Your favorite version of every character?
 

What is your favorite version of every character in TMNT? You can mention any of them (anywhere from the turtles to a 1-episode character), and from any version (Image, '07 movie, ect.)

Lately I've been watching the original toon (just finished watching Ep 70- Shredder's Mom) so everything is based off of memory. I only really remember the original toon, and the 2k3 turtles enough to judge.

Leonardo- 2k3
Raphael- '87
Donatello- It's rather tied
Michelangelo- '87
April- 2k3
Splinter- '87 (but I don't remember anything of the 2k3 Splinter except for his appearance)
Shredder- 2k3, although I adore Shredder in the '87 cartoon
Leatherhead- 2k3

Michelangelo-1987 cartoon
Raphael-1987 cartoon
Leonardo- 2003 cartoon
Donatello-2003 cartoon
Splinter-it has never really mattered to me,but if he is Hamato Yoshi there will be direct conflict.
April-1987 cartoon
Shredder-1987 cartoon
Rat King-1987 cartoon
Baxter Stockman-2003 cartoon
Leatherhead-1987 cartoon
Usagi-2003 cartoon
Casey Jones- movies
Slash-Archie Comics
I can go ahead and say Karai-2003 cartoon. Its the way I got to know the cartoon and enjoyed her waviering loyalities even if there was no transition between season 3 and 4.
Krang 1987 cartoon. his character needs to be a more intregal part of the Ninja Turtles because he is such a big character.

4kids had the best version of Bishop.

Character

Leonardo - Mirage
Michelangelo - 1990 film
Donatello - Mirage
Raphael - IDW
Splinter - 2007 and 2k3 (They were basically the same character, anyway)
Shredder - 2k3 (though that's not to say I want that plot twist to come back) Ch'rell did pure evil right.
Karai - Tournament Fighters (2k3 seriously, if only for the rival to/admiration for Leonardo dynamic)
Baxter - 2k3
April - 2k3
Casey - Mirage
Rat King - Mirage
Leatherhead - 2k3

Voice/Actor Portrayal

Leonardo - Michael Sinterniklaas
Michelangelo - Robbie Rist, though I also thought Wayne Grayson and Mikey Kelley perfectly suited the style first established by Townsend Coleman. It's difficult to determine a best Mikey.
Donatello - Barry Gordon and Sam Riegel tie on this one.
Raphael - Josh Pais
Splinter - Kevin Clash
Shredder - Scottie Ray
Baxter - Scott Williams
April - Paige Turco
Casey - Elias Koteas
Leatherhead - (The first 2k3 voice, before Gary Lewis)

for once in my life, i agree.

and for me the best version of every turtle and splinter is 2007. :rolling::rolling::rolling:

i don't buy the skinny casey in that movie tho, i d say the best version of casey is 2k3.

shredder i prefer 2k3 too...

there r too many characters this is not gonna work! u gotta limit down the scope.

Leo - Mirage or 2k3. 2k3 actually feels like a leader, and one they are usually OK with following.
Mike - Mirage, despite having no "ending".
Don - 2k3 maybe? He's pretty good most of the time really. I do like the habit of stealing enemy vehicles in 2k3 for TMNT use however.
Raph - Mirage or the OT, as at least in the OT he's sarcastic instead of constantly mad.
April - 2k3 or the 2007 film. I think the 2007 version is somewhat underrated.
Casey - Mirage just because he gets to actually DO stuff there sometimes, have his own plots, etc.
Splinter - Probably 2k3, the family bond with him is very strong and works well there.
Leatherhead - 2k3 or Mirage, although both fell back to "he's gone crazy and fighting us again" too much.

Shredder - Probably the first movie. I liked Ch'rell but he did get a bit too "evil for evil's sake".
Karai - 2k3 or 2007 film, same as April. 2k3 ver has the better writing and more to do though.
Krang - The anime/manga. As much as the OT voice is legendary, his anime self is just hilarious. Hopefully IDW will become a new best at some point though.
Baxter - 2k3, unless IDW can do it better yet.

Irma -1987 cartoon
 

Irma -1987 cartoon (she's actually in some Archie too)

Leonardo - 2k3
Michelangelo - 2k3
Donatello - Mirage comics
Raphael - 2007 movie
Splinter - IDW comics
Shredder - 1st Movie
Karai - 2k3
Baxter - 2k3
April - 2k3 (physically speaking, OT April remains unparalleled) :trazz:
Casey - 1st Movie
Rat King - 2k3
Leatherhead - 2k3

In terms of character design, it's a toss between 2k3 and Mirage comics.

Edit:
Nick Raph has the potential to unseat 2007 Raph in my books, especially in the long run. Nick Leo will have a mountain to climb to dethrone 2k3 Leo put it's left to be seen.

For the turtles, I like the '87 ones the best except Donatello, my favorite version of him is 2k3.

For Leatherhead, I like the '87 version the best.

I can't decide for Shredder, it's sorta a tie between '87 and 2k3.

Leonardo: 4kids
Raphael: TMNT 2007
Michelangelo: Mirage
Donatello: OT

April: OT
Casey: 1st movie/OT/Mirage
Shredder: OT based Games (same as OT, except he's badass)
Splinter: 4kids

Karai: 4kids
Rat King: Mirage
Baxter Stockman: OT
Leatherhead: 4kids



I think I covered the basic caracters. :P

Leo - mirage
Raph - mirage
Mikey - 1990 film
Connie - mirage
Splinter - 1990 film (though I also love the mirage version. Idw's vg too)
Casey - mirage (also like the 90's movie)
April - the mid/later mirage stuff & 1990 movie tie. E & L's early version didn't have any personality.
Shredded - mirage
Rat king - mirage city at war series

2003 Shredder
 

If I would chose 2003 Shredder, it would just be season 1 before we know the Utrom sillyness.

Leonardo: 2k3
Raphael: 2k3 or 2007 Movie
Donatello: 2k3
Michelangelo: OT
Splinter: 2007 Movie
April: Tied between OT and 2k3
Casey: 2007 Movie
Shredder: 2k3 (I just wish they would have kept him a human. Chrell was cool though)

Usagi: 2k3
Leatherhead: 2k3
Baxter Stockman: 2k3

Leonardo-2003 Cartoon
Raphael- 1987 Cartoon
Michelangelo-1987 Cartoon
Donatello-2003, may change when 2012 show comes out
Splinter-2003 cartoon
April-2012 Show
Casey-2003 show
Shredder-2003 show

From OT
Leo
Mikey
Splinter
Shredder

From 2k3
Don
Raph
April
Casey
Bishop
Leatherhead
Karai

I'm very partial to the Archie comics adaptation of the TMNT and their allies, though I prefer the cartoon version of the villians.

Leonardo - Mirage version. Special nod to the 87 series (especially Red Sky Leo), because he was so underused.

Raphael - The live-action movies, for actual character development. However, the 87 series' switch from berserker to snarker shouldn't be ignored, either.

Donatello: Tie between 87 and 03 (if asked, the latter ekes out as winner). Special nod to the second movie. Of all the Turtles, he's a tough call with me.

Michelangelo: 87, although, the Image version is gaining rapidly.

Casey Jones: First movie, non-stop. However, IDW is really improving with the teen version concept.

April O'Neil: 87 for concept, but Archie for better execution.

Splinter: 87, but it's a tough call between him, 03 and the first movie.

Shredder: A tie with Mirage and 87 (the former for tactics and backstory, the latter for personality). Special nod to the second film version, even with the "BABIES!" line.

Leatherhead: Tie between Archie and 03.

Baxter Stockman: 03, if only because he actually had or was about to have a happier fate.

Bebop/Rocksteady: 87 Season 1 (and key moments with their comic relief characters in Season 4), Archie version and waiting to see what IDW will do with them.

Slash: Archie version, but I am slowly becoming fond of the 87 version. Since Karai's Tournament Fighters mode was chosen, I'll go with 'Turtles In Time' for using both the action figure design and the 87's color scheme.

Karai: City At War, Mirage.

Triceratons: 03.

Krang: 87's first 2 seasons and the Red Sky seasons. Waiting to see what IDW will do with him, but liking what I see, so far.

Fugitoid: 03.

Hun: Pre-Ninja Tribunal and then Turtles Forever.

Rat King: Pre-00 Mirage and 87 Season 3 (especially his first episode and "Return of the Fly").

Tang Shen: IDW.

Tokka/Rahzar: The second movie for Tokka, the 87 series for Rahzar.

More, including actor/voice portrayals, as I think of them.

Just for fun, here's Irma from Super Turtles and Mutant Turtles Gaiden.

http://puu.sh/PISD

http://puu.sh/12qZj

Leonardo- Mirage
Donatello- 4kids
Raphael- '90s Movies
Michelangelo- Fred Wolf
Splinter- Fred Wolf
April- Fred Wolf
Casey Jones- '90s Movies
Shredder- Fred Wolf
Krang/Utroms- IDW
Baxter Stockman- 4kids
Foot Soldiers- '90s Movies
Rock Soldiers- IDW
Rocksteady/Bebop- Fred Wolf
Purple Dragons/Street Punks- 4kids
Hun- 4kids
Mousers- 4kids
Karai/Lotus Blossom- Mirage
Burne Thompson/Charles Pennington- Fred Wolf
Rat King- Fred Wolf
Leatherhead- Archie
Slash- IDW
Tokka/Rahzar- SOTO
Merdude- Archie
Metalhead- Fred Wolf
Fugitoid- IDW
Triceratons- 4kids
General Blanque- 4kids
Usagi- Fred Wolf
Tang Shen- Mirage
Chet- IDW
Nobody- 4kids
Savanti Romero- 4kids
Lord Simultaneous- 4kids
Renet- Mirage
Lonae- 4kids
Klunk- Mirage
Silver Sentry- 4kids

Sure I've answered one of these before, but what the hey...

Leonardo- Film universe (The first especially.)
Mikey- Comic universe (Vol. 3 specifically, but also parts of Mirage where the same character traits apply.)
Raphael- Original toon, I suppose. The hot-head shtick can really get on my nerves.
Donatello- Always have a hard time with this. I lean towards the OT for his general personality, but I'm not huge on the whole 'Donatello does machines' thing. I like how he's more reserved and a bit spiritual in Mirage... I guess it's a tie, between the OT & Mirage.
Casey Jones- First film. The definition of cool. Since he's more or less the Mirage Casey, I guess that applies too.
Splinter- No doubt Mirage. All those spiritual quests are badass, and he plays a bigger part here than in most versions.
Shredder- Honestly I think I've gotta give the first film another vote for this guy. So badass.
April O'neil- I don't dislike April but I've never been a big fan. She does nothing for me in any universe, really. Though I am not huge on the character design, I do like the motherly role she had in 2k3, so I guess my choice is with the 4kids series.
The Foot Clan- None more menacing than in the comics.
Leatherhead- Archie/Mighty Mutanimals. I do like the Jess Harley stuff.
Baxter Stockman- Gotta go with the OT. Dat fly.
Rat King- As much as I LOVE his background in the original comics, and how menacing he is, I gotta pick the OT. Mostly because he was there a lot, and I really like how they handled his character. The sewer royalty thing, being territorial, controlling the rads, and God damn do I love Townies voice for him, haha.

Leonardo - '87/2003: I find them pretty similar
Donatello - 2003
Michaelangelo - 2003
Raphael - 2003: I adore the violent psychotic hot head
Splinter - Mirage: he looks very dark and even intimidating
April O' Neil - 1987
Casey Jones - First movie
Shredder - First movie: there can't be a better Shredder than that one, evil and stronger than the TMNT themselves
Rat King - 1987
Leatherhead - 1987: even if a bit cheesy I prefer him as a villain
Slash: Archie
Usagi Yojimbo - 2003
Baxter Stockman - Mirage: as much as I like the mutant fly, his human form in the 1987 cartoon was just too stereotyped. I can't stand however the 2003 immortal one, got on my nerves very soon.
Foot Soldiers - 2003

Leonardo - 2k3
No surprise, it's the version in which he was developed the most.

Donatello - Fred Wolf
I like this version because he has more character, motivations and flaws.
I think the Mirage Donatello had the most potential. We have the issue in which he has a fight with Casey, issues in which he is shocked by killing, the issue in which he recuperate from his physical and psychological wounds alone with Splinter... But all this interesting points lead nowhere and are forgotten pretty fast...
2007 movie Donatello had a lot of potential as well, but we don't see him enough.
A special mention for The Next Mutation Donatello. While The Next Mutation mostly stank, I think the subplot about him and Dr Quease was a really nice character development (except for the ending).

Raphael - Image
Raphael becoming the leader of the Foot was really a great character development. (And of course, everything that happened in Mirage Volumes 1-2 happened in the Image universe as well.)
After Image Raphael, 2k3 Raphael is my favorite.

Michelangelo - 2k3
I like FW Michelangelo as well, but 2k3 Michelangelo is my favorite Mikey. May be annoying, but I like him being annoying.
I also like Image Michelangelo, with his love story, his dream of becoming a writer and his special relationship with Shadow. Great character development, unfortunately his interactions with the other Turtles and his involvement in the main story weren't so great.

April - 2k3
She is a strong and independent character. They gave her some ninja skills but not too much (I don't like her fighting better than Foot Ninjas in the 2007 movie).

Casey - First movie
In the 2k3 series he's a little too stupid, in the FW series he's too crazy, in the comics he's too useless.

Splinter - 2k3
The only version I like, really.
In all the other versions he is a great ninja, yet he does nothing all the time. In the comics all he does is astral traveling, in most other versions he just gives advice and hardly leaves the lair.
Also, it's the only version which actually made me believed he loved his sons and Yoshi.

Shredder - 2k3
If someone manages to make a little octopus the most menacing Shredder yet to date, it means they really did a great job.
Also, I like him better as an Utrom instead of a human.

Leatherhead - 2k3
In the comics, he was too schizophrenic. He switched from ally to enemy way too often. The 2k3 series retained the two personalities trait, but made him a stable ally of the Turtles.

Rat King - Mirage
The Rat King's interaction with Splinter was really memorable.

Baxter Stockman - 2k3
The best mad scientist ever. He was ambitious and we get to know why: "the sky's the limit". He redeems himself in three different occasions (he saves April, he allies with the Turtles against Cyber Shredder and he turns good in Fast Forward). His story was really dark (not just "Insane in the Membrane", but also Hun mutilating him was shocking even if not shown). Least but not last, he has a different look everytime he shows up, which is fascinating.

Karai - 2k3
The conflict between her honor and her family is what made her an interesting character. Even if there were a lot of wasted opportunities for more development.

The Fugitoid - 2k3
Again, if you can make a good, flawless and heroic character so enjoyable, it means you really did a great job.

Nobody - Mirage
I think 2k3 Nobody is useless and boring.

Klunk - Mirage
The only version that has a story centered on him, besides the one in which he is adopted by Mickey.

Leo-2k3
Mikey-first movie
Donnie- So far I'm really liking the 2k12 version of him :)
Raph-2k7
Splinter-first movie
April-2k3
Casey-first movie
Shredder-2k3
Baxter Stockman-2k3

I don't have much to go on from Mirage, although I've read everything IDW has re-published so far, I can't really include any Mirage characters because, from my experience, they're in the early stages of development.

4Kids! Leo
OT Raph
4Kids! Don
Movie 1 Mike
4Kids! Splinter
4Kids! Shredder (Utrom Shredder)
IDW Krang
4Kids! Stockman
4Kids! Karai
OT April
4Kids! Casey Jones

This is going to be tricky!

Leonardo - 2K3
His character arc in the first 5 seasons was brilliant, easily my favorite version of Leo. Honorable mentions for Mirage Leo though and I liked his portrayal in 2K7 as well.

Raphael - 2K7
I just really liked Raph in TMNT, his relationship with Leo and how he grew as a character. Honorable mentions for 2K3 and original movie.

Michelangelo - Mirage
The most well rounded version of Mikey. Honorable mentions for 2K3 and OT (just classic Mikey), and it looks Nick's Mikey could be really good as well. Leo's normally my favorite, but from what's been shown so far I'm loving Mikey.

Donatello - 2K3
He was still the inventor of the group, but his inventions weren't as wacky as the OT. As others have said, 2K7 seemed to have a good take on the character as well, but he just didn't get enough screen time to feel developed as a character.

Splinter - 2K3
I like Splinter the sensei, but I love Splinter the father and I think that concept got the best development in 2K3. Honorable mentions for Mirage, original movie and 2K7 for this as well.

April O'Neil - OT
Nostalgia wins on this one. I just love April the reporter even though 2K3 April got more development.

Casey Jones - Original Movie
As others have said, the definition of cool and (IMO) the definitive Casey Jones.

Shredder - Original Movie
Again the first movie just seemed to get everything right with this character. He was evil without being crazy and bent on world domination, he was a true threat to the Turtles. Honorable mentions to Mirage (naturally) and 2K3 who re-invented the character in a unique way, giving him greater ties to the TMNT, making him harder to kill and a bigger threat, and also justifying his ambitions without making him just another "I wanna conquer the earth" villain.

Krang - IDW
The OT version is classic, but IDW's take so far seems to be a more complex and sinister take on the character. Hopefully they can keep it up!

Bebop and Rocksteady - OT
Not much to choose from here. Prefer their earlier appearances when they weren't just comic relief.

Baxter Stockman - 2K3
I love Baxter the Fly, but 2K3's Baxter has definitely been my favorite take on the character so far. Yes, the mutilations got a bit crazy by the end, but episodes like Insane in the Membrane really helped to make the character compelling.

Karai - 2K3
I like Mirage's Karai, but I found 2K3's Karai to be a more compelling character with her relationships with both Shredder and Leonardo.

Leatherhead - OT
I loved the OT's take on him and prefer him as an enemy rather than an ally for the TMNT.

Rat King - Mirage
Especially the City at War arc. OT Rat King was fun, but no where near as deep and compelling as Mirage. 2K3 I just wish they'd done more with the character. They did a nice set up but then he was never seen again apart from a cameo.

Let's just go with the ones who show up in most of the franchises so....

Leonardo - 4Kids. As a fan of voice work, I love Mike Sinterniklaas portrayal best (followed very closely by Brian Tochi.) He gives Leo a strength, but also you can kinda see the places where he's weak, and is growing.

Raphael - Fred Wolf. Like you all didn't see this coming! Rob Paulsen made Raphael for me as a kid, and I will always love his sardonic Raph.

Michelangelo - Image. The one Turtle left "unscathed" by the whole volume, Mikey's heart, to me, shines through the most in this dark and dreary piece of the Turtle multiverse.

Donatello - 4kids. Again, Sam Riegel just nails Donnie in this series. He a querky nerdy guy that you can't help but love. Honorable mention here for Nick's Don, which I'm hoping will make me a newly converted Donatello fan. :D

Splinter - TMNT 1. I can't stress enough how much I love the 1st Movie's portrayal of Splinter. It's just pitch perfect.

April O'Neil - Archie. You get the reporter angle we all grew up with, plus someone who isn't a damsel in distress, but actually was part of the team.

Casey Jones - TMNT 1. Elias Koteas IS Casey Jones. 'Nuf said!

Shredder - Toughie....I love James Avery's Shredder...when paired with Pat Fraley's Krang. As for Shredder himself...Probably the 1st movie or Mirage, since they are pretty close.

Baxter Stockman - 4Kids. He was the villain you loved to hate, but then he made a totally believable face turn and you pitied him. Also, again a case of Scottie Williams hitting a home run with the character. I read IDW's Baxter with HIS voice.

Leatherhead - Fred Wolf or Archie. Love the Cajun villain or ally of the Turtles. Jim Cummings is awesome and as such FW's LH is awesome. Jess Harley's tale is tragic, and he's a great ally to the Turtles.

Rat King - Fred Wolf. He's just there more, you know. That and I loved that he wasn't a black and white villain like Shredder and Krang, but an opportunist, who would help the Turtles if it meant helping himself.

Can't believe people picked any favorites from the 2007 film, mind boggling to me.

Ah, have I finally convinced you?

Let's see:

Leonardo 2k3

Michelangelo I've probably answered different before, but it's a tie between OT and the first movie.

Donatello 2k3

Raphael movie 1 and Mirage.

Splinter I'm actually starting to really like IDW.

Casey movie 1

April...I don't really like

Shredder movie 1

Archie's Wingnut & Screwloose are the only versions that should ever have existed of those characters.

Archie Bebop and Rocksteady
 

Archie also has them.

Well...

Leonardo - 2K3. This one is an easy pick for me. He was much more of a well-rounded character than Mirage Leo, and the voice acting was spot-on. While I love movie 1, I thought Brian Tochi's voice tended to sound a bit too dorky for Leonardo.

Michelangelo - Movie 1. This version really took some of the best elements of Mirage Mikey and Fred Wolf Mikey and rolled them into a thoroughly enjoyable version of the character. Robbie Rist also did a phenomenal job with the voice.

Donatello - Secret of the Ooze. While I'm not a huge fan of the direction this movie took, I absolutely loved Don's portrayal in it. We got to see the brainy side that was sorely lacking in movie 1, and I thought his desperation to find meaning in his existence was an incredibly strong angle for the character.

Raphael - Mirage. Very similar to Movie 1 and to a lesser extent 2K3, but I think Mirage Raph was a bit less overbearing. Other versions had a tendency to portray Raphael as a real ass, as opposed to a troubled teenager.

April O'Neil - 2K3. I think the 2003 series was the first time April has really felt like a well-rounded character. Mirage April is their mother, FW April is their buddy, and the film April is like their cool aunt. 2K3 April got to feel like all of those things at one time or another, and managed to be interesting when episodes focused on her.

Casey Jones - Movie 1. I think it largely has to do with Elias Koteas' portrayal, but Casey Jones has never seemed cooler and made you want to root for him more than in that first movie. Great, great version of the character that has yet to be topped in any medium.

The Shredder - Movie 1. This to me is the scariest version of Shredder ever devised. Utrom Shredder was definitely scary in his own right, but he was also somewhat unhinged. Movie 1 Shredder was calm, calculating, and had a piercing gaze that would make you cower in a corner.

Splinter - Movie 1. All other Splinter's at one time or another have been portrayed somewhat dickish. Never has the character seemed as much of a loving father than in the film series.

I pretty much prefer the Mirage versions of the characters over anything of the others. But for second place...

OT
Raph, Mikey, Don, April, Splinter

Movies
The Shredder, Casey Jones, Leo

2k3
Baxter Stockman

And that's all I can think of at the moment. Maybe I'll add some later.

Leonardo - 2k3
Raphael - 1990 movie
Donatello - 2k3 & SOTO
Michelangelo - 1990 movie
April - 1990 movie
Casey - 1990 movie
Splinter - 1990 movie
Shredder - 1990 movie
Leatherhead - 2k3

This was easy for me, as most of mine come from the first film.