What was all the hype about it? Based on what I read in various reviews over since this series came out I expected it to be a dark, gritty, brutal story. Yes, it has violence, some blood, technically, even decapitation, but it's all far and wide in-between. Was the story itself supposed to be "dark"? I guess the premise kind of is, since this a pessimistic look at turtles' future, obviously, and the ending is sad (again "kind of"). But I am not sure if there is enough to warrant all the praise.
Don't get me wrong, it's not necessarily a bad comic book, it's just... Nothing special, really. It's still cliché over cliché over cliché. There is not anything that deep in it, even though it may feel somewhat melancholic, but it's not "psychological" enough. Michelangelo's trauma and anguish are not properly explored. It's almost like we are told, that he has them, but not really shown, except for a few moments, most of which are him talking to other turtles in his head. And turtles in his head are just a gimmick, since they bring almost nothing to the story.
I don't know, maybe other comes in the franchise are even more superficial, and that's why this one stood out to people. To me it was mediocre at best. It would have been better if they stripped most of dialogues and leaned into pure rage and beating of the Foot Clan, since maybe then it would be exciting (maybe the coming live-action adaptation can do that?). Personally I expected a deep and personal story. Maybe "Lost Years" sequel to this story does better job with that, but I do not have any desire to try that one.
