A Minor Falling Out — Reviewing ‘TMNT: Nightwatcher’ #6

Over the months, Jennika and the sentient armor she wore as Nightwatcher accomplished much. Unfortunately, that partnership has ended dramatically.

Who is the hero and who is the one what must convince the hero what is right to do? A battle of will, determination, and realization is fought in the penultimate issue of this series. A story carried out once more by Juni Ba, Fero Pe, Luis Antonio Delgado, and Nathan Widick.

Damn shame that this series is coming to such a premature ending.

Such a novel concept that has been well executed through these six issues. Giving Jennika the spotlight, she richly deserves since the main series elected to leave her behind in order to pare down focus to the Hamato brothers. Really hoping that the end of this book doesn’t leave Jennika, and mutant town, in some dangling limbo state.

This fifth turtle is a badass and deserves to have more of her stories told in this rich universe.

With Lao Ban dealt with (mostly), Jennika must now deal with the fallout. The sentient armor she donned as Nightwatcher is confused and on the loose, running away through the city for weeks. Ba utilizes Lao Ban and Jennika’s personal woes spectacularly here. Allowing the villain to be a voice that speaks some truths but comes with sharp danger as well.

Exploring the dynamic of whether the suit or the one who donned it is heroic brings some intriguing points. Jennika is broken, seeking things, and the suit was a means to an end to her. Disguised behind the promise she made to the old woman who brought the protector to life. Dealing with that is hard for her, and Ba doesn’t let it go softly, allowing for some great character study moments.

I love what Pe and Delgado have done together here.

Everything about this series just sparks visually. There is tons of depth given to the city that we see, and each space feels lived in and authentic. Characters have true presence and weight as they move through the panels and world. Pe’s work comes with a very dense and grounded feeling mixed with just the right level of whimsical energy.

Reminding us that these places and figures aren’t entirely real while also making them real. Action scenes flow beautifully and feel genuine in their movement. Making an issue of mostly talking feel this dynamic is quite a skill.

A lot of the dense richness comes from the chosen color palette. One that pulls in plenty of standard natural tones to create the overall spaces. Browns, grays, whites, and the rest that establish this space to be familiar and akin to our own world settings. It’s the characters (many of them mutants) and other aspects that are lent the more vibrant or stand-out tones. Giving them the fantastical checkmark that gives them their out of the box energy.

Incorporation of blacks and darker overall tones comes from both sides. In the color palette itself, to boost tone in places, and the use of dark gutter space around panels at times. Bordering and keeping spaces heftier feeling.

Characters have much to say in this issue. Beyond just the back and forth between Jennika and Lao Ban. All of it given life and energy by Widick.

Bubbles flow across panels, letting words float or burst into the moments, perfectly executed. While there aren’t really a lot of colors and other modifiers involved, even similar looking voices stand apart. Little things done here or there allows each character’s personality and quirks to stick through their words. Adding to the power of the overall visuals through giving the characters genuine voices.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #6 is now available from IDW Publishing.