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Terrific Whatzit

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The Terrific Whatzit
The Terrific Whatzit (left) and his "conscience" (right). From Funny Stuff #6 (Fall 1945).
Art by Martin Naydel.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceFunny Stuff #1 (Summer 1944)
Created byMartin Naydel
In-story information
Alter egoMerton McSnurtle
Team affiliationsFlash 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 fictional 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]

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

Fictional character biography

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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

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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

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Television

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  • McSnurtle the Turtle appears in The Flash in two different forms. The first version appears in the episode "Revenge of the Rogues" as the childhood stuffed animal of Iris West. The second appears in the episode "Borrowing Problems from the Future" as a regular turtle that Harrison "HR" Wells gives to Barry Allen as a housewarming gift.
  • The Terrific Whatzit appears in the DC Super Hero Girls episode "All Pets Are Off".

Film

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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

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  • An unnamed turtle wearing the original Terrific Whatzit costume appears in DC Super Friends #14 (June 2009) as the adopted pet of Wally West / Flash.
  • The Terrific Whatzit appears in the DC Super-Pets children's book Salamander Smackdown. This version is the pet of Barry Allen / Flash who wears a similar costume as him.

References

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  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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