Rat King mythos

[Panda_Kahn_fan]

Yep, it's another Rat King thread. And please don't dismiss this as fanfic, it's called character speculation.

Say, does anyone else here think the Rat King has one of the most interesting concepts/characters with potential in all of TMNT lore? It's just there are so many versions of the character, and I'd like to see what the next incarnation might be able to do with what's been established. There are certain elements I'd like to see avoided, like the homeless man/medical patient that hides out in a silo until the turtles stumble upon and kill him, as well as the concept of him being a Bishop clone.

What I really dig is IDW's concept of him as the pied piper of Hamlin, as well as him being an immortal whose been around through the ages. Maybe he was the inspiration for the rat/mouse king character in the Nutcracker story, that later became ballet? I like his Nosferatu-like look from the IDW comics, and thought he might work as a vampire like creature themed on rats. He should be able to control rats, as well as master splinter... but what if like a vampire, he can turn humans into rat-like creatures he can control? This calls back tho the OT episode were-rats from channel six, where he controlled the mutated Vernon and Irma. imagine a Horror story, where Rat King is turning New York's homeless population into rat-like zombies, unable to be restored, that the turtles have to hack and slash their way through. It could make for an awesome TMNT movie, or DTV.

And where might he have come from? Early Medieval Europe? ancient Egypt? Is he lord Hn'attan? Victor Falco? Might his powers be mystical in nature, instead of Science based? I know he was a neutral character in mirage, but a focus on the horror elements could make him a truly terrifying and powerful for the tmnt. So, what is the rest of you's take on this guy?

[MsMarvelDuckie]

There are some interesting concepts in there, especially the vampire-like idea. There have been MANY variations on the vampire myth through time and different cultures, so perhaps that would make sense for him. Vampires also are said to control rats, as well as wolves and bats, so it further cements that link.

That said, there are ancient gods with ties to rats, like Set. IDW's take on him could work as an adaptation of that. Or he could be the literal incarnation of an animal spirit taken human form- animal totems and the animals of the Eastern zodiac are considered sacred, so with enough belief, one might have grown strong enough to take a physical form and act as a god-like being. Some animals are also tricksters (Coyote is one, also Raven) and these spirits can often shapeshift- a "were-rat" is perfect for this concept.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

In like his 1987 cartoon knowledge of chemicals.