Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • DC Relaunch Spectacular Group 2: Bat Books

      Daniel Gehen
      June 29, 2011
      Columns, Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • 21st Century Superheroes Are Back with Wildstorm Comics

      Daniel Gehen
      October 4, 2016
      Big Two, DC Comics, News
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: 6 Most Expensive Comic Books April 2021 Update

      nguyen ly
      April 17, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • This Week in Boom!: Something Old, Something New

      Daniel Gehen
      August 12, 2015
      Boom! Studios, Miscellaneous Comic Book Content, News, This Week in BOOM!
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 4.0

      Digital Comic: Lower Regions: Defense of the West Gate

      Daniel Gehen
      June 6, 2012
      Digital Comics, Reviews
    Recent
    • Singles Going Steady – Vowels, Who Needs Them?

      Daniel Gehen
      March 8, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • James Romberger Marguerite van Cook

      Interview: James Romberger and the Neverending Empire

      Daniel Gehen
      August 23, 2016
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Classic Interview: Steve Skeates Pt. I - The Origin of a Dreamer

      Daniel Gehen
      August 14, 2015
      Classic Interviews, Interviews
    Recent
    • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story

      Daniel Gehen
      March 26, 2021
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Comics Bulletin Exclusive Preview – Shadow Show #3 from IDW!

      Daniel Gehen
      January 1, 2015
      News, Previews
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade: 'Grave Business' by Graham Ingels

      Daniel Gehen
      September 25, 2015
      Books, Classic Comics, Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Collecting Profile: 6 Most Expensive Comic Books April 2021 Update
  • Collecting Profile: Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Collecting Profile: 1990 Marvel Universe Trading Cards
  • Collecting Profile: Red Sonja
  • Collecting Profile: Dr. Doom
  • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Indie
IDW

Review: Shredder in Hell #1 is On Fire

Daniel Gehen
January 15, 2019
IDW, Indie, Reviews

IDW Publishing

(w/a) Mateus Santolouco

For nearly 3 years, the most well-known of the Ninja Turtles’ foes has been dead, the result of an unfortunate case of decapitation. Now, he’s back… sort of. Courtesy of fan-favorite artist Mateus Santolouco, the Shredder has returned. But if he’s to get back to the land of the living, he must first go through a personal crucible. That is the premise of the much anticipated TMNT: Shredder in Hell #1. By and large, it delivers everything readers could hope for.

The first thing about this issue that shines is the artwork. His manga-inspired aesthetics infuse each panel with energy. Because of the nature of the story – with Shredder traveling through different realms of the afterlife – Santolouco is able to flex his creative muscles by crafting a multitude of scenery. Whether Shredder is in a forest, a cave, drowning, or fighting for his spiritual life in a literal hellscape, readers will marvel at the detail Santolouco packs into each page. There are tributes to pop culture staples present, most notably The Empire Strikes Back, but they are done so in a manner which works in service of the story. Furthermore, his layouts ensure that the story is expertly paced, a benefit of his taking on both art and writing duties.

As much as Santolouco excels as an artist, his writing is perhaps the issue’s greatest strength. The TMNT franchise – in particular the comics – has thrived for decades not just for the oddly satisfying concept of mutated reptiles that have mastered martial arts, but also because the characters had fascinating developments over the years. Whether it’s the current series from IDW Publishing or the (technically still running) fourth volume from Mirage Studios, the Turtles and their supporting cast have received fascinating characterizations that are discounted by those only familiar with the 1987 animated series. The Shredder is no different.

Though unsympathetic for most of the IDW series, Shredder has remained an interesting character. Santolouco takes what readers know of the character and builds upon the foundation of TMNT #1-50 to give Shredder (or Oroku Saki) and understandable motivation for his actions. Yes, his origin story shows him driven by jealousy, but in Shredder in Hell, his motivation is similar to those great historical figures – the desire to control one’s destiny. His guide through the afterlife is his longtime frenemy, Hamato Yoshi (better known as the humanoid rat, Splinter). This choice is a peculiar one, as it suggests that Shredder was (and perhaps still is) a good man that has been consumed by attempting to control that which controls him. As stated, Shredder is rarely if ever depicted as sympathetic, in seeing him fight side-by-side with Splinter and rejecting an even more twisted version of himself, Santolouco defies reader expectations.

It should come as no surprise that Shredder in Hell #1 is as good as it is. As the creative force behind The Secret History of the Foot Clan, Mateus Santolouco proved that he can stand alongside the best of the industry’s cartoonists. Shredder in Hell #1 reaffirms that notion, delivering an experience that engrosses readers from start to finish. If there is a TMNT book to read, this is it.

Review: Shredder in Hell #1 is On Fire
  • Fantastic artwork
  • Great pacing
  • Interesting concept well executed
4.5Overall Score

Mateus SantoloucoShredder in HellTMNT: Shredder in Hell

Share On:
Tweet
Review: The Black Cat Can Teach Us A Lesson On How To Be Kind
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF URUSEI YATSURA SIGNATURE EDITIONS

About The Author

Daniel Gehen
Editor-in-Chief

Dan was introduced to the 1960s Batman show at a young age, which developed into a lifelong passion for comics. When he's not grinding out his day job, he can be found reading about Scarlet Speedsters, Web-Heads, or Sagas just about anywhere. If it's good he'll read it. If it's bad... there's a chance he still might read it.

Related Posts

  • What Looks Good For the Week of December 4, 2019

    Daniel Gehen
    December 2, 2019
  • Review: ‘Zero’ is the Story of a Man Lost in the Layers of his Own Life

    Mark Stack
    December 3, 2014

Support Us!

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Friends of the Site

  • SOLRAD
  • Your Chicken Enemy
  • Psycho Drive-In
  • Women Write About Comics
  • The Beat
  • Loser City
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders