Archie TMNT Morning Cartoons Analysis
So, while I was ill with one of the worst head colds I've ever had, I stumbled upon a Youtube Channel that had a lot of the 1987 Turtles comics. So, I decided to read em. :) Here are my thoughts and some of my favorite panels. ~ (I'll try to give as much context as I can!)
Before we begin-- WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Here I thought that 2003 and 2012 Raphael started the trend of Mikey being smacked when he's being stupid-- but nope! XD They've been doing this since the beginning!
2. During an adventure, April has to swim a great distance to reach the turtles, so she's totally WIPED OUT when she finally finds them. I just really liked this shot of the brothers caring for her and telling her to rest. <3
3. (Spoiler alert I guess for "Chrome Alone" the Mutant Mayhem Short)- I thought that Chrome Dome was an original character for the short, but I was wrong! Not only did the team get the idea from these comics, but they also took inspiration from them when creating the design for the short's character!
4. Okay, this one cracked me up so bad. DONNIE, you need to calm down, man! You freaked so bad you lost your purple! XD I also loved this panel so much that I re-drew it with my SIW turtles. :)
5. Two observations here-- 1. I noticed that all throughout this comic series, the turtles always say "ut-oh" instead of "uh oh". I find this interesting and quite unique. And 2. Donnie's expression here is hilarious. XD
6. And here I thought that @indieyuugure's Indie TMNT was the only iteration to quote/mention famous martial artists! Nope, not the only one!
7. As the comics progress, Raphael eventually finds and falls in love with a fox mutant called Ninjara. And I gotta admit-- this was one of the best canon tmnt relationships I think I've ever seen. I love these two, they were so cute, and it was nice to see 87 Raph actually letting loose and genuinely enjoying his romance with her.
8. This is funny. The creators knew what they were doing, and I love them for it. XD
9. HAHA! Let's not forget the iconic "We're not amphibians, we're REPTILES" line from Donatello!~
10. I couldn't help myself. Leo's expression here made me smile so wide I had to do another re-draw of this panel.
11. Oh, this one was so fun. I absolutely love it when the bros use their instincts/biology to get themselves out of sticky situations. In this particular circumstance, an explosion is about to go off, so Donatello yells for his brothers to huddle together, and use their shells to protect them from the blast and debris.
And it works! Though Leo could do without his swords being fried like calamari...
12. Here's another situation where they actually use MIKEY to break through a glass wall where they're being held. XD I love poor Mike's expression here-- both scared and excited and a little nauseous from the swinging. XD
13. Raph calls Donnie "Dona-smello-head" and now my life is complete.
14. Okay, this one's a trip. You'll also need some context, so I'll do my best. During an adventure, a black portal (called a time-slip) opens up, revealing the future versions of Donatello and Raphael. This is their designs, which I really like. Simple, yes, but effective in showing the turtles as full-fledged adults without just giving them wrinkles.
We come to find out that during a mission, all four turtles were attacked mercilessly, (by an underwater explosion), and Donatello and Raphael were the only ones to escape while their brothers were taken prisoner. Future Raph tells us this is how he lost his eye.
I seriously LOVE this shot of Donnie rescuing Raph. His expression is dead serious and how he's holding Leo's swords and Mikey's nunchucks just makes him look even more epic. I gotta re-draw this one too hehe.
Another thing that surprised me~ Future Donatello was the first to be seen swearing! Huh. This... strangely doesn't surprise me. XD Also the second panel cracked me up with him thinking of "I might as well be swearing" words, but then he just outwardly yells one anyways. HAHA!
This whole conversation that Future Raph and Present Raph has really surprised me. It starts out simple enough, with F!Raph telling his younger self to "lighten up"... But then-
F!Raph begins schooling his younger self on being kinder and more loving to his family, friends, and loved ones. Especially Ninjara. But this is where I was shocked-- When present Raph says THIS to support why he's so stand-off-ish with others and why he thinks he and Ninjara will never have a life together... It goes so much further than just being a turtle-- it's in his biology that he and his brothers will live a very long time. As in... they will outlive whoever they someday fall in love with.
This is something I have never ONCE seen brought up in ANY other iteration. Not 2003, not 2012, not 2007, not Rise, and not Tales. And yet-- this horrifying fact makes sense!! Which just makes it hurt WORSE. :(
15. Future Raph punches Hitler. I lied before-- NOW my life is complete.
That's all I have for now! :) Hope you enjoyed this little analysis of mine!
This comic series sure was wacky at times, (and even spiritual/metaphorical), but it was a real treat to see the 87 bros kicking shell, taking names, and having a lot more grit and danger compared to the animated series. These comics have violence, blood, guns, (which Leo constantly is despising and calling "dishonorable", I loved this detail), death, and even torture. Perhaps I will make another one of these analysis posts once I read more or read it all again. ;) There's still so much to uncover and dive into.~
Anyways, hope you all have a lovely day and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2026, PLEASE DON'T FAIL USSSS!!!!!
~ Melissa
