If there could be only one...

[Master Splinter]

Hypothetically, if you could only choose one TMNT property to be in existence which property would it be?

Comics
Cartoons
Movies
Toys/Merchandise

I myself would have to choose the comics. I have enjoyed the Mirage run and I am loving the IDW series.

-ms

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Cartoons for me. That's what i grew up with, and still continues to be the most enjoyable media of TMNT til this day.

[Kanon]

For me it would be also Cartoons, because you can see their moves and
the change of their expressions.

[Shark_Blade]

I'd go with the movies then cause I'm so hardcore.

It's the thing that truly being in the crowd together on a massive scale globally.

[Nameless]

damn that was tough. i went with cartoons only because they were what hooked me first and who knows if i would have watched the movies and been this big of a fan or if i would have brushed them off like most movies.

[CyberCubed]

Probably cartoons. The Mirage run has only a few core issues when you ignore the guest writer stuff and most of Volume 4 is a mixed bag.

And even though I like IDW, it's not something I'm that attached to. Honestly if the IDW comic never existed it wouldn't have made too much a difference.

[BubblyShell22]

Definitely cartoons as that's what made me a fan in the first place.

[shuriken]

Kinda paradoxical. If there were no comics, then nothing else would exist, but many were introduced through cartoons or movies, then (like me and others) went back and sought out the comics.
I chose the comics though, cuz they have been pretty solid.

[Gabriel GP]

Comics. Is there where are the best histories for me.

[Master Splinter]

Kinda paradoxical. If there were no comics, then nothing else would exist, but many were introduced through cartoons or movies, then (like me and others) went back and sought out the comics.
I chose the comics though, cuz they have been pretty solid.

This is kinda under the assumption that whatever you picked to be the only property is how TMNT would have originated. All hypothetical of course.

-ms

[turtlefanforever]

I was about to say cartoons, but it could be bad cartoons so I don't want something out there to just be out there, toys and merch almost seem too superficial as the soul existence of this property and will surely die out, comics will always live on but I'm not a big comic guy, and movies are so up and down so no way that. I really have no clue with this one. But if they were good I'd go cartoons

[Icebot]

The first two cartoons are my dreams, so cartoons it is.

[Donatello19]

Cartoons. Comics are not as entertaining (to me and most people, especially kids) movies would only come out about every 2 or 3 years, and toys and merchandise would be nothing without something supporting it...so yeah, cartoons.

[ZariusTwo]

Cartoons. Comics are a dying (and an increasingly bleak and pessimistic) medium, and animated shows help rein in the slightly edgy or wacky storytelling and provide wholesome and positive values for the kids. That might not be everyone's cup of tea (especially angry 20-30somethings) but it's a much more preferible vision than the average shlock

[Blossombrooks]

Cartoons but it pains me to say it. I love the comics so much (old and new) but it's the cartoons that brought the tmnt to life for me so if they only existed as such I'm sure I'd still be a fan.

[electric_sheep]

I am torn between IDW and 87 cartoon.

[Powder]

Comics 100%. I suppose I find the cartoons more entertaining overall but the comics have better stories & visuals. There's so much substance in stuff like Tales.

[BabyTurtles]

cartoons ^_^

[RaphAndDonnie]

Hmm, tough but I pick the cartoons.

[Cipher]

Comics and I don't even have to think twice. Even in that medium, I could take or leave pretty much everything but Mirage.

The cartoons and toys got me into the property as a kid, but there's no way I'd still be discussing it, or even get much enjoyment out of it now were it not for the comics.

The cartoons have provided some wonderful, iconic all-ages stories and I wouldn't take that away from them. That's totally admirable. But it's not personally my cup of tea now adays, and the comics have provided the best pieces of fiction connected to the franchise. The Mirage series is like this sloppy, wonderful accident the whole way through, but there are real gems throughout.

[Jester]

That's kinda a double edged sword. If not for some cartoons we wouldn't have some comics. Archie's book would not exist...and that COMIC is one of my favorite bits of TMNT...but it's based on a TV show.

[CyberCubed]

It's kinda sad that even though the IDW comic is a good competent comic, I honestly wouldn't mind if it never existed in the first place. The Nick show has impressed me more in a short amount of time.

Sometimes the IDW comic feels like a mix of fanfiction ideas into one universe.

[Warhorse]

This is tough. The cartoons have that ability to let us see the Turtles evolve more over time, but the movies give us a chance to see some adult stuff that would be restricted to the cartoons. But then, what with Adult Swim and maybe a direct to video director's cut of the cartoons, I guess they have more potential.

The cartoons, slightly over the movies.

[kolaida]

This is tough between comics and cartoons. I went with the comics, but I don't know. I'm rethinking that I maybe should have picked cartoons (mostly because they are overall cheaper in the long run.... hmmm)

[pannoni1]

If it was only two, cartoons and merchandise would be the obvious answer since these can be tied to each other, and it would be nearly impossible to think of something that's a comic, toon, or movie and not have any tie-in merchandise to support it. Even the Mirage comics had a fair amount of merchandise (Lead figures, t-shirts, Tabletops) that in turn support it. Even LEGO recently had a movie which shows that something is bound to support something else, with one of the products involving merchandise. Though if LEGO had no movie, the toys itself would still carry pretty far. Obviously if the TMNT toys became popular enough, someone would be bound to develop some story out of it, since a bunch of stuff that doesn't have much story doesn't have justice with it. That said, it's pretty clear that the cartoons have contributed to the greatest success of the franchise, starting with the OT (and more so than any other incarnation, with the VHS sales proof of that), followed by 4kids which by many say is still the best series made, and currently the Nick series which recapitulates the feel of the OT and 4kids with some new twists, with just small influences from the comics/movies. The comics generally remain under the radar despite having decent success, and only the first movie is universally among fans considered a "good" movie. with the others having too many issues among them. The Simpsons is the classic example of having mostly just a cartoon with some merchandise that keep it going.

[yipster32]

Cartoons is what I grew up with so went with that

[Casey]

Definitely cartoons as that's what made me a fan in the first place.

I was thinking the same thing, but as an adult I enjoy the comics much more (both Mirage and IDW) and hope that I would have been exposed to them otherwise.

[thebrownranger]

Definitely a tough decision to make. I'd stick with the Mirage comics.

Sometimes the IDW comic feels like a mix of fanfiction ideas into one universe.
That's exactly how I feel about the IDW comics and especially the Nick show, but I do like the IDW series a lot.

[BODYCOUNT]

I am torn between IDW and 87 cartoon.

me to initially but im leaning more towards Comics the more i thought of it

[Dirty Blond]

The films, but only the first one. Maybe the second.

Films are my favorite medium to begin with, so there's that. And I always liked how it's a little bit OT and a little bit Mirage.

[LeonardosBane]

Toys, not even close. The shows were cool, the comics I never really read, but I always loved the toys.

[Walkabout]

Even though the FW cartoon was my introduction, I voted comics.

Even just Mirage and the Palladium RPG books, the only things I'd miss would be the FW versions of Rat King, Leatherhead, Baxter Fly and of course Bebop and Rocksteady.

Nearly voted toys though :ohwell:

[indiana_foot]

Cartoons.... It's how I got started. Although I probably enjoy the comics more now.

[snake]

Cartoons. Although I'd miss the OT toy line.

[discordiatookie]

The comics for me. I just really love comics! I dig the cartoons and movies, and collect random merchandise but the comics are my favourite part of TMNT...

[Jester]

The films, but only the first one. Maybe the second.

Films are my favorite medium to begin with, so there's that. And I always liked how it's a little bit OT and a little bit Mirage.
This brings up a question: what would the 1st TMNT movie look like without those influences, as "THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!"?

*holds tongue from making obvious PD's joke....

[graphic_content]

id have to go with the cartoons - if strictly for longevity purposes, and flexibility to bomb, and re-adapt itself (ie. 2k3 -> Fast Foward -> then back again -> NICK)

[The Fifth Turtle]

Cartoons with movies a close second. I'm lazy and reading is so difficult :P

All kidding aside I do love the comics.

[nintendo2600]

Toons I guess but it was hard to pic that with all my awesome tmnt toys in the room.

[Warhorse]

Cartoons with movies a close second. I'm lazy and reading is so difficult :P

All kidding aside I do love the comics.

I love reading novels like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, but I'm just not a fan of the comic book medium. I do enjoy the TMNT movie novel adaptation (I got all of them, and the 2k7 one is really good, I like how we get inside their heads)

I just wished someone would take the mirage books and just turn them into novels.

[SonicKnuckles18]

Cartoons for me. They're the reason I know about the TMNT.

[Refractive Reflections]

Cartoons. Comics are a dying (and an increasingly bleak and pessimistic) medium, and animated shows help rein in the slightly edgy or wacky storytelling and provide wholesome and positive values for the kids. That might not be everyone's cup of tea (especially angry 20-30somethings) but it's a much more preferible vision than the average shlock

Agree with this also and choose cartoons.


It's difficult because with the cartoons they are kid-oriented but usually have that effervescent charm, but comics give a chance to tell deeper storytelling with an older audience. Unfortunately most believe that deeper storytelling always means incorporating extreme forms of bleakness, self-pity, and overt dark themes. In addition, I don't like the comic medium because it takes a lot more effort to follow the storyline in ordering comics and waiting month after month, unlike simply watching television. Furthermore, the natural conversational dialogue and emotions between people is restricted by momentary panels and those bothersome speech balloons.

[Sewer Sirens Podcast]

I can't choose between comics and cartoons. I value both of them on a high level, and love both for different reasons. The comics give you more opportunity to see a more serious, complex plot while the cartoon gives us a more fun (and sometimes serious) amazing visual, with a great story.

IDW and Nick's different interpretations differ, but I really enjoy both. I don't want one without the other, they fulfill different aspects that I enjoy about the franchise as a whole.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Comics, but if I had to choose one series, I'd go with the Archie comics. That way I cheat and still get the "Heroes in a Half Shell" story that got me hooked on the Turtles in the first place. However, the Archie comics had better stories in the long run compared to the cartoon series.

[mikedrummer27]

Cartoons i guess, theyre what started it all for me!

[HeroTurtlesFan]

Definitely comics.