IDW's 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' #45 Review: TMNT's Donatello Shocker Continues In "Gripping" Issue!

An unexpected twist occurred inside the action-packed issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #44, from IDW Publishing.The gut-wrenching and gripping story continues as rest of the TMNT family deal with Donatello's shocking defeat at the hands of their longtime enemies, Bebop and Rocksteady, in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #45.

As we previously mentioned, in issue #44, Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo were busy stopping Krang from terraforming the planet using the alien "Technodrome." While Donatello was running command from Turtles home base, Bebop and Rocksteady showed up to wreck havoc. Rocksteady delivered the death blow as he smashed Donnie's shell with a sledgehammer.

If you didn't believe it before, the opening pages continue after Donatello met his heartbreaking demise. The "brains" of the group finds himself lost in the afterlife. In this alternate plane of existence, Donatello's spirit wanders through a maze, searching for a way home. But is the bright white light supposed to be his final destination?

The narrative continues at a breakneck pace as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo realize they have failed their brothers. Interestingly, we're witnessing how these characters deal with their grief. Raphael is on a self-destructive path because he feels helpless, like many people do in a tragedy.

Writers Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Tom Waltz deliver an emotionally spellbinding installment, where characters struggle to find answers to impossible questions. Thank goodness for the appearance of Casey Jones because this really could've been a downer. Breaking the tension and adding comedic relief, Casey lets loose as he protects a store owner from a tough gang.  

Artists Mateus Santolouco and Charles Paul Wilson capture the beauty and sadness of a peaceful purgatory. The facial expressions are incredibly detailed as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo argue against one another. Splinter is both heartbroken and yet needs to stay strong for his children. 

RATING: BUY IT NOW

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #45 is out in stores now.

Readers, what do you think of Donatello's demise?