Feral Turtles

[Powder]

As a re-imagining/elseworlds story, how would you feel about somewhat feral TMNT? Think of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes in a way, where they start off as beasts of sort (already mutated through the same 'ol means), but over time, through the ooze changing their genetics & having a human to show them the ways of the world, become more like the turtles we know (but with a primal edge, still). They're more scavenger & caveman like, yet clearly very intelligent, like Gorillas. They've got wraps & some apparel, but mostly in tethers. Perhaps using natural resources for warpaint before getting masks later on. Weapons forged from scrap but decidedly familiar. They fear humans because they see how much crime & murder there is via the news media, though they don't much watch anything but, so pop culture would be a new experience for them, somewhat. They understand one another through some sort of signing, & grunts, and learn to speak through April & Casey (thanks to the ooze kicking in and making their ability to learn run in overdrive, again like in ROTPOTA). They're more familiar with Japanese culture than American, as their master raised them in his own ways. They can read/write Japanese, but little else. Being he was a mere rat, he is not /as/ wise of a teacher, and having told his tale of his only human friend (Yoshi) killed in cold blood (by Saki) reinforces their fear/dislike of humans, sorta like Magneto & his gang. The turtles are more open to them than he, given their youthful curiosity. He rejects the notion of welcoming one in their lair and this causes problems that would later be resolved when April is the first to show him kindness since Yoshi.

Erm, this was meant to be a short thing and I got carried away. I guess I'm digging the idea. There are many ways to change the origin, so it can be fun to explore the possibilities. How would you feel about a take like this for a live action film?

[xChri5x]

[Jester]

It's an odd take, but I'd probably watch it.

[NYShell]

I would definitely be down to see it. Reminds me of a Zulli experience.

[Jester]

There's a lot of untapped potential for the first however many years there were before they go out to slaughter Saki. You could almost fill the gap with this kind of stuff...

[miru]

Very well-thought take on the franchise.

[turtlefanforever]

Just doesn't make sense. The first few years, and months really are the most important to development. You need the touch, the feel, the words spoken to you so you can copy and learn. If you've watched anything on actual feral children they are so far gone after the first few years, they will be able to learn a few words but its too late. Given these are turtles not humans, they are more humanoid than anything. so it doesn't make sense, the turtles would have instincts but be damn near incompetent. I don't need dumbed down turtles again. Well even more dumbed down turtles. It's a different take. But I don't like it. It doesn't fit at all. How are they clearly very intelligent, especially when the mutagen doesn't kick in much later. And if they don't have a very high IQ which they wouldn't because of them being feral they would have no idea what they are seeing, just pictures and noises. When does splinter come in? And when is this learning of Japanese happening as well as where they get the apparel? And if they do get Japanese, how are they understanding the news in English with April O'neil? A lot of this just doesn't make much sense and I have more questions as well.

[electric_sheep]

Maybe a What if comic, movie? naaah...

[Powder]

Originally Posted by turtlefanforever

Just doesn't make sense. The first few years, and months really are the most important to development. You need the touch, the feel, the words spoken to you so you can copy and learn. If you've watched anything on actual feral children they are so far gone after the first few years, they will be able to learn a few words but its too late. Given these are turtles not humans, they are more humanoid than anything. so it doesn't make sense, the turtles would have instincts but be damn near incompetent. I don't need dumbed down turtles again. Well even more dumbed down turtles. It's a different take. But I don't like it. It doesn't fit at all. How are they clearly very intelligent, especially when the mutagen doesn't kick in much later. And if they don't have a very high IQ which they wouldn't because of them being feral they would have no idea what they are seeing, just pictures and noises. When does splinter come in? And when is this learning of Japanese happening as well as where they get the apparel? And if they do get Japanese, how are they understanding the news in English with April O'neil? A lot of this just doesn't make much sense and I have more questions as well.

Dude, did you even read my post? First of all, I said a lot of this making sense hinges on whether or not you've seen Rise Of The Planet Of The apes, and I'm assuming you haven't. Feral children are not a fair comparison as they don't have a mutagen flowing through their bloodstream that enhances ones mental & physical strength, etc. Obviously they wouldn't be incompetent or dumbed down with such a component developing their minds, but that's not to say it should be able to do all the work for them either. Getting the ability to speak English in an instance, is somewhat absurd. Obviously they would be somewhat familiar with their surroundings, but being that they're sewer dwellers who would have a fear of humans, there would definitely be aspects of the world deemed foreign to them. As I wrote though, they'd watch a lot of news (perhaps on a really crappy old TV that only gets 3 channels, the local ones that mainly focus on current events), so that would familiarize them with basic things. You don't need to speak the language of a broadcast you can't understand in order to interpret the visuals with relative accuracy. It's common sense, which most creatures have, especially mutants, I'd assume. Where does Splinter come in, how do they learn Japanese, etc? I freakin' wrote that already, just read the whole thing. The apparel? It's torn cloth, garbage, essentially, surely there would be some material collected over 15 years or so in the sewer, storm drains, etc. I'm not trying to write a book here, it's just a general idea.

[Commenter 42]

I think you should draw up some concepts. Could be interesting.
I'd like to see where you take it, being an else-world story and all.

[turtlefanforever]

Originally Posted by Powder

Dude, did you even read my post? First of all, I said a lot of this making sense hinges on whether or not you've seen Rise Of The Planet Of The apes, and I'm assuming you haven't. Feral children are not a fair comparison as they don't have a mutagen flowing through their bloodstream that enhances ones mental & physical strength, etc. Obviously they wouldn't be incompetent or dumbed down with such a component developing their minds, but that's not to say it should be able to do all the work for them either. Getting the ability to speak English in an instance, is somewhat absurd. Obviously they would be somewhat familiar with their surroundings, but being that they're sewer dwellers who would have a fear of humans, there would definitely be aspects of the world deemed foreign to them. As I wrote though, they'd watch a lot of news (perhaps on a really crappy old TV that only gets 3 channels, the local ones that mainly focus on current events), so that would familiarize them with basic things. You don't need to speak the language of a broadcast you can't understand in order to interpret the visuals with relative accuracy. It's common sense, which most creatures have, especially mutants, I'd assume. Where does Splinter come in, how do they learn Japanese, etc? I freakin' wrote that already, just read the whole thing. The apparel? It's torn cloth, garbage, essentially, surely there would be some material collected over 15 years or so in the sewer, storm drains, etc. I'm not trying to write a book here, it's just a general idea.

You made it very vague. A lot of holes in it. I've seen rise of the planet of the apes. Caesar was still raised from birth. He was not feral even with the things runing through his bloodstream (James Franco) taught him everything along the way. How many years do you want them away? Do they get the mutagen after hatching then they are left and splinter suddenly stumbles upon them. You have different people and things happening all over your story. I don't care that feral children don't have mutagen running through their vains, they are also are missing the most important part in life from a learning standpoint and it shows. Which is exactly what would happen. With mutagen the turtles will be more adept and easier to learn, but they will become AVERAGE at the ABSOLUTE BEST having missed such an essential part of life. I'll re-read it one more time. But this concept doesn't make much sense at all the way you've set it up. I take it you've watched the news once of twice. At least aware of its existence I'd hope. Well on said channel it is mainly people talking and they will show occasional clips of the scene or pictures but the majority is just standing there talking. And Are they still in New York when this is happening? You state they would have about 3 channels. You just assume that one of those would be a Japanese news station? As crazy an idea as them actually learning by watching news that the really don't understand the language or what's going on. It'd probably be a religios channel/infomercial channel. And news in English and Spanish. No Japanese. And they acquire It over 15 years? Where is the aging process in this, you didn't make one clear when you wrote it. I'm gonna re read then edit this. Who are the humans guiding them from birth? Is that's where your TV comes in!? Still not seeing where splinter comes in and when splinter turns. When did that happen? You mention them being raised by humans and forging these clothes and weapons and then slip splinter in there and say he raised them. Which one is it? Where are you going with this? It makes little to no sense. Also if the mutagen takes years to develop them, how is Splinters automatic? That's makes no sense as well. If they hate humans so much why are they going to the surface? When was this decided? And where/how do they meet April? Ok now I'm done editing. I re read twice.

[Powder]

You know what? I'm not even going to read all of that. Stop trying to poke "wholes" in the thing, it's just a general outline for a concept that needs only so much for a person to decide whether or not they like it. I'm not going to sit here and write a novel for a troll.

[turtlefanforever]

Originally Posted by Powder

You know what? I'm not even going to read all of that. Stop trying to poke "wholes" in the thing, it's just a general outline for a concept that needs only so much for a person to decide whether or not they like it. I'm not going to sit here and write a novel for a troll.

I said holes. Autocorrect messed it. I fixed it right away, you're grasping at straws. Read it, I have some valid questions. If you wanna know if people don't like it than my opinion is clear I don't like it at all. The idea of talking turtles is radical enough but it makes sense, this is just silly if you're actually looking into it. C'mon read it. If you're that passionate about it to write that out you should e able to answers questions about it. If this makes sense in your head explain it to me. Read what I last posted and answer. Let me introduce you to the definition of Feral. It is : existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.
So you saying they were raised by humans automatically makes them not feral as well as makes no sense cause they were also raised by splinter in the same story. As well as splinters mutation being automatic while their mutations are gradual, which makes absolutely no sense.

[thebrownranger]

Seems interesting. I could see it in a separate TMNT graphic novel or short animated film.

You know as far as realism goes, I've always wanted to see the ooze taking it's effect over the course of X number of years. I know the ooze aspect of TMNT is pretty sci-fi for the most part so being transformed from turtle to humanoid ninja turtle in an instant seems understandable, but it would be really interesting to see the turtles go through painful processes of mutation over the years. Would also be cool to see how the turtles learned to speak English in depth. Like having Raph explore the sewers in Manhattan or Queens and looking up from under the sidewalk sewer grate to see two New York natives walking by and talking where Raph catches a few phrases he starts mimicking. It seems more grounded or "realistic" with that take IMO. I have so many ideas for a different take on TMNT, but that would take too long.