Got a question to ask DeROK? The best submissions will be featured in an upcoming Mailbag column. You can ask your question quickly and easily via our online form.
A rundown of the main Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters!
BIOGRAPHY OF SPLINTER The Good Guy Leader
VITAL RATISTICS:
Weapons: Ninja Bow, Sword Cane, Ninja Stars
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Height: 4'
Weight: 125 lbs.
Age: Unknown
Previous Forms: Hamato Yoshi, homo sapien/sewer rat
Splinter, the rat mutation of ninja master, Hamato Yoshi, is the Turtles' "shidoshi" (teacher of the warrior ways of enlightenment). As a man - and still as a sewer rat - Splinter has a special fondness for the arts, especially martial arts. He also digs the underground, since his rat-like abilities make him quite a burrower.
This mystical rat uses his cunning as well as his bow and sword cane to thwart the evil Foot Clan. Splinter trained the Turtles to fight for truth, justice and an equal portion of food.
BIOGRAPHY OF LEONARDO The Battle Commander for the Turtles
VITAL TORTISTICS:
Weapons: Katana Blades, Turtle Fist Daggers, Ninja Stars, Kama
Birthplace: McMahon's Pet Emporium, Chesabeake Bay
Height: 5' 1" on two legs
Weight: 155 lbs.
Age: 16
Shell: Bullet proof and shock resistant
Like his Florentine namesake, Leonardo is the perfect Turtle. In the lidless eyes of his allies, he is known as the unofficial commander of the Turtles and Splinter's star pupil.
Because of his keen eyesight and sensitive hearing, Leonardo is extremely well-balanced, which makes him more skillful when wielding his ever flashing katana blades. No matter how dangerous the situation, Leo doesn't mind sticking his neck out. His primary objective in life: cut Shredder down to size!
BIOGRAPHY OF RAPHAEL The Witty Voice of the Turtles
VITAL TORTISTICS:
Weapons: Sai, Turtle Fist Daggers, Ninja Stars, Kama
Birthplace: Shelly's Pet City, New Hampshell
Height: 5' 1"
Weight: 147 lbs. with shell
Age: 15 (people) years
Shell: Hard as old chewing gum
Raphael is the wittiest Turtle you're likely to stumble over. If things aren't going his way, his tongue snaps out sarcastic jokes dipped in poison. Even though he's referred to as the snapping ninja, the Turtles know he means well.
Raph's clever skill with the deadly sai allows him to strike at a distance and really keep the Foot in stitches. His way with a manhole cover has made him famous in sewers everywhere. Raph uses the 100 pound discs to flatten the Foot and to shield off Anti-Turtle blasts.
BIOGRAPHY OF MICHAELANGELO The Wild & Crazy Turtle
VITAL TORTISTICS:
Weapons: Nunchukus, Turtle Fist Daggers, Ninja Stars, Kama
Birthplace: Woodys Pet Shop, Pennshellvania
Height: 5'
Weight: 150 lbs.
Age: 15 1/2 (people) years
Shell: Hard and polished to a waxy finish
Michaelangelo is a party reptile. Even though the sinister Shredder may be slicing his way through the manhole cover, Mike stays cool... cool because he's the master of the whirling nunchukus. It takes eight pounds of pressure per square inch to break bone. The nunchukus generate ninety!
In the midst of the most perilous battles, Mike can be seen swinging his deadly nunchukus in one hand while dangling a wedge of pizza in the other. Mike dreams to someday use Shredder's cutting armor to grate cheese on his pepperoni and ice cream pizza.
BIOGRAPHY OF DONATELLO The Turtles' Creative Genius
VITAL TORTISTICS:
Weapons: Bo (Staff), Turtle Fist Daggers, Ninja Stars, Kama
Birthplace: Joe's Pet Place, Slowklahoma
Height: 4' on two legs
Weight: 145 lbs.
Age: 15
Shell: Hard as tank armor
Donatello is the best idea Turtle you'll ever find. He's the brains of the group and the designer of the Turtle vehicles. Rather than use his bo or brawn, Donatello would prefer inventing some device or clever apparatus to foil the foe. Still, Don's one powerful reptile with his staff, which enables him to parry, vault and crush! Even Don gets "Turtle-sized" pleasure in stomping the Foot.
After a tough battle, Don relaxes by watching programs on his own invention - turtlevision.
