Hero Turtles Books

[ZariusTwo]

I'm on a bit of a quest right now to trace my collection of Turtles children's books released under the "Hero" Turtles label), so far I've found six, three of which adapt several television episodes, the remainder are all orginal works.

-Super Bebop and Mighty Rocksteady (adaptation)
-Splinter No More (adaptation)
-Return of the Technodrome (adaptation)
-Krang's Space Raid (original story)
-Shredder's Invisible Maze (original story)
-Attack of the Time Spiders (original story)

Out of the six, I got two with an audio cassete which read the whole tihng to me. I can't remember where I put the tapes unfortunatly

These ring any bells?

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

I'm on a bit of a quest right now to trace my collection of Turtles children's books released under the "Hero" Turtles label), so far I've found six, three of which adapt several television episodes, the remainder are all orginal works.

-Super Bebop and Mighty Rocksteady (adaptation)
-Splinter No More (adaptation)
-Return of the Technodrome (adaptation)
-Krang's Space Raid (original story)
-Shredder's Invisible Maze (original story)
-Attack of the Time Spiders (original story)

Out of the six, I got two with an audio cassete which read the whole tihng to me. I can't remember where I put the tapes unfortunatly

These ring any bells?

Tell me everything about the original stories.

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by Swedenfan 1982

Tell me everything about the original stories.

The "Time Spiders" story involved Baxter Fly harnessing the power of arachnids that could master interdimensional travel, and "Krang's Space Raid" was about Krang and Shredder diverting Earth's water towards the moon. "Shredder's Invsible Maze" saw Shredder kidnap Splinter and submerge him in a water-tank at the center of a maze the Turtles had to navigate.

[Powder]

Are these illustrated books? The original stories sound rad, and potentially worth picking up if found.

[Jester]

Do they look like this:

I had a friend who had them over a decade ago. Not sure if he even still has them.

[oldmanwinters]

I own most of those books; they're pretty cool on account of the illustrations.

The good fans over at the Russian forum have made most of the "Carnival" published book available for download:
http://turtles-ninja.narod.ru/books-uk/carnival.html

"Hippo" (which I think is the UK equivalent of "Scholastic" here in the US) also published two different series of storybooks. The first set consisted of 4 screencap books adapting Turtle Tracks, Enter the Shredder, Return of the Shredder, and The Evil Eye; the last two issues were original stories with actual illustrations which I recommend tracking down: "The Great Anchovy Mystery" and "Double Trouble."

Hippo's second series were smaller cartoon storybooks that retold familiar stories with new illustrations. It included "The Magic Sword of Nowhere," "Super Rocksteady and Mighty Bebop," the Wingnut and Screwloose story from Archie comics, and probably another book I can't remember.

I own most of those books if anybody would like to see some scans.

[Nintendophile]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

I own most of those books if anybody would like to see some scans.

Would definitely like to see some scans! Especially the "Super Rocksteady and Mighty Bebop" one. They all sound really interesting, though.

[ZariusTwo]

Thanks for the history lesson Winters, and for the links.

I'm scunnered I only ever rented "Anchovie Mystery" out of the library and didnt buy it during the withdrawn sales (always bought Doctor Who books when that occured)

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

I own most of those books; they're pretty cool on account of the illustrations.

The good fans over at the Russian forum have made most of the "Carnival" published book available for download:
http://turtles-ninja.narod.ru/books-uk/carnival.html

"Hippo" (which I think is the UK equivalent of "Scholastic" here in the US) also published two different series of storybooks. The first set consisted of 4 screencap books adapting Turtle Tracks, Enter the Shredder, Return of the Shredder, and The Evil Eye; the last two issues were original stories with actual illustrations which I recommend tracking down: "The Great Anchovy Mystery" and "Double Trouble."

Hippo's second series were smaller cartoon storybooks that retold familiar stories with new illustrations. It included "The Magic Sword of Nowhere," "Super Rocksteady and Mighty Bebop," the Wingnut and Screwloose story from Archie comics, and probably another book I can't remember.

I own most of those books if anybody would like to see some scans.

It's "Ninja Sword of Nowhere" (or just "Sword of Nowhere" in the UK).

[Jester]

No the book calls it "Magic Sword of Nowhere".

Thanks to tOkKa.

[oldmanwinters]

Here's some older scans I made from "The Great Anchovy Mystery." Now that was a strange story...





















As Jester mentioned, tOkKa has lots of scans of "The Mystery Sword of Nowhere" on his Flickr page.

[ZariusTwo]

Very weird and morbid ending there...

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Very weird and morbid ending there...

Yeah, Shredder pretty much dies, as everybody but Leo recognizes. You'd think if it's just a vat a piping hot anchovies, they'd at least try to fish him out to see if he's still alive, but Leo's just content to say "Oh, he'll be alright and come back to fight us again."

In the "Double Trouble" book, the turtles actually make reference to the anchovy incident.

Mikey: "There's been no sign of that tin-faced geek for weeks. I think we really must have done for Shredder this time. If he was still alive, he'd have come out to fight by now."
Don: "Yeah, maybe those anchovies were too much even for Shredder."
Raph: "Sure would have done for me. . . . Just thinking about it still turns my stomach."
Leo: "Shredder has survived worse things than a vat of anchovies. . . . Until we know for certain, we must stay alert at all times."

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

The "Time Spiders" story involved Baxter Fly harnessing the power of arachnids that could master interdimensional travel, and "Krang's Space Raid" was about Krang and Shredder diverting Earth's water towards the moon. "Shredder's Invsible Maze" saw Shredder kidnap Splinter and submerge him in a water-tank at the center of a maze the Turtles had to navigate.

How is he doing that, teleporting it? And Why?

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Swedenfan 1982

How is he doing that, teleporting it? And Why?

You can download it and read it for yourself:
http://turtles-ninja.narod.ru/books-uk/carnival/05.html

[Roseangelo]

Fun fact: These books were sold at US dollar stores in the early-mid 90s.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

Fun fact: These books were sold at US dollar stores in the early-mid 90s.

Now that is news to me! Were both Carnival and Hippo books sold at the stores and were they printed with the "Ninja" branding?

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

Fun fact: These books were sold at US dollar stores in the early-mid 90s.

That is how I picked up most of these in 1998 at Dollar General. Best find at a dollar store ever!

And yes,"Hero" was in place of "Ninja" which is how I first learned of the U.K. subtitle change.

[Nintendophile]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

Yeah, Shredder pretty much dies, as everybody but Leo recognizes. You'd think if it's just a vat a piping hot anchovies, they'd at least try to fish him out to see if he's still alive, but Leo's just content to say "Oh, he'll be alright and come back to fight us again."

You're right, it does seem kind of out of character for the Turtles not to even TRY and save him. Although, I have to say, it is kind of darkly funny, if you play it out.

April: "Guys, he just fell in no more than 5 seconds ago! We could still save him!"
Raph: "Nope, he's dead."
April: "Are you sure you don't even want to check?"
Mikey: "No, no, he's definitely dead."
April: "Wait! I see his hand reaching out for help! There's his mouth!"
Shredder: "Help..... me....."
Donny: "I don't hear anything. Must be the sound of the machinery."
*Don starts poking Shredder's face back under the anchovies with his bo staff.*
Leo: "Shredder has survived worse things than a vat of anchovies... Until we know for certain, we must stay alert at all times."
*Leo then pushes the "Purée" button on the side of the vat. Muffled screams can be heard from under the surface of the anchovies.*
April: "Leo, what have you done?!"
Leo's face becomes stern, his voice serious: "I didn't do anything. And you didn't see anything, either... Is this going to be a problem?"
April, holding back the terror in her voice: "......... No?"
Leo's face immediately turns cheerful: "Alright then! Who's up for some pizza?!"
All four Turtles: "COWABUNGA!!!"

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Nintendophile

You're right, it does seem kind of out of character for the Turtles not to even TRY and save him. Although, I have to say, it is kind of darkly funny, if you play it out.

April: "Guys, he just fell in no more than 5 seconds ago! We could still save him!"
Raph: "Nope, he's dead."
April: "Are you sure you don't even want to check?"
Mikey: "No, no, he's definitely dead."
April: "Wait! I see his hand reaching out for help! There's his mouth!"
Shredder: "Help..... me....."
Donny: "I don't hear anything. Must be the sound of the machinery."
*Don starts poking Shredder's face back under the anchovies with his bo staff.*
Leo: "Shredder has survived worse things than a vat of anchovies... Until we know for certain, we must stay alert at all times."
*Leo then pushes the "Purée" button on the side of the vat. Muffled screams can be heard from under the surface of the anchovies.*
April: "Leo, what have you done?!"
Leo's face becomes stern, his voice serious: "I didn't do anything. And you didn't see anything, either... Is this going to be a problem?"
April, holding back the terror in her voice: "......... No?"
Leo's face immediately turns cheerful: "Alright then! Who's up for some pizza?!"
All four Turtles: "COWABUNGA!!!"

I'll admit it, reading this conversation made me laugh out-loud.

It's funny because I sorta imagined the same type of conversation in my head when I read the storybook.