If the Turtles all had to change rolls for a day...

[Bauer536]

Originally Posted by DonnyTMNT

I'd agree with Powder, at least on the Leo - Don bit. Leo is smart enough to get into heavy tech, he would just have to put his mind to it really. It's just not his passion like it is Don's. Likewise, I'd wager Donny could be (and has shown himself to be) a great leader and he could rise to Leo's level in martial arts if he wanted to. What it comes down to is that they just want different things and their personalities just aren't wired that way - but since this is a "what if" type of thread, it's okay to speculate.

I'm not sure really where that would leave Mikey & Raph, though. I do not see Mike "switching" roles with Raph, simply for the fact that although they both have gigantic hearts in the emotional sense, Michelangelo far surpasses Raphael in both patience and mutability.

I love this analysis. You read my mind.

Originally Posted by DonnyTMNT

I would agree that the other Turtles simply do not organically have what Donatello has in the realm of technology. They do not think the same way as he, therefore they would not be able to produce or think as he does concerning higher technology. I was talking about repairing random household gadgets, etc. which Donatello does the bulk of throughout Volume 1 & 4 (V1 #11, V4 #3, etc.)

I think we are all talking about different mediums of the Turtles. Herein lies the confusion. Andrew's probably talking comics, others perhaps the OT.

I'm hoping everyone is talking about all mediums. I wouldn't want to think Mikey, Leo, or Raph wouldn't be capable of doing something else. I don't think their characteristics change in other incarnations. They're the TMNT. They should never really change.

And yes, I agree with you that Don's brothers wouldn't be able to work with higher technology.

ANYWAY: My analysis . . .

I believe whatever role each turtle has only reflects on what they like to do the most. Leo likes to lead, Don likes to invent machines, Mikey likes to be a fun loving goofball, and Raph likes to be the courageous hothead. Those make them who they are. But things can tend to switch. Don, Raph and Mike are leaders, too, if you think about it. Don would lead the way with his brain power, while Raph can lead when Leo is captured (just not full time- he'll need practice). As for Mikey, I think he's a leader in making things comical when things are always not. Don is the brains of the group who comes up with the inventions. Leo invents, too. Not really gadgets, but tactics and strategies. Leo's got some brains, especially for leading a team and having the ninja experience. Raph's also an inventor, but at wisecraking or coming up with ways to pick on his brothers. Mikey of course has a brain, as a few don't tend to believe. He just a goofball. But not all goofballs are dumb. Besides, just like Leo, he's got a good memory, especially if it's derived from pop culture. As for being funny, I can see all of them being funny in their own way. They can all have a sense of humor. They just don't have to be silly or clown around to do it, though. As for losing their tempers, I could see Mikey losing his if he's having a bad day. I can even see Don beating the crap out of a Foot Ninja that's trying to hurt April. As for Leo, who may get really angry at Shredder if Splinter was killed.

Just to sum it up, they all have these characteristics. But when you're talking about who they are and what's their positions, you don't say "Leonardo is the leader, brains, rebel, and sometimes funny one of the group." That's too much. They may have these, but it's the strengths they use the most that makes them who they are. That's why Leo's the leader and Don's the brains and so on.