Favorite Incarnation of April

[Drose18]

Whats yours?
I personally think 2003 was the strongest as she was helpful, independent, NOT a drawing, learned to be a ninja kinda, had pretty cool episodes surrounding her such as April's Artifact. I dislike 2012 April because she had such a great idea for the character but she has poor dialogue and is basically useless to the turtles except once when they tried to make her helpful but she got caught and taken hostage.

[Icebot]

My favorite is also 2003 April and I especially liked her in April's Artifact.

[CyberCubed]

4kids April > 80's April > Nick April > Archie April > IDW April > Mirage April.

Mirage April is hideous, even by 80's standards, and she doesn't really have much of a role in the series. Then there's the fact that PL had her become a drawing brought to life by Kirby's magic crystal.

[Donatello19]

Mirage Comics: Didn't read much of those, so I don't know. I don't like the fact that she is really a drawing or something like that as I've heard others say though.

1987 Series: She was completely useless and was a stereotypical "damsel in distress". Nothing more than a plot device....this April is my LEAST favorite.

2003 Series: She was OK I guess, definitely better than the previous version of her...but pretty boring in my opinion.

2007 Movie: We didn't really see much of her, and to me she seemed exactly the same as her 2003 Series counterpart. I hated her design though.

IDW Comics: Don't read those comics, so I don't know.

2012 Series: My favorite version of her. I really like the fact that she is a teenager because now she is more involved in the turtles life, and can hang out with them as a friend, rather than being a baby sitter to them, which is how she seemed to me in other incarnations, especially the live action movies (which aren't on the list by the way). She is also training with Splinter to become a ninja herself, which is really cool, and I hope we can see her be active on missions with the turtles in the future.

Overall, April never really stood out as a character to me. I never really paid much attention to her as a kid, but today, I can't imagine TMNT without her, and I think the 2012 version of her has a lot of potential, much more than any of the other versions of her did anyway.

[CyberCubed]

1987 Series: She was completely useless and was a stereotypical "damsel in distress". Nothing more than a plot device....this April is my LEAST favorite.


She may have gotten captured in most episodes, but she also saved the turtles in a few and helped move the story along.

[Vivi]

For me, the 4kids version. I loved them working with each other, caring about each other, bitching about living with each other, the movie nights, the wedding, their interwoven lives in the past, future and alternate universes. She felt part of the family.

[Donatello19]

She may have gotten captured in most episodes, but she also saved the turtles in a few and helped move the story along.

That still doesn't help the fact that she is just a plot device though.

[BabyTurtles]

I want to like Nick April more! but her being a love interest for Donnie is preventing me from completely loving her :(
(and it's not because Donnie likes her or anything...it's just most of the time she's shown..she's shown around him......)
even so....the whole idea of teen April is so awesome that she's still my favorite XD (just gotta see her interact with the turtles more though.....)

second fav is 2003 >:3 she was pretty helpful and independent :3

and...80's....XD...she was pretty!! (haven't seen that version though)

[Donatello19]

^I don't really see her as a love interest because the relationship is one sided, but even if she is a love interest, how does that make her any different than she would be if she wasn't?

[BabyTurtles]

^I don't really see her as a love interest because the relationship is one sided, but even if she is a love interest, how does that make her any different than she would be if she wasn't?

the problem isn't that she's a love interest....it's that...most of the time she's shown, Donnie's doing something nerdy to get her attention....

I just want to see her and not have to constantly be reminded that Donnie likes her...ya know?......(and there were some episodes like that...just not enough)

let her hang out with the other turtles more....

but that's just me. XD.....maybe it's my own little nitpick about April.
(I do like her though :) and Donnie is cute around her.

[Bmaga123]

Judith Hoag from first live action movie :-)

[ZariusTwo]

Mirage April is a funny old beast. Sometimes she can be written very well, and sometimes her emotional instablity comes off as out-of-character. I did question a lot of her soul-searching decisions in volume four, even if they were justifed (exactly how does one react to finding out you're not real?)

80s April has a good career and she's a real ruthless oppertunist, but often lacked a logical head for things, often getting into any scrape just for the sake of a story and thus forcing the Turtles to put their necks on the line to rescue her. As much fun as I'm having writing for her character in my OT fanfics, I've had to do most of the fleshing out because there's not much to go on in the show other than little things here and there

Movie April is a little bit better and felt a lot more "real", and not just because of the live-action aspect. There were things here and there that generated real sympathy and relatability from the audience.

2003 April is smart, energetic, loyal, adapts to the strange in a very relaxed and casual manner, evolves to be a capable fighter that can join in on the Turtles adventure, and has a much richer family history which produced some interesting stories in their own right.

[Oculus Orbus]

Judith Hoag from first live action movie :-)

This. She was smart, independent and funny at times.

[pannoni1]

Right now, I feel that the 2012 April has been just a little underused, though hopefully that will change with the upcoming events. Be sure to look out for my "best April voice" poll next week. I've already discussed about this subject in a previous thread (see post #74 for my results) even though it lacked a poll. I'd rank Nick April above IDW and below Movie I (4th place in my book, since OT April still is the definitive version to me with the design, function (reporter), and most daring (losts of DIDs, but also many brave moments mixed in). http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=34188&page=5

[Slade]

Judith Hoag from first live action movie :-)

Great minds think alike.

[grungethemovie]

Judith Hoag!

[Gwydion]

Love OT April - can't help it, she's my definitive April - but Judith Hoag was a very close second. After that I can't say I have much preference (either I don't know them well enough or I'm just sort of "meh" about them).

[Metropoliskid41]

I voted other, Secret of the Ooze April for me! *ducks*

[Luzmagica]

Judith Hoag from first live action movie :-)

Same here!!! :) :tgrin::tgrin:

[RaphAndDonnie]

Man, it's a pretty tough choice. April is one of those characters who I just haven't been exposed to that much to really get a good feel for. I voted other (and by other I mean April from the first movie) because her acting and dialogue with the other characters felt very genuine. My runner up choice is 2k3 April. She was very involved with the action sequences, she was a scientist, I kinda liked her design...my third is OT April, even though she was a "damsel in distress" type. Oddly Nick's April is one of my least favorite versions :ohwell: Mostly because of her little involvement and, like BabyTurtles said, it would be nice to have her on screen without being reminded that Donnie likes her. On the upside, at least she's being trained by Splinter.

[Garfield]

hmm. I think I'm going to choose 87 April in this post because she's a quirky silly woman in a quirky silly universe, and thats what i'm in the mood for right now. Throw in yellow jump suits of nostalgia a cute voice, and i'm feeling.

I also really dig movie April just as much if not more on occasions. And when I say movie April I mean both Judith Hoag and Paige Turco just about equally.

What little I've read of Mirage April, I've liked.

and the other Aprils are okay to.

You just can't go wrong with April O'neil.

[Avatar Yuffie]

Archie comics April.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/06a686afcbc5e5f242707c7ca79feced/tumblr_mkti4fZcoP1rydm0go1_250.jpg

She's awesome.

[Panda_Kahn_fan]

I'd have to say a toss-up, love OT April's design and look, love her archie personality. My least favorite is Mirage (and this is besides the fact I dislike Mirage altogether) don't like the drawing origin, don't care for her design, and her personality was meh. 2K3, movie, and imagi april were ok though.

[STORMSHADOW__210]

Im actually in the process of watching a 4kids marathon and i got to say that is THE hottest April EVER!

[Shark_Blade]

OT Show is the one true April for me. I'm glad the media/world sees like that too; remember the Megan Fox/OT April comparison pics everywhere? Yep.

[Shreddhead]

OT for sure! She may not be the brightest or the best fighter, but she can sure wear the heck out of a jumpsuit! This one is mainly based on nostalgia for me. While I've liked almost every incarnation of the character, OT April is who I think of when I hear the name. And plus she's a total fox, probably the first girl to get my attention as a young kid.

[oldmanwinters]

Archie comics April.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/06a686afcbc5e5f242707c7ca79feced/tumblr_mkti4fZcoP1rydm0go1_250.jpg

She's awesome.

Ah, but the woman in that picture isn't April. It's Ariella, who transforms into Golami, the spiritual guardian of Jerusalem.

http://tmntentity.blogspot.com/2012/01/tmnt-adventures-54.html

April was rocking her Yankees cap (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUcSKZoICB8/TxBu_1d-lMI/AAAAAAAAHcI/V9k5cmTpXMc/s400/ani03.jpg) during that storyline. Come to think of it, many of Chris Allan's ladies did tend to look a little alike in the face... and all very much like Ariel the Little Mermaid.

But, yeah, Archie April was pretty awesome... May East Saga notwithstanding. :tlol:

[shihe]

April O'Neil Channel 6 reporter will always be my favorite. :)

Then Nick show April

Then 2K3 April.

Then old Comic April.

And finally Movie April.




... 2007 movie April goes here.

[Vi11AiN6]

OT April, she was a plot device for a long time but during the Red Sky episodes she was a much stronger character.

I like the IDW version too although I'm liking ALL the IDW versions of every character..

[NameGoesHere1066]

OT April. For some reason I just really like her alot. All the other April's out there just kind of go under my radar.

[Shred Head]

Gotta love April its just

1. 2003 and Archie April: I cant choose between them I love them both. Archie April was was taking the sexy OT version of April and making something worthwhile out of her. I love the 2003 version been watching that show lately god I miss it. She had alot of great character interactions with the guys and the romance between Casey was cute. Oh also probably the second best design April the franchise ever had.

2. First Movie April: Ah I'll never forget the crush I had on when I was little in fact I think she was my first crush. Also loved how much more realistic she was then any of the other interpretations. I swear the first movie is still one of the greatest comicbook movies of all time right up there with X2, Dark Knight, and The Avengers.

3. The OT April: I have no idea who's idea it was to take the look on the cover of her first Mirage comic appearance and turn the jump suit yellow. Whoever it was was a ****ing genius cause it worked. Still the best look April ever had. Also like the Reporter idea gave the Turtles a wide range of of supporting human characters. Who doesn't love Vernon. While not the deepest or version of the character I loved interaction with guys and fit in well with them. Red Sky had few good moments and her character in that was one of those few.

4. IDW April: I like her shes not a big favorite or anything but I have no problem with her. I kinda think think shes teen April done right.

5. 2007: She's ok not great or bad just kinda ok. Didn't really like her design not a fan of trying to shoe horn in the color yellow into her ninja outfit.

6. Mirage April: Loved in in Vol.01 and is the April you always really need take from shes the whole reason why 2k3 and movie versions are so awesome. Sadly later on the character just got ruined with the whole stupid shes a Kirby creation junk I just cant look a the character the same.

7. Nick April: Ugh dont care for the Nick version at all. For the first few episodes other then being drooled at by Don she was a complete non entity. That and there hasn't been any really good moment with her and the Turtles. That and not a big fan of the whole ninja April thing (Shes progressed way to fast for my liking) or the Kraang are really after her plot. Also I just dont like her design.

[Jelly Bean]

where other people may say that OT April is shallow I say she had a good character that seemed like she had a pretty good life even outside the turtles. Other April's seem like their lives revolve around them to various degrees. Even though April made use of the turtles adventures to advance her career, I feel she could have been just as succussful even with out the turtles.

[Powder]

I've never been interested in April at all, but I am now. The Nick version is by far my favorite. Her age allows for a lot of cool plot points and interaction. I think her new design is adorable, too, and Mae Whitman does a killer job with her voice. I really like the bond coming together between her and Splinter.

[Half Sh3ll Hero]

Its got to be the original 'toon April! Talk about a fox!

I think that is the reason I like red heads lol

[Powder]

Its got to be the original 'toon April! Talk about a fox!

I think that is the reason I like red heads lol

Once again proving that her lead in this poll is just empty and shallow.

[CyberCubed]

4kids > Archie > OT > Movies > Nick > Megan Fox.

[BabyTurtles]

wow alot of people like the OT April. Was she really cool?

[Jelly Bean]

Once again proving that her lead in this poll is just empty and shallow.

ooooooor some people just like her more.

[Half Sh3ll Hero]

Once again proving that her lead in this poll is just empty and shallow.

Yikes! Sorry I'll reconsider posting on any thread where my "empty" thoughts on a favorite iteration of a character, especially on one where you can scold me for nothing.

Well let's just put it this way. The only April iterations I know are the Movie, OT, and Mirage April. The only one showing any REAL development was Mirage April and I didn't like her that much as a character anyways. Movie April was just a whiny tv reporter who happened to affiliate because of Raphaels sai, it felt like she was just in the way during a few fights. So I'd say OT because not only did she actually help the turtles aside from shelter I thought she was a smokin' hot babe. Got a problem with that "Powder?"

[Gwydion]

where other people may say that OT April is shallow I say she had a good character that seemed like she had a pretty good life even outside the turtles. Other April's seem like their lives revolve around them to various degrees. Even though April made use of the turtles adventures to advance her career, I feel she could have been just as succussful even with out the turtles.
Agreed - I really like how you put that.

(And being a straight female, April's level of "hotness" had no effect on my vote, for the record.)
wow alot of people like the OT April. Was she really cool?
I personally really liked her! She had a lot of spunk, and while she did end up getting captured a fair amount, it was because she was trying to do her job or get "the story of the century!" I liked that she was the Turtles eyes and ears in the human world, helping them out with things above ground when they needed it. It was also cool to see her actually have human friends and a life outside of the Turtles, as Jelly Bean pointed out.

[CyberCubed]

I do like it that OT April wasn't "forced to become a ninja" like all the other April's.

A lot of writers feel that if April can't defend herself she isn't feminist, so they try to give her "girl power" by making her into a ninja like the Archie series, 4th movie, 4kids and Nick did.

[Jephael]

For some reason I've always like Paige Turco as April in the live action sequels. She's especially one of the few things I liked about the third movie.

[1/2Shell]

I do like it that OT April wasn't "forced to become a ninja" like all the other April's.

A lot of writers feel that if April can't defend herself she isn't feminist, so they try to give her "girl power" by making her into a ninja like the Archie series, 4th movie, 4kids and Nick did.

I agree. Since the 90's TV shows have to always shoehorn in the 'powerful girl' cliche.* Maybe OT April is just a klutz and getting captured all of the time is part of her character?

Anyway, for me, OT April was the best, followed by Judith Hoag from the first movie. Is it wrong that I find them both hot? Then I don't ever think I could ever be right...:o


*Sometimes this was a good thing. I liked how they made Princess Toadstool out to be strong in the Adventures of Super Mario 3 cartoon, for instance...because she was a princess, so she was supposed to be strong. But if every show is required to do this to appease people, it's kind of dumb.

[Crabfight]

Judith Hoag from first live action movie :-)

Blast! I voted for IDW April because she seems realistic and capable, but I totally want to change my vote to Judith Hoag. I loved her April as a kid - FULL of personality - and multiple later viewings have not disappointed either.

[Refractive Reflections]

I like OT April, because she gives some normalcy to the Turtles' sci-fi adventures with 1st movie April being a very close second.

Some may say she was a "plot device" or that she was constantly weak being the "damsel in distress", but I don't see it that way because her overdemanding job is what typically got her in trouble. With an overbearing boss like Burne, having to deal office politics from her co-worker Vernon, being in life-threatening situations to maintain her job and for TV ratings, and somehow have a life outside of Turtles (Season 2 develops her character)...it makes sense why she's always so frazzled. Besides, her getting into dangerous situations is understandable because how many times have we've seen ridiculous reporters go close to a hurricane just to report on it, or likewise for a tense criminal stand off situation? It's just in OT April's case, her ambition seems to cloud her common sense at time... but then again, who knows how pressured she is by her boss to have good footage for television.

I do like it that OT April wasn't "forced to become a ninja" like all the other April's.

A lot of writers feel that if April can't defend herself she isn't feminist, so they try to give her "girl power" by making her into a ninja like the Archie series, 4th movie, 4kids and Nick did.

I agree with you CyberCubed. I feel that her becoming a ninja, or being trained to have fighting skills close to the Turtles herself is "jumping the shark" because she kind of represents the normalcy of human life that the Turtles will probably never experience when the Turtles' lives encompass mostly fighting, training, and being elusive from humanity.

I don't know where that notion came from that April isn't a strong character just because she can't fight ruthlessly as the Turtles. I mean even the OT April displays competency and strength by resisting/plotting against villains and fixing a helicopter, operating a forklift, and even mimics some of the Turtles moves.

...But anyways, I think April having to become a ninja inadvertently reinforces the bigoted notion that a woman's respect is only equal to a man's if she's a threat to him (careerwise or fighting), and 2K3 April's armwrestling scene supports that slightly. I mean I'm all for women's self-defense and them being strong, but the impression that April receives a "new level of respect" just because she can "kick butt" is just superficial. She should already have that respect because her other talents and personality are just as or even more advantageous, because she can interact with the human world easily and provide different perspective solutions that the Turtles and Splinter couldn't see by being outcasts of society. It just seems that with April becoming a ninja, it overvalues physical strength and fighting of the series while undermining her mental skills and talents.

...Besides, we already have Karai/Lotus which proves a woman's competency in martial arts and fighting.

[Crabfight]

I don't know where that notion came from that April isn't a strong character just because she can't fight ruthlessly as the Turtles.

Mos def. Not to get too off topic, but I always had this problem with the lead female roles in Bond movies too. The worst ones were either the ones that were meant to be eye candy alone and set up to be rock dumb, or the ones that were clearly trying to be touted as 'James Bond's equal in every single way' and nothing else. The best ones were the ones who had interesting roles and characteristics of their own. /rant

That's not to say, however, that April (or women in Bond movies) CAN'T learn how to fight. Nick is doing a great job of easing her into it at a rate that a high school student would probably go at (maybe a little faster, but this is a cartoon we're talking about). I don't mind Nick's April's martial arts training, as it's believable for someone hanging around ninjas to want a bit of ninja training.

But 2k7's April? Puh-lease. I don't buy that she could have trained so hard as to give Karai a run for her money.

[Luigiperps]

Well...... 2012 April needs to train cause she wants to save her dad.

[shihe]

Well...... 2012 April needs to train cause she wants to save her dad.

Not to mention defend herself since she's apparently #1 on the Kraang's hit list for some reason.


I'm all up for April fighting, as long as there's a reason for it and not just for the LOLs like in 2K3. In Nick's case, there's more than one reason for her to fight.

And can't wait that April VS Karai episode. Wonder how Leo and Donnie will react.


But I can see where you guys come from when you say she shouldn't be respected because she can fight. But I thinkn 2012 April has more than proven herself in a lot of aspects. (Rescuing the Dr.Falco, having street smart, coming up with sneaky plans, etc) before putting her combat abilities to use.

[MikeandRaph87]

Just an observation but this poll has taken a turn since I last saw it. The teen April was ahead of the '87 cartoon April by a few votes and now the '87 cartoon version has skyrocekted ahead.

[FlogginMcMurryZombiePizza]

News Reporter is almost more classic then Lab Assistant.

I gotta give it up for the yellow jumpsuit. It's just too iconic.
My least favorite is the child in the new Nick cartoon. I haven't seen the cartoon I just think it's weird.

I never saw the 2002 cartoon either but I know that April was supposed to be closer there to her comic version.

The only thing I dislike about my favorite April is that... I personally dislike weak women, ya'know? She's useless.
She's always kidnapped! She's not at all badass and she is always in trouble! She has moments of cleverness and shows street smarts if I remember right, but otherwise she is easily grabbed by the neanderthals the Shredder and Krang send out. It's more the look and the nostalgia as to why I like her so much.
I think it's cool she learns how to fight in a few of the stories and it would make sense if she utilized her resources to learn from her friends, but I know studying martial arts takes a long time and discipline.

The time I was in my Okinawan style classes I only got as far as a yellow belt before I had to move away from the dojo. I was there for awhile and I got to start using the Sai (which are SO much fun to use!). I ended up in a few Shaolin classes after that, taking 5 animal and Staff classes. It takes a lot to do this stuff so, to me, if there was anything unbelievable about a world of mutated creatures and multi-dimensional traveling beings, April learning martial arts and reaching a level to go toe-to-toe with other masters in a quicker time than the Turtles themselves who have been learning since they were younger would be where I go "Wait a minute here".

One of the biggest aspects to the 2007 movie that never sat well with me was that April seemed on-par with everyone else who were trained Ninja. It's pretty amazing that giant, blocky Turtles in giant hard shells can learn to preform martial arts as they do! But ya, anyway... I'm done before I put my foot in mouth.

[Refractive Reflections]

The only thing I dislike about my favorite April is that... I personally dislike weak women, ya'know? She's useless.
She's always kidnapped! She's not at all badass and she is always in trouble!
Shredder and other villains kidnapped Vernon, Burne, and Zach numerous times as well. It's just that everyone knew April had an exclusive connection to the Turtles and if they wanted the Turtles attention, they knew who to kidnap and she just so happened to be female. April would have probably been kidnapped just as many times, and been just as "useless", had she have been a man.
Besides, any normal citizen would be just as weak/useless. Not to be rude or anything, but truthfully is the normal citizen going to go fight against a trained ninja (Foot Solider), much less Shredder? Pffh... c'mon now..;)


Anyways, 2012 April I don't have a problem with (at least not yet) because it appears to be more from a self-defense/protective angle. It's just, as I said before, if her fighting skills come close to the Turtles, it just doesn't seem logical considering she has a WHOLE other life outside of the Turtles when the Turtles and Karai have been training their whole lives. It's one thing for April to fight off against the common thief or attacker, but a Foot Solider? Puh-lease....

It's just the impression that April's reinvented "ninja skills" are more important than her innate skills/talents beforehand parallels too close to the working woman abandoning her job/life for her new husband because he doesn't see it as "useful" as her becoming a housewife. The overvalued "ninja skills" seems to strip away April's individuality and she becomes more of "another ninja fighter" than a person with great skills/talents and a unique perspective on life.

It's not the number of fighters that makes TMNT and their allies an unstoppable force, but its the diversity of talents and skills each member contributes that makes them such a powerful force to be reckoned with.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Whats yours?
I personally think 2003 was the strongest as she was helpful, independent, NOT a drawing, learned to be a ninja kinda, had pretty cool episodes surrounding her such as April's Artifact. I dislike 2012 April because she had such a great idea for the character but she has poor dialogue and is basically useless to the turtles except once when they tried to make her helpful but she got caught and taken hostage.

No other version of April than Mirage (thankfully) is a drawing.

I like reporter April, because it always gives the turtles some excuses to go out and kick butt. Even if their friends aren't in real danger, they can always say they want to help April and Irma working on a story.

I hope 2012 April will grow. Maybe study at some journalist academy, science at a university or whatever...

[FlogginMcMurryZombiePizza]

Shredder and other villains kidnapped Vernon, Burne, and Zach numerous times as well. It's just that everyone knew April had an exclusive connection to the Turtles and if they wanted the Turtles attention, they knew who to kidnap and she just so happened to be female. April would have probably been kidnapped just as many times, and been just as "useless", had she have been a man.
Besides, any normal citizen would be just as weak/useless. Not to be rude or anything, but truthfully is the normal citizen going to go fight against a trained ninja (Foot Solider), much less Shredder? Pffh... c'mon now..;)


True. And I forgot all about the rest of the news station! haha! Vernon! I dont remember liking him much. Pink shirt, right? Hmm... lol

Anyway, that April is classic to me and it's sad but that is her stigma. She was the one to get in trouble.
BUT... How often do news reporters get in trouble while out on the case? So, I mean... It's not an inaccurate depiction of a news reporter ;) lol

[Lisardo]

I like OT April, because she gives some normalcy to the Turtles' sci-fi adventures with 1st movie April being a very close second.

Some may say she was a "plot device" or that she was constantly weak being the "damsel in distress", but I don't see it that way because her overdemanding job is what typically got her in trouble. With an overbearing boss like Burne, having to deal office politics from her co-worker Vernon, being in life-threatening situations to maintain her job and for TV ratings, and somehow have a life outside of Turtles (Season 2 develops her character)...it makes sense why she's always so frazzled. Besides, her getting into dangerous situations is understandable because how many times have we've seen ridiculous reporters go close to a hurricane just to report on it, or likewise for a tense criminal stand off situation? It's just in OT April's case, her ambition seems to cloud her common sense at time... but then again, who knows how pressured she is by her boss to have good footage for television.



I agree with you CyberCubed. I feel that her becoming a ninja, or being trained to have fighting skills close to the Turtles herself is "jumping the shark" because she kind of represents the normalcy of human life that the Turtles will probably never experience when the Turtles' lives encompass mostly fighting, training, and being elusive from humanity.

I don't know where that notion came from that April isn't a strong character just because she can't fight ruthlessly as the Turtles. I mean even the OT April displays competency and strength by resisting/plotting against villains and fixing a helicopter, operating a forklift, and even mimics some of the Turtles moves.

...But anyways, I think April having to become a ninja inadvertently reinforces the bigoted notion that a woman's respect is only equal to a man's if she's a threat to him (careerwise or fighting), and 2K3 April's armwrestling scene supports that slightly. I mean I'm all for women's self-defense and them being strong, but the impression that April receives a "new level of respect" just because she can "kick butt" is just superficial. She should already have that respect because her other talents and personality are just as or even more advantageous, because she can interact with the human world easily and provide different perspective solutions that the Turtles and Splinter couldn't see by being outcasts of society. It just seems that with April becoming a ninja, it overvalues physical strength and fighting of the series while undermining her mental skills and talents.

...Besides, we already have Karai/Lotus which proves a woman's competency in martial arts and fighting.

I couldn't agree more with this (also about the related Bond-girl topic, so true). It gets old when every version of April is trying to be a ninja equal to the turtles. It's cool sorta of, but not EVERY new version of her needs to be that way. And call me a romantic if you will, but I enjoy heroes/superheroes rescuing damsels anyway, so that aspect I didn't mind about the OT. But they did get a bit carried away with it tho. I think shows back in the 80s did that moreso, but then again...there was She-Ra.

So my answer to this poll is the OT April is still my fav. Yeah I know she's not a fighter, but she's got tons of personality, spirit, street smarts, and guts, to make up for that. She's always believed in the turtles very strongly. On the surface perhaps it 'appears' she's just trying to "get the story", but I think most of the time she was so eager (and therefore careless) because she's actually trying to help the turtles out (get info for them). It's like they got each other's back - she gets info for them, gets kidnapped, and they repay her by rescuing her, :tgrin:

The other April's are still great tho, I just don't feel they have the spirit and drive the OT one had. Plus like others have said, the latter Aprils (2k3, '07 movie, and Nick), are kinda boring (personality-wise), despite their fighting skills. Tho I have hope for the Nick April.

[Mzx10484]

Movie I April - Judith Hoag !! :roll:

[Ulisa]

Hmm...April is actually a hard character for me because I tend to like some aspect of her in nearly all the incarnations. I think she makes an awesome contrast and addition to the turtles if done right.

But all in all, I guess I prefer OT April. I like the fact that she serves as a means for the turtles to interact with the villains and can also serve as a means of information, reference and honestly, I love her devotion. I see her obsession with her job as a direct response to how her boss was; he was a slave driver and made his opinion on her friends very clear. She has to keep a means of income.

Lastly, I do like the fact that she was not a ninja master in this series. I just think it makes her more realistic. I have nothing against 2k3 April or any of the others but 2k3 April just got too good, too fast in my opinion. I also think that they overplayed her "Jungle Girl" tendencies in "April's Artifact." If they wanted to draw attention to the fact that she could adapt, okay that's fine but in comparison to 4 turtles who has spent their lives living by adaption, it seems pretty silly to see her overshadow them.

Now, do I have anything against April learning some skills? Not at all, I just think they need to be at a reasonable level. Like, for example, the pace that 12April is learning her skills seems more reasonable to me, plus her added motivation of freeing her father. I can understand that. As long as, as MANY have said, she doesn't start to overshadow the others in skills that they have been practicing practically their whole lives, I'm fine with it.

In fact, I'd say skill-wise, I like April to be reliable and contribute by other means than ninja skills. For example, I loved 2k3 April being the scientist because it let her contribute in other ways. OT April was useful as an information gatherer/provider.

I actually don't mind her being dependent on the turtles for protection. One of my favorite "subtle" scenes I guess, in the OT was April leaving the turtles after a night at the pizza parlor and asking them to walk her home because it was a bad neighborhood. Now, if the OT had chosen to give her some skills, I think what would have been appropriate would be the Turtles giving her very basic self protection skills; basically the 'this will make someone let go of you then you haul butt.' Something like that, I feel, would be within reason.

Just my two cents on the topic

[Pterobat]

I voted for 2003 April, because she's an okay character.

But the problem with any version of April is that writers always seem to struggle with what exactly to do with her--they give her some good storylines, but often just load her with gimmicks because they can't think of what to do with her. April just seems hard to define as an individual character, sometimes.

What is certain, though, is that OT April is not disliked because viewers don't understand that, "there is more than one way for a woman to be strong", but because, yes, she was kidnapped a lot, and there was not enough to balance this out.

April *could* have been a valuable ally in ordinary human terms, and sometimes she sort of is, but it's overshadowed by the kidnaping. All her devotion to her career and getting that hot story only get her into trouble, so it's hard to laud her for that.

No, she doesn't need to be a ninja or a mutant to be interesting, but she needs to have more to counter all those incidents of kidnapping.

Threats to the rest of the Channel 6 crew really can't compare, since April is the main heroine, and we expect more of her. A better comparison would be OT Splinter, whose strengths actually do counterbalance his kidnappings.