Are the TMMT really superheroes?

[The Turtle Terminator]

Looking through the comments on Watchmojo's top 10 superhero teams video, a comment from "Readhead Royalty" basically says that the TMNT aren't really superheroes. Although I know I'm probably going to get hate mail for this, I can actually agree with his views. He brings up a good point that they have no powers or abilities apart from being mutated. But a reply comment from "golden foxa" talks about how Batman, Hawkeye, Green Arrow and Nightwing have no powers but Re part of their own teams and lead in some cases (Hawkeye lead West Coast Avengers at one point). So would you consider the TMNT as a superhero team upon the likes of the JLA, X-Men or Avengers and why?

Personally, I can't actually say due to what he said:

[neatoman]

... Well they do fit the description of superheroes pretty well, even if they're quite different from the archetype.

[Candy Kappa]

Their not superheroes though, occasionally crime fighters at best.

[Mew]

They are.
WatchMojo, that ain't true.

[TigerClaw]

Yes, I think the TMNT fit the criteria of a Superheroes, Some Superheroes are born mutants.

[IndigoErth]

IMO, no, they are not. Heroes, but without the "super."

They have no super powers (sans a certain movie deciding to make them bulletproof) and rely on skills that stem from what's available to learn in the real world.

And I personally prefer that the "super" part doesn't apply to them (imo). Unlike a bunch of super powered humans, a bunch of mutant Turtle guys are more like us and just trying to make do with what they have to work with.

I'd actually kind of love to see a cross over movie that pairs them up with a group of superheros. The contrast between the Turtles and those with super powers could be interesting, and entertaining seeing the guys doing their best to keep up... but in the end the guys with no powers, only ninja skills, are the ones that ultimately save the world. ;)

[TigerClaw]

IMO, no, they are not. Heroes, but without the "super."

They have no super powers (sans a certain movie deciding to make them bulletproof) and rely on skills that stem from what's available to learn in the real world.

And I personally prefer that the "super" part doesn't apply to them (imo). Unlike a bunch of super powered humans, a bunch of mutant Turtle guys are more like us and just trying to make do with what they have to work with.
I think being a Mutant is kind of a superpower, the fact they are Turtles, They have things that normal Humans don't have, They can use as an offense or defense.

[IndigoErth]

Ah debatable. A natural asset for sure, but for them nothing unusual.

Personal opinions of course and all that, I would just consider something more an actual super power if it's something entirely unique to the individual(s) that isn't really "normal" in any regard, for neither the human/human-like nor turtle sides of them.

Them gaining a human mind might in their case be closer to a super power, being as they started out as regular turtles, but most living things have a mind more or less, and they didn't gain it superior to us (well, maybe Donnie over the average human lol), so just more of an advantage for them personally than a power.

[Candy Kappa]

But, they aren't upholding and protecting the law, or actively fighting criminals.

They deal with things that fall in their lap or fight off those who antagonize them.

[IndigoErth]

But, they aren't upholding and protecting the law, or actively fighting criminals.

They deal with things that fall in their lap or fight off those who antagonize them.
Yeah, from the social/behavioral angle of it, that too.

[MikeandRaph87]

The TMNT are unique kind of superheroes. Due to their uniqueness a few will argue they are not, but they are in nearly any way it counts.

[Powder]

We've had this thread a couple of times over the years, & if I'm not mistaken, it's been unanimously agreed that they are in fact, not superheroes.

[Ninjinister]

“We’re not the guardians of society, Raphael... we never were.” - Donatello, Return to New York book 1

[Bry]

Most of the Turtles' struggles were personal - the vendetta with Shredder and the Foot was based on revenge for the death of Hamato Yoshi and Tang Shen, the battles with Baxter Stockman came from their connection with April, and most of their other battles/adventures happened largely by chance. They spend most of their time trying to hide from society, not protect it necessarily. They're characters who will do the right thing when they find themselves in a conflict, but that's not their primary goal. They can be heroic, but they're not superheroes.

[Cryomancer]

They are whatever "superhuman" is to turtles, "superturtle" I guess. If they are beyond a human's abilities is...questionable I guess. If they are heroes or not depends on the incarnation, the character, sometimes even the moment. They're pretty morally grey.

So sometimes they are sometimes they aren't, I suppose. Usually not really though. Although they did get passes for the secret superhero hospital in Volume 4 so whatever.

[Toitlefan]

I would also call the turtles just regular heroes and not superheroes. Their actions and many of the story lines resemble a traditional form that focuses on character development and story progression. Most comic book titles define their characters by their powers. Since the turtles lack powers, they are defined by their personalities (sometimes excessively so, but that's a whole other topic) and have much more potential for good story-telling.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

As Peter Laird said in an interview on the Turtle Titsn episode, the turtles don't go out on patrol or look for problems to solve. They will occasionally save someone but they don't go out looking for crimes to stop. They are not the neighborhood watchers.

Also, I don't view ninjas as superheroes. They don't go out for recognition and nobody knows who these guys are. In 2k3, Splinter explained to Mikey that he must be true to what he is. Mikey realized that being a superhero may not be all that much to him (at least until later in the series). And let's not forget the Triceraton invasion in season 3, the turtles agreed not to let themselves be known for saving the earth. They are heroes but not superheroes.

[Mulder]

I would also call the turtles just regular heroes and not superheroes. Their actions and many of the story lines resemble a traditional form that focuses on character development and story progression. Most comic book titles define their characters by their powers. Since the turtles lack powers, they are defined by their personalities (sometimes excessively so, but that's a whole other topic) and have much more potential for good story-telling.
What superhero comics have you been reading....:ohwell: That hasn't been the case since the Silver Age ((60s)).

[Toitlefan]

What superhero comics have you been reading....:ohwell: That hasn't been the case since the Silver Age ((60s)).

I'm just speaking in comparison to the TMNT franchise. I obviously can't say other comics have NO valuable characters or dialogue. I think when the plots for TMNT are being written there is very little to no emphasis on superpowers and instead is more concerned with character development and a richer story. All while avoiding love interests for the most part, which makes it even more outlandish. Many other superhero stories depend on a love interest as a plot line.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Based on the great variety of superheroes out there, and the many ways of stretching the definition based on some of those characters, I'd say yes, they ARE. We have "superheroes" who have NO powers, but who use their skills FOR THE GREATER GOOD (Hawkeye, Batman, Nightwing, Iron Man) and superheroes who are mutants, with or without powers (X-Men, TMNT), and not all superheroes are even "crime fighters" or consider themselves as superheroes, either, such as the Fantastic Four, who are heroes by proxy, even though they bill themselves as "adventurers". Like the TMNT, they don't go on patrol or go looking for villains to fight, but they STILL take care of any situations they come across. (The X-Men are also not concerned with crime or foiling villains save as it concerns mutant affairs or safety, so they don't go out LOOKING for people or situations to deal with- they take whatever happens to end up in their domain- much like the TMNT do.)

Deadpool or Punisher are also examples (though they are more "antihero") of heroes who either don't go looking for bad guys (in DP's case) or have no powers. The TMNT would fall right in the middle of that spectrum, though it could be argued that they DO have "powers" stemming from their origins as turtles. (And since they are canonically tied to Daredevil through their origin, they SHOULD be considered heroes- they are right smack in the middle of one of the two biggest superhero universes!!)

[Kingoji]

Personally, no, not superheroes. They defy those easily-applied labels, and that's part of why they work.

[IndigoErth]

They're "turtley super awesome heroes," that's like 10x better. :)

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Personally, no, not superheroes. They defy those easily-applied labels, and that's part of why they work.


So do a lot of other superheroes. There's no one perfect mold that all superheroes fit, and plenty of heroes are heroes only by default, simply because they do the right thing given the circumstances they find themselves in. Saving the world (or the city) because hey, you LIVE there is no less "heroic" than actually SETTING OUT to do it. And heroes like the X-Men, FF, and TMNT all fall under that category. They do it because they are, at heart, decent folks who have the ability to do things others can't, whether they're recognized for it or not. They operate under the radar, so to speak, much like Batman, Daredevil, and some other street-level heroes.

By that definition, ANY non-normal person- human or mutant, powers or no- could be a superhero, even Howard the Duck! Which is even funnier than the TMNT being heroes- since he actively tries to AVOID doing anything outside of his "normal life" as a cab driver..... And apparently, according to Marvel's Civil War storyline, he can't even register as a superhero, because the US government has spent years trying to insist he doesn't even exist!! So legally, he doesn't. Funny that they will make Squirrel Girl register, but when he tried, he was told he didn't have to, and in fact couldn't, because he was a "figment". No one wanted to deal with the paperwork on that one.

I'd imagine they'd be more likely to register four turtle ninjas mutated by the same stuff that hit Daredevil than a cab driver who happens to be a duck. From another world.

[Creativemind]

They are super heroes by definition because their mutation gave them strengths and abilities they would not have if they were not mutated. As regular turtles would they still have the speed and straight they have now? The answer is no. So yes, by definition they are super. :trazz:

[lindz247]

A course they are! Superheroes don't need capes and powers...

[Powder]

A course they are! Superheroes don't need capes and powers...

No, but they do need to not be morally ambiguous, which the turtles sometimes are.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

So is Wolverine. Or the Punisher, for that matter. Just because they don't ALWAYS stick to the straight and narrow doesn't mean they're not still heroes. Even Captain America has been known to bend the rules, and I won't even get into some of the crap that Batman or the X-Men have done. Heroes come in all stripes, even those that don't fit the squeaky-clean image we like to paint on them. Spider-Man once made a deal with the devil to save his Aunt May- does that make him not a hero? THAT'S about as morally ambiguous as it gets! That's kind of a weak thread to pull at, for what makes a superhero.

At the end of the day, a superhero is the guy who uses his powers or abilities for the benefit of those around him (even if it's just protecting friends and family) rather than for personal gain or power or to hurt people. Doesn't matter if he is just doing it because someone else started the fight, or if no one else ever knows about it. It just makes him an "unsung" hero. And if that means he has to skirt the rules sometimes, he's no less a hero to those he helps, it just makes him more relatable and realistic- no one is perfect. TMNT are heroes because they have honor and don't go out to hurt people intentionally, they TRY to do what's right, and they are compassionate enough to help others in need. All the rest is dressing.

[Jester]

Did the Turtles fight crime, or the Foot?

Just saying, their whole modus operandi is to avenge Yoshi. No greater good. Nothing. Avenge Yoshi. Then the Foot had to avenge Saki. The MIRAGE Turtles specifically WEREN'T Superheroes.

Other incarnations it could be argued, but Turtles Prime weren't superheroes.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

And yet even they went on to do a lot of "superhero" type stuff- like trying to stop terrorists or what-not, getting involved with things that had NOTHING to do with their original "purpose" because they knew it was "right". Or at least believed they were doing something good. Mirage TMNT argument only holds up for what- one issue? Maybe the first dozen or so? After that, yeah, they pretty much WERE heroes in that they were doing the same things other heroes do. Didn't matter if that's their original MO, it's what they BECAME. And probably one of the reasons they gains so much popularity. They didn't HAVE to get involved in those issues- they did it anyway.

[FoxBoxKid]

Even if the Turtles themselves may or may not be superheroes, I'd definitely argue that a majority of the works starring them are in the superhero genre.

[Slade]

Are we talking about do they fall into the superhero genre? Then sure, they do at times. So does Batman.

Are they superheros in universe? No.

[Bry]

Superheroes wear costumes. But the Turtles?

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/ideas/images/c/cb/Teenagemutantninjaturtlescolorclassicsmain.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140827140025

:trazz:

[Coola Yagami]

I'd kinda say no. They can fly or shoot lasers from their hands or whatever.

Most non-super powered heroes in other media kinda make up for it by being part of a team that does have super powered heroes. Hawkeye and Black Widow aren't super heroes... but at the same time they kinda/sorta are cause they fight against a god and a giant green monster from time to time.

Ironically, Mikey as Turtles Titan would have been a super hero if he actually joined the Justice Force and stayed with them for a few episodes.

In fact the few times that the Turtles DO dress as Superheroes with names like Turtle Titan and Nightwatcher already shows that they're NOT superheroes under normal circumstances.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Superheroes wear costumes. But the Turtles?

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/ideas/images/c/cb/Teenagemutantninjaturtlescolorclassicsmain.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140827140025

:trazz:


Not necessarily. Not all superheroes wear "costumes"- Namorita and Mystique of Marvel are just two examples of heroes who don't. Granted, Mystique's is a "villain", but the same rule holds true. Some heroes make no attempt at all to hide their identity, so they don't NEED costumes, and heroes like Aries who are gods or whatever are simply wearing the attire of their race/time-period/whatever. Jubilee of the X-Men is another- her entire outfit consisted of a yellow trench-coat over everyday clothes. Professor Xavier typically wears normal clothes, too. So does Sandman- he wears the same clothes he was in when he transformed. And these are just the first few that come to mind. So NO, not all heroes wear costumes. Even Daredevil's mentor, Stick (after whom Splinter is modeled, it might be added) wore normal clothes, as does Howard the Duck, though he's not exactly the "heroic" type in-universe.

Also, the fact that the turtles aren't human and don't NEED clothes at all kind of negates that point. They don't just not wear costumes- they don't wear much of ANYTHING. Oddly enough, there are some other heroes/villains who don't, either. Mystique ran around in the buff in the movies, as did Sasquatch of Alpha Flight. And then there are Shanna the She-Devil and Ka-Zar, both of whom run around in little more than a loin-cloth or fur bikini. And Tigra also wears very little- often nothing more than a bikini. Kind of says something about the state of superhero dress- or lack thereof, in some cases!


I'd kinda say no. They can't fly or shoot lasers from their hands or whatever.

Most non-super powered heroes in other media kinda make up for it by being part of a team that does have super powered heroes. Hawkeye and Black Widow aren't super heroes... but at the same time they kinda/sorta are cause they fight against a god and a giant green monster from time to time.

Ironically, Mikey as Turtle Titan would have been a super hero if he actually joined the Justice Force and stayed with them for a few episodes.

In fact the few times that the Turtles DO dress as Superheroes with names like Turtle Titan and Nightwatcher already shows that they're NOT superheroes under normal circumstances.


As noted above, superheroes don't HAVE to have powers- Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne don't either- but they make up for it with their knowledge, resources, and skills. Hawkeye and Black Widow- also Cat-Woman (and Black Cat for much of her career) and Elektra- do the same thing. They use their skills and resources/abilities to make up for the lack of powers.

Funny thing about Turtle Titan and Nightwatcher- they were trying to hide their identities as MUTANTS, not as individuals, so I'm not sure that even counts. They already do the same things out of "uniform", just without drawing attention to themselves. The costumes were simply to disguise the fact that they were mutant turtles instead of HUMAN crime-fighters. And Mikey WAS a member of the Justice Force- in reserve. So even in-universe, he WAS considered a superhero!

[Warhorse]

If Batman or Hitgirl can be considered superheroes, then so can the Turtles.

[Bry]

Not necessarily. Not all superheroes wear "costumes"- Namorita and Mystique of Marvel are just two examples of heroes who don't. Granted, Mystique's is a "villain", but the same rule holds true. Some heroes make no attempt at all to hide their identity, so they don't NEED costumes, and heroes like Aries who are gods or whatever are simply wearing the attire of their race/time-period/whatever. Jubilee of the X-Men is another- her entire outfit consisted of a yellow trench-coat over everyday clothes. Professor Xavier typically wears normal clothes, too. So does Sandman- he wears the same clothes he was in when he transformed. And these are just the first few that come to mind. So NO, not all heroes wear costumes. Even Daredevil's mentor, Stick (after whom Splinter is modeled, it might be added) wore normal clothes, as does Howard the Duck, though he's not exactly the "heroic" type in-universe.

Also, the fact that the turtles aren't human and don't NEED clothes at all kind of negates that point. They don't just not wear costumes- they don't wear much of ANYTHING. Oddly enough, there are some other heroes/villains who don't, either. Mystique ran around in the buff in the movies, as did Sasquatch of Alpha Flight. And then there are Shanna the She-Devil and Ka-Zar, both of whom run around in little more than a loin-cloth or fur bikini. And Tigra also wears very little- often nothing more than a bikini. Kind of says something about the state of superhero dress- or lack thereof, in some cases!

VR9NbvTOfaU

...I'll never get tired of using that. :tlol:

All very true, of course. Even the definition of "superhero" isn't as cut and dry as it used to be. For example, the Fantastic Four are explorers first and foremost, and I loved the 2001-era take on the X-Men as a mutant emergency response team. Basically, if there's a supervillain-y threat, they'll step in and help when the need arises, but it's not their primary function. The Turtles are kind of similar, IMO: they don't go looking for crimes or villains to fight, but if they find themselves in a situation they'll usually do the right thing if they can.

IMO, that doesn't make them superheroes. But I guess it's a grey area.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Well, it's like you said, it's not really their PRIMARY function (which was, I'll grant, to take out Shredder) but they ended up basically becoming such almost be default. As you mentioned, that was also not the FF's main function, either- but they got the label just the same.

And here's an interesting question for those purists who say their sole purpose (in Mirage) was to kill Saki- after that, THEN what? So does that mean they've fulfilled their ONLY purpose in life? And if so, what's left for them to do? Obviously they're not going to all go commit seppuku because they've got no purpose. Getting involved in dealing with crime seems almost like a natural progression, since they're already involved with handling the Foot, and later the Purple Dragons. Both are criminal organizations of one form or another, so branching out to fight other types of crime seems like it would just be a no-brainer.

Most other incarnations either never completely took Shredder out of the picture, or they had other issues to deal with as well, including alien invasions, mad scientists, Mob schemes, and other craziness, which is, of course, a lot of the same stuff most superheroes deal with, as well. A better question might be- how can they NOT be considered superheroes, given those conditions?

[syckles]

Batman is not a superhero; he is a masked vigilante.

Wolverine is not a superhero; he is a mutant.

The Joker, TwoFace, and Harley Quinn are not supervillains, they are criminally insane.

The turtles are teenage mutants... who are also ninjas.

It's perfectly fine to classify them as superheroes because they meet the criteria in pop culture. However if they existed among us they would probably be classified as "mutant ninja turtles" perhaps vigilantes, and unfortunately freaks.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Not superheroes but would we call them... antiheroes?

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Batman is not a superhero; he is a masked vigilante.

Wolverine is not a superhero; he is a mutant.

The Joker, TwoFace, and Harley Quinn are not supervillains, they are criminally insane.

The turtles are teenage mutants... who are also ninjas.

It's perfectly fine to classify them as superheroes because they meet the criteria in pop culture. However if they existed among us they would probably be classified as "mutant ninja turtles" perhaps vigilantes, and unfortunately freaks.


Yeah, Marvel pretty much already proved the opposite with Civil War. EVERY individual who was a "cape", whether mutant, masked vigilante, actual powered individual, or what have you, had to register under the SHRA. DC (IIRC) tried to do something similar, though without reading their books, I don't know much about it. But if the FF, Punisher, Hawkeye and Black Widow could all fall under that law, so would the TMNT. Wolverine would have, as well. This is why Thing moved to Paris during that time- he REFUSED to take part in either side! And the pro-SHRA side was literally locking up ANY "cape" who didn't comply- even if they had NO powers at all, or were mutants. If the TMNT were in that universe (as seems possible there might be a version of them there, given Daredevil's inadvertent contribution to their origins in Mirage canon) then they'd have been served with the same ultimatum- sign, or get locked up.

[Mattkind]

They fight Super Villains they are Superheroes

[Kingoji]

Yeah, Marvel pretty much already proved the opposite with Civil War. EVERY individual who was a "cape", whether mutant, masked vigilante, actual powered individual, or what have you, had to register under the SHRA. DC (IIRC) tried to do something similar, though without reading their books, I don't know much about it. But if the FF, Punisher, Hawkeye and Black Widow could all fall under that law, so would the TMNT. Wolverine would have, as well. This is why Thing moved to Paris during that time- he REFUSED to take part in either side! And the pro-SHRA side was literally locking up ANY "cape" who didn't comply- even if they had NO powers at all, or were mutants. If the TMNT were in that universe (as seems possible there might be a version of them there, given Daredevil's inadvertent contribution to their origins in Mirage canon) then they'd have been served with the same ultimatum- sign, or get locked up.

Actually, if I remember right, pretty much all mutants (definitely the X-folk) refused to get drawn into the Civil War, since registration was something they had been fighting for years when the SHRA was brought into effect, based on the same values as they always had: No-one should be forced to be registered onto a government programme for observation, exploitation, imprisonment, or worse, for the simple fact that they were born.

Back on-topic; Really it all comes down to personal definition. Super-heroes have dominated the western comics scene for so long that they practically define it, especially anything that is published by the Big Two, regardless of an individual character's situation. Punisher isn't a super-hero, but is often regarded to be so by general audiences simply by reason of his being the main character in a crime-fighter series that exists in the same Universe as actual super-heroes. Yet Batman and Iron Man are super-heroes despite being essentially the same thing.
What differentiates them to me though, is that Batman and Iron Man are exceptional individuals; one was born with an intelligence and inventiveness that borders on a superpower in itself; the kind of brilliance that has to be made up for writers to be able to work with them. The other has dedicated his entire existence to becoming the very peak of what a human being can become at this point of evolution, trained and learned and developed skills in any area he could find until he became far more than anyone could ever really be. And of course, both were so independently wealthy that they could afford to do any of this in the first place. And the Punisher is street level, operating out of abandoned buildings or low-rent apartments in run down areas, bringing real-world wartime experience to his mission to destroy crime. He doesn't do it to make the world a better place, or for justice, or because he believes that one day there will be a world without crime, he does it because he's so damaged that he has nothing else left.

Similarly, we look at characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy as super-heroes, when they aren't. They're a group of individuals that just happen to exist into a different set of circumstances than we can accept; fantastic to us, every-day to them. They're really no different from the cast of Star Wars, but no-one would ever define them as super-heroes, despite some actually possessing superpowers.

It's in that latter category that I place the TMNT. Yes, they exist in fantastic circumstances; yes, they share their universe with superpowered individuals, but they are simply who they are, and how they were born. They're kids trying to get by. They're trained as highly-skilled ninjas, but not so well trained as they dominate every fight they're in. And they're heroes, sure, but not super-heroes... which is why when they do meet actual super-heroes they react so wildly to them.

And despite originating in comics, most general audiences will always consider TMNT to be a franchise series, existing equally as TV and Toy defined, with everything else spinning out of those. It's false, obviously, but the original comic will rarely be what audiences think of when they hear TMNT, but the original comic will always be a big part of what audiences think of when they hear Spider-Man, or The Flash.
TMNT will always be regarded alongside Transformers, He-Man, Thundercats or GI Joe before JLA or FF.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Actually, if I remember right, pretty much all mutants (definitely the X-folk) refused to get drawn into the Civil War, since registration was something they had been fighting for years when the SHRA was brought into effect, based on the same values as they always had: No-one should be forced to be registered onto a government programme for observation, exploitation, imprisonment, or worse, for the simple fact that they were born.

Back on-topic; Really it all comes down to personal definition. Super-heroes have dominated the western comics scene for so long that they practically define it, especially anything that is published by the Big Two, regardless of an individual character's situation. Punisher isn't a super-hero, but is often regarded to be so by general audiences simply by reason of his being the main character in a crime-fighter series that exists in the same Universe as actual super-heroes. Yet Batman and Iron Man are super-heroes despite being essentially the same thing.
What differentiates them to me though, is that Batman and Iron Man are exceptional individuals; one was born with an intelligence and inventiveness that borders on a superpower in itself; the kind of brilliance that has to be made up for writers to be able to work with them. The other has dedicated his entire existence to becoming the very peak of what a human being can become at this point of evolution, trained and learned and developed skills in any area he could find until he became far more than anyone could ever really be. And of course, both were so independently wealthy that they could afford to do any of this in the first place. And the Punisher is street level, operating out of abandoned buildings or low-rent apartments in run down areas, bringing real-world wartime experience to his mission to destroy crime. He doesn't do it to make the world a better place, or for justice, or because he believes that one day there will be a world without crime, he does it because he's so damaged that he has nothing else left.

Similarly, we look at characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy as super-heroes, when they aren't. They're a group of individuals that just happen to exist into a different set of circumstances than we can accept; fantastic to us, every-day to them. They're really no different from the cast of Star Wars, but no-one would ever define them as super-heroes, despite some actually possessing superpowers.

It's in that latter category that I place the TMNT. Yes, they exist in fantastic circumstances; yes, they share their universe with superpowered individuals, but they are simply who they are, and how they were born. They're kids trying to get by. They're trained as highly-skilled ninjas, but not so well trained as they dominate every fight they're in. And they're heroes, sure, but not super-heroes... which is why when they do meet actual super-heroes they react so wildly to them.

And despite originating in comics, most general audiences will always consider TMNT to be a franchise series, existing equally as TV and Toy defined, with everything else spinning out of those. It's false, obviously, but the original comic will rarely be what audiences think of when they hear TMNT, but the original comic will always be a big part of what audiences think of when they hear Spider-Man, or The Flash.
TMNT will always be regarded alongside Transformers, He-Man, Thundercats or GI Joe before JLA or FF.


I agree with a lot of this, and in fact, these were some of my exact points, though worded slightly differently. However, though TMNT MAY not be thought of as superheroes in the traditional sense, the term is broad enough with the inclusion of characters such as the X-Men (and you were spot-on about their lack of participation in the SHRA- they were DEAD against it), Iron Man or Batman, it would appear that the TMNT also fall into that very broad range of characters as well- in fact, like Wolverine, they could actually qualify on two separate counts- being both mutants (many of whom typically have powers of some sort, but even those that don't are still given that label) and for their special training, much like Hawkeye or Black Widow.

Add in Donatello's genius and tech abilities, their general strength (in the OT, at least, they were able to knock over a brick wall onto Foot robots in the first episode), and the fact that they frequently deal with enemies that would be a challenge even for the likes of Spider-Man, Flash, or whomever, then yes, they would certainly qualify. The fact that they do it without the benefit of any obvious "powers" makes it all the more amazing. But then, Doctor Doom has occasionally been defeated by the likes of Squirrel Girl, so that just shows how off-the-wall the superhero genre can get, and is another reason why the TMNT fit right in with it.

[Mew]

The TMNT are OBVIOUSLY superheroes.
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/f/fa/TMNT2K3_S01E12.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080626023945
See? :P

[TigerClaw]

The TMNT are OBVIOUSLY superheroes.
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/f/fa/TMNT2K3_S01E12.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080626023945
See? :P
There was an episode from the 2k3 series, Titled Super Power Struggle, Mikey puts a magic cape on Raph, And it gave him superpowers.

YpiPVE4JtBU

[turtlefanforever]

The TMNT are OBVIOUSLY superheroes.
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/f/fa/TMNT2K3_S01E12.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080626023945
See? :P

Now I have to watch the whole series over again.

[IndigoErth]

Well maybe Mikey is the only 'official' one to some degree.

But everyone is allowed to have other recreation, hobbies, etc. in addition to what they 'do for a living.' :trazz:

Would they individually appreciate a "superhero" title however.

[Mew]

There was an episode from the 2k3 series, Titled Super Power Struggle, Mikey puts a magic cape on Raph, And it gave him superpowers.

YpiPVE4JtBU
TurtleTitan is Raph?
I thought he was Mikey!

[Bravotello]

I would say they're superheros. Just not all official like the avengers and xmen are. More like Wolverine before he became an Xmen, he kind of just did his own thing. I forget whether Wolverine was a bad guy or not before he joined Xmen, I think he was more of an anti hero. Basically though I see the TMNT as Independent hero's who don't work for anybody, they just do what they feel is right. The only one who fits the official Super Hero bill would be Michelangelo because he is an honorary member of the justice force and maybe Raphael.

[TigerClaw]

TurtleTitan is Raph?
I thought he was Mikey!
No, Mikey is TurtleTitan, he found a cape, Puts it on Raph, and it gave him super powers.

[Mew]

No, Mikey is TurtleTitan, he found a cape, Puts it on Raph, and it gave him super powers.
Oh.
Good.
:D

[Mick]

I would consider them superheroes. They live on pizza, that's a unique superhero ability. :P

[Luckyday]

Them being warm blooded should be a consider a super power along with them having human like sentience, which itself a gray area with some people.


They kinda have a "alien raised by humans" thing going on with Splinter teaching them human-centered values and philosophies.

[Shark_Blade]

Are mutants from X-Men superheroes? Yeah. So is TMNT.

[Andrew NDB]

They are superheroes in the children's spinoffs. But they aren't supposed to be, no.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Are mutants from X-Men superheroes? Yeah. So is TMNT.

That's not a good comparison. They're both two entirely different types of mutants and have different lifestyles and moral codes from each other. You're basically saying "all mutants are the same."

[ZariusTwo]

Are mutants from X-Men superheroes?

One of the X-Men, Xorn, once ordered that humans be filed into crematoriums. While on Drugs. Disguised as a holocaust survivor.

[dragonside]

if we base them on super humans then it doesn't quite make sense because its a little bit of apples and oranges.

They are turtles that gained the form and strengths/weaknesses of humans.

Gotta say.. that's pretty super.

I would consider Batman a superhero... so why not Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

They fight all sorts of threats to The City, Earth, Dimensions.

It's not about necessarily how super their accomplishments are, but what they decide to do with their talents.

[Last Ronin]

It says it in the song.

Heroes in a half shell turtle power.

So yeah, superheroes.

[Luckyday]

They are superheroes in the children's spinoffs. But they aren't supposed to be, no.

So if they not portrayed as crime fighters, which I honestly don't mind because them being mutants outcast is intriguing conflict of itself, they are 80% of the time just walking chaos magnets that sometimes fight ninjas because reasons. :lol:

[sdp]

Turtles are heroes but each one has a superhero/vigilante persona:

Mikey: Turtle Titan
Raph: The Nightwatcher
Donatello: Dark Turtle

Leonardo is the only one that doesn't have one

[PizzaPower1985]

IMO, no, they are not. Heroes, but without the "super."

They have no super powers (sans a certain movie deciding to make them bulletproof) and rely on skills that stem from what's available to learn in the real world.

And I personally prefer that the "super" part doesn't apply to them (imo). Unlike a bunch of super powered humans, a bunch of mutant Turtle guys are more like us and just trying to make do with what they have to work with.


Nailed it! I mean, yes... they are a team. Yes, they do save the city... and occasionally whole planets... They are not superheroes because they dont really have any of the superhero tropes... also, besides the Foot (and maybe Purple Dragons), they are not really crime fighters either. They don't patrol like Batman.

[Sumac]

Never viewed Turtles as a superheroes, like Batman or Spider-Man. For me they are always were more like "community volunteers" who watched after peace in between training, family time and pizza. Though, of course, this impression has been formed largely by FW series, but I don't think any other TMNT media change it.

This idea, influenced a lot of my writing to the point that characters I write are more like "community volunteers" or agency officers, rather than vigilantes.

[PizzaPower1985]

Never viewed Turtles as a superheroes, like Batman or Spider-Man. For me they are always were more like "community volunteers" who watched after peace in between training, family time and pizza. Though, of course, this impression has been formed largely by FW series, but I don't think any other TMNT media change it.

This idea, influenced a lot of my writing to the point that characters I write are more like "community volunteers" or agency officers, rather than vigilantes.

That's a good analysis... More than anything, the TMNT are reactive. They just kinda live their lives until trouble comes... but when it comes, they handle it. They're not out there looking for trouble like Batman and they dont have the obligation the way Spidey does either. They're just there to volunteer help if they can... not on a mission to be heroic or whatever.

[Andrew NDB]

So if they not portrayed as crime fighters, which I honestly don't mind because them being mutants outcast is intriguing conflict of itself, they are 80% of the time just walking chaos magnets that sometimes fight ninjas because reasons. :lol:

Basically. After "Mission Accomplished!" on killing Oroku Saki, they just kind of live their lives.

[Coola Yagami]

IDK... in a certain way the 80's Turtles also rarely patrolled the streets looking for crime to fight. Their main mission was to fight Shredder, it's not their fault he keeps coming back with a new scheme every week. And when he's blasted off into space or the bottom of the ocean or the arctic, Shredder STILL comes back.

There's been episodes where the turtles legit just wanna kick back and do nothing after they think Shredder's gone for good. It's Splinter that keeps bugging them telling them that there's other bad guys out there. I guess they're too scared to talk back and say 'that's what the police are for'.