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Neveratall Since: Apr, 2016
#3051: Feb 23rd 2022 at 10:37:09 AM

Has there ever been a definitive version of TMNT? It seems like each version has its strengths and weaknesses. Some people might say the original comics, but even those could be pretty uneven and inconsistent.

Sunchet Since: Oct, 2010
Etheru Since: Jul, 2009
#3053: Feb 23rd 2022 at 12:17:18 PM

Has there ever been a definitive version of TMNT?

I feel like the 2012 series tried to be that, and IIRC, Kevin Eastmen thought it was. I don't personally agree with that view, though I'm biased and grew up largely on the 2003 cartoon.

I have to say one thing about this concept art for new Turtles.

How is it even possible that Leo has braces? Don't say Donatello.

New York happens to be very accepting of mutants and their healthcare accomodates them.

...I admit that I kinda wish the cartoons would have the Turtles operate in the open again like in the 1987 cartoon (and to some degree the Mirage comics IIRC, even if largely due to the galaxy getting involved in Earth's shenanigans), even if that defeats the "ninja" part of the title.

Sunchet Since: Oct, 2010
#3054: Feb 23rd 2022 at 12:36:12 PM

I mean, 2003 doesn't have Bebop, Rocksteady, Rat King and other characters who are considered an absolute must by many. Yeah, with franchises like that the First Installment will always color the expectations.

I recall 2 cases when Turtles were in the open. One is the Fast Forward season of 2003 show where they were in the future and there were aliens on the streets so really, Turtles had no reason to hide anymore. The second is from current IDW comics where there is a mutant town. Turtles move around so freely they even have a house and dojo there.

WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
#3055: Feb 23rd 2022 at 12:43:39 PM

Rat King was in the 2003 series.

I don't know about definitive, but I do remember the 2003 series opening with Leonardo's narration taken verbatim from the first issue of the comics, and immediately knowing that it was going to be closer to the comics than the previous incarnations.

miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#3056: Feb 23rd 2022 at 12:48:36 PM

Rat king is in 2003. Just in a small motw thing

He's just nowhere near as memorable. It was 2012 that turned him into a creepy, nightmarish and very memorable villain. Hence IDW used it.

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
#3057: Feb 23rd 2022 at 12:52:49 PM

What was his origin in the original 1987 series? I saw several episode with him, but I don't know if any of them actually explained who he was or why he lives in the sewers. I know he was in the comics first, though I don't know if we got an explanation for his origin there either.

Sunchet Since: Oct, 2010
#3058: Feb 23rd 2022 at 1:01:05 PM

Yeah, for one episode and not even called Rat King. I mean, I know it's a Rat King and I know that he's a pretty faithful adaptation of the very first Rat King so he counts...

Actually, can I just say that Rat King is just the weirdest thing? Mirage Turtles made some one-shot self-contained edgy horror story about Turtles being attacked by a crazy weird hobo who rants about being a monster, and whoever was working on the first cartoon looked at him and said "yeah, let's adapt this weirdo into the show". And BAM, so was created one of the most recurring characters in the franchise (I'd say that he and Leatherhead are the most important characters after main heroes and villains) How unlikely that is?

Weirdguy149 Former King from Lumiose City Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: I'd jump in front of a train for ya!
Former King
#3059: Feb 23rd 2022 at 1:05:13 PM

Rat King's arc in 2012 was weird too. At first, he was just a rather normal human villain with a mutant monkey he was experimenting on. Then a freak lab accident happened and he became the Rat King, the scariest villain. Then he died and was still haunting Splinter with hallucinations that may or may not have been real.

The legend has returned.
XMenMutant22 The Feline Follies of Felix the Cat Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#3060: Feb 23rd 2022 at 1:17:31 PM

By the way, Season 2 of Rise of the TMNT is now on Paramount+.

So that's two completed TMNT series on the platform (excluding the upcoming Netflix film).

Furthermore, co-creator of Rise (Andy Suriano) announced his final week at Nickelodeon. wild mass guess I suppose this bodes well for the aforementioned film's production wrapping up for this year.wild mass guess

Gaon Smoking Snake from Grim Up North Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#3063: Feb 23rd 2022 at 2:11:33 PM

TMNT is full of these outlandish turns. Shredder being a one-note joke who became a multiversal threat is itself another bizarre turn.

Personally I think the one that straddled the line the most of the comics (in its dark and edgy but somewhat satirical vibe) and the 1980's cartoon (with its much more lighthearted tone) was the 2003 series.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."
Cortez from Parts Unknown (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3064: Feb 23rd 2022 at 7:38:14 PM

I mean, 2003 doesn't have Bebop, Rocksteady, Rat King

Bebop and Rocksteady weren't in the Mirage comics either and that's the source material. The first series of films didn't have them either. So i don't know if I'd called them necessary, it was years until we got a new version of them. I do like them though.

And Rat King was in the 03 TMNT.

I feel like the 2012 series tried to be that, and IIRC, Kevin Eastmen thought it was. I don't personally agree with that view, though I'm biased and grew up largely on the 2003 cartoon.

03 series is Laird's pick too.

Edited by Cortez on Feb 23rd 2022 at 11:42:14 AM

Neveratall Since: Apr, 2016
#3065: Feb 23rd 2022 at 7:55:32 PM

Personally I think the one that straddled the line the most of the comics (in its dark and edgy but somewhat satirical vibe) and the 1980's cartoon (with its much more lighthearted tone) was the 2003 series.

That's probably true. The 2012 version seemed to lean closer to the 80s cartoon. It was often very silly, sometimes to the point where it felt more like a parody of TMNT. Although, it did also get oddly dark at times too.

I think the IDW comics also seemed like they were trying to be a definitive version for a while, since they crammed in stuff from most other versions of TMNT. Those comics have gone in a different direction recently though.

The one version that never seems to get brought up is the Next Mutation tv show. Not one single character from that show has ever reappeared. I thought there were some good ideas there, just the execution was bad.

Cortez from Parts Unknown (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3066: Feb 23rd 2022 at 7:59:48 PM

I thought there were some good ideas there, just the execution was bad.

Like the idea of a female mutant turtle? I heard the one introduced by IDW was better recieved.

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#3067: Feb 23rd 2022 at 8:14:40 PM

That be Jennika and from what I believe yeah she's pretty well liked.

Even starred in her own mini-series.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Neveratall Since: Apr, 2016
#3068: Feb 23rd 2022 at 8:51:51 PM

Venus wasn't even that bad. A lot of people who actually watched that show seem to agree that Venus was the least of that show's problems.

Sunchet Since: Oct, 2010
#3069: Feb 23rd 2022 at 11:35:03 PM

@Cortez You know what also wasn't in Mirage? Colorful masks. All turtles wore red. Good luck making adaptation without those just because they weren't in source material.

Edited by Sunchet on Feb 23rd 2022 at 8:35:45 PM

Cortez from Parts Unknown (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3070: Feb 24th 2022 at 12:13:05 AM

Though the colorful masks have been in more adaptations than Bebop and Rocksteady. So the different colored masks are necessary, certainly.

Edited by Cortez on Feb 24th 2022 at 9:43:13 AM

XMenMutant22 The Feline Follies of Felix the Cat Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#3071: Feb 24th 2022 at 3:04:55 PM

Speaking of, Venus is coming back in the current IDW comics, according to Gizmondo. https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6ec83db0ec331986d7e06ede8a35648e.png

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#3072: Feb 24th 2022 at 3:08:59 PM

Damn she's Frankenstein Turtle here.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
SpongeGuy11 Since: Jun, 2018
#3073: Feb 24th 2022 at 3:57:34 PM

So, anyone's thoughts on how the 2012 show does the Turtles in Space arc?

Zeromaeus Since: May, 2010
#3074: Feb 24th 2022 at 7:53:24 PM

I liked it well enough. Turtles in space isnt what draws me to the series, but it was fine.

Honestly, Venus looks pretty cool up there.

TargetmasterJoe from Velocitron Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: I like big bots and I can not lie
#3075: Feb 24th 2022 at 8:20:57 PM

[up]x4: Holy heroes in a half shell, Batman! I seriously thought Venus de Milo was off-limits because one of the OG creators (Eastman? Laird? Both?) actively hated her.

And...woof. The whole Frankenstein's cyborg monster thing (what's that red thing? Looks vaguely tech-ish) is a...very new twist, to say the least. (Huh, maybe that was what clinched Venus's return?)

Edited by TargetmasterJoe on Feb 24th 2022 at 11:21:16 AM


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