Terrific Whatzit
Encyclopedia
The Terrific Whatzit (real name Merton McSnurtle, also known as McSnurtle the Turtle) was a funny animal
superhero
who appeared in stories published by DC Comics
. DC's first funny animal superhero, the Terrific Whatzit first appeared in Funny Stuff #1 (Summer 1944), and was created by Martin Naydel.
and shopkeeper who lives in the town of Zooville, and is granted powers by two powerful, otherworldly entities (Prince Highness and Prince Lowness) who want to see how a completely honest person would handle being granted superpowers. These powers include superstrength, superspeed, and the ability to fly. McSnurtle also gains an "automatic conscience
" that won't relent until he went into action against the threat of the story.
When in action as the Terrific Whatzit, McSnurtle remove his shell, and wears a costume identical to that of the Golden Age
Flash
. The name "Terrific Whatzit" stems from the fact that without his shell, it is hard to tell what kind of animal McSnurtle was.
McSnurtle's last Golden Age
appearance as the Terrific Whatzit was in Funny Stuff #17, although he continued to appear from time to time as McSnurtle the shopkeeper in other features. His superheroic identity would not appear again until Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew
#9 in November 1982, in which he was seen helping the Allies
during "the Second Weird War
." The series had revealed in an earlier story that the Terrific Whatzit is the uncle of Zoo Crew team member Fastback
.
Funny animal
Funny animal is a cartooning term for the genre of comics and animated cartoons in which the main characters are humanoid or talking animals, with anthropomorphic personality traits. The characters themselves may also be called funny animals...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
who appeared in stories published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. DC's first funny animal superhero, the Terrific Whatzit first appeared in Funny Stuff #1 (Summer 1944), and was created by Martin Naydel.
Fictional character biography
McSnurtle is a turtleTurtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
and shopkeeper who lives in the town of Zooville, and is granted powers by two powerful, otherworldly entities (Prince Highness and Prince Lowness) who want to see how a completely honest person would handle being granted superpowers. These powers include superstrength, superspeed, and the ability to fly. McSnurtle also gains an "automatic conscience
Conscience
Conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition or judgment of the intellect that distinguishes right from wrong. Moral judgement may derive from values or norms...
" that won't relent until he went into action against the threat of the story.
When in action as the Terrific Whatzit, McSnurtle remove his shell, and wears a costume identical to that of the Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
Flash
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
. The name "Terrific Whatzit" stems from the fact that without his shell, it is hard to tell what kind of animal McSnurtle was.
McSnurtle's last Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
appearance as the Terrific Whatzit was in Funny Stuff #17, although he continued to appear from time to time as McSnurtle the shopkeeper in other features. His superheroic identity would not appear again until Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew
Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew
Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! is a DC Comics comic book about a team of funny animal superheroes called the Zoo Crew. The characters first appeared in a special insert in The New Teen Titans #16 , followed by a series published from 1982 to 1983. The Zoo Crew characters were created by...
#9 in November 1982, in which he was seen helping the Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
during "the Second Weird War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
." The series had revealed in an earlier story that the Terrific Whatzit is the uncle of Zoo Crew team member Fastback
Fastback (comics)
Fastback is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe, an anthropomorphic turtle. Fastback is a superhero who lived on the otherdimensional world of Earth-C , an alternate Earth populated by sentient animals...
.