Powder
09-09-2016, 11:38 PM
Who are your favorite people tied to TMNT? Not human characters from various iterations, but the actual, real folks behind it all. Artists, writers, voice actors, etc. Maybe one (or two, if like me, you made some split decisions) from each key version or something. We all owe Eastman & Laird a debt of gratitude for being the property's fathers, which makes them a shoe-in, but to keep things a bit more free, exclude them from your list.
Mirage/FW/Movies/TNM/4kids/TMNT/IDW/Nick/PD
Mirage: -Jim Lawson
A man with more issues under his belt than anyone else. He's done it all, from scripts to inks, created iconic characters (such as Rat King), has a one of a kind art style, & is arguably the single nicest guy in comics, period. Frank Fosco might have my favorite look for the comic series overall, but Jim takes the win for his contributions & gold-star attitude.
Fred Wolf: Pat Fraley
It's hard to pick from this series given how charming the entire cast is, but I think everyone would agree Krang is the most memorable voice. No other character in the show is as full of life, with such calculated rhythm & delivery. Ticks ranging from growls, to burps, & fluctuating pitches, it's a spectacular part. Pat's other roles were fantastic too, like the manic Baxter Stockman, stiff & stern Burne Thompson, or deranged Casey Jones, to name a few.
Live Action Films: Steve Barron/Elias Koteas
I'm torn in several directions when it comes to praising one particular figure who took part in the original movie trilogy. Tochi & Rist gave standout performances, Henson's studio provided God-tier design work, John Du Prez scores keep you on the edge of your seat. All together, it was a huge pool of talent. Ultimately, I can't decide between director Steve Barron (who regrettably did only the first flick) & actor Elias Koteas. Steve's vision for TMNT was the champion of both its success and lasting power. In the peak of kiddified turtle 'toons & product alike, he had faith in the original concept. He used the Mirage comics for not simply general reference, but character beats, plots, & even storyboarding. With his punk rock edge & straight outta the comics visual aesthetic, he was able to deliver something dark & brooding that respected its adult roots while welcoming child viewers with charm & humor. Elias, to put it simply, did the best Casey Jones we'll ever have. He was just perfect. I need not say any more, am I right?
Next Mutation: Len Gibson
Len played Splinter's blind Chess partner, Andre. I suppose my favor leans more toward the character than the actor, but he was easily the best part of the show, in my opinion. I think he played the part wonderfully, & his looping of the lines was picture-perfect. In a series chock full of people hamming it up, he walked the line between a serious & comedic performance just right. I find him very endearing. I wanna give Michael Dooney a shout out for his character design work too, though!
4kids: Michael Sinterniklaas/Scott Williams
Leonardo & Baxter Stockman's voice actors. No question, it goes to these two. Their parts are just sooo good. Maybe it's my bias for the characters speaking, but I am of the opinion that they were the stand-out talent in that cast.
TMNT: Klaus Badelt
I'm not the biggest fan of this flick, it's decent, but not great. The score, however, wow. It's really, really good. Powerful, looming, emotional, epic, it hits all the right points. There are elements suggestive of past sound design, suggesting he even did his homework. Who could dislike those pieces of music? Only those of questionable taste.
IDW: Ben Bates/Erik Burnham
Ben's issues are my favorite art wise, what can I say? I think his art style is just so rad, an excellent fit for TMNT. You can see he took a lot of influence from Playmates' card art, & that caters to my sensibilities hardcore. Erik, on the other hand, I feel has the best grasp on what the TMNT "feel" is. I really dig his writing.
Nick: Ciro Nieli
One of those creative minds that comes along & just gets everything right. He's a Mirage fan first & foremost, so he approached things with a more level headed mindset. His character & general visual design work is the cats pajamas, & I am an absolute sucker for all the alternative/cult/Japanese stuff he's injected into the show. The Nick series, especially in its earlier seasons, aligned with almost all of my wants for a new version.
Platinum Dunes/Paramount: Johnny Knoxville
I liked his Leonardo. It's no secret I dislike these films, but the turtle actors were decent. He was my favorite of them, probably stemming from my bias for both he & his character, & that I felt Leo was the most accurately portrayed turtle.
Mirage/FW/Movies/TNM/4kids/TMNT/IDW/Nick/PD
Mirage: -Jim Lawson
A man with more issues under his belt than anyone else. He's done it all, from scripts to inks, created iconic characters (such as Rat King), has a one of a kind art style, & is arguably the single nicest guy in comics, period. Frank Fosco might have my favorite look for the comic series overall, but Jim takes the win for his contributions & gold-star attitude.
Fred Wolf: Pat Fraley
It's hard to pick from this series given how charming the entire cast is, but I think everyone would agree Krang is the most memorable voice. No other character in the show is as full of life, with such calculated rhythm & delivery. Ticks ranging from growls, to burps, & fluctuating pitches, it's a spectacular part. Pat's other roles were fantastic too, like the manic Baxter Stockman, stiff & stern Burne Thompson, or deranged Casey Jones, to name a few.
Live Action Films: Steve Barron/Elias Koteas
I'm torn in several directions when it comes to praising one particular figure who took part in the original movie trilogy. Tochi & Rist gave standout performances, Henson's studio provided God-tier design work, John Du Prez scores keep you on the edge of your seat. All together, it was a huge pool of talent. Ultimately, I can't decide between director Steve Barron (who regrettably did only the first flick) & actor Elias Koteas. Steve's vision for TMNT was the champion of both its success and lasting power. In the peak of kiddified turtle 'toons & product alike, he had faith in the original concept. He used the Mirage comics for not simply general reference, but character beats, plots, & even storyboarding. With his punk rock edge & straight outta the comics visual aesthetic, he was able to deliver something dark & brooding that respected its adult roots while welcoming child viewers with charm & humor. Elias, to put it simply, did the best Casey Jones we'll ever have. He was just perfect. I need not say any more, am I right?
Next Mutation: Len Gibson
Len played Splinter's blind Chess partner, Andre. I suppose my favor leans more toward the character than the actor, but he was easily the best part of the show, in my opinion. I think he played the part wonderfully, & his looping of the lines was picture-perfect. In a series chock full of people hamming it up, he walked the line between a serious & comedic performance just right. I find him very endearing. I wanna give Michael Dooney a shout out for his character design work too, though!
4kids: Michael Sinterniklaas/Scott Williams
Leonardo & Baxter Stockman's voice actors. No question, it goes to these two. Their parts are just sooo good. Maybe it's my bias for the characters speaking, but I am of the opinion that they were the stand-out talent in that cast.
TMNT: Klaus Badelt
I'm not the biggest fan of this flick, it's decent, but not great. The score, however, wow. It's really, really good. Powerful, looming, emotional, epic, it hits all the right points. There are elements suggestive of past sound design, suggesting he even did his homework. Who could dislike those pieces of music? Only those of questionable taste.
IDW: Ben Bates/Erik Burnham
Ben's issues are my favorite art wise, what can I say? I think his art style is just so rad, an excellent fit for TMNT. You can see he took a lot of influence from Playmates' card art, & that caters to my sensibilities hardcore. Erik, on the other hand, I feel has the best grasp on what the TMNT "feel" is. I really dig his writing.
Nick: Ciro Nieli
One of those creative minds that comes along & just gets everything right. He's a Mirage fan first & foremost, so he approached things with a more level headed mindset. His character & general visual design work is the cats pajamas, & I am an absolute sucker for all the alternative/cult/Japanese stuff he's injected into the show. The Nick series, especially in its earlier seasons, aligned with almost all of my wants for a new version.
Platinum Dunes/Paramount: Johnny Knoxville
I liked his Leonardo. It's no secret I dislike these films, but the turtle actors were decent. He was my favorite of them, probably stemming from my bias for both he & his character, & that I felt Leo was the most accurately portrayed turtle.