Did black April work or not work in your opinion? - Page 3

*LeotheLateBloomer* · 11-29-2020, 12:03 AM

I guess they could have made her Angel but even this character would be an insult to her.

*oldmanwinters* · 11-29-2020, 06:40 AM

To answer the OP's thread question: Rise April held a variety of jobs throughout the show... Pizza parlor host, babysitter, shoe salesperson, the list goes on and on, really...

*miru* · 04-01-2021, 02:39 PM

I was "meh" on this choice. I see the reason why they did it though, but she didn't really catch on with me in any way.

*sdp* · 04-01-2021, 05:53 PM

She's not black, just super tanned, it's still the white april we know and love. Just like this model is white:

Casey Jones is trans so technically still male and Leo becomes the leader. Rise is just another traditional TMNT with no real changes.

*Papenbrook* · 04-01-2021, 09:50 PM

Although I didn't mind April being black, I did think that it was poorly executed.

Did the showrunners ever hire any writers/storyboard artists who happen(ed) to be people of color?

superstaff · 04-02-2021, 06:10 AM

Her race wasn't the problem.

I didn't like her characterization. Even if they had made her a carbon copy of the typical April (red hair, pale, blue eyed, etc), I would've still found her very one note and unfunny. I also didn't like how they often propped her up to make her look 'cooler' than the TMNT (in the Baxter Stockboy ep, for example, Leo and Mikey are terrified of the ghost but she's all "WHOO HOO" about it...ugh).

PizzaPower1985 · 04-03-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

It is kinda disappointing, I would have been cool with a black April or a dark-skinned April in general, as long as she was likeable and had a fun personality and some dynamic with the Turtles.

This April did not. I mean I don't even want to call her April because she might as well been anyone else in name-only. They could have called her Lydia and nobody would know the difference.

It's not often that I agree with this person, but this post kinda nailed my feelings.

TMNachoT · 04-04-2021, 10:39 AM

Her skin color is not an issue for me, I like this April, her energy, the actress that give her voice, I am coool with all that

M.O.D.O.K. · 04-07-2021, 10:16 PM

She's not my favorite April, but I did like her more than in 2012, at least.

*Warhorse* · 04-16-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superstaff

Her race wasn't the problem.

I didn't like her characterization. Even if they had made her a carbon copy of the typical April (red hair, pale, blue eyed, etc), I would've still found her very one note and unfunny. I also didn't like how they often propped her up to make her look 'cooler' than the TMNT (in the Baxter Stockboy ep, for example, Leo and Mikey are terrified of the ghost but she's all "WHOO HOO" about it...ugh).

Heck, even her character wasn't the problem. It was the Turtles that I didn't like. I just could not connect to any of them, and she didn't make things better, whether she was Black, White or Asian. The April I know is the one that is caring and supportive of the Turtles. If they wanted someone to fight with that was a friend, that was Casey Jones job! Heck, even Irma could come in and do that job. But April is supposed to be the one rock or big sister that they could look up to. Nothing more obnoxious than a big sister that is bullish.

*CyberCubed* · 03-27-2023, 01:28 PM

It doesn't work at all.

*IndigoErth* · 03-27-2023, 04:00 PM

She worked perfectly fine. In the context of a show that wanted to be obnoxious on all fronts and succeeded...

Feel like that show could have been better off with her as a big sister type adult April (no matter her skin tone), rather than a teen peer, to be a counterweight to all the craziness going on, the part of the Turtles' lives that keeps them grounded and a place to turn to.

*Drose18* · 03-27-2023, 09:21 PM

One of the best takes on April for sure. In the context of the show she was perfect, funny, and her evolution throughout the show was done well.

2012 April was an abomination, back story was a mess and giving her access to the force made her the most frustrating plot device.

*CyberCubed* · 03-27-2023, 09:54 PM

The difference is 2012 April actually had a personality, chemistry with the Turtles and was generally likeable. Her psychic powers didn't really kick in till halfway into the show, and even then they were only the focus point of a few episodes, and she barely saved the day in others and was usually knocked to the side as the Turtles came through.

*Sumac* · 03-28-2023, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drose18

One of the best takes on April for sure. In the context of the show she was perfect, funny, and her evolution throughout the show was done well.

2012 April was an abomination, back story was a mess and giving her access to the force made her the most frustrating plot device.

They both were bad.

**Barkworm** · 03-29-2023, 01:48 AM

I've only seen "Rise" (which I thought was really good) and the character is pretty annoying, just overall obnoxious. In this particular case the race-swapping is part of the problem because they made her a stereotypical "sassy black girl".

TheLabRat · 03-29-2023, 11:57 AM

I'm curious if one of April's incarnation will be turtle's aunt or granny in future new series.

Cowabung-Gal · 03-29-2023, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLabRat

I'm curious if one of April's incarnation will be turtle's aunt or granny in future new series.

Well, she’s a granny in The Last Ronin Lost Years

*Coola Yagami* · 04-15-2023, 11:29 AM

Did black April work? I think she had several jobs in Rise didn't she? She worked plenty.

View Poll Results: Did you like black April?
I liked it or was fine with April being black	37	55.22%
No, I disliked it and she didn't feel like April to me	30	44.78%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 67. You may not vote on this poll

11-29-2020, 06:40 AM	#42
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 14,580	To answer the OP's thread question: Rise April held a variety of jobs throughout the show... Pizza parlor host, babysitter, shoe salesperson, the list goes on and on, really... __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

04-01-2021, 02:39 PM	#43
miru Mad Scientist Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,816	I was "meh" on this choice. I see the reason why they did it though, but she didn't really catch on with me in any way. __________________ Proud Digimon nut.

04-01-2021, 05:53 PM	#44
sdp Pronouns: They/Them Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tokio, Italy Posts: 9,999	She's not black, just super tanned, it's still the white april we know and love. Just like this model is white: Casey Jones is trans so technically still male and Leo becomes the leader. Rise is just another traditional TMNT with no real changes. __________________ *Finally* *TMNT !!! I'm Represented* Click to join The Drome Discord server

04-15-2023, 11:29 AM	#59
Coola Yagami Overlord Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,131	Did black April work? I think she had several jobs in Rise didn't she? She worked plenty. __________________ "I was down with TMNT once, but then they changed what TMNT was. Now what I was down with is no longer TMNT and what TMNT now is seems weird and scary. And it'll happen to YOU." Check out my blog for Comic Reviews and other things. https://markepicblogofrandomness.blogspot.com/ I also started The AEW Crew, the All Elite Wrestling Fan Club! https://www.facebook.com/groups/637508120044168/

11-29-2020, 12:03 AM	#41
LeotheLateBloomer Foot Elite Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,744	I guess they could have made her Angel but even this character would be an insult to her.

04-01-2021, 09:50 PM	#45
Papenbrook The King of Nothing Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: No comment -_- ... Posts: 2,719	Although I didn't mind April being black, I did think that it was poorly executed. Did the showrunners ever hire any writers/storyboard artists who happen(ed) to be people of color?

04-02-2021, 06:10 AM	#46
superstaff Mad Scientist Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 1,091	Her race wasn't the problem. I didn't like her characterization. Even if they had made her a carbon copy of the typical April (red hair, pale, blue eyed, etc), I would've still found her very one note and unfunny. I also didn't like how they often propped her up to make her look 'cooler' than the TMNT (in the Baxter Stockboy ep, for example, Leo and Mikey are terrified of the ghost but she's all "WHOO HOO" about it...ugh).

04-04-2021, 10:39 AM	#48
TMNachoT Stone Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mendoza Posts: 786	Her skin color is not an issue for me, I like this April, her energy, the actress that give her voice, I am coool with all that

04-07-2021, 10:16 PM	#49
M.O.D.O.K. Thug Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 78	She's not my favorite April, but I did like her more than in 2012, at least.

03-27-2023, 01:28 PM	#51
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 40,045	It doesn't work at all.

03-27-2023, 04:00 PM	#52
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 14,564	She worked perfectly fine. In the context of a show that wanted to be obnoxious on all fronts and succeeded... Feel like that show could have been better off with her as a big sister type adult April (no matter her skin tone), rather than a teen peer, to be a counterweight to all the craziness going on, the part of the Turtles' lives that keeps them grounded and a place to turn to.

03-27-2023, 09:21 PM	#53
Drose18 The Catalina Wine Mixer Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,620	One of the best takes on April for sure. In the context of the show she was perfect, funny, and her evolution throughout the show was done well. 2012 April was an abomination, back story was a mess and giving her access to the force made her the most frustrating plot device.

03-27-2023, 09:54 PM	#54
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 40,045	The difference is 2012 April actually had a personality, chemistry with the Turtles and was generally likeable. Her psychic powers didn't really kick in till halfway into the show, and even then they were only the focus point of a few episodes, and she barely saved the day in others and was usually knocked to the side as the Turtles came through.

03-29-2023, 01:48 AM	#56
Barkworm Just passing by Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 5,480	I've only seen "Rise" (which I thought was really good) and the character is pretty annoying, just overall obnoxious. In this particular case the race-swapping is part of the problem because they made her a stereotypical "sassy black girl".

03-29-2023, 11:57 AM	#57
TheLabRat Thug Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 96	I'm curious if one of April's incarnation will be turtle's aunt or granny in future new series.

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