Terrific Whatzit

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The Terrific Whatzit
Terrific Whatzit.jpg
The Terrific Whatzit (left) and his "conscience" (right). From Funny Stuff #6 (Fall 1945).
Art by Martin Naydel.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Funny Stuff #1 (Summer 1944)
Created byMartin Naydel
In-story information
Alter egoMerton McSnurtle
Team affiliations Flash Family
Legion of Super-Pets
Notable aliasesMcSnurtle the Turtle
AbilitiesSuper-speed
Super-strength
Flight
"Automatic conscience"

The Terrific Whatzit (real name: Merton McSnurtle, also known as McSnurtle the Turtle) is a superhero turtle appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. DC's first talking animal superhero, the Terrific Whatzit first appeared in Funny Stuff #1 (Summer 1944) and was created by writer-artist Martin Naydel. [1]

Contents

Natasha Lyonne voices the character in the animated film DC League of Super-Pets (2022).

Fictional character biography

McSnurtle is a turtle and shopkeeper who lives in the town of Zooville and is famed for his honesty and laziness. Wishing to see how such a person would handle receiving superpowers, otherworldly entitles called Prince Highness and Prince Lowness grant him super-speed, among other abilities. [2] Dubbing himself the "Terrific Whatzit", [3] [4] he would go on to aid the Allies during the "Second Weird War". Additionally, his nephew Timmy Joe Terrapin / Fastback would acquire similar powers and join the Zoo Crew. [5]

Powers and abilities

McSnurtle possesses super-speed, super-strength, [6] and the ability to fly. Additionally, he is haunted by a ghostly "automatic conscience" that berates him unless he takes action against danger and can remove his shell. [7] [8]

In other media

Television

Film

Merton the Turtle / Terrific Whatzit appears in DC League of Super-Pets , voiced by Natasha Lyonne. [9] [10] This version is a non-anthropomorphic female turtle who acquires super-speed after being exposed to orange Kryptonite and goes on to become the Flash's pet and a founding member of the titular League of Super-Pets.

Miscellaneous

References

  1. ↑ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 276. ISBN   978-1605490892.
  2. ↑ Becattini, Alberto (2019). "Super-Animals". American Funny Animal Comics in the 20th Century: Volume Two. Theme Park Press. ISBN   978-1683902218.
  3. ↑ Markstein, Don. "McSnurtle the Turtle: The Terrific Whatzit". Don Markstein's Toonopedia . Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  4. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1991). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cartoon Animals. Prentice Hall Press. pp. 165–166. ISBN   0-13-275561-0 . Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #4 (June 1982)
  6. ↑ Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #9 (November 1982)
  7. ↑ Funny Stuff #1, Summer 1944
  8. ↑ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 268. ISBN   978-1-61318-023-5.
  9. ↑ Agard, Chancellor (November 17, 2021). "Dwayne Johnson's Krypto assembles a team in DC League of Super-Pets first look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  10. ↑ "DC League of Super-Pets | Meet the Pets: Natasha Lyonne as Merton".
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