MovieChat Forums > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012) Discussion > Holy Metafiction On A Half-Shell!

Holy Metafiction On A Half-Shell!

posted 8 years ago by cataniam1
5 replies | jump to latest

possible SPOILERS

Wingnut was one of my favorite action figures & a favorite character of the Archie comics. When the current TMNT toon started, I was dismayed to see that its Wingnut was apparently just a mutated Kirby O’Neil with a stumpy arm & huge cranium. The fact that his merchandise was officially labelled Kirby-Bat gave me some hope the real deal would show up. When they went into space for the first half of season four, I expected them to meet the real Wingnut & Screwloose. They didn’t, even though they could’ve tied the destruction of their homeworlds in with the Kraang, Triceratons, or Lord Dregg. I finally got my wish during “Bat In The Belfry”… sort of.

Both are conjured out of Michelangelo’s comic book via April’s Aeon Crystal as a clever way to explain why they’re dressed like Batman & Robin. (The Fantastic Four Food Groups is the best comic book nod in the episode.) This is a unique spin that still keeps them recognizable, unlike the Neutrinos or Antrax. They’re still extraterrestrials, albeit emphatically fictional ones. This allows for fun homages to Batman ’66 & Batman: The Brave & The Bold! (I will always be delighted that the show has turned Turflytle from a one-shot gag into a running joke.) The Wingnut-a-rangs being live bats just like on the toy was cute. Bonus points for Monoculus & Skullface McGillin!

Although they were presented much better than the generic brainwashing aliens of their classic cartoon appearance, my main problem is that we don’t get to spend enough time with them. Secondly, Wingnut’s brown & black costume is too drab. If they weren’t going to do blue & grey like the toy, blue & purple like the comics (with Screwloose in green) would’ve looked better. His alternate suits in their lair would’ve also popped more. Thirdly, they don’t call anyone “plankton chip.”

Their crystal-crazed faces were wonderfully deranged. Was that heel turn a commentary on how trying to make fantasy too lifelike spoils it, much like Amazon’s The Tick? Or was it referencing how TMNT developed a life of its own distinct from its parody roots? It was probably just further foreshadowing April going Dark Phoenix since she’s also ginger, but sometime I like overthinking stuff.

https://mattthecatania.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/holy-metafiction-on-a-half-shell/

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[–] ZakkWyldeMyLittlePony 8 years ago

I liked the nods to the Adam West Batman TV show.

Slipknot watches My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

[–] ghosthunter11778 8 years ago

Yeah, Wingnut and Screwloose were pretty cool in this series, even if they were just comic book images brought to life, I also loved how they were spoofs of Batman and Robin, just like last time. I have to agree though, Wingnut's costume could have used more color. I'm really concerned about April though, it's just as a lot of us here on IMDB thought, the Aon crystal is making her become darker...more aggressive. Mikey was right too, April is becoming like Gollem from Lord of the Rings, "It's my crystal, and I wants it! My precious!" It's kind of ironic really, first we almost lost Karai to her mutation and now we are losing April to the crystal. Speaking of Karai, she and Shini may have to help out with this one too. Between Shini's magic and Karai's skills as a kunoich they could be a huge asset. Let's hope this turns out well.

[–] ZakkWyldeMyLittlePony 8 years ago

April is definitely starting to act like Gollum with that crystal the way Gollum was attracted to the Ring. Seeing as how it's a crystal, I wonder if it's a reference to the illegal drug known as crystal meth?

Slipknot watches My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

[–] elsol-3 8 years ago

Whilst I don't think the producers would ever go quite THIS edgy, I would have a good chuckle at something like,

Donnie: I've been analyzing the data I managed to collect from April's crystal, and the results are worrying. By my calculations, April is going to lose control of her own mind, fast! *Points to several black-boards worth of calculations*

Mikey: Whoa... your crystal math is awesome!

[–] Snake_MacReady82 8 years ago

That's pretty funny! Too bad we'll never get material like that, unless HBO or Netflix does a TMNT series in future.

Thit and thpin!