Is April O'Neil as iconic as the Turtles themselves?

*CyberCubed* · 05-01-2009, 07:40 PM

Everyone knows the Turtles, Splinter and Shredder are iconic characters, and most people would instantly recognize them.

But would you say that April O'Neil is as iconic as the Turtles themselves? If you went up to a random person on the street, and asked them, "Do you know the Ninja Turtles?" and they'll probably say they're aware of them in some form.

However if you went to comic fans, DC/Marvel cans, anime fans, or so forth, and asked, "Do you know who April O'Neil is?" do you think she would be instantly recognizable?

*Coola Yagami* · 05-01-2009, 08:12 PM

Of course she is. That ass is iconic!!!!!

Seriously, maybe not on her own, but if you were ask some random dude if they know the turtles, and they say yes, and you ask them if they remember April, 99.9% should also say yes. I mean, she was the token female. The only babe in the live-action movies, the damsel in distress in the old show, the kick-ass in the new show, she is THE token female of the show.

And of course, many a perv that has a 'hottest 80's toons babes' list, ALWAYS has April in there somewhere. She ranks up there with She Ra and Cheetara.

Type 97 Chi-ha · 05-01-2009, 08:44 PM

And she was in the original Mirage series, initially providing a home for them in her old apartment building.

*oldmanwinters* · 05-01-2009, 08:49 PM

I'm guessing the yellow jumpsuit OT version and the Judith Hoag version from the first movie have a very high iconic status. Not as high as the Turtles or Shredder, but not too far below.

drasgow · 05-01-2009, 08:59 PM

i think the name is. but if you were to show a picture of her from the comic, i don't think too many people would recognize her. sort of like the "hey, why is blank's bandana red? it should be blank!"

*Andrew NDB* · 05-01-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

But would you say that April O'Neil is as iconic as the Turtles themselves?

No.

But then I'm not even sure I'd classify the TMNT themselves as "iconic." They're kind of the anti-iconic... but that isn't a bad thing at all.

Superman is iconic. Batman is iconic. Wonder Woman is iconic. Captain America is iconic.

*sdp* · 05-01-2009, 09:35 PM

April is more iconic than Splinter.
In fact after the turtles I'd say the two most iconic characters are April and Shredder. Yeah I think she's in the same league as Shredder or just slightly below shredder.

Oh and the Turtles are definitely iconic, and they are definitely more iconic than Captain America.

*Roseangelo* · 05-01-2009, 09:42 PM

I'm not a big fan of the word "iconic" in general, but no, April O'Neil does not have the same amount of recognition as the TMNT themselves.

willtupper · 05-01-2009, 09:57 PM

I think Roseangelo is iconic

.

Also, no, I don't really think that April O'Neil is anywhere NEAR as iconic as the Turtles themselves. Especially as a news reporter, where she's obviously been inspired and shaped by another far more iconic character, Superman's gal pal, Lois Lane. She works, obviously, as a "witness" character, to the battle between good and evil going on around her. And that makes her a great "tool" to have, when you're trying to do some serious storytelling.

I don't think it's any coincidence that most (if not all) of the truly "iconic" comic book characters have a newspaper / reporter-type character in their "leading cast." Whether it be J. Jonah Jameson in Spiderman, Vicki Vale in Batman, or April O'Neil in the Turtles.

The three most popular interpertations of the turtles have been the cartoon, the movie series, and (probably) the Archie series. That's where she's been the witness, the middle ground, the storyteller along for the ride.

Lazy comparison, but I think to say April is as iconic as the Turtles / Shredder would be to say Princess Leia is as iconic as Luke Skywalker / Darth Vader. It's a nice idea, but I don't think it's realistic.

*Mr._Mutant_Man* · 05-01-2009, 10:38 PM

I don't think she's as iconic as the Turtles themselves.

However, the cartoon version with the yellow jumpsuit is still a very recognizable character. Which is why they had an April O'Neil at the booth at that recent comic con.

*Cure* · 05-01-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdp

Oh and the Turtles are definitely iconic, and they are definitely more iconic than Captain America.

That's a dumb thing to say. And no, April is not as iconic.

*Sage Ninja* · 05-02-2009, 05:25 PM

I think OT April is more reconisable than all the other April's as far as looks and personality and her profession. You show a random person a picture of April from the 2k3 series or new 2k7 movie amd they wouldn't be as reconisable.

*Mr._Mutant_Man* · 05-03-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja

I think OT April is more reconisable than all the other April's as far as looks and personality and her profession. You show a random person a picture of April from the 2k3 series or new 2k7 movie amd they wouldn't be as reconisable.

Well the 2007 movie is possible because it's another yellow jumpsuit. The yellow jumpsuit though is certainly more recognizable. It would definitely stand out more than the 2003 April's belly shirt. 2003 April did not have as unique a look.

NinjaVanish · 05-03-2009, 02:30 PM

To answer the topic, no. April O'Neil is not as iconic as the Turtles. I do think she is recognizable though when mentioned with or about the turtles. The Shredder would have a higher icon status than an April O'Neil. April O'Neil in the yellow jumpsuit is hot though. LOL

thebrownranger · 05-03-2009, 04:39 PM

Yeah April is not as iconic as the turtles, but I'm pretty people who watched the show would remember her.

*ZariusTwo* · 05-03-2009, 05:02 PM

There's only one thing that really prevents her from being as iconic...no real definitive version. The Turtles are all the general same in every incarnation to variable degrees, but April has no FIXED posistion, she's seen as a "career reporter", "Baxter's assistant", "Antique dealer", the TMNT's "girl", "surrogate sister", "group crush" or "Casey's girl"....and even Laird relegated her to "Crayon Drawing"

I think she can be as iconic, the modern series comes the closest to establishing a very relatable April without the baggage of the comics or the career-obsesseive in the original series, but the modern series itself is not iconic enough to make her stand out.

April can be iconic, it just depends on something that nails everything together.

*Sage Ninja* · 05-04-2009, 04:14 PM

I think you have the way of it ZariusTwo. April seems to change in almost every medium she is in, even in looks and personality. But I will say that at least in the cartoon mediums she stayed reletively consistant. In the old toon, she was reporter and she stayed a reporter, even if she became rather fed up with the turtles in the last three seasons and distanced her self.

In the new toon she is computer expert who eventually learns and gains modest skills in ninjitsu. A great progression for her character.

But in the comics, at least in mirage, April has under gone alot (in my opinion) alot of changes in status and appearnace all in the same medium; which is fair considering how long running the comic is. But she went from the "normal human one" to a drawing. Thats a pretty big change if you ask me from her established characteristics.

Also, I don't want to sound nit picky, but I sort of felt that April becoming a Laura Croft-esch fighting girl seemed a bit forced to me. The new toon and the new movie did it in a reasonable way for the most part, but it sort of felt like the creators where trying to hard to make her an acceptable female role modle.

05-04-2009, 04:29 PM

I'd say that only the classic April of the original 80s series is iconic. The other Aprils don't messure up.

Like really, this image alone is iconic!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdp

Oh and the Turtles are definitely iconic, and they are definitely more iconic than Captain America.

Quoted for truth.

*Mr._Mutant_Man* · 05-04-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja

Also, I don't want to sound nit picky, but I sort of felt that April becoming a Laura Croft-esch fighting girl seemed a bit forced to me. The new toon and the new movie did it in a reasonable way for the most part, but it sort of felt like the creators where trying to hard to make her an acceptable female role modle.

I don't think April learning to fight is as bad as when they came up with Venus DeMilo.

She hangs out with four ninjas all the time. She's bound to pick up something eventually.

*Spike Spiegel* · 05-05-2009, 05:17 PM

I think 80s toon April is iconic to the average joe...it's tough to gauge her fame in circles outside of TMNT/comic book fandom. The more I got into TMNT, the more iconic she became to me...in the same sort of way that ZariusTwo described, not just as the "hot chick," but also as a formidable ally/friend to the TMNT (especially her 2k3 incarnation) and someone who I'd probably want as a friend in real life.

I think of her in terms of 80's April looks with 2k3 April's personality...

05-01-2009, 07:40 PM	#1
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,693	Is April O'Neil as iconic as the Turtles themselves? Everyone knows the Turtles, Splinter and Shredder are iconic characters, and most people would instantly recognize them. But would you say that April O'Neil is as iconic as the Turtles themselves? If you went up to a random person on the street, and asked them, "Do you know the Ninja Turtles?" and they'll probably say they're aware of them in some form. However if you went to comic fans, DC/Marvel cans, anime fans, or so forth, and asked, "Do you know who April O'Neil is?" do you think she would be instantly recognizable?

05-01-2009, 08:49 PM	#4
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 15,442	I'm guessing the yellow jumpsuit OT version and the Judith Hoag version from the first movie have a very high iconic status. Not as high as the Turtles or Shredder, but not too far below. __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

05-01-2009, 09:35 PM	#7
sdp Detoxed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tokio, Italy Posts: 11,113	April is more iconic than Splinter. In fact after the turtles I'd say the two most iconic characters are April and Shredder. Yeah I think she's in the same league as Shredder or just slightly below shredder. Oh and the Turtles are definitely iconic, and they are definitely more iconic than Captain America. __________________ *Trapt* *urself Page MiscRave!!!* Click to join The Drome Discord server

05-01-2009, 09:42 PM	#8
Roseangelo Emperor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 9,105	I'm not a big fan of the word "iconic" in general, but no, April O'Neil does not have the same amount of recognition as the TMNT themselves. __________________ www.ninjapizza.net www.colorsbyrosemary.com

05-02-2009, 05:25 PM	#12
Sage Ninja Band of the Hawk Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,924	I think OT April is more reconisable than all the other April's as far as looks and personality and her profession. You show a random person a picture of April from the 2k3 series or new 2k7 movie amd they wouldn't be as reconisable. __________________ Cassandra: You won't fight me, but will you fight--for him! Cassandra's Revenge ~Tangled the Series ________________________________ http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/ _______________________________ http://nox-artemis.tumblr.com/post/4...k-and-feminism

05-01-2009, 08:12 PM	#2
Coola Yagami Overlord Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 15,642	Of course she is. That ass is iconic!!!!! Seriously, maybe not on her own, but if you were ask some random dude if they know the turtles, and they say yes, and you ask them if they remember April, 99.9% should also say yes. I mean, she was the token female. The only babe in the live-action movies, the damsel in distress in the old show, the kick-ass in the new show, she is THE token female of the show. And of course, many a perv that has a 'hottest 80's toons babes' list, ALWAYS has April in there somewhere. She ranks up there with She Ra and Cheetara.

05-01-2009, 08:44 PM	#3
Type 97 Chi-ha Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brookfield, IL Posts: 1,333	And she was in the original Mirage series, initially providing a home for them in her old apartment building.

05-01-2009, 08:59 PM	#5
drasgow Foot Soldier Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: washington state Posts: 193	i think the name is. but if you were to show a picture of her from the comic, i don't think too many people would recognize her. sort of like the "hey, why is blank's bandana red? it should be blank!"

05-01-2009, 09:57 PM	#9
willtupper Official TMNT Staff/Cast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 322	I think Roseangelo is iconic . Also, no, I don't really think that April O'Neil is anywhere NEAR as iconic as the Turtles themselves. Especially as a news reporter, where she's obviously been inspired and shaped by another far more iconic character, Superman's gal pal, Lois Lane. She works, obviously, as a "witness" character, to the battle between good and evil going on around her. And that makes her a great "tool" to have, when you're trying to do some serious storytelling. I don't think it's any coincidence that most (if not all) of the truly "iconic" comic book characters have a newspaper / reporter-type character in their "leading cast." Whether it be J. Jonah Jameson in Spiderman, Vicki Vale in Batman, or April O'Neil in the Turtles. The three most popular interpertations of the turtles have been the cartoon, the movie series, and (probably) the Archie series. That's where she's been the witness, the middle ground, the storyteller along for the ride. Lazy comparison, but I think to say April is as iconic as the Turtles / Shredder would be to say Princess Leia is as iconic as Luke Skywalker / Darth Vader. It's a nice idea, but I don't think it's realistic.

05-01-2009, 10:38 PM	#10
Mr._Mutant_Man Mad Scientist Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,340	I don't think she's as iconic as the Turtles themselves. However, the cartoon version with the yellow jumpsuit is still a very recognizable character. Which is why they had an April O'Neil at the booth at that recent comic con.

05-03-2009, 02:30 PM	#14
NinjaVanish Random Punk Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: A Ninja never reveals his location Posts: 32	To answer the topic, no. April O'Neil is not as iconic as the Turtles. I do think she is recognizable though when mentioned with or about the turtles. The Shredder would have a higher icon status than an April O'Neil. April O'Neil in the yellow jumpsuit is hot though. LOL

05-03-2009, 04:39 PM	#15
thebrownranger Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NY Posts: 782	Yeah April is not as iconic as the turtles, but I'm pretty people who watched the show would remember her. __________________ https://www.instagram.com/allenjac0b/ WANTED: A.C. Farley Leonardo Bust (bronze & unpainted) Playmates TMNT statues- Donatello, Michelangelo

05-03-2009, 05:02 PM	#16
ZariusTwo Overlord Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Britain, DINO THUNDER...POWER UP! Posts: 22,298	There's only one thing that really prevents her from being as iconic...no real definitive version. The Turtles are all the general same in every incarnation to variable degrees, but April has no FIXED posistion, she's seen as a "career reporter", "Baxter's assistant", "Antique dealer", the TMNT's "girl", "surrogate sister", "group crush" or "Casey's girl"....and even Laird relegated her to "Crayon Drawing" I think she can be as iconic, the modern series comes the closest to establishing a very relatable April without the baggage of the comics or the career-obsesseive in the original series, but the modern series itself is not iconic enough to make her stand out. April can be iconic, it just depends on something that nails everything together. __________________ Spider-Man: The Rescue Spider-Man: The Galloping Cat Spider-Man: Scarlet Mirror Doctor Who: Child of the Daleks

05-04-2009, 04:14 PM	#17
Sage Ninja Band of the Hawk Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,924	I think you have the way of it ZariusTwo. April seems to change in almost every medium she is in, even in looks and personality. But I will say that at least in the cartoon mediums she stayed reletively consistant. In the old toon, she was reporter and she stayed a reporter, even if she became rather fed up with the turtles in the last three seasons and distanced her self. In the new toon she is computer expert who eventually learns and gains modest skills in ninjitsu. A great progression for her character. But in the comics, at least in mirage, April has under gone alot (in my opinion) alot of changes in status and appearnace all in the same medium; which is fair considering how long running the comic is. But she went from the "normal human one" to a drawing. Thats a pretty big change if you ask me from her established characteristics. Also, I don't want to sound nit picky, but I sort of felt that April becoming a Laura Croft-esch fighting girl seemed a bit forced to me. The new toon and the new movie did it in a reasonable way for the most part, but it sort of felt like the creators where trying to hard to make her an acceptable female role modle. __________________ Cassandra: You won't fight me, but will you fight--for him! Cassandra's Revenge ~Tangled the Series ________________________________ http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/ _______________________________ http://nox-artemis.tumblr.com/post/4...k-and-feminism