When Shredder Is Also Krang: The Utrom Shredder, Ch'rell In The 2003 "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Series

 

Anybody who remembers Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) may remember how Shredder and Krang had an uneasy alliance. Krang became Shredder's boss when they were stuck in Dimension X -- all the while Shredder was still the PERSONAL enemy of the Ninja Turtles. Some video game incarnations had Krang as the final boss over the Shredder. However, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) featured a more dangerous version of the Shredder -- the UTROM Shredder. Although there was no hint of Krang at that time. However, surprise or NOT, SHREDDER IS KRANG in 2003! However, the name Ch'rell was used instead of Krang!

1987 Shredder and 1987 Krang tried to get another version of Shredder. However, the end up realizing that the pink blob is FAR MORE DANGEROUS than 1987 Krang without a body. The 1987 Shredder was meant to be a typical cartoon villain -- such as the cartoon Cobra Commander in the 1980s G.I. Joe cartoon. It was a crossover between the two continuities in 2009. 1987 Krang had NOTHING on the Arche Krang. Archie Krang had the BLOOD OF WHOLE RACES in his hands. Doesn't that one actually fit for Utrom Shredder? Utrom Shredder was the DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

I actually liked the twist that Shredder is also "Krang" in 2003. Shredder was supposedly a flat-scan human villain. However, making Shredder secretly a renegade Utrom and an evil warlord worked like a charm. Utrom Shredder might be what if Krang and Shredder managed to put aside their differences or were a COMPOSITE CHARACTER. I didn't like the idea of 1987 Shredder taking orders from Krang in later seasons. I always hoped 1987 Shredder would get rid of 1987 Krang. However, Ch'rell was practically a more sinister version of BOTH 1987 Shredder and 1987 Krang! Ch'rell had to be constrained by his fellow Utroms since he was still a CREDIBLE THREAT. 

It was fun to see 1987 Krang and 1987 Shredder bicker. However, I like the darker tones that Utrom Shredder brought into the series. The Utrom Shredder has blood of many in his hands. This Shredder is Public Enemy No. 1 in so many ways. It's amazing that this villain was possible despite the TV-Y7-FV ratings!