Mikey is infuriated to learn that someone in 2105 has assumed his identity as the Turtle Titan, and is determined to set the record straight.
First appearance of the 2105 Turtle Titan
This episode provides examples of
- An Aesop: If someone models themselves after you, you shouldn't be jealous and petty about it, you ought to be flattered and happy that you inspired someone, and that person admires you.
- Animal-Themed Superbeing: While the original Turtle Titan—Michelangelo—isn't quite this, his successor, the Turtle Titan of 2105, is the "Animal Alias" version of this trope.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Constable Biggles: "Turtle Titan is a grand-standing, glory-hound vigilante. Plus, he left his vehicle in a 'no-parking' zone."
- Badass Normal: The new Turtle Titan uses gadgets to fight crime. Since he didn't inherit Silver Sentry's powers, he took example from Turtle Titan's ways to fight.
- Broken Pedestal: When the new Turtle Titan first meets Mikey, he's perturbed by how shallow he can be and temporarily abandons the alter ego in response to this, however... (See Rebuilt Pedestal below.)
- Call-Back: Leo and Don try to help Mikey get over his jealousy towards the new Turtle Titan by reminding him that he created said superhero persona in the first place to do good things and saying that he should be proud that he inspired someone to become such a competent superhero.
- Catch a Falling Star: 2105 Turtle Titan makes a grand entrance this way, catching a falling citizen. Later both Turtle Titans fight over who gets to do this with Constable Biggles.
- Chekhov's Gun: The zero-G skating rink Mikey is momentarily distracted by on the way to the museum.
- Cloudcuckoolander: Triple Threat's yellow-hued head.
- Continuity Nod: The comic book issue of Mikey with the original Justice Force appears on display in the museum.
- Discussed Trope: Mikey does this a lot this episode.
- Hurt Foot Hop: Mikey when his angry movements cause an object to fall on his foot. Serling enjoys it so much that he uploads it to his memory.
- Ironic Echo: Serling doesn't tell Mikey the candy is plastic because it's "much more amusing" to watch him fail. Later, when Leo's skateboard hits Serling, the robot complains that Mikey could have caught it. Mikey's reply? "Yeah, but that was much more 'amusing.'"
- Jerkass Has a Point: Raphael is correct when he points out how the new Turtle Titan is a better hero than Mikey, especially considering how jealous and petty Mikey acted when he found out about his successor.
- Jerkass Realization: Mikey realizes how selfish and petty he has been when the new Turtle Titan calls for letting his jealousy get the better of him and sees the latter almost abandon the legacy of his alter ego.
- Legacy Character: The Turtle Titan.
- More Popular Replacement: In-Universe. While Mikey did have a legacy from his time as the Turtle Titan, the new Turtle Titan, is a much better, more skilled and more successful superhero than him, who is beloved by the citizens of New York City, and is on good terms with the Peacekeepers, especially Constable Biggles for making his job easier. This further fuels Mikey's jealously.
- Muggle Born of Mages: The new Turtle Titan is Silver Sentry's grandson, but he didn't inherit the latter's superpowers. He coped by taking example from the Turtle Titan and becoming a Badass Normal.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Had Raph not broken the camel's back by saying that the new Turtle Titan is better than the original one, Leo and Don might have been able to talk Mikey out of his jealousy.
- Rebuilt Pedestal: (See Broken Pedestal above) ...After the two Turtle Titans team up to defeat Triple Threat, and after Michelangelo learns his successor is the grandson of his idol, Silver Sentry, he accepts the new Turtle Titan and allows him to continue what he's doing, knowing that the legacy of his alter ego is in good hands.
- Shout-Out:
- Mikey describes his secret identity, complete with glasses and suit, as a "mild mannered ninja turtle."
- Every comic book cover seen in the episode is an Homage to a famous real-world cover:
- Silver Sentry fills in for Superman in versions of Action Comics numbers 1 (Superman's first appearance), 252, (the first appearance of Supergirl, here replaced by "Sentress"), and 277
("The Battle of the Super-Pets!") - Nobody takes Batman's place on Batman #1, with his new sidekick "Somebody" filling in for Robin.
- Michelangelo's Turtle Titan gets a version of Amazing Fantasy #15's cover, Spider-Man's first appearance.
- The 2105 Turtle Titan's flashback gets put on the cover of Superman #1, taking Superman's place like his grandfather before him.
- Rather than going for the obvious, the Justice Force gets the cover of X-Men #101, with Chrysalis in place of Jean Grey's debut as the Phoenix.
- Silver Sentry fills in for Superman in versions of Action Comics numbers 1 (Superman's first appearance), 252, (the first appearance of Supergirl, here replaced by "Sentress"), and 277
- Spit Take: Mikey, when he realizes the 'candy' is plastic.
- Uncanny Family Resemblance: The (human) Turtle Titan to Silver Sentry (grandson/grandfather).
- Unreliable Narrator: Mikey, when he's telling the story of his Turtle Titan to Cody. Exaggerated sarcastically by Leo, Don and Raph.
- Warts and All: 2105 Turtle Titan is disgusted to learn that his hero, Michelangelo, is a "petty, jealous jerk."
