Yeah.. there are days I ask myself the same question!
Then I often remeber this one online itnerview someone held with Kevin Eastman waaaay back in late 1997 (I think it was). His assumption on the matter was that the TMNT were so different, but yet also seen as adolescents. Most teeangers or fans seem to have a sense of understanding with the TMNT in that respect. They know what it feels like to be different, or have a desire to be different from the rest. That the world is suddenly changing and pretty soon they have to adapt or die.
Well, that's not exactly what Kevin said, but it's how I percieved his idea on the matter. I think they were also asked this question on the "Behind the Shell" making of the TMNT movies VHS.
So yeah, in a nutshell the fact they are so different, but yet so appealiong in many familiar ways, is what the turn on is.
Each has personality we all can relate with, each has a parential figure and family aspect, then throw in the coming of age and high stakes martial arts action (and villian rained in such) that compares to that of Star Wars and like sci-fi element... whala!
And a real good heaping of luck did a lot too.
