Anyone else dislike the original turtle designs?

*Wildcat* · 03-06-2015, 02:59 AM

I know they're iconic and what started them off but I've never really liked them. They come off droopy or cartoonish to me and necks seem too long, at least in the toys. They remind of Cecil Turtle from Looney Tunes actually.

I don't hate them but they've never appealed to me and I've never had the desire to get the Neca figures.

*Candy Kappa* · 03-06-2015, 03:17 AM

No. The first Turtle designs are among my favorites, they have a very unique and different creature design. However, they aren't very good at showing expressions, so it was only natural that E&L deviated to other designs as the comic went on.

Even the designs in #1 was refined from the concept art. (Unused retractable claws)

~~Commenter 42~~ · 03-06-2015, 03:18 AM

I actually feel the early Mirage were the best, followed closely by the first 6 episodes of the FW series.

The Neca figures are on my to buy list.

Personally, I hate the Archie version most. I can't stand that style of art.

*Netkeeper* · 03-06-2015, 03:20 AM

I love them, personally. Though I will admit, it took a while for them to grow on me since I wasn't used to them.

*Powder* · 03-06-2015, 03:35 AM

Droopy & cartoonish?

You must be talking about the Fred Wolf series.

*neatoman* · 03-06-2015, 03:52 AM

As they appeared in the very first issue? No I'm pretty fond of how they looked there, the faces actually look like they belong on Turtles. Since then they've just looked more like nose-less, ear-less, lip-less, wide human faces. In the case of Jim Lawson, horses. In the case of the PT movie, reptilian aliens.

~~Commenter 42~~ · 03-06-2015, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatoman

As they appeared in the very first issue? No I'm pretty fond of how they looked there, the faces actually look like they belong on Turtles. Since then they've just looked more like nose-less, ear-less, lip-less, wide human faces. In the case of Jim Lawson, horses. In the case of the PT movie, reptilian aliens.

Jim's a nice guy, c'mon man...

You're not wrong though.

mexichrist83 · 03-06-2015, 08:21 PM

I love Eastman and Laird's Turtles. They are my favorite look of the Turtles. I'm actually not a fan of Jim Lawson's version of the Turtles. His art style just never really appealed to me.

*Wildcat* · 03-06-2015, 10:19 PM

Well I'm not familiar with all the artists. I looked up Jim Lawson since he was brought up and I agree it's not very good. Too squiggly.

I've never gotten into the comics. I want to its just something I haven't done. Some of the designs I've seen are pretty cool. Here's a picture I know we've all seen. I like this design alot better as far as older versions go.

*ssjup81* · 03-06-2015, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

Droopy & cartoonish?

You must be talking about the Fred Wolf series.
http://i60.tinypic.com/e6bymt.png

Looks like someone just put a gun to his back or either he was just injected with something. ><

mrminister4446 · 03-07-2015, 03:56 AM

I never read the original comics, so I am not too familiar with them. But by just looking at them, I can safely say that, in my opinion, that I do not like them any more than the other incarnations of the turtles. The original comics turtles seems to be short, round and have odd facial features to me.

Edit: from a different angle, in certain drawings, they look like Koopa troopa from the Mario series xD

**Jester** · 03-07-2015, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commenter 42

Personally, I hate the Archie version most. I can't stand that style of art.

You talkin:

because if so....

killa-b · 03-07-2015, 05:34 AM

I love the original designs. I remember as a kid trying to copy the Laird style, but could never pull it off.

The only critique I would give, and I apologize if it comes of as a little rude, but I didn't like the turtles tails as they seemed kinda 'phallic', to me. No other major designs I can remember have it, and I assume it's for the same reason.

~~Mew~~ · 03-07-2015, 06:52 AM

Hey! The Necas are beautiful. Eastman and Laird did amazing jobs. I have a reprint of the first comic, found in the Visual History book, and it looks amazing. And the Fred Wolf TMNT look like cartoons, but the first Eastman/Laird TMNT look quite realistic, in my opinion. Don't hate on them. They're the best design of the TMNT, that, and the 1990 movie TMNT.

leogan · 03-07-2015, 08:02 AM

i love the original comics designs.

~~Commenter 42~~ · 03-07-2015, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

You talkin:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BU4xF9kR7n...1600/50-01.jpg
because if so....
http://media.giphy.com/media/MsZ7S2k8UVLr2/giphy.gif

I was thinking more along the lines of this:

But both are a pretty derpy!

*Shark_Blade* · 03-07-2015, 10:25 AM

Such blasphemy should never be uttered. Ever.

Kingoji · 03-07-2015, 11:05 AM

I don't dislike them. In fact I have a healthy level of respect for them (and do indeed own those Neca figs), but I feel they're definitely a case of having benefited from other artists offering their take later on.
I kinda feel the same way about Ditko's Spider-Man. I can't fault it, but I'm happier with Romita Sr.

The Archie TMNT, and specifically Allan's work, are the definitive designs for me. I'm a minority, I know, and I'm fine with that.

Kingoji · 03-07-2015, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

Droopy & cartoonish?

You must be talking about the Fred Wolf series.
http://i60.tinypic.com/e6bymt.png

Whenever someone shares stills from old cartoons like this, I can't help but think that once, somewhere far away, someone put the finishing touches on that particular cel of animation and thought "That'll do".

PurpleMusic · 03-07-2015, 12:52 PM

I always liked the funkier Turtle designs. It's more fun to picture them tossing entire slices of pizza into their huge mouths... Really all the early stuff, (comics/toys/cartoons/packaging) was appealing in its own way. My favorites though are probably A.C. Farley's style - lots of energy and "funk" captured in his expressions and poses.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2117/...37d027a592.jpg

City at War and Lawson's early 90s style were great too. I was also a big fan of Michael Dooney's stuff, which seemed to show up a lot on cover art. His turtles were awesome for group shots and battle scenes, like the Manhattan Project box.

03-06-2015, 03:17 AM	#2
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	No. The first Turtle designs are among my favorites, they have a very unique and different creature design. However, they aren't very good at showing expressions, so it was only natural that E&L deviated to other designs as the comic went on. Even the designs in #1 was refined from the concept art. (Unused retractable claws) __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon Last edited by Candy Kappa; 03-06-2015 at 03:31 AM.

03-06-2015, 03:20 AM	#4
Netkeeper tactical blackquill Join Date: May 2014 Location: Texas, but not for much longer Posts: 3,645	I love them, personally. Though I will admit, it took a while for them to grow on me since I wasn't used to them. __________________

03-06-2015, 10:19 PM	#9
Wildcat Foot Elite Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: AZ Posts: 3,516	Well I'm not familiar with all the artists. I looked up Jim Lawson since he was brought up and I agree it's not very good. Too squiggly. I've never gotten into the comics. I want to its just something I haven't done. Some of the designs I've seen are pretty cool. Here's a picture I know we've all seen. I like this design alot better as far as older versions go. __________________ Nothing can survive the will to stay alive, cause if you try, you can do anything. Last edited by Wildcat; 03-06-2015 at 10:47 PM.

03-07-2015, 05:34 AM	#13
killa-b Thug Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 93	I love the original designs. I remember as a kid trying to copy the Laird style, but could never pull it off. The only critique I would give, and I apologize if it comes of as a little rude, but I didn't like the turtles tails as they seemed kinda 'phallic', to me. No other major designs I can remember have it, and I assume it's for the same reason. __________________ Click here to check out the Ninja Turtle Power Hour Podcast hosted by KB on soundcloud!

03-07-2015, 11:05 AM	#18
Kingoji Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 319	I don't dislike them. In fact I have a healthy level of respect for them (and do indeed own those Neca figs), but I feel they're definitely a case of having benefited from other artists offering their take later on. I kinda feel the same way about Ditko's Spider-Man. I can't fault it, but I'm happier with Romita Sr. The Archie TMNT, and specifically Allan's work, are the definitive designs for me. I'm a minority, I know, and I'm fine with that. __________________ If you can't take your 'Ninja Turtles' with a knowing wink and a smile on your face then what have you got left?

03-06-2015, 02:59 AM	#1
Wildcat Foot Elite Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: AZ Posts: 3,516	Anyone else dislike the original turtle designs? I know they're iconic and what started them off but I've never really liked them. They come off droopy or cartoonish to me and necks seem too long, at least in the toys. They remind of Cecil Turtle from Looney Tunes actually. I don't hate them but they've never appealed to me and I've never had the desire to get the Neca figures. __________________ Nothing can survive the will to stay alive, cause if you try, you can do anything.

03-06-2015, 03:18 AM	#3
~~Commenter 42~~ Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 3,954	I actually feel the early Mirage were the best, followed closely by the first 6 episodes of the FW series. The Neca figures are on my to buy list. Personally, I hate the Archie version most. I can't stand that style of art.

03-06-2015, 03:35 AM	#5
Powder 40 Years of TMNT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell-Ri-La Posts: 26,956	Droopy & cartoonish? You must be talking about the Fred Wolf series.

03-06-2015, 08:21 PM	#8
mexichrist83 Hench Mutant Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 273	I love Eastman and Laird's Turtles. They are my favorite look of the Turtles. I'm actually not a fan of Jim Lawson's version of the Turtles. His art style just never really appealed to me.

03-07-2015, 03:56 AM	#11
mrminister4446 Thug Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 84	I never read the original comics, so I am not too familiar with them. But by just looking at them, I can safely say that, in my opinion, that I do not like them any more than the other incarnations of the turtles. The original comics turtles seems to be short, round and have odd facial features to me. Edit: from a different angle, in certain drawings, they look like Koopa troopa from the Mario series xD

03-07-2015, 06:52 AM	#14
~~Mew~~ Banned Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: In an apartment Posts: 3,159	Hey! The Necas are beautiful. Eastman and Laird did amazing jobs. I have a reprint of the first comic, found in the Visual History book, and it looks amazing. And the Fred Wolf TMNT look like cartoons, but the first Eastman/Laird TMNT look quite realistic, in my opinion. Don't hate on them. They're the best design of the TMNT, that, and the 1990 movie TMNT.

03-07-2015, 08:02 AM	#15
leogan Random Punk Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: new york Posts: 40	i love the original comics designs.

03-07-2015, 10:25 AM	#17
Shark_Blade Emperor Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7,909	Such blasphemy should never be uttered. Ever.

03-07-2015, 12:52 PM	#20
PurpleMusic Thug Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 50	I always liked the funkier Turtle designs. It's more fun to picture them tossing entire slices of pizza into their huge mouths... Really all the early stuff, (comics/toys/cartoons/packaging) was appealing in its own way. My favorites though are probably A.C. Farley's style - lots of energy and "funk" captured in his expressions and poses. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2117/...37d027a592.jpg City at War and Lawson's early 90s style were great too. I was also a big fan of Michael Dooney's stuff, which seemed to show up a lot on cover art. His turtles were awesome for group shots and battle scenes, like the Manhattan Project box.