The teens from Stranger Things are on a field trip to New York, with Eleven tagging along in secret. The Upside Down is never far away, however, and an encounter with some oddly modified Demodogs leads to the kids teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to stop Baxter Stockman, along with plenty of the terrifying, other-dimensional beasts from running rampant in our world.

TMNT and Stranger Things worlds don’t initially seem to be the most logical of crossover franchises, but it’s to the credit of writer Cameron Chittock and artist Fero Pe that doesn’t take long for it to work without any friction. The Turtles themselves rock their initial, mid-80s, pre-animated series look, all grimacing, with gritted teeth and wearing red bandanas, rather than the friendlier, more colour coded style that’d soon develop.

The story itself is fairly light on plot, given that it’s mostly an excuse to get the kids and the Turtles together to fight common enemies, but it’s done really well, with two teams – essentially the brains and the brawn – dividing them into mixed groups that allows each of them some breathing room to play on their strengths. Each character gets a moment to shine, and there’s even an unusual alliance formed before the end of the story.

Like Aliens and Predator over the years, the TMNT seem capable of crossing over with just about any franchise and make it work; despite my initial concerns that this mash up with Stranger Things wouldn’t gel, I needn’t have worried. Each group are no stranger (pun unintentional) to other dimensions and outright weirdness, after all, and both universes are rooted in scientists meddling in things they should stay well away from. Fans of both, or either, property are well served with this fun, four issue excursion away from Hawkins, which takes its characters on a fast paced, enjoyable adventure and doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Stranger Things is available to buy from Amazon.