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Leatherhead appeared in the 1987–1996 TV series as an enemy of the Turtles, who fought them on several different occasions. He was redesigned for this series by his original Mirage Studios creator, Ryan Brown.
Leatherhead was a giant albino alligator (the biggest one that ever got born) before he swam through a portion of Florida's Everglades swamp, which had been contaminated with mutagen (due to previous activities of Krang and Shredder, the one that gave birth to the Punk Frogs). Upon making contact with the mutagen shortly after contact with a Cajun trapper, he mutated to his current humanoid form, gaining his green skin in the process. But despite his new intelligence, he could not shake off his ferocity and hunting instincts entirely, which is why he was a danger to anyone who crossed his path.
After his mutation, Leatherhead wears a yellow cargo vest, blue rubber waders (rubber pants that go over boots and regular pants, held up by straps over shoulders), a brown belt, and a disheveled pink hat. He usually carries bear traps and large crayfish on his person. He is a survivalist and tracker. Here he is portrayed as an ruthless antagonist unlike his other incarnations.
This version of Leatherhead speaks with a Cajun accent and is voiced by Jim Cummings in most episodes, but in "Night of the Rogues", he is voiced by Peter Renaday. Both actors are from Louisiana, with Renaday (born Pierre Laurent Renoudet) actually being Cajun.
History[]
In his first appearance, the Turtles' allies, the Punk Frogs (Napoleon Bonafrog, Genghis Frog, Attila the Frog, and Rasputin the Mad Frog), who had also been mutated by the same swamp, find themselves enslaved by Leatherhead, until he was captured by the Ninja Turtles who came to save the frogs. He escaped thanks to Shredder and Rocksteady, though they are defeated in the end.
Then he went to New York City to get revenge on the Turtles. He then hunted the Turtles within their own turf the sewers. While he searched for the Turtles he got captured by the Rat King, towards whom he does not show much respect (thinking of him as "a few shrimp shy of a boatload"). He later freed himself and they bickered and attempted to kill one another until they decide partnering to eliminate the Turtles is more likely to succeed.
Later on, however, they made an alliance to capture the Turtles, luring them to isolated areas and capturing or attempting to kill them through different means. Their goal was to unleash robot rats and android alligators on the city, conquering it. Their plan was foiled by the arrival of Splinter, and the unexpected survival of Leonardo. After the other Turtles were freed, they successfully defeated Leatherhead and the Rat King.
In one episode called "Night of the Rogues", Shredder hires Leatherhead, the Rat King, Slash, Tempestra, Antrax, Scumbug, and Chrome Dome to destroy the Turtles. Of course the result wasn't what they expected. As with the other rogues, Leatherhead departed once his payment was denied.
Appearances[]
- "Leatherhead: Terror of the Swamp"
- "Leatherhead Meets the Rat King"
- "Splinter Vanishes"
- "Night of the Rogues"
Gallery[]
Leatherhead (1987 TV Series)/Gallery
Trivia[]
- Except for in "Night of the Rogues", in which he is voiced by Peter Renaday, Leatherhead is voiced by Jim Cummings who would also incidentally later voice more of Ryan Brown's characters such as the Dakota Dude and Saddlesore Scorpion from the Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa.
- Prior to his mutation, Leatherhead was an albino gator, but during his mutation, he turned green.