4 out of 5

Some unfortunate sequencing and one remnant-of-the-past issue prevents this from being a perfect set.  Volume 6 contains two more TMNTA issues, plus the three-issue Mutanimals mini-series.  Ah, but that’s where the difficulty lies: the lead-in to Mutanimals was included in the last collection, as well as one concurrently-running issue.  This set kicks off with another concurrently-running one (#21), then has an issue that would have come after the mini, and then sequences the whole mini-series afterwards.  So it’s strange.  I read it out of order, jumping from volume 5 to 6 and back and forth, and I’m not sure why you wouldn’t just collect it in a more logical order to avoid that.

The mini-series itself is a lot of fun, though, and also offers a really interesting inking comparison, with Ryan Brown’s inks on Ken Mitchroney a stark contrast to Art Leonardi’s detailed inks (Mutanimals #2), as well as to Mike Kazaleh’s / Brian Thomas’ vaguely Colan-esque loose inking on ish #3.  As a kid, I remember the differences (it’s that noticeable), but, at the same time, not really registering the credit changeups.

Speaking of Colan, he pencils (!!) issue #21, a really silly Shredder appearance that nonetheless has a nice edge to it thanks to Gene’s moody style.  Issue #20 is the oddball, featuring techno-villain ‘Vid Vicious’ in what reads like a throwback to the toy-appearance issues from earlier in the series.  It’s a deeply dumb, aimless issue.  I know, I know, maybe “charming,” but it sticks out in this otherwise great set.