Favourite TMNT design/style

[Icegaze]

What is your preferred version of the ninja turtles in terms of character design/appearance?

Here's a non-exhaustive list to pick from:


(Initial) Mirage comics style

http://www.mwctoys.com/images/review_comictmnt_3.jpg


1987 cartoon style

http://watchcartoononline.com/thumbs/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Episode-94-What-s-Michelangelo-Good-For-.jpg


Live action movie style

http://gogreenmachine.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/TMNT-1-Blu-ray-image.png


Next Mutation style

http://lcd.alle.bg/30417f10-379-288-ups-ri-mpstkn111a.jpg


2003 series style

http://pokemasterkai.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tmnt-11.jpg


Image comics style

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/3/32472/795930-23_page001_super.jpg


2007 CGI movie style

http://www.binarymoon.co.uk/files/images/tmnt_poster.jpg


2012 CGI series style

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb473/icegaze1388/tmntsig.png


You can pick a maximum of 3 styles.

My personal favourites are:
1. (Initial) Mirage comics style
2. 2007 CGI movie style
3. 2012 CGI series style

[rufus]

First Film for me then;
OT
Mirage.

[Icegaze]

I never noticed a huge difference between the first and second live action movie designs. People tend to say that they prefer the first one that's what I've observed lately. The third movie design was very much different, with the freckles and all.

If I had to rank the different styles, I'd say:
1. Mirage comics
2. 2007 movie
3. 2012 series
4. 2003 series
5. IDW comics (which I forgot to include in my list...)
6. Movies 1 and 2
7. 1987 cartoon
8. Next Mutation
9. Image comics

[Candy Kappa]

Theres something special about Mirage first look, the Vol 1 issue 1 designs. Sadly with the funny large beak/nose it is difficult to make facial expressions, which is most likely why the style changed rather quickly.

For me it's early Mirage then the new Nick designs, i adore them. the are very Mirage in anatomy but modernized.

Soul's Winter will also have a special place for me.

The design that is less appealing to me would be Next Mutation, not a huge fan with the plastron showing muscle definition.

[Icegaze]

Theres something special about Mirage first look, the Vol 1 issue 1 designs. Sadly with the funny large beak/nose it is difficult to make facial expressions, which is most likely why the style changed rather quickly.


Yeah, I feel you on that.
The only thing I'm not too fond of in the early Mirage comics style is the tail on each turtle. In some shots it looks okay, but depending on the angle one could mistake it for... something else. :roll:

[Candy Kappa]

I dig the tail, but I can see that issue when they went with a more stump tail than the narrow one. And why they didn't have tails in the cartoons :P

[hitmonkey]

The early Mirage designs are my absolute favorite. I'm not sure why they redesigned the Turtles fairly early in the series.

[TheShredHead]

I went with the movie version. Today, the first movie is my favorite representation of the Turtles. When I think TMNT, I still think of that movie first.

[Jephael]

Hey I just realized you neglected to add the Archie comics to the list.

[Icegaze]

I didn't really forget to add the Archie comics style to the list, I just didn't feel I needed to make a distinction between its style and the 1987 cartoon's.
I see the Archie comics as a direct adaptation of the Fred Wolf toon, at least in the first few volumes. So they are basically the same in style, IMO.

[Scud]

Since I was first introduced to the TMNT Franchise with the '87 cartoon, I have to say I like it best. At least Season 1, once you get into the later season, the style get to cartoony.

[TurtleTitan97]

I went with the 2012 designs. I love how the turtles actually look like teens here unlike previous versions.

[MikeandRaph87]

I went with the '87 cartoon because when someone says "Ninja Turtles" this is what I think about. Its how I was introduced to Ninja Turtles as a small child and this is what I love the most of Ninja Turtles to this day! I can say that without the blinding shades of nostalgia.

[shezcrafti]

I voted live-action style, with the qualifier that it's Jim Henson (movie 1 & 2).

[zkarlette]

My favorite is the 2003 design and movie wise the secret of the ooze design.

[Zulithe]

Can't believe you would leave out the IDW style... shameful

[Cryomancer]

For me it's Mirage, 2003, and Other. Other meaning either the Archie or video game styles.

[pannoni1]

Tie between 1987 Cartoon and the Live Action Movies, which will always be what I think of when I think "Ninja Turtles". The other versions grew on me, but those two will always have a special place in my heart.

[frank_one]

My favourite design is Mirage's from issue #4. Previous issues has them too.. ugly. However, I put early Mirage's as my second choice and Movie 1's as my third one. 2003 series style is, I think, based on Dooney's style.

[Koi]

Favourite design the 2007/live action movie. Least favourite mirage/image comic.

[plasticturtle]

I chose early Mirage, the OT Turtles and the live action Turtles.

Despite having little exposure to the Mirage comics I just generally like the look of the TMNT in this version. I selected the OT and live action Turtles for no other reason than the fact that seeing them gives me the warm fuzzies.

[This_is_my_username]

All things Henson are very dear to my heart. There are no versions of the turtles that I dislike, however. The new style is very fitting for today, although I love a little dark and a little grit personally.

And I don't know why but I've always liked tails on the turtles. They seem ever so slightly less...humanoid, with tails, and ever so slightly more intimidating at first glance. I couldn't explain why I feel that way though.

[Jester]

Gotta go Jim Henson Creature Shop Turtles.

[TMNT_Guy]

My favorite design of the turtles is the early Playmates art, so Mirage style with "rainbow" bandanas.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2483/3912894720_255c5a4deb_z.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2595/3988457175_c382b23f40.jpg

[Cowabunga Carl]

I have to go with the classic Mirage style. Something about it just is to classic to let go. I'd love for an animated show to have the guts to keep the original Mirage style.

[dragonside]

hope i don't get a lot of flack for this but although i like all the other designs, i've always thought the action figures for the mutation were some of the best designed. . . there is good proportion, the different ways they wore the bandannas. ...

now i admit the costumes on the live action weren't even close to being as good as the first movie. and the overall production values weren't there, money, saban etc. but the figures were well made and looked great :tgrin:

http://imageshack.us/a/img259/6127/263001.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/263001.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[zkarlette]

The NM action figures and this style of NM art are quite good.

[Jester]

The NM action figures and this style of NM art are quite good.
They're Dooney art, what can you do? :P

[zkarlette]

Really?! Now everything makes sense. :lol: he's my favorite.

[Sage Ninja]

I'm going to go with the classic toon toei animtion style turtles, and then red sky season 8 and then 10 style. Season 9 designs kind of sucked for some reason. :ohwell:

Whenever toei animtion would animate an episode the turles characters designs always looked exceptionally detailed and good. They were muscular without looked too old for their ages, they weren't too scrawny and their heads always looked portional as well. And their faces and expressions were better. Other times the turtles heads could look lopesided and poofy for reason and their bodies could look...off. :-?

Red Sky turtles are my favorite. They looked older, as though they could have possiably been in their college age, they looked sublely bigger in physique and their faces and bandanna were tougher looking without loosing the cuteness.

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh232/tone-master21/mike10-1.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh232/tone-master21/mike11-1.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img404/1677/mike161.jpg

but my biggest reason for liking the 1987 turtles designs the best is that they all looked pretty much the same. I know alot of people like the turtles too have distinguishing features but I really do not like this. Only because this becomes yet another way to play up their character stereotypes by giving them physical differences to fit their personas. This all started with the Imagi turtles having different physiques. Raph was buff, Leo was too a lesser extent, Don was lanky and Mikey was goofy looking and scrawny with baby blue eyes denoting his care free boyhood innocence. :roll:

Then the 2k3 started up with this nonsence after looked the same physically for five seasons, and suddenly Mikey is a shrimp in hight and Raph was tallest. Now the nick toons seem to be captilizing on this and Don (the geeky one) has a gap tooth and Mikey has cutsey features, with blue eyes and freckles! Heaven forbid they put freckles on Leo of all turtles!

So yeah, that is why I like the 1987 design/style.

[zkarlette]

You make really good points Sage.:)

[Slade]

I picked Mirage and live action movie. I couldn't pick a third, if absolutely forced to, I guess it would be 2k12(minus Don's gap).

[frank_one]

My favorite design of the turtles is the early Playmates art, so Mirage style with "rainbow" bandanas.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2483/3912894720_255c5a4deb_z.jpg

I've always loved how the turtles were drawn on the cardboards of the original figures and wondered who drew them.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/emojohnkovacs/1007.jpg

[Cryomancer]

Similarly, the TMNT board game art is pretty kickass.

http://i.imgur.com/cCJzTl.jpg (http://imgur.com/cCJzT)

[Mintyfresh]

I picked mirage, 87 series, then the first movie.

[Galactus]

I'd say if I had to I'd choose the more "standard" Mirage design after Peter and Kevin naturaly started phasing out their more stylised elements. Think the look the characters had around Vol. 1 #10 onwards. It's pretty much the template for almost all TMNT designs by most others who worked on the Mirage book as well as those across the various media. The Playmates toys and the Season 1 Fred Wolf Toei designs are essentialy those turtles but with rainbow masks and initialised belt buckles.

I pretty much like most TMNT designs though. There's only TNM that I didn't care for and even that looked okay when actualy drawn, I didn't much care for it in live action. I'd say if you want to emphasise variety I like the Future Turtle designs in Archie's Dreamland arc.

[Vegeta]

Nicks version is the best! Just kidding. 26.32% said nick's version is their favorite? I hope those votes were an attempt at sarcasm. Anyway, mirage and ot for me. Mostly mirage. Those panels in the first issue are not only some of my favorite tmnt panels, but my favorite comic panels in general.

[Vegeta]

I have to go with the classic Mirage style. Something about it just is to classic to let go. I'd love for an animated show to have the guts to keep the original Mirage style.

this. oh my god this.

[ToTheNines]

A lot of great stuff left off of this poll. My favorite depictions are Dooney's and A.C. Farley's.

[TurtleTitan97]

Nicks version is the best! Just kidding. 26.32% said nick's version is their favorite? I hope those votes were an attempt at sarcasm.

What's so wrong with the Nick turtles? I actually like how they look like teens in this version.

[TMNTChris1980]

I've always loved how the turtles were drawn on the cardboards of the original figures and wondered who drew them.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/emojohnkovacs/1007.jpg

I've asked Peter Laird, Kevin Eastman, Dan Berger, and Eric Talbot. None of them know. The boxes were made by Playmates so it was either made by an internal Playmates artist or an external graphic designer.

If anyone ever finds out let me know, I would love to have a commision by this artist. Especially of me as an orig. 88 box design.

[hi_polymer]

What's so wrong with the Nick turtles? I actually like how they look like teens in this version.

Don't mind him. He is simply blinded by nostalgia.

The Mirage turtles are so overrated it's not even funny. First of all, the long necks and long noses make them look like Squidward from Spongebob. Second, they have no personality in the first few issues. All of them are carbon copies of each other. I respect other's opinions but I have no idea how they are winning this poll (other than nostalgia goggle influence).

[ZariusTwo]

The Mirage turtles are so overrated it's not even funny. First of all, the long necks and long noses make them look like Squidward from Spongebob. Second, they have no personality in the first few issues. All of them are carbon copies of each other. I respect other's opinions but I have no idea how they are winning this poll (other than nostalgia goggle influence).

I am madly in love with you right now:)

[hi_polymer]

I am madly in love with you right now:)

Call it love at first post. ;)

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo
I am madly in love with you right now

Call it love at first post. ;)

Get a room you two!:P

Seriously though, I agree. Aside from all red mask those tails always bugged me. I know its apart of the turtle that is accurate,but it seems unneccessary and somewhat distracting. I can never get used to it. I like to have the tail absent in the design.

[Jephael]

I have no idea how [The Mirage TMNT] are winning this poll (other than nostalgia goggle influence).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRFMexiNIyo/TEqJF_3RhEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/GtpNEn3w9tY/s1600/pot_kettle_black.jpg

Come on, people, lets stop pulling the nostalgia card every time someone openly prefers their favorite iteration over another person's favorite!

[Icegaze]

Lol at Image comic's style not getting a single nod. XD
I just discovered Ross Campbell's artwork (see my set) and must say it is definitely one of my favourites now, if not THE most favourite.

[TMNTChris1980]

Lol at Image comic's style not getting a single nod. XD
I just discovered Ross Campbell's artwork (see my set) and must say it is definitely one of my favourites now, if not THE most favourite.

Totally agree. I think The Nick TMNT are, to put it nicely. inspired by Ross Campbell's TMNT.

I've been begging Campbell for a commission, but he's busy right now.:tsad:

[Icegaze]

What do you all think of this design of the turtles:


http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs27/f/2009/248/1/3/13631d2c8ba61bcb22331220fed4df83.jpg
http://bowenj.deviantart.com/

I personally like how it is a fantastic mix between the OT, the 2007 CG movie and 2k3 series turtles.

[Sage Ninja]

not bad. I've seen worse.

[Candy Kappa]

What do you all think of this design of the turtles:


http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs27/f/2009/248/1/3/13631d2c8ba61bcb22331220fed4df83.jpg
http://bowenj.deviantart.com/

I personally like how it is a fantastic mix between the OT, the 2007 CG movie and 2k3 series turtles.

I see an artistic flavor on the 2007 movie designs, its okay and nifty fanart

[Redeemer]

From a movie stand point I want to go with the 1990 movie.
From a 2d tv stand point I am going with 2k3
From cgi Stand point it 2k7 all the way.
And last but not least IDW turtles from a comic standpoint, I just dont like the way the look in the mirage comics, if I had read Image or Dreamwave they may be my favorit comic versions, but I haven't unfortunately.

I can't say that I am shocked Mirage and 87 turtles are in the lead, but I think there is an obvious bias towards, but Im not going to lie the Ot turtles have special place in my heart.:D