Is there a version you are completely or mostly happy with

[newfan]

So, I was thinking of all the different incarnations and what people want from TMNT. I know there are versions which people just don't like or don't like much for various reasons but I was wondering if you guys have a version that is exactly what you want or there's a version or versions that don't completely satisfy what you want but at least for a good part. (over all story, character portrayal, designs)

My thought spurred form another thread where there was reflection on the last show, this show so far for me is my version, while I don't find it perfect, because it is a kids show I accept it has those restraints, but these issues were small and few for me so for the majority part it I am happy with it

Do you guys have a version or a few versions that mostly meet what you want? I mean yeah I know you wouldn't be fans if there wasn't a version you liked, LOL, I just meant is there one that it spot on or mostly for you. :) Or if you like a lot of the franchise, appreciating that some versions are just different to others or just one or 2 versions.

[neatoman]

Well, IDW has just about everything I'd consider good storytelling. Rarely any filler, character motivation makes sense, decent pacing, etc. It's not flawless but it does have the best writing of any incarnation yet.

I've really enjoyed Mirage too. There's a lot of ups and downs in quality, I'm not gonna lie about it, but the fact that it's basically always a creative vision behind it all makes it fascinating. A weirdly melancholy mix of Japanese romanticism, vigilante fiction, low urban fantasy, space opera and a whole bunch of American comic book conventions. It's odd and unorthodox but that's the way I like it.

After that it's two close calls to being "Mostly Happy With", the 2003 cartoon and the 2007 movie.

The 4Kids cartoon is far from perfect but it is the most consistantly good TMNT cartoon. The fact that it actually bothered to work with it's source material and used it to rethink TMNT as children's cartoon, rather than just ape the previous cartoon that chose to ignore the comics, is weirdly praiseworthy here. "Mirage for Kids with a few new twists" might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the approach does make more sense from a creative standpoint than the "Let's watch four idiots in a wrecked golfball fail 120 times against pizza addicts" garbage David Wise pretends to have come up with.

The 2007 movie isn't exactly good but then again, none of the TMNT movies are actually good. It does however get the tone right, something the other movies (especially III and OotS) fail at. It's the only one of the movies I can get through without feeling annoyed at any point.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Version I am most happy with is the Original Cartoon for sure, closely followed by Nick.

[IndigoErth]

I'm fine with the majority of versions for what they are. There's just those certain ones that put me off for various reasons. (i.e. Next Mutation for being so hokey, 2007 for making Leo out to be an asshat -- yeah I gotta disagree on getting a tone right -- ...and thanks "Rise" for trying to bring that back; a fear has become reality. :roll:)



In terms of series of today and in the future, I'd rather they lean more toward a tone and look somewhat like the 2003 series. I'd prefer they stop trying to emulate the original 1987 cartoon. I still love it for what it is and without it the Turtles may well have never made it to hitting 34 years, but leave what it did there with it. It's very much an 80s show, please stop trying to bring back the 80s in the 21st century; it just looks purposely foolish (thus insulting) which is a big difference from the authentic goofiness of the 80s.

And as much as I enjoyed 2012 and it was fun seeing them actually seem younger, I'm ready to have my older feeling Turtles back. (Or how about legit older for once? Gee there's a change that could be made that has "never been done before" for a series... but no, no one has the guts to try that angle and try an older audience.)


As far as films go... Take the mocap, maybe similar character design in terms of realism SANS steroids (and at least keep them under 6') and big city feel of PD and mash that together with the deep, more emotional, more complex level of writing the original had back in 1990. That 2014/16 got handed to Bay & Co., an empty calorie studio - aka it's just "froth" and no substance - is such a big part of its problem overall. People could have gotten used to those Turtles had they gotten to be in films with writing that gave people more reason to actually care about them.

[The-Shredder]

I am mostly happy with the 4Kids cartoon, given that it's my favorite. I think the mood in that series is pretty balanced between action and humor, the character and location designs are awesome, and the music is great. The 90s movies are a close second and I really wish that world was explored more because it has so much potential.

[newfan]

Gee there's a change that could be made that has "never been done before" for a series... but no, no one has the guts to try that angle and try an older audience.)


I suppose with it being owned by a kids network they aren't going to produce a show for the older audience, though they could do a another animated DVD movie or short series of them with the turtles being a tad older if they wanted, would have to drop the 'teenage' though, less they are 17 or something :)

Not all the versions will be everyone's thing although some like a lot of franchise, I guess they can just take the variations for what they are meant to be and find something in them they like.

From what I have seen so far I can like a chunk of the franchise, still got to some more to get through yet.... hopefully fill some of that little gap I have now.

[Wesley]

I haven’t read the comics, but my favourite version is the 2003 series. It’s the definitive tmnt cartoon, imo, even though it has flaws.

Filmwise, 1990 and 2007 are my favourites with their tone being similar to the 2003 cartoon.

[IndigoErth]

I suppose with it being owned by a kids network they aren't going to produce a show for the older audience, though they could do a another animated DVD movie or short series of them with the turtles being a tad older if they wanted, would have to drop the 'teenage' though, less they are 17 or something :)
Yeah, and I don't expect Nick to go producing a series aimed at adults.

However... they don't just belong to Nick, they belong to Viacom as a whole, and they certainly have other channels they could produce an more mature series for.



On the other hand, Nick itself isn't a stranger to airing old shows (Nick at Night was/is a thing after all) or producing content for an older audience that aired at later hours. Even if they brought back the Snick concept and made a series aimed for mid/older teens on up that would be on weekend nights.

[newfan]

Yeah, and I don't expect Nick to go producing a series aimed at adults.

However... they don't just belong to Nick, they belong to Viacom as a whole, and they certainly have other channels they could produce an more mature series for.

Yeah, this is true, maybe movies would get the better chance of scratching that itch?

[MsMarvelDuckie]

For me, it's hard to choose. I LOVE the 80's toon, as it was practically the only thing I had growing up, and the 1990 movie was what got me hooked and has a special place in my heart, but I have grown to love the '03 series and even Nick as well. Even the PD movies have some good in them. Overall, if I HAD to pick a "best" version, I would give it to IDW. It has just about the best of everything- characterization, story, world-building, tone, and occasional humor.

[ZariusTwo]

The original cartoon. Can watch it all day.

[Utrommaniac]

IDW. Sure, I've had my share of complaints on everyone but April having daddy issues and no mother in sight to some capacity and having some areas that I would probably have strengthened a little bit or removed entirely (Triceratons actually coming from Cretaceous Earth instead of being aliens that could be surmised as divergent evolution having a good laugh), it's the series that locked me in and the one that I'm most excited to follow, and it does have a lot that I think is brilliant, even making stepping stones for future concepts.

[neatoman]

April having daddy issues and no mother in sight to some capacity

I'm not sure what you mean by this. That she's following in his foot steps by working on the ooze? That she gave her mother an alien compound to cure his paralysis? And I'm pretty sure both parents have been shown in roughly equal capicity.

[Utrommaniac]

Most everyone except April has daddy issues to some capacity. She's probably the only one that has both parents alive and has a good, healthy relationship with them.

[Andrew NDB]

Mirage TMNT. Large parts of the original movie. A couple of scenes from the 2007 movie. Chunks of Archie because I was a little kid and nostalgia. Very early IDW and the reincarnation stuff -- that was clever.

Yeah. That seems about right.

[Powder]

Mirage TMNT. Large parts of the original movie.

I like pretty much every iteration, some with more asterisks than others, but these two are my top contenders as well. While I'd probably say Mirage is my favorite overall, I think the first film might be the most "perfect" as a standalone work of art. It's a masterpiece.

The only ones that would take a lot of re-tooling for me to appreciate are the PD movies. The rest, while I may have qualms, are easy to enjoy for what they are.

[sdp]

That first movie is such a brilliant mix of Mirage with OT, just enough of each incarnation for it to work. It'd be my perfect interpretation if it weren't for the lackluster final fight.

But we need to count the sequels II and III as part of the interpretation, or else we could judge the OT based only on the first season etc. II is still good enough to not taint the legacy much but III does stink it up a bit. :lol:

[Sumac]

I like different things for different reasons, so I am completely satisfied with almost all versions of TMNT.
Notable mentions go to OT, 2k3 series, TMNT'07, Turtles Forever, First movie and second movie.

Versions I am not satisfied with are Bay-turtles and 2k12 / Nick series.

[ProphetofGanja]

For my money's worth, IDW is the closest to being the perfect realization of the TMNT mythos

[Dejablue]

I consider myself a trashy casual Turtles fan so my expectations aren't super strict.
I can find enjoyment in most incarnations that had love put into them. So I love the 2003 cartoon, the 2012 Nick cartoon and the '87 cartoon. Roughly in that order. I try to not get bothered at different takes on characters. As long as it stays sort of within a sensible range and doesn't go off the walls for the sake of "originality".

For example, I feel that Leonardo "should act a certain way". But I personally allow secondary characters like April more flexibility. Secondary characters can be whatever is best to service the plot, even more so with minor characters.

My favorite animated series still so far is the 03 cartoon. Why? Because I had no idea the comic books even existed until I started watching this show when I was younger. My dad used to read them, so on Saturday mornings he and I would watch 2k3 and one day he said something like "Oh this show is referencing the comics." and I was like " Comics? Wut chu talkin bout?" So yes, thanks to 2k3 and my dad I found out about the world of TMNT outside of the cartoons and toys. (I never wanted the toys anyway)

I absolutely adore the 2012 cartoon because the teenage protagonists are actually acting like teenagers, among other things. I think it's a real gem in its own right. For one it's intro is catchy and unskippable.

A couple of friends have talked me into reading IDW so I will begin reading them as soon as I'm able, I can tell from here that IDW must be pretty close to lore cohesion and perfection as possible.

As far as the movies are concerned, I liked the 2007 film. The 90's movies, weeelll its been a long time since I have seen those. Last week I saw the Bay movies and they were an utter assault on my mind. So many things were wrong but still I can squeeze a tablespoon of enjoyment out of them at least.

[Andrew NDB]

I absolutely adore the 2012 cartoon because the teenage protagonists are actually acting like teenagers, among other things. I think it's a real gem in its own right. For one it's intro is catchy and unskippable.

I should mention 2012, too. I dig the first two or three seasons for what it was to me, personally, which was something generally pretty funny with a decent amount of heart that my daughter and I got to enjoy together for a while.

But it's not "TMNT" to me, by any means.

[Wildcat]

I’d have to go with the 4kids series. Minus Fast Forward (it was ok but really changed the tone, should have been a separate series)

It was serious enough to take seriously. It didn’t go overboard with the “goofy” or fantasy elements. Not to me anyway. The art style fit well too.

I don’t read any of the comics and none of the movies have been absolutely great imo.

TMNT 07 is probably my favorite because it’s like a big 4kids episode but as a stand-alone movie seems a bit out of place if you’re not already invested in the franchise.

[Papenbrook]

Is there a version you are completely or mostly happy with?

No. I don't like any version in particular.

In fact, I'm really not all that invested in the TMNT franchise/lore. The only part I'm actually comfortable with is the first season of the 2k12 series. (And even then, I'm ambivalent on that.)

Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike the franchise. It's just - I'm not all that interested in*most of it.

[ZacksSoUgly]

My "perfect" version of TMNT media is a toss up between the 1990 film and the current IDW comics. I was too young for the original comics and haven't spent a lot of time going back to them. The original show and toys got me into the characters, but the 1990 film cemented their place in my heart. The story, the Turtles' look, their personalities and relationships - the 1990 film is where the bar is set when I'm "judging" new TMNT material. The IDW comics have introduced cool ideas while getting the Turtles "right" in terms of personality and development. Also, Mateus Santolouco's version aesthetically is one of my favorites of all time. I would love to see a show, movie, or toys based on the IDW version.

A close runner up for me personally is the 2007 movie. I didn't need another reason for Leo and Raph to have beef, but besides that I really like the Turtles as individuals and as brothers in that iteration.

[newfan]

Dejablue

I absolutely adore the 2012 cartoon because the teenage protagonists are actually acting like teenagers, among other things. I think it's a real gem in its own right. For one it's intro is catchy and unskippable.

A couple of friends have talked me into reading IDW so I will begin reading them as soon as I'm able, I can tell from here that IDW must be pretty close to lore cohesion and perfection as possible.


I'm going to make an exception on comic reading for TMNT and try a few of them, Mirage obviously because this is where the franchise was created and IDW because as you said people also seem to like this a lot and recommend it .

Re:2012 intro, my son and I would turn the volume up for this :lol:

[Papenbrook]

I didn't really like the 2k12 intro.

I thought it was lazy.

[Andrew NDB]

I was too young for the original comics and haven't spent a lot of time going back to them.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/15/bb/0c/15bb0c999c9ec7831189400d46b78fa6.jpg

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I didn't really like the 2k12 intro.

I thought it was lazy.

A lazy remake of the original, to be more exact.

[Dejablue]

Lazy remake of 87?

More like a remix of 87 with better writing and animation and story telling. And I mean that for the whole show including the intro.

[CyberCubed]

The Nick show and original cartoon are absolutely nothing alike. I have no idea why people keep saying it's a "remake" or whatever.

The IDW series is more of a reimagining of every old TMNT universe molded into one than anything.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

The Nick show and original cartoon are absolutely nothing alike. I have no idea why people keep saying it's a "remake" or whatever.

We're talking about the intro music.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

4Kids Seasons 1-4
IDW
Mirage/Image (Volumes 1-4)


That's it. I'm a picky guy.

[BartAllen]

The 03 series and the current IDW series are both really good.
The best, though, is still the original Mirage book. It's what I'm happiest with and still go back and read to this day.

[Powder]

The Nick show and original cartoon are absolutely nothing alike. I have no idea why people keep saying it's a "remake" or whatever.

Remake is hardly an appropriate term, but to say they are "absolutely nothing alike" is ridiculous. Auman's influence alone made it (at times) equally goofy. & you've got your Krang tech failures, monster of the week episodes, pizza fixations, Bebop & Rocksteady, food fights & other campy kinds of combat, etc. The turtles were even occasionally pigeonholed into behaving in accordance with their stereotyped personalities attributed by David Wise & Co. The Nick series is leagues ahead of Fred Wolf in terms of plot, action, drama, etc. but they share many similarities (& I don't mean to say that's a good or bad thing, it's just objective fact).

[ZacksSoUgly]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/15/bb/0c/15bb0c999c9ec7831189400d46b78fa6.jpg

HA!!

I definitely will! What's the best collection to buy to get through the OG Mirage material?

[d_osborn]

My "perfect" version of TMNT media is a toss up between the 1990 film and the current IDW comics. I was too young for the original comics and haven't spent a lot of time going back to them.
DUDE-- the original Mirage comics were literally used as storyboards while Steve Barron and Todd Langen were hammering the screenplay! :D I think you'll love 'em!

I'm not sure which collection is considered best. The old issues were printed in black and white on newsprint paper, so even if you go cheap, the experience will be there. :lol:

The comic adaptation of the 1990 movie is pretty awesome, as well.

[Dejablue]

Remake is hardly an appropriate term, but to say they are "absolutely nothing alike" is ridiculous. Auman's influence alone made it (at times) equally goofy. & you've got your Krang tech failures, monster of the week episodes, pizza fixations, Bebop & Rocksteady, food fights & other campy kinds of combat, etc. The turtles were even occasionally pigeonholed into behaving in accordance with their stereotyped personalities attributed by David Wise & Co. The Nick series is leagues ahead of Fred Wolf in terms of plot, action, drama, etc. but they share many similarities (& I don't mean to say that's a good or bad thing, it's just objective fact).

Thats why I said "Remix" not "Remake".

[neatoman]

HA!!

I definitely will! What's the best collection to buy to get through the OG Mirage material?

The Ultimate Collection from IDW. Maybe not the "best" but it's by far the easiest/cheapest one to get. The missing issue are collected as Classics 1-7, expect for a few that will never be reprinted due to copyright issues.

[ZacksSoUgly]

DUDE-- the original Mirage comics were literally used as storyboards while Steve Barron and Todd Langen were hammering the screenplay! :D I think you'll love 'em!

I'm not sure which collection is considered best. The old issues were printed in black and white on newsprint paper, so even if you go cheap, the experience will be there. :lol:

The comic adaptation of the 1990 movie is pretty awesome, as well.

The Ultimate Collection from IDW. Maybe not the "best" but it's by far the easiest/cheapest one to get. The missing issue are collected as Classics 1-7, expect for a few that will never be reprinted due to copyright issues.

Thanks, guys! I knew the original run was what inspired the movie and I believe I have the First Publishing TMNT graphic novels in storage somewhere. Those are the original Mirage run, right?

I'll look into the IDW set and read (or re-read) those. Thanks again!

[Shark_Blade]

I think IDW turtles are the best at the moment. For once, Mikey is not an idiotic moron.

[neatoman]

For once, Mikey is not an idiotic moron.

That's certainly a point in favor of Mirage and IDW.

In fact, presenting Mikey as a moron is really just part of a bigger problem with the franchise. Producers tend to (for some bizarre reason) think that TMNT should be all about catchphrases, gag storms, vehicles, random monsters and pizza, rather than good character development, story and what makes good entertainment in general.

It's the core problem with the Fred Wolf cartoon, early Archie, most of the movies, Next Mutation, weaker 4Kids episodes, much of the 2012 cartoon and looks to be the main problem with Rise. I realise most of this is children's entertainment, and that children are seen as shallow enough to enjoy what makes an adult cringe. But it's still good basics that stick with them and it's sad that the producers don't get it.

[Powder]

Producers tend to (for some bizarre reason) think that TMNT should be all about catchphrases, gag storms, vehicles, random monsters and pizza, rather than good character development, story and what makes good entertainment in general.

Gee, I wonder what we owe that to... :tlol:

[Sumac]

Gee, I wonder what we owe that to... :tlol:
Marketing for kids.

Even with this, you still can make a good series and make characters not look like complete tools.

[CyberCubed]

2k3 Mikey had the problem of being too obnoxious or somewhat annoying as it progressed. He wasn't stupid, but he had that "jerkish obnoxious" aspect of his personality that really ramped up as the series progressed.

Shame really, I liked 2k3 Mikey in Season 1 the most. 4kids kinda had him go off the deep end as it progressed.

[Prowler]

2k3 Mikey had the problem of being too obnoxious or somewhat annoying as it progressed. He wasn't stupid, but he had that "jerkish obnoxious" aspect of his personality that really ramped up as the series progressed.

Shame really, I liked 2k3 Mikey in Season 1 the most. 4kids kinda had him go off the deep end as it progressed.

The same happened to Raphael. Both he and Michelangelo just became parodies of themselves later on in the series. It's like the Turtles never learned their lessons from Splinter and their experiences, which kinda made the whole thing pointless. If anything, they regressed.

[Xiewin]

Well now they are both full blown idiots in this new series. Mikey and Raph always get the worst of treatment in TV shows.

[Prowler]

Well now they are both full blown idiots in this new series. Mikey and Raph always get the worst of treatment in TV shows.

I don't think Raph got that bad of a treatment in the Fred Wolf series. He was a completely different character than what he was in Mirage but he wasn't treated like an idiot. He was a funny one-line dropping guy and he wasn't annoying nor did he get in the way of the team.

[Xiewin]

I don't think Raph got that bad of a treatment in the Fred Wolf series. He was a completely different character than what he was in Mirage but he wasn't treated like an idiot. He was a funny one-line dropping guy and he wasn't annoying nor did he get in the way of the team.

I forgot about the 80 series. But then again, were any of the turtles not one dimensional in that show?

Well when it came to 2012 and 2003, it seemed like they didn't know what to do with Raph and Mikey. Though Mikey tends to suffer more so.

[Prowler]

I forgot about the 80 series. But then again, were any of the turtles not one dimensional in that show?

Well when it came to 2012 and 2003, it seemed like they didn't know what to do with Raph and Mikey. Though Mikey tends to suffer more so.

I think Donatello was the most interesting turtle in the 87 series. He had an edge to him. A temper. He was more interesting than 2k3 Donatello, imo. I don't really like this idea that a "nerd" or someone who is well versed in science and engineering shouldn't be a good fighter and shouldn't have a temper. That's why I liked 87 Donatello. He had a bit of a temper and had a bit of an ego as well. Hence why he even tried to clone himself in that episode :lol:

But yes, the Turtles overall were one dimensional in the FW series. I personally think Leonardo was the least interesting Turtle in that show. He was a bit whiny and boring. Plus, the primary focus of the show being comedy and all, Leonardo felt a bit out of place since he rarely cracked jokes compared to his peers.

Raph and Mike started out well in the 2k3 series, but they just got worse as the series progressed, yes. Mike became unbearable after Battle Nexus, in particular. I think 2k3 series focused a bit too much on Leo at times, which I get it, he is the leader, but it sorta put the other Turtles on the backseat.

[Utrommaniac]

All things considered, Leo and Raph tend to get a lot more attention than the other two as a whole. Especially in the focus on how they butt heads.

80's Don also had the situation where his inventions went awry so many times, the others were bracing for something to get the plot moving.

[Prowler]

All things considered, Leo and Raph tend to get a lot more attention than the other two as a whole. Especially in the focus on how they butt heads.

80's Don also had the situation where his inventions went awry so many times, the others were bracing for something to get the plot moving.

And in the 87 series, Raph's and Leo's relationship was perfectly normal. "Fearless leader" was a bit passive-aggressive, but Raph joked about literally everyone in that show. The closest both got to butting heads was in Turtle Trek, where Raphael told Leonardo "maybe what we need is a new leader".

87 Raphael wasn't usually eager to start up a fight. It's funny how he is so different from every Rpah out there, but Rob Paulsen fit him perfectly and I think Paulsen is part of the reason why Raph was so funny and memorable in that show.

[Xiewin]

I think Donatello was the most interesting turtle in the 87 series. He had an edge to him. A temper. He was more interesting than 2k3 Donatello, imo. I don't really like this idea that a "nerd" or someone who is well versed in science and engineering shouldn't be a good fighter and shouldn't have a temper. That's why I liked 87 Donatello. He had a bit of a temper and had a bit of an ego as well. Hence why he even tried to clone himself in that episode :lol:

But yes, the Turtles overall were one dimensional in the FW series. I personally think Leonardo was the least interesting Turtle in that show. He was a bit whiny and boring. Plus, the primary focus of the show being comedy and all, Leonardo felt a bit out of place since he rarely cracked jokes compared to his peers.

Raph and Mike started out well in the 2k3 series, but they just got worse as the series progressed, yes. Mike became unbearable after Battle Nexus, in particular. I think 2k3 series focused a bit too much on Leo at times, which I get it, he is the leader, but it sorta put the other Turtles on the backseat.

Leonardo was treated the worst in the 80s from what I remember. They didn't even try to make his character interesting.

For 2k3, yeah just because he's the leader doesn't mean he should be the main character. All the TMNT are basically main characters. Same goes for Raph in the movies. There's no reason not treat all the characters well. The people who make TMNT content seem to only care about putting their favorites in the spotlight. That's not professional at all.

[Prowler]

Leonardo was treated the worst in the 80s from what I remember. They didn't even try to make his character interesting.

For 2k3, yeah just because he's the leader doesn't mean he should be the main character. All the TMNT are basically main characters. Same goes for Raph in the movies. There's no reason not treat all the characters well. The people who make TMNT content seem to only care about putting their favorites in the spotlight. That's not professional at all.
I watched the 1st Turtles movie when I was a kid and since Raph was my favourite Turtle at the time(I only knew the FW series back then) I liked him having the spotlight in the first movie, but yes, I agree. All Turtles should be treated equally. I've written a few TMNT fanfics before, and I've always tried to treat the four Turtles equally. If I was a writer of a TMNT cartoon I'd like to believe I'd try to be impartial as well.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I watched the 1st Turtles movie when I was a kid and since Raph was my favourite Turtle at the time(I only knew the FW series back then) I liked him having the spotlight in the first movie, but yes, I agree. All Turtles should be treated equally. I've written a few TMNT fanfics before, and I've always tried to treat the four Turtles equally. If I was a writer of a TMNT cartoon I'd like to believe I'd try to be impartial as well.

What fanfics have you written, are they on fanfiction.net? Would love to read them sometime.

[Prowler]

What fanfics have you written, are they on fanfiction.net? Would love to read them sometime.

Most of them were written when I was a teenager/kid, so they're just lost out there or I never uploaded them anywhere. I have on in that website though, but stopped updating it some years ago. Maybe I will finish it someday, but let's not go off-topic.

[Utrommaniac]

And in the 87 series, Raph's and Leo's relationship was perfectly normal. "Fearless leader" was a bit passive-aggressive, but Raph joked about literally everyone in that show. The closest both got to butting heads was in Turtle Trek, where Raphael told Leonardo "maybe what we need is a new leader".

87 Raphael wasn't usually eager to start up a fight. It's funny how he is so different from every Rpah out there, but Rob Paulsen fit him perfectly and I think Paulsen is part of the reason why Raph was so funny and memorable in that show.

I actually like 80's Raph better than most versions. Eventually the "always temperamental" gets grating from time to time. I think a balance between the two would be nice.

[Prowler]

I actually like 80's Raph better than most versions. Eventually the "always temperamental" gets grating from time to time. I think a balance between the two would be nice.

Yeah I like 87 Raph too. When I was a kid I did like temperamental Raph as well, but as an adult now I'm not temperamental like I was as a kid anymore, so it's more annoying than anything nowadays.

In the 87 series, Raph sometimes got angry or upset. The episode Split-Second is a good example of Paulsen giving Raphael a bit of an edge. Raph showed anger in that episode but not detrimental or toxic anger to to the group. It worked well.

[Xiewin]

I like temperamental Raph more, if done right.

Same with Mikey, I like his laid back silly nature, but only if it's done right.

[Prowler]

I gotta say one thing, Fred Wolf might have started the trend of making Mike a joke, but that version of Michelangelo is way more bearable than 2k3's version of the character. At least in the FW series Mike wasn't super annoying and hyper and didn't try to force stupid jokes. Nor was he a chicken of a ninja.

[Xiewin]

2k3 is my least favorite Mikey.

[Prowler]

2k3 is my least favorite Mikey.

Same here. But I haven't read IDW or watched the Nick toon, so I can't rate those incarnations of the character.

And I like to pretend the Platinium Dunes movies don't exist.

[Xiewin]

IDW Mikey is really good actually. At least in my opinion.
2012 and PD Mikey were idiots :trolleye: Raph not so much, but he was a big screw up who didn't add anything to the team.

There's like a 90% chance this won't happen. But I really hope that they don't keep those idiot personas for Mikey and Raph in Rise. If they have enough common sense make Leo and Don intelligent, what's the issue for the other two? Makes no sense whatsoever.

[Prowler]

Raph and Mike usually become the comic relief duo of the team. Mike is usually the character they make more appealing to kids. As a teen and adult a lot of what Mike did in 2k3 was cringeworthy as hell, but I wouldn't be surprised if little kids loved him and his goofiness. The first time I watched the 87 series I was about 5-6 years old and Michelangelo was my first favourite turtle because he was playful and said funny words. As I approached my teens, Raphael and Donatello became my favourites of the show. And I think, to this day, Raph and Don are the two Turtles I prefer the most, even if I'm not a big fan of some of their incarnations. But at their best, I love them. I think it's because Don an Raph always came across to me as the most misanthropic or least likely to trust humans of the group, dunno.

[asfaloth12]

The versions I'm mostly happy with are probably:
1) the 1990 movie. The costumes were amazing, and I still think they hold up today on re-watch. Judith Hoag did a good job as April, and Elias Koteas is probably one of my favorite versions of Casey. It also had a good mix of humor and action.
2) the 2003 series (mostly the first 3 seasons, though). This series probably had one of the best versions of Leo (Mike Sinterniklaas was excellent).
3) the 2012 series. Fantastic animation and a great voice cast. This version probably had my favorite designs for the Turtles (other than the 2007 movie, perhaps). Hoon Lee was a great Splinter, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Mae Whitman's take on a younger April. I loved Leo's development, and Karai's arc. It had a good mix of comedy, action, sci-fi/fantasy elements...as well as some darker, more serious elements.

I'm just getting into the IDW comics, but it's been quite good so far.

[pferreira]

I think the FW series is great as it is although if I had to change one thing would be to bring better closure to the series in a more epic way.

[Leofan26]

Out of these shows I'd say the 2003 series and 2007 film was almost perfect. I watch them without getting tired of them, well seasons one through four any ways.