April O'Neil

Comiccharacterbox


caption= Cover of Archie Comics' "TMNT Presents April O'Neil" #1
comic_color=
character_name= April O'Neil
publisher= Mirage Studios
debut= Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (May 1984)
creators= Kevin Eastman
Peter Laird
full_name= April O'Neil

April O'Neil is a fictional character in the Mirage Studios franchise Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In each of the many TMNT continuities, she is a good friend of the Turtles: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo.

Comics

In the original Mirage Comics storyline, April, who originally sported a yellow rain coat and jeans, was a skilled computer programmer and worked as an assistant for Baxter Stockman, helping to program his Mouser robots and demonstrating their operation. After she discovered that Baxter was using the Mousers to burrow into bank vaults and steal from them, she attempted to flee Baxter's workshop and found herself in the sewers running for her life, with several Mousers in pursuit. Three of the Turtles happened to come across her and save her; they later successfully fended off a Mouser invasion after Baxter programmed them to attack the Turtles.

April began to run an antique shop, which came under attack by The Shredder and the Foot Clan (who had come for the Turtles), and was destroyed in the ensuing battle. She and the Turtles retreated to a farm house in Northampton, Massachusetts where she later had disturbing dreams about the Foot Clan's attack. During the mid-90s, April became romantically involved with Casey Jones and the two eventually adopted a child named Shadow.

In Volume 2 of the TMNT comics, April was attacked and injected by a huge robot controlled by Baxter Stockman's brain (apparently, Baxter escaped capture, placed his brain in the body of a robot and sought out to get revenge on April). It wasn't revealed until Volume 4 that April was injected by nanobots that seemed to have caused sterility as well as was nearly killing her from the inside. With the help of the Utroms, the turtles sent turtle versions of nanobots to stop Baxter's versions and saved April before they would reach her brainstem.

Despite this, April remained sterile. Later Renet would appear and take April back to her past to discover the truth behind her origins in this version. It was revealed, at the time, that April's parents couldn't have children, and April actually turned out to be a drawing made by the same crystal Kirby used in Donatello # 1 to bring drawings to life, but due to April being drawn in ink, not pencil like Kirby's drawings, it might explain why she hasn't disappeared yet. This news came to a crushing blow to April, finding out she wasn't real led her to leave the city to deal with this new revelation. Though revealing her origin to Casey, she has yet to tell the turtles about this.

Unlike the other versions of her character, the Mirage Comics version of April has dark brown/black hair (though early color reprints of Volume 1 depicted her hair color as red/light brown). All future incarnations of April that came afterwards are redheads.

April also appeared in the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures" comic produced by Archie Comics, which began as re-tellings of cartoon episodes but were eventually spun off into original stories. In this series, she began as a carbon copy of her animated counterpart, but the writers developed her into a competent warrior after training with Splinter. Years earlier in the September, 1985 re-printing of issue one, Mirage Studios artist Ryan Brown depicts April as a katana wielding ninja warrior in his back cover pin-up. Because of her frequent adventures with the Turtles, she lost her job at Channel 6 and became a freelance reporter. Archie also published 2 sets of 3-part April O'Neil mini-series.

The second issue of the Dreamwave Productions series (based on the 2003 animated series) focused entirely on April, consisting of a dream sequence showing how she had been pressured into a scientific career by her family despite having interest in journalism, an obvious homage to the 1987 cartoon.

Animated series (1987-1996)

In the original TMNT animated series, April O'Neil was a television reporter for Channel 6 News. She was employed by Burne Thompson, though due to her headstrong nature and passion for her work, she expressed frequent disagreement with the assignments he gave her. She also butted heads on a regular basis with Vernon Fenwick, the director/camera operator whose enormous ego compelled him to scoop April on her stories whenever possible. April was best friends with Irma, the secretary girl at Channel 6. Her Channel 6 News Van was a blue van that had classic headlights and the Channel 6 News logo on each side. The Channel 6 News Van is often likely based on a Volkswagen T2Fact|date=April 2007. April was a skilled driver. Though it remains unclear whether this was required work attire or her particular fashion sense, April later could usually be found wearing a distinctive yellow jumpsuit. She lived in an apartment in New York City, though during the course of the series, she was forced to relocate several times due to a variety of indirect Turtle-related mishaps.

In the 1987 series, having been employed at Channel 6 for less than a year, April was reporting on a series of thefts of high-tech scientific equipment, apparently by a ninja (ostensibly components Shredder was securing for use in the Technodrome), when she came under attack by a gang of street punks. Thinking quickly, she managed to squeeze into a storm drain and ran from the mob until she hit a dead end. As it happens, the Ninja Turtles were nearby and soundly beat the punks. They took her back to their sewer lair for rest and recovery where they explained their origins to her. At first, she believed them to be responsible for the equipment thefts, but they agreed to provide her with the true culprits if she provided her assistance and didn't tell people about them. April quickly became the Turtles' major link to the outside world, since their unusual appearance effectively precluded them from functioning aboveground without some sort of disguise.

April's friendship with the Turtles resulted in the opportunity to film exclusive footage of their encounters with Shredder, but despite her intimate knowledge of the details of their lives, she tended to keep her professional news reports about them impersonal and mysterious. She was a vocal champion of their cause, despite the opinion of Burne Thompson that the Turtles were a menace to the city. April was frequently kidnapped by Shredder, quite often as bait in order to lure the Turtles out of hiding in order to unleash his latest attempt at destruction upon them, and was often tied up and/or gagged. In at least one episode, Shredder referred to April as being the Turtles' greatest weakness, which he was always happy to exploit.

Her Aunt Agatha ("Aggie"), who appeared in the episodes ("Case of the Case of the Hot Kimono" and "Sletuh on the Loose"), is a detective.

April was normally portrayed as a capable woman, but also filled the role of the typical plot device of damsel-in-distress. Her obsession with "getting a story" led to numerous instances of poor judgement which often resulted in her getting captured for the Turtles to save. April's innate curiosity and determination placed her in danger on several occasions as well. Her most important contribution to the Turtles was her experience in doing research on the Channel 6 computers and alerting the Turtles to trouble and possible case leads.

Following the destruction of the Channel 6 building in the season eight episode "Get Shredder!", April continued to work for Channel 6 for the remainder of the season, but by season nine, April worked as a freelance reporter, for a reason that was never specified. During these three seasons, she exchanged her yellow jumpsuit for a brown leather jacket. This outfit was more practical and less conspicuous than her classic form-fitting "banana suit." She continued to help the Turtles, even after the defeat of Shredder and his subsequent exile to Dimension X.

According to the third season episode "Leatherhead: Terror of the Swamp", April is 28 years old. In the same-season episode, "Invasion of the Turtle Snatchers," she had been employed at Channel 6 for one year, and she had a birthday in the sixth season episode, "Shreeka's Revenge." and her middle name is revealed to be Harriet in "Invasion of the Krangezoids".

April was voiced by Renae Jacobs. There was also a two-part OVA series in Japan, in which April was voiced by Emi Shinohara.

Motion pictures

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1990 film)

In the first TMNT motion picture, April (played by Judith Hoag) was a television reporter (though she worked for Channel 3 news in this case) working for Charles "Chuck" Pennington, and did a series of stories on mysterious thefts in New York City whose culprits vanished without a trace. One night when leaving work, she was accosted by teenage thieves in league with the Foot Clan, but the Turtles appeared and saved her by knocking out and tying up the teens under the cover of darkness. In the aftermath April discovered and grabbed Raphael's lost sai, but Raphael soon followed her and took back the weapon and saved her again when she was attacked by a group of Foot Ninja. Unsure what to do with her, he carried her unconscious form to their sewer lair. Though her fear of rats initially got the better of her, she eventually came to regard the Turtles as friends, and even allowed them to live in her apartment after the Foot Clan discovered and destroyed their sewer dwellings. Chuck fired April for a while, though this is the only title in the "TMNT" franchise in which April O'Neil has lost a job Fact|date=April 2007.

Mirroring the Mirage Comics storyline, the Foot once again attacked the Turtles in the antique shop, prompting April, the Turtles (including a wounded Raphael), and Casey Jones to retreat to her family's farmhouse in Northampton, Massachusetts. She kept a journal documenting their forced sabbatical in addition to drawing sketches of the Turtles. During their respite, April also developed a kind of love-hate relationship with Casey Jones. She grew extremely close to the four brothers as well; Michaelangelo, who initially confessed to having a crush on April, later addressed her as "Sis," indicating the role she had come to occupy in the Turtles' family.

econd and third movies

In the second and third movies, April was played by Paige Turco. In "TMNT III", April was temporarily transported to feudal Japan.

"TMNT: Coming Out of Their Shells"

April also made a live-action appearance in the "" musical tour, during which her role was to incite the live audience to interact with the stage performers and encourage the Turtles when needed. She was played by Sherie Rene Scott.

"TMNT" (2007 film)

April appears in the 2007 film voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar; following the continuity from the previous films, it appears that she and Casey Jones are living and working together in a shipping firm, engaged in a relationship. It is she who finds Leonardo in Central America at the start of the film, having been in the area seeking an artifact for Max Winters. No mention is made of her past as a journalist, but it is instead implied that she has taken up archaeology as a career.

She has taken up martial arts training from Splinter, purchasing a suit and armor from Japan and becoming skilled in the use of katana, apparently leaving behind her past as a 'damsel in distress'. This is demonstrated as April and Karai fight it out while Casey, Splinter and the other turtles battle the Foot in order to save Leonardo. This appears to be corroborated in a collectible booklet packed in with her action figure for the film, which implies that she has become a master of the katana. The figure itself includes a katana, tonfa, and two shoulder armor pads; this outfit would be replicated for the film. It is also noted that in the beginning of the film, she wears something similar to Lara Croft's normal outfit.

Animated series (2003-Present)

April got a radical costume change - to reveal her midriff and navel - for the new incarnation of the animated series produced by 4Kids Entertainment, but her role was similar to that of the Mirage Comics character. Again, she served as an assistant to Baxter Stockman until his Mouser experiments got out of control, and after the Turtles saved her, she became a faithful friend and ally to them.

As in the Mirage Comics, April owned an antique store which came under attack by The Shredder and the Foot Clan, who had come for the Turtles, and which was destroyed in the ensuing battle. However, when she returned home from the Northampton, Massachusetts farmhouse where she had been staying, she decided to rebuild the store and re-opens.

In the episode, "Secret Origins: Part III", the creators of the show paid homage to the original cartoon by having April don a yellow jumpsuit familiar to fans. This also includes a pinned label that reads "9", but during a mock interview it slips, turning into the familiar "6". Posing as a reporter in order to help the Turtles escape from the TCRI building, April stalled the military and bought the Turtles enough time to defeat the Shredder. Upon their escape, Leonardo jokes that April seems to have an aptitude for a career as a reporter. She responds with a sarcastic: "maybe in another lifetime". Casey Jones made a wisecrack that her jumpsuit might have been more appropriate for moving toxic waste.

This version of April makes much more use of her scientific expertise and she often uses her computer skills to aid the Turtles. This has also meant that she has developed a closer relationship to Donatello, who shares many of her interests. The two have even showed signs of a romantic attraction but have done little to capitalize on this. According to a bio book given to Toys 'R' Us, they share more of a brother/sister relationship, similar to that of twins.

April is also shown to have an attraction to Casey Jones, though their contrasting personalities often make them bicker. By the third season, the two are shown to be dating and seem to have a serious relationship. In the "Fast Forward" season it is revealed that the two eventually marry and have children. The two of them also found a computer company. April doesn't appear in this season in person, but her great-grandson Cody does, and many references are made to her. In the "Back to the Sewers" she and Casey decided to get married.

April also has developed a modest knowledge of combat skills after training with Splinter. She is also a strong boxer who is strong enough to defeat Silver Sentry in a fight. In this series, she rarely plays the helpless damsel-in-distress role, and her quick thinking is often a key to the Turtles' survival. Indeed, in the second season episode "April's Artifact", the turtles refer to her as "Jungle Girl" due to them being sucked into a jungle-like realm. Not only does she come across as being an accomplished fighter and wind-surfer, she also saves the lives of three of the turtles near the end of the episode. In episode "The Engagement Ring" she turns into a demon by Ying's ring after Casey gives it to her. Luckily, the Turtles and Casey save her by taking off the ring. She is voiced by Veronica Taylor.

Video games

April has appeared in most of the TMNT video games, usually as the damsel in distress who has been captured by the Shredder. In "TMNT IV: Turtles in Time" for SNES, she kicks the story off with a brief report where Krang steals the Statue of Liberty and appears onscreen in the SNES version to encourage the Turtles to fight when the player characters are idle. She also appears as a playable character in "" for Sega Genesis, where her game sprite bears no resemblance to the 1987 cartoon likeness.

In Konami's series of TMNT games based on the 2003 animated series, April resembles her cartoon counterpart. Like in the new show, she is no longer a mere damsel-in-distress but often shows up in various cutscenes to give advice and advance the plot of the game. In "TMNT: Mutant Melee", April is once again a playable character and participates in multi-player battles.

Action figures

In the TMNT toy lines produced by Playmates Toys, April O'Neil has appeared in several action figure incarnations. The first of these had a limited production run, notable for the lack of a blue stripe running along the side of her jumpsuit, and is considered valuable to collectors. The more common yellow-striped version quickly replaced it and had much greater circulation. (One item of note is that the badge above her breast pocket that read "PRESS" was removed after Playmates became concerned that children would interpret the text as directions for a gimmick and expect a reaction after following those instructions.) An alternate version of April, with a different head sculpt (closer to her cartoon incarnation) and orange boots and details was a further modification made to the original figure. At one stage, a 13" version was slated for production to accompany the other similar-sized figures, but was never produced.Other notable April figures include the 1988 version, dubbed simply "April," with purple accents on her jumpsuit; "April, the Ravishing Reporter," which was the first such figure to feature rooted hair; "April, the Ninja Newscaster," who came with one of each of the Turtles' signature weapons; and "Mutatin' April," part of the Mutations assortment in which April could transform into a humanoid cat (inspired by the original series episode "The Cat Woman from Channel Six").

For the new TV series, Playmates introduced two April figures, a standard sized April with bonus Mouser robots and a miniature April.

External links

* [http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/profile5.htm April's profile on Official TMNT website]