Leatherhead's late debut in IDW

[CyberCubed]

So we know the "Turtles in Time" mini #3 gave us a brief glimpse of what could be Leatherhead. I had assumed Leatherhead would show up in the Mutanimals mini-series but that doesn't seem to be the case based on the upcoming summaries and comic covers they showed.

Given Leatherhead is one of the most iconic and memorable mutants in the TMNT franchise, why do you think the IDW team is holding off on him and debuting lots of other mutants before him? Do you think Leatherhead will be part of a huge arc instead of "just another Mutanimal in Hob's army?"

He's definitely a character I feel like we're waiting forever to debut sort of like how The Rat King took a while to appear.

[Powder]

I dunno why he's been "on hold" but it doesn't bother me at all. While some characters are super iconic and/or must-haves for many fans, that doesn't mean you've gotta throw them in right away or make them a key player. So I'm glad they're waiting for when the time is right, rather than shoehorning him into an already heavily populated series. Assuming he does come in at some point, I wonder what route they'll go with him. Maybe they'll combine his past appearances, making him a morally ambiguous cajun hunter scientist. I'd dig that.

[ToTheNines]

Yeah, I think I remember Bobby saying they had an idea for him in a turtle tracks response like 3 years ago lol. I like LH but I'm in no rush. Like P said, they already have a huge cast.

The teaser at the end of Time #3 is kind of weird though, considering Krang never developed mutagen out of the ooze until 2011, so the croc that was exposed to the ooze all those years ago shouldn't have mutated. If any thing it's just old as hell. But I guess Krang could have discovered him and done who knows what to him.

There's also the matter of his silly ass name. The comic doesn't have the advantage of Mikey being in charge of dealing out the ridiculous names. So maybe the creative team is just waiting for an idea for how to name him in-universe lol.

[Wentos]

I don't mind waiting. This is the kind of book I imagine myself reading for years to come, so I don't think Waltz/Curnow/Eastman should feel obligated to introduce every major character within a certain timeframe.

I myself am quite looking forward to seeing how this series tackles Agent Bishop.

[ctt4lfecw]

Calling it now, if I may make a prediction:

Spoiler:

The Utroms that now live on Burnow Island will save that alligator that will become Leatherhead. Now that the air is toxic to all earth life, the Utroms will save Leatherhead. They will raise him, like in Mirage Volume 1.

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by ctt4lfecw

Calling it now, if I may make a prediction:

Spoiler:

The Utroms that now live on Burnow Island will save that alligator that will become Leatherhead. Now that the air is toxic to all earth life, the Utroms will save Leatherhead. They will raise him, like in Mirage Volume 1.

Good call! I hope to see TCRI too, now that the good Utroms are in play.

[CyberCubed]

I wouldn't mind if IDW makes Leatherhead into a villain, something we haven't had since the original cartoon and videogames. But I get the feeling he's going to be exactly like the Mirage, 4kids and Nick Leatherhead's.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by ctt4lfecw

Calling it now, if I may make a prediction:

Spoiler:

The Utroms that now live on Burnow Island will save that alligator that will become Leatherhead. Now that the air is toxic to all earth life, the Utroms will save Leatherhead. They will raise him, like in Mirage Volume 1.

I would enjoy that!

And honestly, even though I love what IDW is doing and I trust them completely, it's been bugging me ever since finding out that Leatherhead is likely not appearing before Issue #50. I know, I know... be patient. But I love that big scaly guy so much, it's killing me not knowing how he will fit into this universe!!!

And while I always knew Leatherhead first as a villain (lookin' at you, Fred Wolf), I much prefer him as an ally to the Turtles. Until IDW, practically all of their fellow mutants were antagonistic henchmen.

[corvus]

With two issues a month I'm not surprised he's not back yet. It took over a year for the turtles to face krang directly. They only recently threw down with stockman. Rat king has one brief appearance.

[ctt4lfecw]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

I would enjoy that!

And honestly, even though I love what IDW is doing and I trust them completely, it's been bugging me ever since finding out that Leatherhead is likely not appearing before Issue #50. I know, I know... be patient. But I love that big scaly guy so much, it's killing me not knowing how he will fit into this universe!!!

And while I always knew Leatherhead first as a villain (lookin' at you, Fred Wolf), I much prefer him as an ally to the Turtles. Until IDW, practically all of their fellow mutants were antagonistic henchmen.

I could go for LH in the hat and vest/jeans again. Would not mind.

[Ninjinister]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

There's also the matter of his silly ass name. The comic doesn't have the advantage of Mikey being in charge of dealing out the ridiculous names. So maybe the creative team is just waiting for an idea for how to name him in-universe lol.

Where does the hyphen go in this statement? Is it a silly-ass name or a silly ass-name?

Anyway maybe they'll use the Mirage explanation (that Leatherhead is an Utrom word?). It's still kind of stupid though.

[Netkeeper]

I like his name, personally.

[Andrew NDB]

It's a very weird, bizarre place we're at. Should IDW copy Nick? Should IDW copy Mirage? Should they have done it sooner; should they have done it now?

It's all a bit academic. Keeping in mind that IDW TMNT comics contain about 50% less content than Mirage Vol. 1 issues (not by virtue of anything but what the publishing market is right now) so we're getting, by default, half the output of what might have been expected prior on a semi-monthly basis of yore... no, I would not want to see the maximum amount of mutants packed into things as soon as possible. Leatherhead is huge. I've not talked to anyone at IDW to know where they stand on the matter but I don't need to... Leatherhead is as much TMNT as Splinter is. He's a part of it. If you're doing something longform that involves TMNT, sooner or later you're involving some version of Leatherhead, period. That tells me they have a plan. A plan that will play out, when it's time.

[Redeemer]

Originally Posted by ChosenOne

Good call! I hope to see TCRI too, now that the good Utroms are in play.

How do we know if they are good or not????? The entire race was constantly at war with other planets.

or did I just miss something????

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by Redeemer

How do we know if they are good or not????? The entire race was constantly at war with other planets.

or did I just miss something????

I got the impression that those wars were promoted by Quanin, so with him and Krang out of the picture, the remaining Utroms should prove fairly peaceful, if the Utrom Empire mini is anything to go by.

[Huzzah]

I'm wondering if there is a debate how to represent him, we don't need another brainy monster, circa 4Kids, there seems to be enough scientist types in IDW. Personally I'd love the Cajun Gator to come back, though I don't see that happening. I'm fairly confident he'll be similar to the Nick version though.

[CyberCubed]

The problem is Slash has Leatherhead's personality and role in this series. Slash's role as Hob's second in command and during the fight scenes is exactly the same thing Leatherhead usually does.

Sure Leatherhead also has "intelligence" as a scientist but who knows if IDW will go that route.

As I said I wouldn't mind if Leatherhead was a straight-up villain this time around.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The problem is Slash has Leatherhead's personality and role in this series. Slash's role as Hob's second in command and during the fight scenes is exactly the same thing Leatherhead usually does.

Sure Leatherhead also has "intelligence" as a scientist but who knows if IDW will go that route.

As I said I wouldn't mind if Leatherhead was a straight-up villain this time around.

I'd personally be disappointed with straight-up villain. Now if he started as a villain and became more of an ally or antihero later (same as Slash and to a much lesser degree Old Hob), that would be fine.

Who was the original leader of the Mutanimals in Archie? Was that Ray?

Originally Posted by Huzzah

I'm wondering if there is a debate how to represent him, we don't need another brainy monster, circa 4Kids, there seems to be enough scientist types in IDW. Personally I'd love the Cajun Gator to come back, though I don't see that happening. I'm fairly confident he'll be similar to the Nick version though.

Yeah, we definitely have a butt-load of scientists in IDW. It would be nice to balance out with some muscle; personally, I anticipate Leatherhead being similar to Slash in terms of his abilities being both intellectual and physical.

Originally Posted by ChosenOne

I got the impression that those wars were promoted by Quanin, so with him and Krang out of the picture, the remaining Utroms should prove fairly peaceful, if the Utrom Empire mini is anything to go by.

Quanin and a small circle of corrupt leaders were responsible for the ongoing wars. Krang handpicked the Utrom survivors, so I am quite certain they weren't fellow warmongers but were instead a well-rounded representation of the arts, sciences, politics, etc.

And we know that the Utrom scientists already elevated one reptilian species to sentience (the Triceratons). I'm now counting on the Burnow Island Utroms deliberately creating Leatherhead, probably for protection. Hell for all we know, Leatherhead might be one of many mutant alligators!

[Plasticplayhouse]

i love leatherhead and with the current cast of muties, i have no qualms waiting it out. the current story and characters are doing excellent as is. i'd rather the story take its natural coarse (not be rushed just to squeeze in someone/something else). when LH is brought in, i hope he's utilized in a nice lengthy arch where he's given substance and not just a low budget appearance roll.

[goodbadgeeky]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

Who was the original leader of the Mutanimals in Archie? Was that Ray?

They never really officially stated in the pages of the comic itself at least as far as my memory goes, though I think they mentioned that in the Universe Guide or the guys behind the Mutanimals did in one of the blogs? The impression given is that Jagwar is first in command, Man Ray was second.