue goes a long way towards humanizing him again. Plus whenever the Pantheon turn up to play, it's great fun. Michael Dialynas returns for this issue on art; he and Wachter are going to tag-team the series from now to issue 100, and I'm so excited.
Battle Lines feels like a big storyline, even for the TMNT. There are some great reveals, amazing art, and some genuinely shocking developments that I thought a series approaching 100 issues would be hard pressed to deliver. It's not surprising that this book has lasted this long, because it's really damn good.
December 31, 2023
This was a mixed bag as a whole volume and I'm still processing some of it. I still think I'm kind of over the Triceratons, I just am not invested in them at all. However, this volume packed quite the punch with a significant loss, the return of our jolly bunch of Mutanimals, and even a Christmas Carol to close out the collection. But boy did it pack a punch. A great volume with some sick twists throughout.
July 14, 2022
An all-action volume that continues the EPF's war on the Triceratons, this time at Burnow Island, where the Utroms join the fray. I have to say I've never had much appetite for the Agent Bishop character -- a rogue government agent storyline never does anything for me -- though we do get a clever and shocking reveal about him near the end that made me gasp. The conclusion, where we say goodbye to a beloved secondary character, was pretty moving, if rushed.
A one-shot issue at the end -- an homage to Dickens' Christmas Carol, where Splinter is Scrooge and Shredder's ghost is Jacob Marley -- was lovely, at least until an abrupt and goofy shift in tone on the last page. I don't know what's to come for Splinter in the next volume, but I'm worried that this one-shot is going to be used to quickly resolve a storyline that I think needs more time to breathe. So I'm wary.
A one-shot issue at the end -- an homage to Dickens' Christmas Carol, where Splinter is Scrooge and Shredder's ghost is Jacob Marley -- was lovely, at least until an abrupt and goofy shift in tone on the last page. I don't know what's to come for Splinter in the next volume, but I'm worried that this one-shot is going to be used to quickly resolve a storyline that I think needs more time to breathe. So I'm wary.
May 18, 2022
Jesus, another great volume!
Bishop and the EPF are gonna hunt the Triceratons and just took it soldiers to Burnow Island.
An all out war, with a great discussion between the Turtles if they would help it or not, the Mutanimals have their way, to try to save Slash and de Utrom are showing their guns as well. It's well builded around all of this characters, we see a nice background to agent Bishop's past (and his "true" form) and the ending... i really can't say that much.
And on the last chapter, we saw probably what would be the ultimate ending of this run for this family. Man, i want to finish this, but i just want more!
Bishop and the EPF are gonna hunt the Triceratons and just took it soldiers to Burnow Island.
An all out war, with a great discussion between the Turtles if they would help it or not, the Mutanimals have their way, to try to save Slash and de Utrom are showing their guns as well. It's well builded around all of this characters, we see a nice background to agent Bishop's past (and his "true" form) and the ending... i really can't say that much.
And on the last chapter, we saw probably what would be the ultimate ending of this run for this family. Man, i want to finish this, but i just want more!
June 26, 2024
"Battle Lines" continues the storyline involving the Utroms and the Triceratons teaming up against Bishop and the EPF.
The standout from volume 21 is the last issue which is a TMNT retelling of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."The main story lacks Splinter's presence, but Splinter takes center stage in this Christmas issue. The creators use the TMNT's recent family drama as motivation for Splinter to rethink his recent controversial decisions.
Compared to recent volumes of the series, the four primary issues tell the story of one battle that many past volumes have set the groundwork for. Although it is nice to see pay off involving so many different sets of characters, these issues are mostly a quick read as the reader follows what feels like an extended battle scene that adds little characterization to the main characters. Bishop's backstory does not pull at the heart strings even though it is interesting. I do appreciate Bishop's relationship with his father that has slowly developed since his introduction, but it is still not enough to make him a sympathetic or very interesting villain. I also appreciate the risk that the creative team took with Slash's character, but I'm not sure Slash's big moment was big enough for how much I enjoy his character.
I do enjoy April's continued role in the series and appreciate how the creators give her a reason to be a part of the TMNT team. Similarly, for the first time I am enjoying Baxter Stockman's role in the ongoing series. I think this is because a new political layer has been added to his character. Although I did miss Splinter and the Foot Clan's presence in the battle, I do enjoy the time readers get to spend with Jennika's character. I am not sure, however, how I feel about the group of displaced children being put under the Foot Clan's care.
As is common in IDW's TMNT series, some of the dialogue seems to drag on, but the good far outweighs bad as major plot lines come to a completion and new plot lines are created for future issues. One comic device that I continue to enjoy is the parallel moments the creators use to match different characters and scenes, seen as dialogue on one page is completed on another page representing what is also happening on both pages simultaneously. The art as continues to be consistent and I enjoy the characters drawn in this style, even as different artists draw the series.
The standout from volume 21 is the last issue which is a TMNT retelling of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."The main story lacks Splinter's presence, but Splinter takes center stage in this Christmas issue. The creators use the TMNT's recent family drama as motivation for Splinter to rethink his recent controversial decisions.
Compared to recent volumes of the series, the four primary issues tell the story of one battle that many past volumes have set the groundwork for. Although it is nice to see pay off involving so many different sets of characters, these issues are mostly a quick read as the reader follows what feels like an extended battle scene that adds little characterization to the main characters. Bishop's backstory does not pull at the heart strings even though it is interesting. I do appreciate Bishop's relationship with his father that has slowly developed since his introduction, but it is still not enough to make him a sympathetic or very interesting villain. I also appreciate the risk that the creative team took with Slash's character, but I'm not sure Slash's big moment was big enough for how much I enjoy his character.
I do enjoy April's continued role in the series and appreciate how the creators give her a reason to be a part of the TMNT team. Similarly, for the first time I am enjoying Baxter Stockman's role in the ongoing series. I think this is because a new political layer has been added to his character. Although I did miss Splinter and the Foot Clan's presence in the battle, I do enjoy the time readers get to spend with Jennika's character. I am not sure, however, how I feel about the group of displaced children being put under the Foot Clan's care.
As is common in IDW's TMNT series, some of the dialogue seems to drag on, but the good far outweighs bad as major plot lines come to a completion and new plot lines are created for future issues. One comic device that I continue to enjoy is the parallel moments the creators use to match different characters and scenes, seen as dialogue on one page is completed on another page representing what is also happening on both pages simultaneously. The art as continues to be consistent and I enjoy the characters drawn in this style, even as different artists draw the series.
February 10, 2021
3.5 Stars.
With the Triceratons and Utroms sharing their lives on Burnow Island, living in the Technodrome, conflict was bound to happen soon enough. Unfortunately, Agent Bishop and the EPF are that hostile force. Invading and set on taking out both species, they bring lots of troops, heavy artillery, and their secret weapon: a mind controlled Slash.
The Turtles won't stand for this, feeling an obligation to help keep the peace that they worked so hard for. Taking the Mutanimals with them, they hope to be able to take out Bishop and prevent so much more violence. The Utroms decide to release one of the war criminals, Ch'rell, a brilliant tactician, who immediately dons a huge battle suit to fight in.
Lots of fighting on both sides, but at the end: Hob kills Bishop, or so we think, until we find out that the real Bishop is a small human inside a very sophisticated battle suit, after which he escapes; AND Slash, having discovered he has a small nuclear weapon in his neck, sacrifices himself to prevent any future disasters.
Things seem really down for the Turtles.
We get an end story featuring Splinter, that plays out exactly like A Christmas Carol. A mostly sad story, with a slightly joyful ending, that puts a downward spin on the Volume. While it was good overall, the fact that the next two Volumes are titled "City At War" does not bode well for all our characters.
Glad to get back to this book. Recommend.
With the Triceratons and Utroms sharing their lives on Burnow Island, living in the Technodrome, conflict was bound to happen soon enough. Unfortunately, Agent Bishop and the EPF are that hostile force. Invading and set on taking out both species, they bring lots of troops, heavy artillery, and their secret weapon: a mind controlled Slash.
The Turtles won't stand for this, feeling an obligation to help keep the peace that they worked so hard for. Taking the Mutanimals with them, they hope to be able to take out Bishop and prevent so much more violence. The Utroms decide to release one of the war criminals, Ch'rell, a brilliant tactician, who immediately dons a huge battle suit to fight in.
Lots of fighting on both sides, but at the end: Hob kills Bishop, or so we think, until we find out that the real Bishop is a small human inside a very sophisticated battle suit, after which he escapes; AND Slash, having discovered he has a small nuclear weapon in his neck, sacrifices himself to prevent any future disasters.
Things seem really down for the Turtles.
We get an end story featuring Splinter, that plays out exactly like A Christmas Carol. A mostly sad story, with a slightly joyful ending, that puts a downward spin on the Volume. While it was good overall, the fact that the next two Volumes are titled "City At War" does not bode well for all our characters.
Glad to get back to this book. Recommend.
June 15, 2021
Learning more about Bishop was interesting, though it felt a little out there as far as backstories go. I also felt like the plot wasn't fleshed out well enough. There wasn't enough character work. I get that it's the 21st volume but that doesn't mean character should some dead last on things that get focused on. Like, no one character really stood out besides Bishop because this entire volume just felt like the Bishop origin story that didn't need an entire volume dedicated to it. I didn't hate the story but when Slash died there was no impact for me because again, character development and stuff went by the wayside here. I can't even really recall when Slash got captured by Bishop because this series has started to drag a bit and I've put my reading of it mostly on pause. Was Slash captured in volume 20 or 19? Earlier even? See, the story's been dragging so much lately that I can't keep track of what's happening. I didn't even remember Ch'rell getting introduced before this and it struck me as an oh shit situation when he appeared because I genuinely forgot he'd ever existed in this universe.
Tl;dr: the story dragged, Bishop was the only standout character and he's not a very good character to put emphasis on, and the death scene held no impact.
Tl;dr: the story dragged, Bishop was the only standout character and he's not a very good character to put emphasis on, and the death scene held no impact.
February 14, 2023
Things continue to escalate with Agent Bishop's forces ignoring the Turtles for a bit in order to chase down the Triceratons. But of course, their sense of responsibility means that they'll get involved in defending their alien friends and they'll drag in as many friends as possible in order to do so. But who they bring along makes for a nominal surprise.
The volume has a pretty decent resolution to this arc and one heck of an explanation for the cybernetics we've repeatedly seen under Agent Bishop's skin in previous issues. Then it goes left field with a final issue in the volume that is really just a holiday palate cleanser.
Good setup for the future. I really hope that last story wasn't just a one-off and it leads to meaningful connections to future developments.
The volume has a pretty decent resolution to this arc and one heck of an explanation for the cybernetics we've repeatedly seen under Agent Bishop's skin in previous issues. Then it goes left field with a final issue in the volume that is really just a holiday palate cleanser.
Good setup for the future. I really hope that last story wasn't just a one-off and it leads to meaningful connections to future developments.
January 25, 2024
Always cool to see the Mutanimals and I do like the fight sequence and the action. Also laughed when they made the Star Wars reference. Also cool to see the Triceratons as good guys instead of the usual villains like they are most of the times.
September 29, 2021
Such a rollercoaster
August 17, 2023
Some good progress came out of this. A major death happened and the war between bishop and mutants has hit a new level.
The ghost of Christmas past issue at the was a weird way to cap it off lol
The ghost of Christmas past issue at the was a weird way to cap it off lol
May 7, 2024
They turned Slash into a nuke and BLEW HIM UP?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
Much better than the previous volume.
July 21, 2025
The Christmas issue was a bit cliche, but happy to see the change in Splinter.
April 2, 2026
Was heading for a 5, but got knocked down 1 for the corny Christmas Carol special.
March 21, 2025
85 was kinda weak
86-88 was very good, especially that Slash ending :sob:
89 another Christmas issue but this one was amazing with the dark foreshadowing
4 stars
86-88 was very good, especially that Slash ending :sob:
89 another Christmas issue but this one was amazing with the dark foreshadowing
4 stars
July 27, 2019
This story arc wasn’t quite as interesting as I hoped it would be. Also it’s a Christmas special so the story arc felt like it was dragged out a bit.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews