Summary

  • Bebop and Rocksteady have made a significant impact in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and are fan favorites.
  • Their appearances in different iterations vary in terms of design and storyline, with some versions being more impressive than others.
  • The 1987 cartoon version of Bebop and Rocksteady is the most iconic and memorable, known for their comedy and consistent source of entertainment.

While we all have a favorite member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the cast of iconic characters goes so much deeper than the heroes in half-shells. Hell, there are more memorable baddies than the average individual has fingers and toes (especially if that individual is a turtle). But if you are talking fan favorites there is one duo that quite simply stands taller than most. We are, of course, talking about Bebop and Rocksteady.

Related: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Who Is Master Splinter?

This pair of incompetent goons has always been extraordinarily popular, yet their role in any given series was far from a guarantee. Hell, it took 29 years for them to make it into a movie! However, while they didn't make an appearance in every series, you could be certain that this dopey duo made an impact when they did. Which is why we're here today to rank their very best iterations!

6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)

Look, we love the angle. One part muscle, one part speed, this duo is able to complement each other. That stuff is great! They are also two of the more dangerous iterations of the iconic duo, being much more formidable than the 1987 originals. This is Bebop’s smartest iteration, but Rocksteady stayed dumb as, well, rocks.

But jeez, this rail-thin version of Bebop just looks unquestionably awkward. And pouty-faces Rocksteady? He isn’t that much better. As characters, this is a great interpretation of the duo, but in terms of design, they are just clearly bottom-tier.

5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures (1988)

On the surface, the Bebop and Rocksteady featured in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures comics are pretty much the same as their 1987 iterations. They look the same (though we don’t think they look quite as good with the Archie Comics’ art style), they talk the same, and they even have the same origin story. So, why are we ranking them so low on this list, then? Well, it has to do with what happens to them during the series more than anything.

You see, despite having originally been humans, they start to desire to roam as animals. They then end up in a paradise dimension where they frolic naked. That’s weird, right? Can we all agree that they really went in a weird direction with that one?

4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)

While most fans are still desperately trying to forget the Toxic Avenger-looking Turtles, Michael Bay actually sort of nailed Bebop and Rocksteady. These two were pretty much the headliners for the film, and were a huge part of all the trailers. Which makes sense, as they look good.

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Sticking close to both the characterization of the 1987 version, as well as the design, Bay was able to give TMNT fans a reason to go to the theater. Every scene they are in they steal. And those scenes include some great action set-pieces where both Bebop and Rocksteady manage to stay true to their comedic, silly nature, while also being more of a real threat to the Turtles. Honestly, the only thing holding them back is the film they are in. They are flowers growing in a patch of manure.

3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW Version)

For many fans, IDW simply did Bebop and Rocksteady the best. We’ll start with the look, which is absolutely legendary. It iterates on the original look brilliantly and delivers in a big way. As for the characters themselves. Well, they keep their thick-headed quality, and they stay largely incompetent, but their strength is emphasized considerably, and they can absolutely scrap with the best of ‘em. As villains, this is the most dangerous version of the duo. We love that direction. Keep them dumb, but make them more of a threat for exciting fights.

That being said, being a threat in the IDW comics means that they end up killing a decent amount of people. The IDW version of Bebop and Rocksteady are best known for crushing Donatello's shell with a sledgehammer. Which is very dark. And that is sort of the problem, them being so okay with murder does reduce some of the airiness of the characters. It harshens their vibe a bit too much for our liking.

Sidenote: Seeing them go toe-to-toe with Tokka and Rahzar was an awesome moment and something fans should look up if they haven't read any of the IDW material.

2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

God, this is such a great version of this iconic pair! This may be the most intelligent version of the pair? It is hard to say, as all the characters around them are a little on the dumb side. Which makes sense, they are teens. This is also the most aggressive the pair get, being a bunch of rageaholics. Once again, they’re teens, so those hormones are doing a number on them.

However, despite the two being more aggressive, this version of the pair is the quickest to perform a heel turn and join forces with the turtles. We think this version of Bebop and Rocksteady is straight-up excellent, but unfortunately, they don’t get a whole lot of time to shine (though they get some good hits in during the final encounter). We can’t wait to see where the sequel to Mutant Mayhem takes these two. The future is bright for the Bebop and Rocksteady!

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

The 1987 cartoon marked the first appearance of these lovable goons and, unsurprisingly, is their most iconic. Let’s get started by looking at who this duo were as opponents for the Turtles. To kick things off, the original Bebop and Rocksteady are strong, and they are… uh… well, that’s it, really. And they didn’t even use their strength, as they had a tendency to show up to fights with guns. Needless to say, the Turtles routinely mopped the floor with them. Even their first fight is a complete wash. They never posed a threat.

However, they didn’t need to. Not to work their way into our hearts, that is. Not only are their designs absolutely top-form, but they are one of the most consistent sources of comedy in the show. There is a reason why nearly every iteration on this list keeps dipping back to the original for inspiration. When it comes to bumbling, incompetent, buffoonish henchmen, this version of Bebop and Rocksteady are all-timers.

Fun fact, these two were designed to be toys first and foremost. However, just because Laird designed them for toys, doesn’t mean he phoned those designs in. His first sketches for these two are absolutely gorgeous and should be seen by all fans!

Next: What Happens In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin?