Are the TMMT really superheroes?

[The Turtle Terminator]

Looking through the comments on Watchmojo's top 10 superhero teams video, a comment from "Readhead Royalty" basically says that the TMNT aren't really superheroes. Although I know I'm probably going to get hate mail for this, I can actually agree with his views. He brings up a good point that they have no powers or abilities apart from being mutated. But a reply comment from "golden foxa" talks about how Batman, Hawkeye, Green Arrow and Nightwing have no powers but Re part of their own teams and lead in some cases (Hawkeye lead West Coast Avengers at one point). So would you consider the TMNT as a superhero team upon the likes of the JLA, X-Men or Avengers and why?

Personally, I can't actually say due to what he said:

[neatoman]

... Well they do fit the description of superheroes pretty well, even if they're quite different from the archetype.

[Candy Kappa]

Their not superheroes though, occasionally crime fighters at best.

[Mew]

They are.
WatchMojo, that ain't true.

[TigerClaw]

Yes, I think the TMNT fit the criteria of a Superheroes, Some Superheroes are born mutants.

[IndigoErth]

IMO, no, they are not. Heroes, but without the "super."

They have no super powers (sans a certain movie deciding to make them bulletproof) and rely on skills that stem from what's available to learn in the real world.

And I personally prefer that the "super" part doesn't apply to them (imo). Unlike a bunch of super powered humans, a bunch of mutant Turtle guys are more like us and just trying to make do with what they have to work with.

Spoiler:

I'd actually kind of love to see a cross over movie that pairs them up with a group of superheros. The contrast between the Turtles and those with super powers could be interesting, and entertaining seeing the guys doing their best to keep up... but in the end the guys with no powers, only ninja skills, are the ones that ultimately save the world.

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

IMO, no, they are not. Heroes, but without the "super."

They have no super powers (sans a certain movie deciding to make them bulletproof) and rely on skills that stem from what's available to learn in the real world.

And I personally prefer that the "super" part doesn't apply to them (imo). Unlike a bunch of super powered humans, a bunch of mutant Turtle guys are more like us and just trying to make do with what they have to work with.

I think being a Mutant is kind of a superpower, the fact they are Turtles, They have things that normal Humans don't have, They can use as an offense or defense.

[IndigoErth]

Ah debatable. A natural asset for sure, but for them nothing unusual.

Personal opinions of course and all that, I would just consider something more an actual super power if it's something entirely unique to the individual(s) that isn't really "normal" in any regard, for neither the human/human-like nor turtle sides of them.

Them gaining a human mind might in their case be closer to a super power, being as they started out as regular turtles, but most living things have a mind more or less, and they didn't gain it superior to us (well, maybe Donnie over the average human lol), so just more of an advantage for them personally than a power.

[Candy Kappa]

But, they aren't upholding and protecting the law, or actively fighting criminals.

They deal with things that fall in their lap or fight off those who antagonize them.

[IndigoErth]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

But, they aren't upholding and protecting the law, or actively fighting criminals.

They deal with things that fall in their lap or fight off those who antagonize them.

Yeah, from the social/behavioral angle of it, that too.

[MikeandRaph87]

The TMNT are unique kind of superheroes. Due to their uniqueness a few will argue they are not, but they are in nearly any way it counts.

[Powder]

We've had this thread a couple of times over the years, & if I'm not mistaken, it's been unanimously agreed that they are in fact, not superheroes.

[Ninjinister]

“We’re not the guardians of society, Raphael... we never were.” - Donatello, Return to New York book 1

[Bry]

Most of the Turtles' struggles were personal - the vendetta with Shredder and the Foot was based on revenge for the death of Hamato Yoshi and Tang Shen, the battles with Baxter Stockman came from their connection with April, and most of their other battles/adventures happened largely by chance. They spend most of their time trying to hide from society, not protect it necessarily. They're characters who will do the right thing when they find themselves in a conflict, but that's not their primary goal. They can be heroic, but they're not superheroes.

[Cryomancer]

They are whatever "superhuman" is to turtles, "superturtle" I guess. If they are beyond a human's abilities is...questionable I guess. If they are heroes or not depends on the incarnation, the character, sometimes even the moment. They're pretty morally grey.

So sometimes they are sometimes they aren't, I suppose. Usually not really though. Although they did get passes for the secret superhero hospital in Volume 4 so whatever.

[Toitlefan]

I would also call the turtles just regular heroes and not superheroes. Their actions and many of the story lines resemble a traditional form that focuses on character development and story progression. Most comic book titles define their characters by their powers. Since the turtles lack powers, they are defined by their personalities (sometimes excessively so, but that's a whole other topic) and have much more potential for good story-telling.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

As Peter Laird said in an interview on the Turtle Titsn episode, the turtles don't go out on patrol or look for problems to solve. They will occasionally save someone but they don't go out looking for crimes to stop. They are not the neighborhood watchers.

Also, I don't view ninjas as superheroes. They don't go out for recognition and nobody knows who these guys are. In 2k3, Splinter explained to Mikey that he must be true to what he is. Mikey realized that being a superhero may not be all that much to him (at least until later in the series). And let's not forget the Triceraton invasion in season 3, the turtles agreed not to let themselves be known for saving the earth. They are heroes but not superheroes.

[Mulder]

Originally Posted by Toitlefan

I would also call the turtles just regular heroes and not superheroes. Their actions and many of the story lines resemble a traditional form that focuses on character development and story progression. Most comic book titles define their characters by their powers. Since the turtles lack powers, they are defined by their personalities (sometimes excessively so, but that's a whole other topic) and have much more potential for good story-telling.

What superhero comics have you been reading.... That hasn't been the case since the Silver Age ((60s)).

[Toitlefan]

Originally Posted by Mulder

What superhero comics have you been reading.... That hasn't been the case since the Silver Age ((60s)).

I'm just speaking in comparison to the TMNT franchise. I obviously can't say other comics have NO valuable characters or dialogue. I think when the plots for TMNT are being written there is very little to no emphasis on superpowers and instead is more concerned with character development and a richer story. All while avoiding love interests for the most part, which makes it even more outlandish. Many other superhero stories depend on a love interest as a plot line.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Based on the great variety of superheroes out there, and the many ways of stretching the definition based on some of those characters, I'd say yes, they ARE. We have "superheroes" who have NO powers, but who use their skills FOR THE GREATER GOOD (Hawkeye, Batman, Nightwing, Iron Man) and superheroes who are mutants, with or without powers (X-Men, TMNT), and not all superheroes are even "crime fighters" or consider themselves as superheroes, either, such as the Fantastic Four, who are heroes by proxy, even though they bill themselves as "adventurers". Like the TMNT, they don't go on patrol or go looking for villains to fight, but they STILL take care of any situations they come across. (The X-Men are also not concerned with crime or foiling villains save as it concerns mutant affairs or safety, so they don't go out LOOKING for people or situations to deal with- they take whatever happens to end up in their domain- much like the TMNT do.)

Deadpool or Punisher are also examples (though they are more "antihero") of heroes who either don't go looking for bad guys (in DP's case) or have no powers. The TMNT would fall right in the middle of that spectrum, though it could be argued that they DO have "powers" stemming from their origins as turtles. (And since they are canonically tied to Daredevil through their origin, they SHOULD be considered heroes- they are right smack in the middle of one of the two biggest superhero universes!!)