April O'Neil

Real Name: April O'Neil

A.K.A.: April, Ape, Babe

Occupation: Freelance Broadcast Journalist/Computer Systems Specialist

Date of Birth: c.1965

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 125 lbs.

Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Brown

Chosen Representative Colors: Civilian Clothing (usually something in yellow)

Personal Weapons: Pen, PC Keyboard, Katana (training)

Personal Skills: Computer Programming, Video/Still Camera Operation, Vehicle Operation, Investigative Journalism

Personal Talents: The ability to scoop a rival news team, can sense danger nearby, natural charisma that draws undevided attention

Character Profile: April O'Neil -- a computer systems analyst -- was hired by a major television network based in New York City. She quickly earned the recognition of station manager Burne Thompson, which landed her television spots hosting local fashion shows. Eventually, she was sent into the field as an investigative reporter, where she began her real career. In what promised to be the biggest "scoop" ever, April unearthed some touchy material that made her a target for the Foot Clan. Put in a dangerous spot difficult to escape from, the savvy reporter earned a heroic rescue from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Relying on each other for aid in the search for the truth, April and the Turtle clan became as close as family. She has even bonded with Splinter as her own father has recently passed on. Upon returning from a series of many adventures with the Turtles, April was fired from her position at Channel 6, and for a while focused on freelance journalism. On a whim, April decided to move to the west coast, where she returned to her life as a systems analyst. It was difficult for her to adjust with life without the Turtles and friend Casey Jones, and she moved back to the Big Apple, where she owns the apartment building she lives in. She has since become romantically involved with Casey, and has played mother to his adopted daughter Shadow. April will always be a lifelong friend and ally to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Technical Information: April O'Neil's character development started out as a young lab assistant to the Mad Scientist Baxter Stockman in the Mirage Series. In fact, the character of April O'Neil has never been associated with broadcast journalism in the original Mirage series. However, as the character was adopted into the cartoon series, April was transformed into the television reporter we all know and love. During the popular City at War storyline in the Mirage publication, April was employed as a computer systems analyst in California. Upon her return to New York she purchased an apartment building with her inheritance from Casey Jones' mother.

Note: The views and opinions expressed here are all mine, and should not be taken as actual fact. These statistics are based largely on the TMNT Archie Adventure Series. I do consider all TMNT publications to be equally factual. This includes the Archie, Mirage, Image, Wolf Productions, and even the Pizza Hut sponsored singing Ninja Turtles.