Mutant Overload?

Leonardo1984

I want to preface this by saying that I’m 24 years old, so I didn’t grow up with the 87 cartoon and toys the same way that many here did. I rewatched the same 87 tape we had over and over again (the Super Rocksteady Mighty Bebop one) and played with toys handed down from my older brother. Of course, I grew up with the 2003 show and that is how I view TMNT in general (alongside the Mirage comics of course). With all of that said, I personally feel as though the franchise relies too heavily on other mutant characters and it makes the TMNT less special when it seems like there is a new mutant that pops up every week. I know that outside of comics they are mostly made to sell merchandise, but they just end up being bland characters to me. Perhaps Archie and IDW (runs I haven’t read) flesh these characters out more and that is why most people enjoy them, but I just don’t see the need for them. Give me the Turtles and Leatherhead and I’m happy lol. What do y’all think?

Shpadoinkle_Day

Leonardo1984 Honestly, I can sympathize greatly on feeling like mutants are ironically oversaturated in TMNT. Granted, while I do believe that some adaptations have handled the concept better than others, I don't think that other mutants are really needed to make the world feel rich other than the original fearsome foursome. One of the most gripping parts of the original mirage universe is the existential dread that comes with the turtle's story, being the first and last of a doom sub-species and learning to come to peace with knowing that you could never pass on your legacy to another living creature (Ignoring what happens in Vol. 4 with Michelangelo) and just try to make something beautiful out of an impossible situation. Other mutants would seem just a tad much, so my philosophy is always quality over quantity, so Mirage has the monopoly for me when it comes to having the right amount of mutants to explore while keeping the turtle's in the lime-light.

TMNT 87 disregarded all that, for the sake of pursuing capital. Hell, there were a shit ton of original mutants made for the toy line that didn't even appear in the show itself and made having a complete collection quite the arduous task; looking at you, Scratch the Cat...Fuck it, anything for a dollar right? All that being said, I don't mind other mutants; I just think they should be used sparingly and with purpose.

Tatoruzu

Leonardo1984

the franchise relies too heavily on other mutant characters and it makes the TMNT less special when it seems like there is a new mutant that pops up every week

It used to be about toys. Nowadays, it's just bad writers. They don't understand what makes the TMNT interesting (and don't actually like the franchise), so they make up for it by relying on dozens of different characters.

I think Jason Aaron is really the only writer (in comics or otherwise) in 20 years that actually understand the ninja turtles. Probably even moreso than Tom Waltz. But of course, it's still too early to come out with a verdict on Aaron's run and IDW is already doomed anyway.