Rat King ('87 series)

[Xav]

Originally Posted by mikeandraph87

That was a result of the television show using the character I believe. It was out in 1989 the same as others who appeared for the first time on screen at that time.

Wasn't the whole point of the TV show, to advertise the toys though?

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Xav

Wasn't the whole point of the TV show, to advertise the toys though?

Yes, though I was under the impression the episodes aired before the second wave of toys were released opposed to Playmates made the Rat King toy and then made an episode about him. In some cases toys were made first but I thought the episodes came first here. I was only two at the time so I of course don't know.

One thing that struck me odd was that Rat King struck an alligence with Leatherhead after they tried to kill each other previously.

[Xav]

Yeah, that always happens, characters set aside their differences to face a common enemy. Still it's not as bad as the 4Kids toon, which had Hun and Baxter working together.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by Xav

Yeah, that always happens, characters set aside their differences to face a common enemy.

Case of the Killer Pizzas, Splinter No More

[cammy85]

Originally Posted by mikeandraph87

He originally kidnapped her because she was going to the public through media to speak against rats. In "Return of The Fly" he mentions she had pretty red hair but slipped and said at first fur but immediately corrected himself. April also had Bugman and Mutagen Man who liked her but that is for another thread if you would like to create it. Welcome aboard I see that your "new" yet your registration says something else. Hope you properly introduce yourself.

No, he means in "Were-Rats From Channel Six" when the mutated Irma kidnapped her and the Rat King left her to be mutated while they left to get cheese at the airport.

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Xav

Yeah, that always happens, characters set aside their differences to face a common enemy. Still it's not as bad as the 4Kids toon, which had Hun and Baxter working together.

Baxter's appearance in "Hacking Stockman" seemed odd. Why would he work for hire for Hun someone he hates and is responsible for his um dismantling. We also already know that Baxter gets a happy ending and continued to work as Bishop's aid for about fifty years not taking time off to work with Hun of all people.

I see,Cammy85. We were talking about April and then went to Irma so I got confused. I don't think Rat King showed any interest in her but Irma is as desperate as they come. I remember her getting upset because Rat King grabbed April instead not even giving her attention enough to be his captive in "Enter: The Rat King" yet she was his captive twice later.

In "Were-rats From Channel Six" we see at the end that the flute triggered mutation may not be over. That tease was unneccessary as it would not be followed up on. The same happened with Napoleon Bonafrog with that beastial ray in "Napoleon Bonafrog:Collossus of The Swamps".

[HotJuicyBurgers]

The first appearance of the Rat King is in Tales of the Teenage mutant ninja turtles issue 4 right?

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by HotJuicyBurgers

The first appearance of the Rat King is in Tales of the Teenage mutant ninja turtles issue 4 right?

Correct. Leatherhead debuted two issues later. This is Rat King's only alive appearance. He died as a result of his confrontation with the Ninja Turtles and Casey Jones and appeared about 3 more storylines worth as a ghost. This character has had so much wasted potential yet to be fully realized.

[Keldor1578]

Originally Posted by mikeandraph87

How do you all think of The Slayer(Bishop's impefect clone) putting on rags and being Rat King? It never sat well with me having Shredder and Rat King who are two of the very few humans being something else. It was great to see the one alive appearance of Rat King in a cartoon however.

The Rat King was still human unlike the shredder in the 4kids cartoon.

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Keldor1578

The Rat king was still human unlike the shredder in the 4kids cartoon.

An imperfect clone is not a human but a superhuman being beyond a mere mortal. Its like saying that the current version of Superboy is Kryptonian when he is just a clone. A sentient being with no soul.

Will Rat King get a proper origin in Nick's cartoon assuming he shows up?

[Keldor1578]

Originally Posted by mikeandraph87

An imperfect clone is not a human but a superhuman being beyond a mere mortal. Its like saying that the current version of Superboy is Kryptonian when he is just a clone. A sentient being with no soul.

Will Rat King get a proper origin in Nick's cartoon assuming he shows up?

The Rat king is the clone of Bishop who human, Yes Superboy is part Kryptonian/human is the clone of superman/Lex Luthur.

[TurtleTitan97]

Originally Posted by mikeandraph87

Will Rat King get a proper origin in Nick's cartoon assuming he shows up?

Him and Leatherhead were confirmed to appear in the show. Other than that, not much we know. I agree, I hope Nick gives him a good origin story.

[Keldor1578]

Originally Posted by TurtleTitan97

Him and Leatherhead were confirmed to appear in the show. Other than that, not much we know. I agree, I hope Nick gives him a good origin story.

I hope that Rat King get the 4kids cartoon origin again.

[Keldor1578]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

In our Fan Commentary for Were-Rats from Channel 6, Jester and I hypothesized that Fred Wolf Rat King was failed science professor who was forced out of the academy for crackpot rat experiments. His career in ruins, he retreated to the sewers and the comfort of the only creatures who ever appreciated him. So fascinated by the sense of power he felt controlling rats, Rat King dedicated his life to finding a way to control humans in the same way. Once his dream had been realized, he would finally have vindication for his career and sweet revenge over the fools in the academy who shunned him.

Eh, we thought it made sense with the tone of the Old Toon.

That would'ld been a good origin for the Rat King in the Fred Wolf cartoon.

[Zage]

I like the episode where him & Leatherhead "team up".

[cammy85]

Really silly how they were at each others' throats the first time, then chums the second (until the end), then Rat King's "You're sick, Leatherhead. You know that?" line from "Night of the Rogues".

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by cammy85

Really silly how they were at each others' throats the first time, then chums the second (until the end), then Rat King's "You're sick, Leatherhead. You know that?" line from "Night of the Rogues".

I think they realized after fighting with each other they were both defeated pretty bad by their mutual enemy when Leatherhead likely returned with a truce. He likely thought if he wants revenge against the Turtle he needed to look to someone else wanting payback and who better than Rat King? He is easier to deal with than Shredder and gang.

[TMNTInsighter]

He's also a psychopath. At least according to WatchMojo. I recently saw that they had him #9 in terms of all-time cartoon psychopaths. Just sayin'.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Originally Posted by MikeandRaph87

Rat King became arguably the TMNT's second greatest enemy at least in this show and was quite an interesting character. He was evil and mysterious and had a thing for April. While some think he is neutral I see him as evil. The problem is we never got to see see why he was the way he was or any origin. I would like to see speculations of what could have made Rat King the way he was. He was fun character every appearance and voiced by the voice talent Townsend Coleman! Thoughts? Lets try to be serious in coming up with possible reasons or origin.

Even though the Fred Wolf Rat King never had his origins explained unlike his other versions, he was always my favourite version. Unfortunately, both the 2k3 and Nick versions felt underwhelming for me.

Watching him interact with others felt like a charm for me and I think townsend did a great job with him. I epsecially liked how this version often appeared alongside leatherhead and was funny yet threatening at the same time.

[TMNTInsighter]

Originally Posted by FredWolfLeonardo

Even though the Fred Wolf Rat King never had his origins explained unlike his other versions, he was always my favourite version. Unfortunately, both the 2k3 and Nick versions felt underwhelming for me.

.....

The 2003 version never had a chance! He came on WAY too late!
Nickelodeon's version though? C'mon, that's not fair! Unless you're counting the fact that we may never see him again, OK I can get where you're coming from. Still, Jeffry Combs is reason enough not to hate him.