Deaths of the TMNT

*Cipher* · 03-22-2009, 02:21 AM

This discussion began in another thread, but I think it deserves it's own topic. Looking at all the evidence in the Mirage continuity, what do you think is the order of the Turtles' deaths.

Here's where I stand on the Turtles' lifespans: Raph, Mike, Leo, Don. The hugest pieces in the argument are the Tales collected book frontispieces and a few allusions in various Tales issues.

About Raph. We know he continues to fight after the other Turtles, taking on Foot robots in Tokyo, hunting in the swamp, etc. In the Tales fronispieces, he appears far younger than any of the other Turtles. I know some people have said "Maybe that's just the last they saw of him." But I highly doubt that Lawson sat down with such a complicated intent when the most obvious conclusion from the drawings is that Rapheal died at a younger age.

It suits the series thematically as well, to have continued violence lead to a violent end. Every single violent or vengeful character in TMNT has either calmed themselves or met some horrible end. It's a running motif.

Mike's a mystery. We don't even know if he'll return home from his current star voyage. Future Raph ends Tales #55 by saying "Good night, Mikey. Wherever you are." The issue then ends with a picture of the moon. This could imply any number of things. Perhaps Raph has severed contact with his brothers. Perhaps Mikey is on an extended space voyage or never returns (although old Mikey's appearence in Donatello's hologram implies that he does return to Earth at some point).

Of all the Turtles, we have the most information on Leo's life. His entire journey from middle-age to old-age is revealed in Tales #41, "Swan Song" and #13-14, "Loops." We know he travels the world for years after Radical's death, and attains a state of zen like peace after killing Complete Carnage. On his 100th birthday, Donatello gives him a techno-katana. He continues to meditate in a hut outside a major city, and vows never to take another life. At the end of "Loops," Leonardo solioquizes that no one can cheat death. "Not even a Turtle. Not as far as I know." Plainly visible in the background are two tombstones. It's easy to read this as implying only he and Donatello are left alive. Their peaceful lifestyles support this as well.

Donatello is all guess work. But from his sullen, lonesome demeanor in "Plastron Cafe" and the Tales collected book, it seems clear that he's the last of his kind. He has a virtual reunion with his brothers, and Renet cries just watching him. I don't know how less subtle they could be about it.

03-22-2009, 02:21 AM	#1
Cipher Foot Elite Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,454	Deaths of the TMNT This discussion began in another thread, but I think it deserves it's own topic. Looking at all the evidence in the Mirage continuity, what do you think is the order of the Turtles' deaths. Here's where I stand on the Turtles' lifespans: Raph, Mike, Leo, Don. The hugest pieces in the argument are the Tales collected book frontispieces and a few allusions in various Tales issues. About Raph. We know he continues to fight after the other Turtles, taking on Foot robots in Tokyo, hunting in the swamp, etc. In the Tales fronispieces, he appears far younger than any of the other Turtles. I know some people have said "Maybe that's just the last they saw of him." But I highly doubt that Lawson sat down with such a complicated intent when the most obvious conclusion from the drawings is that Rapheal died at a younger age. It suits the series thematically as well, to have continued violence lead to a violent end. Every single violent or vengeful character in TMNT has either calmed themselves or met some horrible end. It's a running motif. Mike's a mystery. We don't even know if he'll return home from his current star voyage. Future Raph ends Tales #55 by saying "Good night, Mikey. Wherever you are." The issue then ends with a picture of the moon. This could imply any number of things. Perhaps Raph has severed contact with his brothers. Perhaps Mikey is on an extended space voyage or never returns (although old Mikey's appearence in Donatello's hologram implies that he does return to Earth at some point). Of all the Turtles, we have the most information on Leo's life. His entire journey from middle-age to old-age is revealed in Tales #41, "Swan Song" and #13-14, "Loops." We know he travels the world for years after Radical's death, and attains a state of zen like peace after killing Complete Carnage. On his 100th birthday, Donatello gives him a techno-katana. He continues to meditate in a hut outside a major city, and vows never to take another life. At the end of "Loops," Leonardo solioquizes that no one can cheat death. "Not even a Turtle. Not as far as I know." Plainly visible in the background are two tombstones. It's easy to read this as implying only he and Donatello are left alive. Their peaceful lifestyles support this as well. Donatello is all guess work. But from his sullen, lonesome demeanor in "Plastron Cafe" and the Tales collected book, it seems clear that he's the last of his kind. He has a virtual reunion with his brothers, and Renet cries just watching him. I don't know how less subtle they could be about it.