Character Spotlight: Donatello

Character Spotlight: Donatello

Height:   5ft 2inlaird1
Weight:   180 lbs
Eyes:   Brown
Hair: None
Aliases: Donny, Donny-san, Don
Powers: Genius level intellect, well trained in ninjutsu, super human agility, speed and strength, master of Bojutsu, supreme aptitude for engineering and science
Base of Operations: A converted New York city sewer that is now referred to as the “Lair”
Allies: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, Casey Jones, April O’Neil, Fugitoid, Usagi Yojimbo
Enemies: Shredder, the Foot, Baxter Stockman, Triceratons
First Appearance: Eastman and Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1, May 1984

Essential StorylinesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1 #1-3, #50-62
Donatello one shot
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 3 (Image) #1-6

Created by: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Key Contributors: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Jim Lawson, Ryan Brown, Michael Dooney, Michael Zulli, Gary Carlson, Frank Fosco

Donatello is the second oldest of his 3 brothers, and although no official chain of command has been established, Donatello is often portrayed as the second in command. Donny is also the most level-headed of his brothers and is much more content to follow his intellectual pursuits rather than go looking for a fight. In the original comics all four turtles are fitted with matching red bandanas, the creation of the 1987 animated series portrays Donatello wearing a purple bandana.

Although armed with a simple bo staff (which to many is simply a stick) Donatello has proven the weapons usefulness in both range and blunt power. He is also often armed with various gadgets which he has invented.

Donatello is most noted for being the one to defeat Shredder in the first issue of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as it was he who knocked both Shredder and his grenade from the roof top.

The Donatello one shot features a none too subtle tribute to famous comic artist Jack “the King” Kirby. Donny encounters a neighbor in April O’ Neil’s apartment building named, you guessed it, Kirby. Kirby is an artist who is in possession of a strange crystal that briefly brings all of his drawings to life before they disappear. Upon inspection the two are transported to another dimension where they must defend Kirby’s friendly creations from the monsters he has drawn.

In the often overlooked Image series (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 3) Donatello suffers several severe gun shot wounds and falls from a Helicopter during a kidnapping attempt. His body, completely paralyzed, fuses with a nearby robot; creating a Cyborg version of his former self!

Donatello also has a new mini series titled Donatello Brain Thief published by Mirage Studios.

Ryan Fisher
contact@comicattack.net

This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. andrewhurst

    Hell Yes! Don is my fav turlte! I’m going as him for halloween this year. lol.

  2. Kristin

    Don is my favorite too, but I thought he had a purple headband, not red. Ralph was always red.

  3. Ryan

    A common mistake, in the comics all four turtles wore red head bands, it wasn’t until the cartoon that each was given there own color, making it easier for children to identify with each character easier

  4. Kristin

    Ah, well there we go. Confusion cleared!

  5. Andy

    As a kid Michelangelo was always my favorite Turtle, but as I’ve aged and matured (hah!), I like Raph the best now.

  6. Casey

    Yay Donny! I LOVED the cartoon growing up and I’m just now starting to read the comics. I honestly don’t think I could pick a fav. I love them all.

  7. The Movie Lady

    Yeah he’s my fav. Love those intellectuals… 🙂

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