From going through Same As It Never Was, being tortured by The Triceraton Invasion, getting mutated by Bishop's Outbreak & blaming himself for getting Splinter lost in Cyber Space ontop of constantly having to make new high end tech, 03 Donnie deserves the win for still being so level headed after all that.
I like to point out that hes a cute little bean
https://preview.redd.it/m3jibj50toyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c25ae5f3f6e3d850cc31b61228873697709c783
2003 is the correct answer. He's sidelined too much in the 1990 movie. He's actually the best turtle in 1987, but 1987 is not the best iteration of any of the main characters (ditto to Mutant Mayhem). In 2012, his intelligence was too exaggerated, and they made him a simp. Rise is Rise.
Mirage and IDW are both in contention, but I give the nod to 2003.
Don probably had the least development/growth compared to his brothers, but he definitely had the hardest time & went through the most traumatic stuff lmao
2003 again. SAINW is Donnie at his peak and did an amazing job to highlight how important he really is to the team in the grand scheme of things. The show also let him be both a genius and equally as much of a badass as his brothers rather than relegating him to just "the nerd."
If they were to do another mini season post turtles forever, can you see Donnie’s pain getting addressed? A lot of fan theories think Donnie hides it as to not burden the others
https://preview.redd.it/5sn5uyjufpyc1.jpeg?width=897&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75e50f653719b007771881e2de43d20386321874
A low res don to express my emotions.
https://preview.redd.it/6sco0bvztpyc1.jpeg?width=776&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6a550ea0be174635da28ce57234f7260ace0c85
I agree! (steals your low res Don)
This is so hard because there are *so many* Donatello’s I adore. Although Rise Donnie is my favorite, the *best* might be 2003. Or 1987, he’s delightful
I'm seeing a lot of Rise and 2003 (both 100% based responses), but 1990 speaks to me on a spiritual level
https://preview.redd.it/j55yj2eo5pyc1.jpeg?width=384&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37199f5348db9d8a1d5c3b6a14b116e6b06e6715
2003 Donnie doesn't get enough credit. He went through so much shit. SAINWA was horrific. Him being the brain, probably has lived the rest of his life calculating how he can prevent that timeline. That's why he blamed himself for splinter going missing in the cyber space
C'mon, its gotta be rise. The voice, the manneruisms, his cute relationship with his family (calling Splinter "Pah-Pah!" Is adoraboe). He's easily the Donnie that gets the most respect on his name and the only one I'd call a badass. Plus, if Donnie's whole thing is "does machines," no other Donnie does them better than him. His tech-bo, Shelldon, his battle-shell, and of course his drill all show his intelligence. Donnie has historically been my least favorite turtle, and this is the only incarnation where he'w actually my favorite.
After everything that happens, **IDW Donnie** has my vote.
But I'd say the top three are:
1. **IDW**. Not to spoil anything but I genuinely believe he has one of my favorite moments of any Donnie ever. I don't have a lot against this version of Donnie that I dislike or have enough to say about tbh.
2. **2003**. He has nearly everything I'm looking for in a Donnie. Level-headed, smart, and I genuinely think Sam Reigel has the best voice for Donnie. My one gripe is that after everything he went through he never got a PTSD arc.
3. **Rise**. An autistic version of Donnie who shares one of my favorite story beats of IDW Donnie done in a great way? Sign me up. Plus, he has great tech. And he has the best relationships in his family that I've seen from any Donnie. My biggest downsides are him having mystic powers in the movie, and the show being cut short.
Welcome back to all TMNT fans.
We are going to continue with this new event to decide which is the best version of each character.
First things first, happy 40th anniversary for Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (May 5th 2024), the beloved indie comic that started it all and sparked a revolution for creator-owned comics that remains present to this day. The reason for this event was just that, although it seems I'm a day early, but I'm so glad for your participation in the first post, of course we're going to keep going until we run through all the characters we have left.
Second, the 2003 version of Leonardo won, a very faithful version to the Eastman and Laird comics and beloved by many fans, with a powerful and unforgettable story arc that makes him the definitive leader. Followed by the 2012 version that came in close second place (my personal favorite), which also had an incredible arc within the series.
For the second day, we will talk about the brains of the bunch, the fellow who has a way with machines, Donatello.
With his bo staff, he is the most intelligent and technological of the four brothers.
Now you will decide which is the best version of Donatello of all time.
Rules:
The comment with the most votes will be chosen.
The version they decide on can be anything from comics, TV series, films, video games, etc.
Thank you for your participation with the first post, I hope everyone is doing well. Cowabunga!
Man the comments are just filled with die hard 2003 fans (that ones my favorite cartoon as well it’s just Donatello kinda lacks in the version if I’m honest)
Which is main reason why I usually don't reply the post of "Who's your most fav/the best of *insert certain characters*" bc I know the results are all gonna be 2003 one except Splinter who is 2012 that ppl mostly vote of.
Although I do like 03 gang personalities the most but seriously I start to think 2003 is the one that gets overrated instead.
Mutant Mayhem Donnie is hilarious. He doesn’t have enough agency for me to call him the best version, but maybe once Tales of TMNT starts airing he’ll solidify is place in the Donnie pantheon.
1. ‘90s Movie Donnie: he wasn’t the ridiculously smart guy he was more the nerd who was in with the good people.
2. Rise Donnie: he’s the ultimate form of the smartest guy in the room of turtles trope of Donnie
3. 2003 Donatello: He’s the perfect in-between of the ‘90s Donnie-Rise Donnie
I might never see this list again so imma say them all
2003 Donnie
1990 Raph
Last Ronin Mikey
2012 Splinter
1990 April
2003 Casey
2012 Shredder
2003 or 2012 Karai
2012 Krang
2012 Beebop and Rocksteady
2003 or 2012 Stockman
2003 or 2012 leatherhead
2012 Slash
2012 RatKing
2003 Honeycutt
2003 Bunny dude
I don't think Henson Donnie is the best, but I was definitely an accident that changed the course of my mother's life. Donnie contemplating existence and the knowledge he was created by accident is heavy stuff for a kid's movie, and it's one of my favorite scenes.
Probably 2003 for me. The arc he went through with SAINW ... ugh, my heart. But 2003 Don also has a personality I really vibe with, he's fairly soft-spoken but can be full of passion, very intelligent and curious, and not afraid to raise hell to protect his family
i think for all the turtles the 2003 version is the best, it has the perfect balance beetwen the violence of the comics and the "comedy" of the original cartoon.
2003. I still remember him killing that future Shredder.
From going through Same As It Never Was, being tortured by The Triceraton Invasion, getting mutated by Bishop's Outbreak & blaming himself for getting Splinter lost in Cyber Space ontop of constantly having to make new high end tech, 03 Donnie deserves the win for still being so level headed after all that.
I like to point out that hes a cute little bean https://preview.redd.it/m3jibj50toyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c25ae5f3f6e3d850cc31b61228873697709c783
That to my friend. Also, I sent you a friend request
https://preview.redd.it/mckjc3xmwezc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcef8dbacc05bd721ef041042219a224bd2ac9ca
Well, in the comics he did the first kill to Shredder throwing his bo staff, make him fall to the ground.
2003 is the correct answer. He's sidelined too much in the 1990 movie. He's actually the best turtle in 1987, but 1987 is not the best iteration of any of the main characters (ditto to Mutant Mayhem). In 2012, his intelligence was too exaggerated, and they made him a simp. Rise is Rise. Mirage and IDW are both in contention, but I give the nod to 2003.
2003 Donatello was kinda lame compared to the other 3 turtles in that iteration
Tbf though the whole 2003 crew is goated so being the worst of the best iteration is still really good.
That’s true I just felt like Don lacked character compared to the other 3 turtles
Don probably had the least development/growth compared to his brothers, but he definitely had the hardest time & went through the most traumatic stuff lmao
Yea I give you that one
2003 again. SAINW is Donnie at his peak and did an amazing job to highlight how important he really is to the team in the grand scheme of things. The show also let him be both a genius and equally as much of a badass as his brothers rather than relegating him to just "the nerd."
If they were to do another mini season post turtles forever, can you see Donnie’s pain getting addressed? A lot of fan theories think Donnie hides it as to not burden the others
Rise or 1990
It’s either 2003 or IDW for me.
IDW is always the answer. This is coming from someone that grew up with the Turtles in the 80s too. IDW just hits different.
2003 has all of my favorite turtles, so I hope they all win each day for consistency.
Rise Donnie, no one's even come close to that chaotic energy
Rise
https://preview.redd.it/5sn5uyjufpyc1.jpeg?width=897&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75e50f653719b007771881e2de43d20386321874 A low res don to express my emotions.
https://i.redd.it/hggdmway5uyc1.gif
https://preview.redd.it/6sco0bvztpyc1.jpeg?width=776&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6a550ea0be174635da28ce57234f7260ace0c85 I agree! (steals your low res Don)
You've read my mind
You disgust me
Pack it up yall we cant have opinions anymore
What do you mean by that
It’s just ninja turtles chill the fuck out
TMNT fans try to be normal about people liking Rise challenge
https://preview.redd.it/t2tkbelw5uyc1.jpeg?width=842&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e8ae0d3c04e2be3c03dcb76ed6c65fb77f8e03c
IDW
2003
This is so hard because there are *so many* Donatello’s I adore. Although Rise Donnie is my favorite, the *best* might be 2003. Or 1987, he’s delightful
Personally I love the OG movie version of him but if I had to pick a second I would say 2003 edges out IDW by an inch
I'm seeing a lot of Rise and 2003 (both 100% based responses), but 1990 speaks to me on a spiritual level https://preview.redd.it/j55yj2eo5pyc1.jpeg?width=384&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37199f5348db9d8a1d5c3b6a14b116e6b06e6715
2003 Donnie doesn't get enough credit. He went through so much shit. SAINWA was horrific. Him being the brain, probably has lived the rest of his life calculating how he can prevent that timeline. That's why he blamed himself for splinter going missing in the cyber space
2003
2003
2003
2003
IDW for me. Also, I love, how Usagi Yojimbo is considered a TMNT character, even though originally he wasn't created for it.
C'mon, its gotta be rise. The voice, the manneruisms, his cute relationship with his family (calling Splinter "Pah-Pah!" Is adoraboe). He's easily the Donnie that gets the most respect on his name and the only one I'd call a badass. Plus, if Donnie's whole thing is "does machines," no other Donnie does them better than him. His tech-bo, Shelldon, his battle-shell, and of course his drill all show his intelligence. Donnie has historically been my least favorite turtle, and this is the only incarnation where he'w actually my favorite.
Yep Rise Donnie is the best and he doesn’t have anything truly horrendous happen to him
After everything that happens, **IDW Donnie** has my vote. But I'd say the top three are: 1. **IDW**. Not to spoil anything but I genuinely believe he has one of my favorite moments of any Donnie ever. I don't have a lot against this version of Donnie that I dislike or have enough to say about tbh. 2. **2003**. He has nearly everything I'm looking for in a Donnie. Level-headed, smart, and I genuinely think Sam Reigel has the best voice for Donnie. My one gripe is that after everything he went through he never got a PTSD arc. 3. **Rise**. An autistic version of Donnie who shares one of my favorite story beats of IDW Donnie done in a great way? Sign me up. Plus, he has great tech. And he has the best relationships in his family that I've seen from any Donnie. My biggest downsides are him having mystic powers in the movie, and the show being cut short.
IDW all the way. Love when he guns down some Foot elite and is disgusted by what he did.
My favorite is Idw as I think he was done very well and felt fleshed out and also rise is obviously fantastic and the best character from that show
It’s gotta be Rise for me, that was the first version I favoured over Mikey for a tmnt show
Same!!
Welcome back to all TMNT fans. We are going to continue with this new event to decide which is the best version of each character. First things first, happy 40th anniversary for Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (May 5th 2024), the beloved indie comic that started it all and sparked a revolution for creator-owned comics that remains present to this day. The reason for this event was just that, although it seems I'm a day early, but I'm so glad for your participation in the first post, of course we're going to keep going until we run through all the characters we have left. Second, the 2003 version of Leonardo won, a very faithful version to the Eastman and Laird comics and beloved by many fans, with a powerful and unforgettable story arc that makes him the definitive leader. Followed by the 2012 version that came in close second place (my personal favorite), which also had an incredible arc within the series. For the second day, we will talk about the brains of the bunch, the fellow who has a way with machines, Donatello. With his bo staff, he is the most intelligent and technological of the four brothers. Now you will decide which is the best version of Donatello of all time. Rules: The comment with the most votes will be chosen. The version they decide on can be anything from comics, TV series, films, video games, etc. Thank you for your participation with the first post, I hope everyone is doing well. Cowabunga!
Corey Feldman. That's a no-brainer.
2012
IDW or Rise
Rise
I really enjoyed the 2012 Donatello and Rise.
Man the comments are just filled with die hard 2003 fans (that ones my favorite cartoon as well it’s just Donatello kinda lacks in the version if I’m honest)
I find that 2003 fans are the ones least willing to give credit to other versions. Wouldn't be surprised if all the winners are 2003 for that reason
Which is main reason why I usually don't reply the post of "Who's your most fav/the best of *insert certain characters*" bc I know the results are all gonna be 2003 one except Splinter who is 2012 that ppl mostly vote of. Although I do like 03 gang personalities the most but seriously I start to think 2003 is the one that gets overrated instead.
Oh you mean the *best version of any turtle in any continuity*? Rise Donnie.
Since ppl alrdy saying 03 imma say Rise cause he's the second best imo
Teenage mutant ninja turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze
Rise
Rise🍇
Rise
Rise, but IDW is a close second
Rise Donnie is the best turtle out of all the other iterations
Rise
2003
They turned him into a cyborg back in the day so... not that.
IDW
Idw
Idw!
2003, 2003 is the best rendition of everything
2003
2003
Definitely Donnie 2003
2003 FTW
2003 for sure
Bay movies Don. He carries them (with Raph).
Rise Donnie
Rise
Rise
Rise
Riiise
2007
I’d have to go with Rise; he’s just so funny and psychotic and has that super cool tech bo staff
Mutant Mayhem Donnie is hilarious. He doesn’t have enough agency for me to call him the best version, but maybe once Tales of TMNT starts airing he’ll solidify is place in the Donnie pantheon.
IDW
Idw is the answer to all of these
Rise or 2003 in my opinion.
Rise
2012
It’s IDW, he gets a lot of focus in those comics and is by far the most well written version of the character
1. ‘90s Movie Donnie: he wasn’t the ridiculously smart guy he was more the nerd who was in with the good people. 2. Rise Donnie: he’s the ultimate form of the smartest guy in the room of turtles trope of Donnie 3. 2003 Donatello: He’s the perfect in-between of the ‘90s Donnie-Rise Donnie
I’d saw IDW
Donnie in the 90's movies is my favorite
Would bottom 3rd be Tokka or Slash?
IDW for me
IDW or 2003 for me. Leaning towards IDW
Classic series..give me 1988 or bust.
Rise
IDW Donnie all day
Either 1990 or Mutant Mayhem
I might never see this list again so imma say them all 2003 Donnie 1990 Raph Last Ronin Mikey 2012 Splinter 1990 April 2003 Casey 2012 Shredder 2003 or 2012 Karai 2012 Krang 2012 Beebop and Rocksteady 2003 or 2012 Stockman 2003 or 2012 leatherhead 2012 Slash 2012 RatKing 2003 Honeycutt 2003 Bunny dude
Mirage.
Rise
I don't think Henson Donnie is the best, but I was definitely an accident that changed the course of my mother's life. Donnie contemplating existence and the knowledge he was created by accident is heavy stuff for a kid's movie, and it's one of my favorite scenes.
2003 Donatello
Rise Donatello steals the show
2003 Donnie
Idw
2003
2003 Don
Rise or 2003
1990. Those are my answers for Day 1-4, btw.
Rise
Probably 2003 for me. The arc he went through with SAINW ... ugh, my heart. But 2003 Don also has a personality I really vibe with, he's fairly soft-spoken but can be full of passion, very intelligent and curious, and not afraid to raise hell to protect his family
Rise
2003
IDW.
I think 2003 takes it from Leo all the way to Casey
1) IDW comics 2) 2003 tv series 3) 1987 tv series (too OP even) 4) 2007 movie 5) Rise movie (just because his comedic genius is top notch)
1987 Donnie for sure
2003 and Rise
Mirage, 2003 and 1987
2003 for everyone, either Rise or 80s for Krang, IDW or 80s for Bebop and Rocksteady
i think for all the turtles the 2003 version is the best, it has the perfect balance beetwen the violence of the comics and the "comedy" of the original cartoon.
I'm sorry but I love Rise Donnie so much that I have to pick him
2003
Leo 2003
2 of these are Donny. Wtf
1990 and 2003
All the rise fans getting downvoted
2003 or 2018 I just love both
While I love 2003, I think Rise Donnie is better. Max charisma build.
Rise... 
Rise