TMNT Incarnation with the Best Portrayal of Women/Female Characters?

[Rooish]

This does not really get in the way of my enjoyment of TMNT and certainly didn't when I was a kid, but I'm wondering what people think about TMNT's portrayal of women and female characters. I don't necessarily mean as a property as a whole, but I am interested in how people think the incarnations/versions of TMNT compare in their portrayal of women. Do you think female characters are poorly portrayed, either by having them be underrepresented, or overly sexualized/turned into romantic interests, or occupying positions that are lower in power than the men? Do you have criteria for what makes for a good portrayal of women in a story?

Here's my opinion: Mirage volumes 1 and 2 had April, Renet and Karai as its female characters. It was nice that April was presented so early, but I don't think she had a very good personality. She needed protection and was very soft-hearted, and she quickly got overshadowed by Casey, especially in Shades of Grey and City at War. I don't think that soft-hearted is bad, but it is stereotypical to make the only female character into the gentle mom-like character. Also she was paired with Casey, who was a drunk and violent guy (not against her, but she still should have been wary). Then Renet was introduced, who was a big-busted flake (not that there is anything wrong with big boobs, but they also created a stereotypical bimbo). I think that Karai was really awesome in the comics and turned things around a bit.

OT: Irma was boy-obsessed and kind of pathetic. April was very strong-willed and ruthless, but still a damsel in distress. I think she may have been one of the stronger personalities of April, but she often cared more about a story than about her friends.

Movies: I'm on the fence. I think the first movie April was much better than the later Aprils. I guess I don't really like April as a den mom when she's the only woman character. I am cool with her being nice and caring though. I think the third movie had more women but to be honest I have no memory of it.

Archie: I think that it's frustrating that Ninjara was like one of the only female characters and also a girlfriend. However it was cool that she dumped Raph for being selfish and brooding.

Next Mutation: A female Turtle was introduced, with breasts because reptiles obviously have breasts, and she was being set up to be a romantic interest for the others by some lame excuse that the Turtles aren't blood related. Was the bad guy a woman though? How was she portrayed? I can't watch the show.

Image: Terrible portrayal of women, the Turtles themselves were objectifying dude bros, with Mikey making out with any woman in sight and bragging about his sexual prowess, Raph wanting to go to a strip club, etc. Female characters included April, who was still dealing with drunk violent Casey and who was still the typical going-along-with-the-craziness nurturing type, Pimiko who wore no clothes for no ****ing reason, Horridus who was an idiot... I'm probably forgetting people. Women being sexual isn't a problem, but it being gratuitous is, and I didn't like the "typical teenager" portrayal of the Turtles.

2003: I think that this show had quite a few female characters, although their portrayal was on the fence. It was nice that most of them (Angel, Karai) were not romantic interests. I think this was one of the better Aprils if not the best, and she had a lot of character development, although her attraction to Casey, who was often portrayed as very stupid, was unconvincing. I found Karai to be very likeable and engaging. However I've seen many people call her a b***h and she got less smart and more hysterical as it went.

2007 movie: Not really enough time for the women to develop. April was pretty cool and inexplicably an amazing ninja.

Nick: I think April is cool, but I hate her immediate sexualization and Don's constant creeping of her. I also don't like that Splinter, who is training her, goes easier on her than the boys. She is having a convincing development of her ninja skills, and her special Krang powers are cool, but she's often overlooked for several episodes in a row. Also I don't like how Casey keeps deciding they are on a date, and after protesting she kind of gives in. I think Karai is the best version of Karai ever, but she was also immediately sexualized by Leo (although he was much more respectful).

IDW: This series has many female characters, which is great. Alopex and Koya started as tough scrappy female characters who were not particularly feminine. I have no problem with having "girly" female characters, but I like to see a variety. I'm not sold on Alopex's cute Ross Campbell look and her budding whatever with Raph, though. April in IDW is bland, as is Karai, but they both are resourceful and have varying skills and roles. April even saved the day when the Turtles fought Bebop and Rocksteady. I think this series is the most enlightened about women.