Super Turtle

Why in Database: Super-Turtle is a turtle, a parody version of Superman with whom it shares more or less everything, superpowers, origin and so on – showed through a parody filter, of course. Contrary to the original, Super Turtle has never had a series about himself, the vast majority of his appearances are small, half-page humorous fillers placed in various comics such as Superboy, Superman, Adventure Comics, World’s Finest Comics, Action Commics, Superman Family Adventures or Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen. In addition, he also had his Cameo in Superman and Batman: World’s Funnest and Batman: The Brave and the Bold #16, a longer share in Ambush Bug #03 and his own entry in Superman and Batman: World’s Funnest.

Exceptionally, below instead of a possibly-complete list of presentations with sample frames (it’s hard to choose frames from comics that have 4-5 of them!), we present only a few sample comics and guest appearances.

Author: XYuriTT

Mock Turtle (Astro City)

Why in Database: In one of the books of the Astro City comic series, there is Martin Chefwick, whom we see from an early age, how he was fascinated by various legends (Land of Oz, Wonderland, etc. places), he grows up with time, gets rid of these childhood dreams. For the company that he works ge creates a costume that allows wearer to work in all conditions – but company want someone who is better suitable to “steer” it, not him. Unable to accept it, he steals (because, according to the company, the costume belongs to them) the suit and takes the identity of Mock Turtle. He also goes the way of crime, but remains a very naive persona – so some take advantage of him. Eventually, he finds the place he belongs to, but he doesn’t enjoy it for long, because he dies quite quickly.

Mock Turtle is an ordinary (smart, but naive) man who owes his turtle identity entirely to his costume.

Kurt Busiek’s Astro City # 17: The only comic with him “in person”, he is the main character, the whole story is about him!

Kurt Busiek’s Astro City #18: Unfortunately, between the previous and this issue, Mock died, we can only see the outline of his silhouette on the pavement and probably a piece of his costume.

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Ed Turtle

Why in Database: Ed Turtle is an opposing character of Whizzer, appearing in only one comic book. His approach can be compared to one of Flash’s opponents, Turtle, who also fought with the hero’s speed, trying to slow him down.

All Select Comics #05: The only story with Ed. In addition, this issue also includes another turtle story.

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The Green Turtle

Why in Database: “The Green Turtle”, sometimes referred to as “the first Asian superhero” is a character that debuted and was present in six issues of the “Blazing Comics” series (each issue contained several stories about different heroes), later also appeared in one issue of “FemForce” and recently, in “The Shadow Hero”, and along the way, his description appeared in one issue of “Men of Mystery”.

The Green Turtle is a man who has his whole image built around turtles, you can see it even by looking at his cape and base. In addition, his shadow is a characteristic element, to put it simply, having its own face.

Blazing Comics # 01 : Cover, ntroducing of character, he helps fight Japanese and trap them, ends with an announcement that he will reveal his identity.

Blazing Comics #02: again on acover, we can also see his helper, also in a turtle outfit – which he had nowhere else in the series! The reveal of origin story of the Green Turtle is put on hold due to an emergency – standard action comic.

Blazing Comics #03: It’s on the cover again. The Japanese disguise one of their own people as The Green Turtle to give him bad PR.

Blazing Comics #04: Cover and standard story inside.

Blazing Comics #05: The only story with him in the Blazing Comics series without a dedicated cover. Typical adventure story. Again, with the question WHO is Green Turtle at the end – to which the answer has not come for a looooong time.

Fem Force #36: An unusual case, after almost 50 years of absence, the character of The Green Turtle again appears in comics… only to die on the same page.

Men of Mystery #25:

A collection of descriptions of various heroes with a common trait – green. The Green Turtle got two pages for himself, summarizing four comics with him… Yes, four. We are not quite sure why, but author of the text thinks that the turtle was only in four Blazing Comics issues, in the fifth one he didn’t find him – maybe there’s some re-edition, a reprint of this issue without the turtle? Author hints something like that in text.

The Shadow Hero: In 2014, almost 70 years after his debut, Green Turtle had a new story explaining its origin. Unfortunately, We haven’t had the opportunity to read it yet, only about 20 pages of the shared preview. But there is no doubt that this is comics full of the Green Turtle, of course.

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Turtle (Deathstroke)

Why in Database: In the comic book series “Deathstroke the Terminator” there are three friends, petty thugs robbing people in the streets and things like that. They are Gopher, Widget, and the girl they call Turtle.

We can see Turtle in three issues: #00 where you can see her in one frame, #14 where there is a certain part of the action around her and her friends and in #15 where they also have a few frames for themselves (but definitely less than in the previous issue).


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Marie The Talking Turtle

Why in Database: Hero Hotline is the story of a phone line that distressed people can call and get support from superheroes who work for the line. They appeared in four parts of “Action Comics” (numbers 637-640) and in their own six-issue series.

All comics are focused on the “day shift”, so the heroes working on the night shift – including “Marie The Talking Turtle” – don’t get too much of a “screen time”. The first mention of Marie is at the end of the first issue of the Hero Hotline, where the members of the night shift are listed, then we see her twice in the comic, in issues #3 and #4, just one frame in each issue.

Hero Hotline #03

Hero Hotline #04

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Turtle (Air Fighters)

Why in Database:In the World War II comic book magazine “Air Fighters” (22 issues were published under this name, later continued under the name “Air Boy”), there were many different stories about aviators. Among them, one of the permanent elements, present from the second issue, was the comic “Sky Wolf” telling about the title character and three of his companions, one of which had the nickname Turtle. Asise from nickname, there is nothing turtle in these comics, unlike, for example, Flash’s opponent, so we not described every issue and the participation of the turtle in it.

And he has a lot of apperances, we see him in action in issues 2-22 of the Air Fighters series (or vol 1 1-12 and vol 2 1-10 according to a different numbering) and in Air Boy 23-26 (or vol 2 11-12 and vol 3 1-2, Air Boy continues the numbering from Air Fighters, number 23/v2 # 11 is next after Air Fighters 22/v2 # 10), 47-48 and Air Fighters meet Sgt Strike 01.

A characteristic feature of the character (apart from the “hairstyle”) is the fact that he is mute and uses Morse code to communicate with others, tapping a message with his hand against his head, or with his head against elements of the environment (in case he is captured and can’t use hands).

Author: XYuriTT

The Turtle (DC)

Why in Database: In DC, in the role of the Flash’s opponent, two versions of the character known as Turtle appeared. For ease of use, let’s call them NEW and OLD (although it is not always easy to identify which one is in the comic). What they have in common is the using of slowness for their advantage and way to defeat the Flash. Later, they also have many other ideas, but they never work so they usually end up in jail. Most of the comics are about the OLD Turtle, which in the “prime of life” we saw in the oldest comics with the first Flash, later we see him mainly as a very old character, but still efficient, as befits a turtle.

Who’s Who in the DC Universe #24 oraz Who’s Who #8 are two publications containing descriptions of various characters from the DC universe, including both Turtles.

All Flash #21 – Fastest Man Alive!!: The OLD debut, there is a lot of him! We see him in “ordinary” form, an elegantly dressed man. He uses the nickname Turtle because he fights with Flash “at a slow pace”.

Comic Cavalcade #24 – The Slow-Motion Crimes: Another story with many scene with OLD. His turtle costume makes his debut.

Flash Comics #102 – Barrels of Crime: Again, OLD, he’s in jail. He escape, but Flash catches him.

Showcase #4 – Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!: NEW debut! There is much of talking about him in story, but we don’t see much of him “in person”. Worth mentioning is fact, that he is the first opponent of the new incarnation of Flash.

Flash #201 – Finale for a Fiddler!: OLD is visible only on two pages.

Flash #220 – The Slowest Man on Earth: Another issue with NEW, a lot of him. And he ends up in prison, again.

DC Special Series #11: Flash Spectacular – Beyond the Super-Speed Barrier: Lots of NEW in part 2, we can see what additional uses his shell have. He ends up arrested again. Additionally, there is a short biography at the end. We can also see other, ordinary turtles.

Flash #300 – A Flash Odyssey: NEW visible only in Flash’s memories, basically, redrawing of two frames from Showcase #4 .

(T1, T2): Flash #32 – Welcome to Keystone City: A lot of frames, but in all of them the Turtle (OLD) remains in the shadow, we see him only watching the action on the screens, and talking to the other turtle.

(T1, T2): Flash #33 – Joker’s Holiday: Again, on 3 or 4 frames, in shadow, but on the last one, you can see him (the OLD) better.

(T1, T2): Flash #34 – White-Out: A lot of scenes with Turtles, and they finally have some role, they captured the Flash. You can see them both, because the OLD and the NEW work together.

(T1, T2): Flash #35 – Behold the Turtle!: Lots of Turtle scenes. The OLD one dies in an explosion (although you know how “death of a character” works in comics), and the NEW one is arrested.

(T2): Flash Secret Files #2 – The Stunning Secret of the Scarlet Speedster’s Super Slow-Down: A four-page story in which we can see a lot of Turtle. He end up being arrested, as usual. He looks NEW in appearance and in the way he speaks.

(T2): Silver Age: Flash – The Flash’s Big Day: Interesting story with a lot of NEW, he is again the main negative character of the story.

(?): Flash #163 – Heartbeat: The OLD Turtle is here, he has some frames, but most of the comic is focused on Flash. The Turtle ends… somewhere in the past, with the dinosaurs.

Adventures of Superman #582 – Crazy About You : There is definitely a turtle (on one page), but … it’s “weird” apperance. He definitely looks more like the (non-existent then, let’s add) Ninja turtles we saw in Bay’s movies than either of the two known forms.

(?): Flash #183 – Crossfire Prologue: Tricked: You can see the OLD, in one group frame.

(?): Flash #188 – Crossfire, Conclusion: Metal and Flesh: In one of the group frames you can see a figure that can be recognized as Turtle, rather OLD.

Formerly Known as the Justice League #04: NEW, only on cover.

(T1): Flash #209 – Fast Friends: Only the Turtle’s cell in prison and his eyes are visible. It is probably OLD, see the issue described below.

(T1): Flash #213 – Slow Motion: The OLD escaped from prison. But, surprise, they catch him again. A lot of scenes with him.

(T1): Flash #217 – Post-Crisis: OLD, visible on two pages, in ~four frames.

(T1): Flash #219 – Truth or Dare, Part 1: One page, two frames, OLD.

(T1): Flash #225 – Rogue War, Conclusion: OLD on cover and on two frames inside.

The Flash Rebirth #01: OLD, as statue in Flash’s museum.

DC Universe Legacies #03 – Powers & Abilities!: 1 frame, as a newspaper clipping, probably NEW.

Justice League Beyond #25 – Beyond Origins: The Flash : OLD, visible only in the group frame.


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Turtle (Bogdan Tarka)

Why in Database: Turtle (actually Bogdan Tarka) is a character appearing in two comics from the series “Legion of Super-Heroes” published by DC. Even his nickname explains why he was on our pages, besides that, he have a shell on his back.

Legion of Super-Heroes #45: Only visible as an anonymous figure standing in line for an “audition” for the Super Heroes Legion.

Legion of Super-Heroes #48: The only major appearance of this character, we get to know quite a few technical details about him and see his endurance in action, when Sizzle, with the support of Sun Boy, attacks him (with his consent and request). His application was rejected, however, with 9 votes for no and only 5 for yes – the arguments given were that Turtle only had defensive skills. However, all rejected applicants were informed that they were given “Stand By” status and would be called if situation arise where their skills would be needed – Turtle was enthusiastic about this.

Author: XYuriTT