Leatherhead (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leatherhead |
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Interior artwork from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #56 (March 2016).
Art by Mateus Santolouco. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Mirage Studios |
| First appearance | Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 (August 1988) |
| Created by | Ryan Brown |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Mutant alligator |
| Notable aliases | Jess Harley |
| Abilities |
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Leatherhead is a cool character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) comics and shows. He first appeared in a comic book called Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 in August 1988. He was created by Ryan Brown. Leatherhead is a giant, mutated alligator who walks and talks like a human!
Many different actors have given Leatherhead his voice. Jim Cummings and Peter Renaday voiced him in the 1987 TV series. Frederick B. Owens and Gary K. Lewis voiced him in the 2003 series. Peter Lurie was his voice in the 2012 series. Most recently, Rose Byrne voiced a female version of Leatherhead in the 2023 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Contents
Leatherhead's Comic Book Adventures
Leatherhead has a long and interesting story in the TMNT comics. He started out as a baby alligator. He escaped from a pet store during a robbery and ended up in the sewers.
His Origin Story
While in the sewers, some friendly aliens called Utroms found Leatherhead. They took him to their secret headquarters. There, he was exposed to a special chemical called mutagen. This mutagen changed him into a smart, human-like alligator!
Leatherhead lived happily with the Utroms for a while. But then, their building was destroyed. Leatherhead became homeless and had to live in the sewers again. A mean hunter named Jack Marlin kept trying to catch him.
Meeting the Turtles
One day, while fighting the hunter, Leatherhead met the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles helped him defeat Jack Marlin. After that, they let Leatherhead live in their old sewer home.
Later, Leatherhead wanted to build a special device called a Transmat Device. This device would help him go back to the Utroms' home planet. Some Foot Clan ninjas offered to help him. The Turtles thought the ninjas were tricking Leatherhead. They fought, but then realized the ninjas were actually helping! The Turtles then decided to help Leatherhead too.
Sadly, when the Transmat Device was finished, it blew up! Leatherhead was very upset. He blamed the Turtles for the failure and became angry with them.
Later Appearances in Comics
Leatherhead showed up again at Master Splinter's funeral. He was also seen wrestling a mutated Raphael in the sewers. It seems they are still friends, as Raphael hoped he didn't hurt Leatherhead.
The person who created Leatherhead, Ryan Brown, once thought about having the character die in the comics. But the Turtles' co-creator, Peter Laird, wanted Leatherhead to survive. So, Leatherhead lived to have more adventures!
Image Comics Stories
In a different comic series, people were found hurt in the sewers. Leonardo thought Leatherhead might be responsible. But when Leonardo found Leatherhead, he was tied up! A villain named King Komodo and his lizard helpers were the real bad guys.
Leonardo fought King Komodo. He got hurt, but then he freed Leatherhead. With help from Michelangelo and Casey Jones, they defeated King Komodo.
After this, Leatherhead introduced the Turtles to Dr. X, another Utrom alien. Together, they built a new Transmat Device. But when they tested it, the device accidentally brought some alien Triceratons to Leatherhead's lair! Leatherhead and the Turtles fought the Triceratons. During the fight, Leatherhead and one Triceraton were teleported away to an unknown place.
IDW Comics Debut
Leatherhead also appears in the IDW comic series. He briefly shows up to offer some mutagen. This mutagen could help heal Donatello, who was hurt.
Leatherhead in Cartoons
Leatherhead has been a big part of many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon shows.
1987 Animated Series
In the 1987 cartoon, Leatherhead is often an enemy of the Turtles. He started as a normal alligator in the Florida Everglades. But then he swam through some mutagen-filled water and became a giant, walking alligator!
He wears a yellow vest, blue waders, and a pink hat. He speaks with a fun Cajun accent. He often carries bear traps and big crayfish. He's a great tracker and knows how to survive in the wild.
Archie Comics Adventures
In the Archie Comics, Leatherhead was once a human named Jess Harley. He lived in the Florida swamps. A magical stone turned him into a mutant alligator. At first, the evil Shredder tricked Leatherhead into working with him. But Leatherhead soon realized Shredder was a villain.
Leatherhead later became a wrestling hero on an asteroid called Stump Asteroid. He also joined a group of heroes called The Mighty Mutanimals.
2003 Animated Series
In the 2003 cartoon, Leatherhead is a good friend of the Turtles. They often call him "LH."
2012 Animated Series
Leatherhead also appears in the 2012 TV series. Here, he is again an ally and friend to the Turtles.
2023 Animated Film
In the 2023 animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Leatherhead is a female character. She is part of a group of mutants led by Superfly.
Video Game Appearances
Leatherhead has appeared in many TMNT video games as a boss or even an ally!
- In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project, he is a boss in the sewer level.
- He's also a boss in the train level of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time.
- He appears as the first boss in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist.
- In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus, he is a boss, but a cutscene shows he's an ally.
- He makes a background appearance in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare. In the DS version, he's a boss and teams up with the Turtles.
- He is a boss in the 2014 3DS game.
- In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (2022), he is brainwashed by Shredder and fights the Turtles.
- He is the boss of the first area (the Sewers) in 2023's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.
