I hate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, but I love the graphic novels

[Jongriffin]

Okay, I should probably specify what I mean when I say I hate the TMNT cartoons. The only one I've really watched is the 1987 to mid 90s one when I was a kid. I know there is an early 2000s animated series, but I haven't watched that yet. 

I've grown to really loathe the original TMNT cartoon from the 80s. Why? Because it's all anyone associates the Ninja Turtles with, and I think that's tragic. TMN was originally a series of graphic novels by Eastman and Laid, published from 1984 to 2014 by Mirage Studios. Unlike the animated series that premiered in 1987, the 1984 graphic novels and beyond were gritty and violent, not afraid to show blood and death; the Turtles actually killed criminals. They were also very funny and lighthearted in areas, depending on the issue. They contained a great blend of darkness and humor; elements missing from the cartoon series. 

But what really made the graphic novels stand out was the character development. The Turtles, Casey Jones, April O Neil, and even Master Splinter had to face hardships and grow as characters. The characters were so much more well-rounded than their Saturday morning cartoon counterparts. They faced loss. There was death. There were tears and heartache. There was all around great storytelling. The villains were scary. Shredder was an assassin. Baxter was pretty much a terrorist. 

Yet people always think of the Saturday morning cartoon. I see these video games coming out for the Switch, such as Shredder's Revenge and the Cowabunga Collection and I hate how all these games are based on the cartoon template. I want to see a more adult or teen game based on the original Eastman and Laird graphic novels. 

As for the 2000 cartoon, I need to watch it. I hear it was much more faithful to the spirit of the graphic novels. The 2010s CGI one look like kiddie crap.


Am I the only one who feels like the original graphic novels were vastly superior?
 

[weeabooweegee]

Personally I don't mind the Saturday morning cartoon but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want the graphic novels to be adapted into a game.

[Ojisama]

Since I haven't read the GNs, I can't really form an opinion, although I do have an observation to make. What you've really got to understand is that the animated series had to pass the American Censorship standards for the 1980's which restricted what they were able to adapt from the GNs.

[Jongriffin]

Since I haven't read the GNs, I can't really form an opinion, although I do have an observation to make. What you've really got to understand is that the animated series had to pass the American Censorship standards for the 1980's which restricted what they were able to adapt from the GNs.

This is true. I understand that. But I can't help but wonder if they could have tried pushing the envelope more like Batman the Animated Series did in the 1990s. They had to follow some censorship, but still kept it to the core of who Batman was. I wonder if they could have done the same for the Turtles.

They could have at least had better characterization and storylines, like the graphic novels.

[Rich-Allen1976]

They also had to change the title to Teenage Mutant HERO Turtles in the UK as for some daft reason, the word NINJA was considered offensive, eh?!

[weeabooweegee]

They also had to change the title to Teenage Mutant HERO Turtles in the UK as for some daft reason, the word NINJA was considered offensive, eh?!

That honestly baffles me...

[Shounen-Recycled]

I keep reading excellent reviews about the last ronin. It’s on my read list

[Rich-Allen1976]

They also had to change the title to Teenage Mutant HERO Turtles in the UK as for some daft reason, the word NINJA was considered offensive, eh?!

That honestly baffles me...

Aye, even in the 80s the "Woke" Guardian reading lefties ruined everything.

[Shounen-Recycled]

The first turtles movie was the first movie I ever saw at a cinema when I was a child.