This one is just what it says on the tin: a crossover between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Stranger Things. If you’re anything like me, your first reaction when you heard that such a thing existed was, “Wait… what?” But the more you think about it, the more it makes sense.

Stranger Things is set in the ’80s. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles began in the ’80s and has a very ’80s vibe. The Ninja Turtles are a group of wisecracking teenagers. Stranger Things’ cast of characters includes a group of wisecracking teenagers. The Ninja Turtles fight monsters and other fantastical threats. The Stranger Things kids also fight monsters and other fantastical threats. At the very least, the two groups would have a lot to talk about.

Our story begins as Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max go on a field trip to New York City. They’re eager to take a break from Hawkins and its monsters and mayhem and instead experience this bustling metropolis with its sights, its architecture, its sewers, its pizza…

Of course, no sooner do they get there than they’re faced with monsters and mayhem. A slight delay while waiting for El to join them causes them to get separated from their class and stumble right into a nest of demogorgons in the subway system. Of course, they have to do something about it. Who else in New York City is equipped to fight monsters?

Well, from the title alone, you know who else is equipped. Mike, Don, Leo, and Raph show up, and, soon, the two crews are comparing notes and teaming up to stop this threat and investigate how it got to New York City in the first place. It’s a Hawkins problem, but some of the Turtles’ enemies may just be involved, as well.

The comic is fairly straightforward. It establishes the connection between the two worlds and sets things up for the epic battle that will no doubt unfold in future issues; however, the comic itself is only half of what’s in this issue. This is the Director’s Cut. It includes notes, commentary, script pages, sketches, and more. It even includes a few pages in full color, with notes about the process of coloring a comic—which is odd, because the comic itself is in black and white. I really think it’s missing something, too, by not having the comic be in full color.

Anyway, the story is entertaining and fun. If you’re a fan of Ninja Turtles and Stranger Things and are interested in the novelty of seeing them team up, then you’ll likely get a kick out of this comic. If nothing else, it’s something to give you your Stranger Things fix while you wait for the release of season 5.

Creative Team: Cameron Chittock (writer), Fero Pe (artist), Sofie Dodgson (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer), and Chase Marotz & Jonathan Manning (editors)
Publisher: IDW Publishing
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