The Good
If you've read TMNT #25, odds are you were left shocked and/or confused with a certain big reveal in the middle of the issue. And if you haven't read it, go do so now. Seriously, it'll be impossible to talk about this without giving away that spoiler. Go on, shoo!
Now that they're hopefully gone, I can talk about how awesome the twist with Casey's dad is. When it first hit us, I won't lie, I was a bit confused. Does this mean he's Hun, and if so, how? Or, was he merely part of the Purple Dragons and happens to have the same tattoo? Perhaps this tattoo means he was one of the founders? Well, this issue reveals that yes, Casey Jones' dad is Hun and the entire issue is dedicated to explaining his back story while also diving into his connection to 'City Fall.'
Co-writers Mike Costa and Ben Epstein give a nice balance to the story, allowing it to cover numerous time periods in an organic fashion because the character is narrating from the present. They've done a really great job turning this character from a miserable and weak individual (drunk and lashing out at his son) into a focused man looking for redemption. Despite going about it the wrong way, Hun still comes off as a character you could root for and want to succeed.The reason for his heavy dose of exposition is totally justified, too. It always bugs me when someone just abruptly shares their life story, but seeing as he's in a position where he's expected to tell all, it absolutely works.
Mike Henderson and Ian Herring deliver some solid visuals for Hun's debut. It's more of an animated vibe (fitting since the character made his first appearance in the '03 show) but set in a darker tone. There's a heavy emphasis on shading, further bringing us into the more villainous setting. The duo also did an impressive job when it came to the emotional tone behind each moment, especially when it comes to dim environments such as the Purple Dragons' hideout. I love how the few streams of light reveal just how dirty the location is.
The Bad
The ending is a nice moment for the character and gives some degree of hope when it comes to his progression, but when it comes to the greater picture, it doesn't really build the excitement like the other Villain Micro-Series issues have. Each have ended on a note which served as a great lead-in for the next primary issue, but this one mainly exists just to elaborate on who Hun is and where he currently stands. That's not a bad thing, but it unfortunately doesn't leave you overly stoked for what's next like the previous Micro issues have.
Casey's reaction to his father's drastic change was surprisingly composed, but given the nature of their relationship, I guess it's understandable. Also, minor art gripe: there's a panel where it looks like Hun is incredibly chubby instead of large and muscular (when he's pointing).
The Verdict
Just when you thought 'City Fall' couldn't get any more interesting, IDW goes ahead and throws a new dynamic into the mix by totally reinventing Hun. He's not merely a man tossed into the universe to provide awesome brawls. Instead, he has a compelling connection to the heroes... one which he's totally unaware of. I can't help but wonder how long it'll be until the lies and deception come front and center because eventually the truth will have to come to the surface. When the lies do begin to fall apart, I'm very interested to see what that'll mean for the character and his potential future. This is yet another must read chapter if you're following 'City Fall.'
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