Things the FW series doesn't get enough credit for?

[Voltron]

I'd give credit for expanding the mythos and cementing the Turtles as a cultural mainstay. It was the FW series that launched the TMNT into the limelight. A large chunk of what we get today is because the original cartoon became so popular.

I think the fact that the we're discussing this on a website called The Technodrome with an image from the FW series on the logo is testament to the impact this show had.

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The toys were awesome, too. I remember getting the Turtle Blimp and the Party Wagon for Christmas. Those things were AWESOME. The action figures looked fantastic as well. I still have fond memories of them to this day.

I don't really buy toys anymore, but the closest I've ever come is a tie between the FW reissues, the NECA movie figures, and those awesome one's straight out of the comics.

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It also bonds people. I remember playing Ninja Turtles every day for years with my friends. We would argue over who got to be which turtle. We would have to use our imaginations to create the weapons out of sticks and other doodads. I still imagine doing karate moves when I think no one's looking.

I think the FW series, for as corny as it is, deserves a LOT of credit for giving us something to talk about.

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by Voltron

I'd give credit for expanding the mythos and cementing the Turtles as a cultural mainstay. It was the FW series that launched the TMNT into the limelight. A large chunk of what we get today is because the original cartoon became so popular.

I think the fact that the we're discussing this on a website called The Technodrome with an image from the FW series on the logo is testament to the impact this show had.

_________________________________

The toys were awesome, too. I remember getting the Turtle Blimp and the Party Wagon for Christmas. Those things were AWESOME. The action figures looked fantastic as well. I still have fond memories of them to this day.

I don't really buy toys anymore, but the closest I've ever come is a tie between the FW reissues, the NECA movie figures, and those awesome one's straight out of the comics.

_________________________________

It also bonds people. I remember playing Ninja Turtles every day for years with my friends. We would argue over who got to be which turtle. We would have to use our imaginations to create the weapons out of sticks and other doodads. I still imagine doing karate moves when I think no one's looking.

I think the FW series, for as corny as it is, deserves a LOT of credit for giving us something to talk about.

I agree with mostly everything Voltron said. If it wasn’t for the FW series, most of us probably would never have become big TMNT fans in the first place. Easy to forget with so many different versions of TMNT nowadays.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by MikeandRaph87

April 1987 while the series premiered in December. I do wonder though if using Shredder in the five part series is what encouraged his return in #10 as it would have been in development.


Baxter Stockman MIGHT have broke free of it with IDW, as the Batman crossovers don't count.

I hope so. Reusing a Human and deadly Baxter Stockman with cool deadly plots is so much better than all Mad Scientist of the Week episodes (like Filo Sopho and Lloyd Cycloid).

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

I hope so. Reusing a Human and deadly Baxter Stockman with cool deadly plots is so much better than all Mad Scientist of the Week episodes (like Filo Sopho and Lloyd Cycloid).

We did not need all the different mad scientist and mob heads. It would have benefited by reusing the same ones building up threats. For example Big Louie could have overtaken Don Turteli's turf because his methods were outdated and seen the two of them as rival mobs like a Godfather type and a guy living up to a family's criminal legacy and needing to update his methods or else be swallowed.

Mad scientist? Not much to speak of. Sofo appeared twice, the others once? Mad scientist were more of a seasons 4 to 6 thing. I can understand the need for a reoccurring one, but outside of Baxter not one truly sticks out especially as a threat. That being said I can understand demutating Baxter. The 2012 cartoon did,but he never appeared again after that. I feel like it would reform him,but you never know.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Making a Donatello that can actually kick ass: FW Donatello is arguably the best iteration of the character.

Gonna have to disagree on this one. Mirage Donatello was just as strong as any of his brothers, and as strong (and in some cases stronger) than many other versions of the character

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Making a Donatello that can actually kick ass: FW Donatello is arguably the best iteration of the character. He's not only a nerd but also has a temper and can fight.

Donatello didn't kick much ass in combat. He would just be big in his mouth, only to have his bo stick broken within the very next moment, while Leonardo and Raphael had to handle the situation.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Whatswiththeheadbands?

Gonna have to disagree on this one. Mirage Donatello was just as strong as any of his brothers, and as strong (and in some cases stronger) than many other versions of the character

Well I was mostly thinking of the Dons I've seen on TV iterations. 2k3 Don was alright but not that great of a fighter. Nick Don, from the little I've seen of him was basically him crushing on April in an awkward manner. And Corey Feldman's Donatello was annoying as hell.

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Donatello didn't kick much ass in combat. He would just be big in his mouth, only to have his bo stick broken within the very next moment, while Leonardo and Raphael had to handle the situation.

I mean, none of the FW Turtles kicked much ass in most episodes. They beat their enemies by throwing pizzas in their faces or something like that.

Donatello has a fun short fight with Shredder in the first Howie episode, btw.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Prowler

They beat their enemies by throwing pizzas in their faces or something like that.

Donatello has a fun short fight with Shredder in the first Howie episode, btw.

That was great because otherwise, seasons 4–5 suffered the most from censors (when the TMNT peaked in popularity).

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Prowler

The FW series made him into one of the core villains of the TMNT property.

It also created the concept that Baxter Stockman must always be mutated, mutilated or stuck somewhere.