Rank the TMNT universes from favorite to least favorite

*CyberCubed* · 03-04-2009, 11:10 AM

I will begin.

2k3 series (includes 2k3, FF and BTTS)
Mirage universe (everything in Mirage continuity)
Original cartoon
Archie series
Movie universe (Movies 1-4)
Image series
TMNT anime OVA
Next Mutation

Next Mutation is last, unless you count those "Turtles on Tour" things.

~~AquaParade~~ · 03-04-2009, 11:26 AM

Funny, I never really thought about this before. Alright, I'll give it my best shot...but ranking something like this is kinda tough for me...

1. Mirage - Original series. Ninja turtles as they are intended to be. What more can I say? The original run was great. I loved the grim art style, sense of family and adventure, and most of all the basic charm it just had.

2. Movie Universe - These were what I was watching most as a kid...the OT of course too, but these little vhs tapes were what always kept me coming back when I was younger, and still to this day, as dvd's

. To be honest, I'm mainly speaking of movie's one and two. I think the first one did a great job of adapting the mirage universe in a style acceptible to hollywood. This movie is just classic tmnt. I also have a soft spot for Secret of the Ooze. Someone on the forum actually mentioned something a while back about how the first movie was a great Mirage adaption, and SOTO was really just a great OT adaption, and that really struck a chord with me, once again upping my appreciation for SOTO. We kinda got both universes on screen within a few years of eachother. Pretty cool. The last two movies, I can enjoy, but aren't too memorable for me.

3....Tie.....It's super hard ranking all these, and I dont think I could past those top 2 lists. The original toon was my bread and butter as a child, and I definitely hold a soft spot for it....Especially the First season, which was totaly quality cartoon making if you ask me. 2k3 series...Really great compared to most cartoons coming out these days, and a totally great add to the tmnt mythos. I look forward to watching seasons 1-4 as they are released on dvd, and catching the episodes I missed, and basically just rediscovering what is so great about that show...It's been a while since I've seen some of those season 3 and 4 episodes.

....As for everything else...it's all great. Love Image, Love archie, love etc...they are all fun in their own way. I never mind seeing the tmnt interpreted in as many ways as possible. They are so flexible.

*Cipher* · 03-04-2009, 11:32 AM

I tried making this thread once. People didn't seem too into it, even though I think it's really cool to think about. Oh well, here's mine:

1. Mirage (Vol 1, 2, 4 and Tales) - This is the best Turtles for me. I think I have a different reason for liking it than most people. Alot of people want to see "hardcore ninja" battles and uncensored violence and whatnot. I love it because despite all the surrealness of a world with aliens, ninjas, mutants and monsters, it's incredibly down-to-Earth. It's not a series about the Turtles fighting bad guys. It's a series about the Turtles trying to live their lives normally despite unacceptance and a slew of bizarre incidences.

I understand why people might prefer the 2003 cartoon if Mirage goes over their heads and they want some quick and dirty action. And the loose continuity and changing art styles of the comics can be off putting. But that just adds to the cool surreal feeling for me.

2. Image (Vol 1, 2, 3) - I really dig the art and get a kick out of the very '90s, "extremification" of the comic. There are some great ideas and character moments too. At the end of the day I slightly prefer the toned down direction of Volume 4, but it's a close call.

3. Archie - This only slightly beats out the 2003 cartoon. They're really similar in structre. Both are fun, action packed rides heavy on continuity, which can be entertaining for kids or adults. Archie wins because of its mutant characters. I'm a sucker for those guys.

4. 2003 Cartoon - See above. The show also introduced some great villains like Hun, Ch'rell, Bishop, Sh'Okanabo, and more who I wouldn't mind seeing again.

5. 1987 Cartoon - It's alot of fun, and there are days when I like it better than the 2003 cartoon. It's just that Archie took alot of the reasons why I love this series and improved upon them.

6. Movies - Three words. Wildly inconsistant tone.

7. Next Mutation - Had some concepts that could've worked, but the execution was god-awful.

8. Everything else - Because no one should love the Christmas special or "Coming Out of Their Shells."

*Scandia* · 03-04-2009, 11:51 AM

1) 2k3 cartoon. And that includes FF and BTTS.

2) Archie comics

3) 1987 cartoon

4) Mirage comics

5) Movies

6) Everything else

**Jester** · 03-04-2009, 12:06 PM

Hmmmm.....

1. Archie/2k3: They, as Cipher said are similar, fun yet action packed and heavy with continuity. Archie might have a slight edge here because of nostalgia.

2. Old Toon and Movies: Again Nostalgia, except maybe TMNT, which is to me the weakest of the 4.

3. Mirage/Image/Dreamwave (Comics...aside from Archie): To be honnest, I don't have much experience with them, and thus they are near the bottom of the list. Not really about "dislike" so much as "ignorance".

4. EVERYTHING ELSE!: NT:TNM...blech. The Christmas Special....gah! Coming Out Of Their Shells...Homophobic...j/k.

*Buslady* · 03-04-2009, 12:27 PM

In order:

Mirage

TMNT1 I consider TMNT1 seperate continuity from 2 and 3, cos it's just so different in tone, looks, talent, etc. They're all so damn inconsistent they're like their own universes.

TMNT4
2K3 (not including ff & bttf)
Old toon
TNM
Everything else...

*oldmanwinters* · 03-04-2009, 01:50 PM

Archie
Old Toon (I think much of its potential went undeveloped, as the Archie take illustrates well)
2k3-Back to the Sewers
Mirage
New Line films
TMNT CGI film
Image
Anime OVA

Did not qualify:
Next Mutation

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Next Mutation is last, unless you count those "Turtles on Tour" things.

Technically, isn't "Turtles' Coming Out of their Shells Tour" in OUR universe?

*Andrew NDB* · 03-04-2009, 02:07 PM

1. Mirage.
2. Archie.
3. 4Kids Cartoon.
4. Movie-verse.
5. Fred Wolf Cartoon.
6. NT:TNM

NiNi · 03-04-2009, 02:12 PM

Hmmm...

1.) 2003 Cartoon/Fast Forward/BttS

2.) Archie comics

3.) Mirage Comics

4.) 1987 Cartoon

5.) Movies

6.) Anime OVA

7.) The Next Mutation

8.) Everything else - I wasn't a fan of the Image Comics for example. And I'm STILL weirded out that when I ordered the "Turtle Tunes" tape (yes, I torture myself with such pain - but I'm a huge TMNT fan, so I was curious) it totaled my VCR...maybe it was a sign saying "DO NOT WATCH!" XD

*Guitar_Raph* · 03-04-2009, 02:42 PM

Please don't hate me.

GOLD: Next Mutation (So it's crappy, costumes were cool & the rides were awesome, especially Raph's motorcycle!)

SILVER: Comin Out of Their Shells (TMNT drops the weapons & picks up instruments)

BRONZE: 2K3/Fast Forward/BTTS (Wayne Grayson did wonders as Mikey)

4: TMNT movies

Sorry, I won't rank the classic series & I hardly read comic books.

*ToTheNines* · 03-04-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitar_Raph

SILVER: Comin Out of Their Shells (TMNT drops the weapons & picks up instruments)

Dude, that's not a universe.

TristanHuwJones · 03-04-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitar_Raph

Please don't hate me.
...I hardly read comic books.

I hate you.

*Cipher* · 03-04-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

Dude, that's not a universe.

It's a piece of Turtles fiction unconnected to any other, so I'd say it is.

This is the nerdiest conversation I have ever had on here.

03-04-2009, 05:22 PM

I thought I had posted in something like this already. But anyway, here we go!...

#1 - Mirage TMNT - volume 1
# 2 - Original TMNT tv series - season 1
# 3 - 2k3 TMNT tv series
# 4 - TMNT II - The Secret of the Ooze
# 5 - TMNT I
# 6 - Original TMNT tv series - season 2 and onward
# 7 - TMNT (2007)
# 8 - TMNT - Archie comics (haven't read alot of it, but what I've read is good)
# 9 - Mirage TMNT - volume 2 and onward (excluding vol. 3 aka Image, which was just a piece of ****)
# 10 - TMNT - the Japanese anime

Now, as for the worst pile of crap that stained TMNT forever...

- TMNT III (movie)
- TMNT - Image comics
- Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
- Fast Forward
- Back to the Sewers
- Coming out of their Shells

How could anyone like the garbage of the second list? Honestly...

And Guitar Raph, sorry to say this, but you are.. well.. to put it delicately... weird. And not in the good way.

*Raph's Girl* · 03-04-2009, 05:47 PM

1: Archie
2: Dreamwave
3: 2K3
4: Mirage
5: Original Toon
6: TMNT 3
7: TMNT (2007)
8: TMNT 1 & 2
9: OVA
10: Musical stuff
11: Next Mutation
12: Image

*Cipher* · 03-04-2009, 06:14 PM

Why do people hate Image so much? Yeah, the over-the-top '90s edginess can be a little ridiculous, but I swear most people just look at it and say "Oh baw, the Turtles get mutilated. This sucks."

The characters themselves are almost undeniably better written than in Volume 4, for example.

03-04-2009, 06:33 PM

Well, when the Image TMNT were new on the shelves back then (and I was in highschool at the time), I looked through the first book and initially took all the exessive violence as "Oh, this is pretty badass. Finally, TMNT is back and edgey".
Then as one issue after another came out, and I was seeing how rediculous and just plain stupid everything was becoming, I was like, "F*** this ****".
The series quickly became disappointing and repulsive.

And I'd like to add that I too found volume 4 of Mirage TMNT unsatisfactory and weak.
TMNT somehow lost its way.

drasgow · 03-04-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cipher

I tried making this thread once. People didn't seem too into it, even though I think it's really cool to think about. Oh well, here's mine:

1. Mirage (Vol 1, 2, 4 and Tales) - This is the best Turtles for me. I think I have a different reason for liking it than most people. Alot of people want to see "hardcore ninja" battles and uncensored violence and whatnot. I love it because despite all the surrealness of a world with aliens, ninjas, mutants and monsters, it's incredibly down-to-Earth. It's not a series about the Turtles fighting bad guys. It's a series about the Turtles trying to live their lives normally despite unacceptance and a slew of bizarre . incidences.

I understand why people might prefer the 2003 cartoon if Mirage goes over their heads and they want some quick and dirty action. And the loose continuity and changing art styles of the comics can be off putting. But that just adds to the cool surreal feeling for me.

2. Image (Vol 1, 2, 3) - I really dig the art and get a kick out of the very '90s, "extremification" of the comic. There are some great ideas and character moments too. At the end of the day I slightly prefer the toned down direction of Volume 4, but it's a close call.

3. Archie - This only slightly beats out the 2003 cartoon. They're really similar in structre. Both are fun, action packed rides heavy on continuity, which can be entertaining for kids or adults. Archie wins because of its mutant characters. I'm a sucker for those guys.

4. 2003 Cartoon - See above. The show also introduced some great villains like Hun, Ch'rell, Bishop, Sh'Okanabo, and more who I wouldn't mind seeing again.

5. 1987 Cartoon - It's alot of fun, and there are days when I like it better than the 2003 cartoon. It's just that Archie took alot of the reasons why I love this series and improved upon them.

6. Movies - Three words. Wildly inconsistant tone.

7. Next Mutation - Had some concepts that could've worked, but the execution was god-awful.

8. Everything else - Because no one should love the Christmas special or "Coming Out of Their Shells."

i was reading another thread about the turtles needing more enemies, and this is what i thought about. it's about some dudes' lives who happen to be extraordinary. it's not really a superhero book. i dig it. for the same reason.

03-04-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drasgow

i was reading another thread about the turtles needing more enemies, and this is what i thought about. it's about some dudes' lives who happen to be extraordinary. it's not really a superhero book. i dig it. for the same reason.

What the hell are you talking about?
Did you even post in the right thread?

*Cipher* · 03-04-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryona

What the hell are you talking about?
Did you even post in the right thread?

He was responding to the bolded part of my post. It's all good.

03-04-2009, 11:26 AM	#2
~~AquaParade~~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 8,450	Funny, I never really thought about this before. Alright, I'll give it my best shot...but ranking something like this is kinda tough for me... 1. Mirage - Original series. Ninja turtles as they are intended to be. What more can I say? The original run was great. I loved the grim art style, sense of family and adventure, and most of all the basic charm it just had. 2. Movie Universe - These were what I was watching most as a kid...the OT of course too, but these little vhs tapes were what always kept me coming back when I was younger, and still to this day, as dvd's. To be honest, I'm mainly speaking of movie's one and two. I think the first one did a great job of adapting the mirage universe in a style acceptible to hollywood. This movie is just classic tmnt. I also have a soft spot for Secret of the Ooze. Someone on the forum actually mentioned something a while back about how the first movie was a great Mirage adaption, and SOTO was really just a great OT adaption, and that really struck a chord with me, once again upping my appreciation for SOTO. We kinda got both universes on screen within a few years of eachother. Pretty cool. The last two movies, I can enjoy, but aren't too memorable for me. 3....Tie.....It's super hard ranking all these, and I dont think I could past those top 2 lists. The original toon was my bread and butter as a child, and I definitely hold a soft spot for it....Especially the First season, which was totaly quality cartoon making if you ask me. 2k3 series...Really great compared to most cartoons coming out these days, and a totally great add to the tmnt mythos. I look forward to watching seasons 1-4 as they are released on dvd, and catching the episodes I missed, and basically just rediscovering what is so great about that show...It's been a while since I've seen some of those season 3 and 4 episodes.....As for everything else...it's all great. Love Image, Love archie, love etc...they are all fun in their own way. I never mind seeing the tmnt interpreted in as many ways as possible. They are so flexible.

03-04-2009, 11:32 AM	#3
Cipher Foot Elite Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,454	I tried making this thread once. People didn't seem too into it, even though I think it's really cool to think about. Oh well, here's mine: 1. *Mirage (Vol 1, 2, 4 and Tales)* - This is the best Turtles for me. I think I have a different reason for liking it than most people. Alot of people want to see "hardcore ninja" battles and uncensored violence and whatnot. I love it because despite all the surrealness of a world with aliens, ninjas, mutants and monsters, it's incredibly down-to-Earth. It's not a series about the Turtles fighting bad guys. It's a series about the Turtles trying to live their lives normally despite unacceptance and a slew of bizarre incidences. I understand why people might prefer the 2003 cartoon if Mirage goes over their heads and they want some quick and dirty action. And the loose continuity and changing art styles of the comics can be off putting. But that just adds to the cool surreal feeling for me. 2. Image (Vol 1, 2, 3) - I really dig the art and get a kick out of the very '90s, "extremification" of the comic. There are some great ideas and character moments too. At the end of the day I slightly prefer the toned down direction of Volume 4, but it's a close call. 3. Archie - This only slightly beats out the 2003 cartoon. They're really similar in structre. Both are fun, action packed rides heavy on continuity, which can be entertaining for kids or adults. Archie wins because of its mutant characters. I'm a sucker for those guys. 4. 2003 Cartoon - See above. The show also introduced some great villains like Hun, Ch'rell, Bishop, Sh'Okanabo, and more who I wouldn't mind seeing again. 5. 1987 Cartoon - It's alot of fun, and there are days when I like it better than the 2003 cartoon. It's just that Archie took alot of the reasons why I love this series and improved upon them. 6. Movies - Three words. Wildly inconsistant tone. 7. Next Mutation - Had some concepts that could've worked, but the execution was god-awful. 8. Everything else - Because no one should love the Christmas special or "Coming Out of Their Shells." Last edited by Cipher; 03-04-2009 at 01:39 PM.

03-04-2009, 11:51 AM	#4
Scandia Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,265	1) 2k3 cartoon. And that includes FF and BTTS. 2) Archie comics 3) 1987 cartoon 4) Mirage comics 5) Movies 6) Everything else __________________ Turtles fight with honor!!!

03-04-2009, 12:06 PM	#5
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	Hmmmm..... 1. Archie/2k3: They, as Cipher said are similar, fun yet action packed and heavy with continuity. Archie might have a slight edge here because of nostalgia. 2. Old Toon and Movies: Again Nostalgia, except maybe TMNT, which is to me the weakest of the 4. 3. Mirage/Image/Dreamwave (Comics...aside from Archie): To be honnest, I don't have much experience with them, and thus they are near the bottom of the list. Not really about "dislike" so much as "ignorance". 4. EVERYTHING ELSE!: NT:TNM...blech. The Christmas Special....gah! Coming Out Of Their Shells...Homophobic...j/k. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

03-04-2009, 12:27 PM	#6
Buslady WingsOfDarkness! Perkele! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In 7803... Posts: 4,366	In order: Mirage TMNT1 I consider TMNT1 seperate continuity from 2 and 3, cos it's just so different in tone, looks, talent, etc. They're all so damn inconsistent they're like their own universes. TMNT4 2K3 (not including ff & bttf) Old toon TNM Everything else... __________________ Last edited by Buslady; 03-05-2009 at 10:09 PM.

03-04-2009, 11:10 AM	#1
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,878	Rank the TMNT universes from favorite to least favorite I will begin. 2k3 series (includes 2k3, FF and BTTS) Mirage universe (everything in Mirage continuity) Original cartoon Archie series Movie universe (Movies 1-4) Image series TMNT anime OVA Next Mutation Next Mutation is last, unless you count those "Turtles on Tour" things.

03-04-2009, 02:07 PM	#8
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,551	1. Mirage. 2. Archie. 3. 4Kids Cartoon. 4. Movie-verse. 5. Fred Wolf Cartoon. 6. NT:TNM

03-04-2009, 02:12 PM	#9
NiNi Hench Mutant Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 369	Hmmm... 1.) 2003 Cartoon/Fast Forward/BttS 2.) Archie comics 3.) Mirage Comics 4.) 1987 Cartoon 5.) Movies 6.) Anime OVA 7.) The Next Mutation 8.) Everything else - I wasn't a fan of the Image Comics for example. And I'm STILL weirded out that when I ordered the "Turtle Tunes" tape (yes, I torture myself with such pain - but I'm a huge TMNT fan, so I was curious) it totaled my VCR...maybe it was a sign saying "DO NOT WATCH!" XD __________________ DeviantArt ~ FurAffinity

03-04-2009, 02:42 PM	#10
Guitar_Raph Superhero musician Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,191	Please don't hate me. GOLD: Next Mutation (So it's crappy, costumes were cool & the rides were awesome, especially Raph's motorcycle!) SILVER: Comin Out of Their Shells (TMNT drops the weapons & picks up instruments) BRONZE: 2K3/Fast Forward/BTTS (Wayne Grayson did wonders as Mikey) 4: TMNT movies Sorry, I won't rank the classic series & I hardly read comic books. __________________ Mikey drums with nunchucks!

03-04-2009, 05:22 PM	#14
Ryona Guest Posts: n/a	I thought I had posted in something like this already. But anyway, here we go!... #1 - Mirage TMNT - volume 1 # 2 - Original TMNT tv series - season 1 # 3 - 2k3 TMNT tv series # 4 - TMNT II - The Secret of the Ooze # 5 - TMNT I # 6 - Original TMNT tv series - season 2 and onward # 7 - TMNT (2007) # 8 - TMNT - Archie comics (haven't read alot of it, but what I've read is good) # 9 - Mirage TMNT - volume 2 and onward (excluding vol. 3 aka Image, which was just a piece of ***) # 10 - TMNT - the Japanese anime Now, as for the worst pile of crap that stained TMNT forever... - TMNT III (movie) - TMNT - Image comics - Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation - Fast Forward - Back to the Sewers - Coming out of their Shells How could anyone like the garbage of the second list? Honestly... And Guitar Raph, sorry to say this, but you are.. well.. to put it delicately... weird. And not in the good way. Last edited by Ryona; 03-04-2009 at 05:34 PM.*

03-04-2009, 05:47 PM	#15
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	1: Archie 2: Dreamwave 3: 2K3 4: Mirage 5: Original Toon 6: TMNT 3 7: TMNT (2007) 8: TMNT 1 & 2 9: OVA 10: Musical stuff 11: Next Mutation 12: Image __________________

03-04-2009, 06:14 PM	#16
Cipher Foot Elite Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,454	Why do people hate Image so much? Yeah, the over-the-top '90s edginess can be a little ridiculous, but I swear most people just look at it and say "Oh baw, the Turtles get mutilated. This sucks." The characters themselves are almost undeniably better written than in Volume 4, for example.

03-04-2009, 06:33 PM	#17
Ryona Guest Posts: n/a	Well, when the Image TMNT were new on the shelves back then (and I was in highschool at the time), I looked through the first book and initially took all the exessive violence as "Oh, this is pretty badass. Finally, TMNT is back and edgey". Then as one issue after another came out, and I was seeing how rediculous and just plain stupid everything was becoming, I was like, "F* this **". The series quickly became disappointing and repulsive. And I'd like to add that I too found volume 4 of Mirage TMNT unsatisfactory and weak. TMNT somehow lost its way.