Top 250 Tv Shows Like Turtles Forever
Sometimes four ninjas just aren't enough!
A list of the best tv shows similar to Turtles Forever. If you liked Turtles Forever then you may also like: The Boys, Action Pack, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Amazing Spider-Man, Arrow and many more great tv shows featured on this list.
Turtles Forever is a made-for-tv animated movie. Produced in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, the movie teams up different incarnations of the titular heroes—chiefly the light-hearted, child-friendly characters from the 1987 animated series and the darker cast of the 4Kids' own 2003 animated series—in an adventure that spans multiple universes.
Turtles Forever
Action Pack
The heroic kids of the Action Academy take on the bad guys with their hearts, their wits and their superpowers, and bring out the best in them.
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) puts together a team of agents to investigate the new, the strange and the unknown around the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary.
Marvel's Avengers
The further adventures of the Marvel Universe's mightiest general membership superhero team. With an all-star roster consisting of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Falcon and, occasionally--when she feels like it and only when she feels like it--Black Widow, the Avengers are a team in the truest sense. The Avengers save the world from the biggest threats imaginable--threats no single super hero could withstand.
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
When the powers of a single hero are not enough to save the world, the world’s greatest heroes—Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Ant-Man/Giant Man and Wasp—assemble to form the Avengers.
Batman: The Animated Series
Vowing to avenge the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne devotes his life to wiping out crime in Gotham City as the masked vigilante "Batman".
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
The Caped Crusader is teamed up with Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, Aquaman and countless others in his quest to uphold justice.
Big Bad Beetleborgs
When three kids explore Charterville's haunted Hillhurst Mansion on a dare, they discover a lot more than they bargain for! The trio find a wild and wacky phasm named Flabber, who changes their lives forever when he grants their wish to become the superheroes they've read about in Beetleborgs comics. However, not only does Flabber grant the kids' wish, but he also accidentally facilitates the escape of supervillains from the comic books as well! Now it's up to these three newly tapped superheroes - aided by a friendly neighborhood phasm and armed with fantastic powers and awesome vehicles - to save the world from the forces of darkness that threaten the peace and harmony of all mankind.
Ben 10
When 10-year-old Ben Tennyson discovers a mysterious device, he gains the power to change into ten different alien heroes, each with uniquely awesome powers. With such abilities at his disposal, Ben realizes a greater responsibility to help others and stop evildoers, but that doesn't mean he's above a little superpowered mischief now and then.
Ben 10: Alien Force
Five years later, 15-year-old Ben Tennyson chooses to once again put on the Omnitrix and discovers that it has reconfigured his Dna and can now transform him into 10 brand new aliens. Joined by his super-powered cousin Gwen Tennyson and his equally powerful former enemy Kevin Levin, Ben is on a mission to find his missing Grandpa Max. In order to save his Grandpa, Ben must defeat the evil Dnaliens, a powerful alien race intent on destroying the galaxy, starting with planet Earth.
Ben 10: Omniverse
A year after the events that took place during the "Final Battle" and after the destruction of Omnitrix, 16-year-old Ben Tennyson has to face new enemies.
Ben 10
With the fifth offshoot of the "Ben 10" franchise, the animated series returns to its roots and its original name, bringing 10-year-old Benjamin "Ben" Tennyson, his cousin Gwen, and Grandpa Max back to life on a new summer vacation journey. As in the original, the stories in the remake of the series also spin around an alien wristwatch called "the Omnitrix," with the help of Ben can turn into ten different aliens, which come up with different supernatural powers. He fights enemy aliens and experiences with his grandfather and cousin the most exciting vacation imaginable.
Big Hero 6 The Series
Picking up immediately following the events in the feature film, these are the continuing adventures and friendship of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his compassionate, cutting-edge robot Baymax. As the new prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, Hiro now faces daunting academic challenges and the social trials of being the little man on campus. Off campus, the stakes are raised for the high-tech heroes as they must protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains.
Birds of Prey
Huntress, Dinah, Oracle are determined to carry on Batman's fight for justice against the ruthless criminals of New Gotham City.
Marvel's Cloak & Dagger
Two teenagers from very different backgrounds awaken to newly acquired superpowers which mysteriously link them to one another.
Darkwing Duck
The adventures of superhero Darkwing Duck, aided by his sidekick Launchpad McQuack. In his secret identity of Drake Mallard, he lives in a suburban house with his adopted daughter Gosalyn, next door to the bafflingly dim-witted Muddlefoot family. A spin-off of DuckTales.
Marvel's The Defenders
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist join forces to take on common enemies as a sinister conspiracy threatens New York City.
Doom Patrol
The Doom Patrol’s members each suffered horrible accidents that gave them superhuman abilities — but also left them scarred and disfigured. Traumatized and downtrodden, the team found purpose through The Chief, who brought them together to investigate the weirdest phenomena in existence — and to protect Earth from what they find.
Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes
Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and Thing battle some of their greatest foes, including Doctor Doom, Ronan the Accuser, the Multiple Man, and Mole Man.
Freedom Fighters: The Ray
Reporter Raymond "Ray" Terrill is investigating a group of government scientists who are developing a weapon using light, when he is attacked with a "genetic light bomb" that ends up bestowing him with light-based super powers.
Generator Rex
Generator Rex, an average teenager with the ability to turn his body into amazing machines, helps the secret organization Providence save the world from the nanite threat and dangerous EVO monsters.
Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.
Joined by the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., a humorously dysfunctional group of teammates who double as family, Hulk tackles threats that are too enormous for any other heroes to handle.
Marvel's Inhumans
After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself.
Marvel's Iron Fist
Danny Rand resurfaces 15 years after being presumed dead. Now, with the power of the Iron Fist, he seeks to reclaim his past and fulfill his destiny.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures
Iron Man: Armored Adventures is a 3D CGI cartoon series based on the Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man. It debuted in the USA on the Nicktoons on April 24, 2009, and has already begun airing on Canadian network Teletoon. Iron Man: Armored Adventures aired on Nickelodeon on July 4, 2009 until September 12, 2009. The series is story edited by showrunner Christopher Yost, who also worked on Wolverine and the X-Men, and numerous other Marvel Animation projects. The television show is not related to the 2007 animated film The Invincible Iron Man; It has a different voice cast, but some story elements are similar and the show uses the same musical score as the film in some instances. It is the first Iron Man television series since Iron Man from 1994–1996, and started airing after the success of the live action Iron Man film. The series follows the adventures of teenage child prodigy Tony Stark and his alter ego of Iron Man. As Iron Man, he uses his technological inventions to fight various similarly technologically advanced threats. His friends, James "Rhodey" Rhodes and Pepper Potts help him on his courageous, and dangerous adventures.
Justice League
The long-awaited rebirth of the greatest superhero team of all time: Batman, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter.
Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the previous Justice League animated series.
Justice League Action
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman lead the DC Super Heroes against their most infamous foes.
Krypto the Superdog
Krypto, the Superdog, chronicles the comedic canine adventures of Metropolis' day-saving superdog from Planet Krypton. Krypto jettisons to Earth after traveling across the galaxies as a test-pilot puppy aboard a malfunctioning rocket ship built by Superman's father. Landing astray on unfamiliar terrain, the fully-grown Krypto swiftly seeks out companionship on Earth and flips over Kevin Whitney, a young boy who too longs for friendship. With an amazing array of super hero powers, ranging from heat vision to super strength to flying, Krypto partners with best pal Kevin to fight evil forces that threaten the safety and well-being of the people and animals of Metropolis.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
When heroes alone are not enough ... the world needs legends. Having seen the future, one he will desperately try to prevent from happening, time-traveling rogue Rip Hunter is tasked with assembling a disparate group of both heroes and villains to confront an unstoppable threat — one in which not only is the planet at stake, but all of time itself. Can this ragtag team defeat an immortal threat unlike anything they have ever known?
Legion of Super Heroes
The series centers on a young Superman's adventures in the 31st century, fighting alongside a group of futuristic superheroes known as the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
A much more lavish version of the popular Superman television series which had first aired forty years earlier, Lois & Clark focused more on the Man of Steel's early adult years in Metropolis. With the unknowing help of Lois Lane, Clark Kent created Superman there in Metropolis after finding work at the world-famous Daily Planet newspaper, where he meets fellow reporter Lois Lane.
Marvel's Luke Cage
Given superstrength and durability by a sabotaged experiment, a wrongly accused man escapes prison to become a superhero for hire.
Power Rangers
A team of teenagers with attitude are recruited to save Angel Grove from the evil witch, Rita Repulsa, and later, Lord Zedd, Emperor of all he sees, and their horde of monsters.
Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
Everyone's favorite teenage mutants are back in live action to fight crime with help from a new ninja turtle -- a female named Venus De Milo.
Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu
When the fate of their world, Ninjago, is challenged by great threats, it's up to the ninja: Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane, Lloyd and Nya to save the world.
OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes
Animated comedy set in the futuristic year of 201X, where the world is populated by video game and manga-esque characters.
PJ Masks
Connor, Greg and Amaya are normal kids by day, but at night they activate their bracelets, which link into their pajamas and give them fantastic super powers, turning them into their alternate identities: The PJ Masks. The team consists of Catboy (Connor), Gekko (Greg) and Owelette (Amaya). Together, they go on adventures, solve mysteries, and learn valuable lessons.
Power Players
A human who is able to transform into a toy-sized action figure recruits a team of toy heroes for adventures around the world.
Marvel's Runaways
Every teenager thinks their parents are evil. What if you found out they actually were? Six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other must unite against a common foe – their parents.
Shazam!
The live-action adventures of Captain Marvel! By uttering a single magic word young Billy Batson transforms himself into the world's mightiest mortal, Captain Marvel. The acronym of the first letters of the names of the six elders who train Billy with their respective special gifts: Solomon, wisdom; Hercules, strength; Atlas, stamina; Zeus, power; Achilles, courage; and Mercury, speed, in a word ... SHAZAM!
Spider-Man
Spider-Man was an animated television series that ran from September 9, 1967 to June 14, 1970. It was jointly produced in Canada and the United States and was the first animated adaptation of the Spider-Man comic book series, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. It first aired on the ABC television network in the United States but went into syndication at the start of the third season. Grantray-Lawrence Animation produced the first season. Seasons 2 and 3 were crafted by producer Ralph Bakshi in New York City. An internet meme, commonly known as 1960s Spiderman, regarding the series has received an overwhelming amount of popularity. The meme consists of a screenshot taken at a random part of the series and adding inappropriate and/or witty text.
Spider-Man
Bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker develops spider-like superpowers. He uses these to fight crime while trying to balance it with the struggles of his personal life.
Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends
Follow Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.
Superboy
Superboy is a half-hour live-action television series based on Kal-El's early years as Superboy. It depicted Superboy's adventures during his college years, his meetings with Lex Luthor and his romance with Lana Lang. The series was brought to the screen by executive producers Ilya and Alexander Salkind, who were the producers of the first three Superman movies and the 1984 Supergirl movie.
Super Friends
The most powerful heroes ever--Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman and Robin--join forces with teenagers Wendy and Marvin and their dog, Marvel the Wonderdog, to defend justice and guard the innocent.
Superman: The Animated Series
Superman, an incredibly powerful alien from the planet Krypton, defends Metropolis from supercriminals. Superman hides his identity behind the glasses of Clark Kent; a mild-mannered reporter for the newspaper the Daily Planet. At the Daily Planet Superman works with fellow reporter Lois Lane and photographer Jimmy Olsen.
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! is an American/Japanese animated television series, and was created by Ciro Nieli, one of the directors of Teen Titans, with animation being done by a Japanese studio known as The Answer Studio. Set mainly on the fictional planet of Shuggazoom, the series follows the adventures of five cyborg monkeys and a human boy named Chiro as they struggle to protect their planet - and the rest of the universe - from the forces of evil. As is obvious from the visual appearance of the show, there is a significant anime influence present, despite being produced for American television. It was also influenced by Star Trek, Super Sentai, Voltron, and Star Wars. The show also contains various references to pop culture, a notable example being the episode "Season of the Skull", which is a parody of the 1970s thriller The Wicker Man.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Four turtles fall into the sewers and are befriended by Hamato Yoshi a Japanese man sent to New York who was forced to live in the sewers. One day he sees a strange green glow which transforms the four turtles into human-like creatures. Hamato (now Master Splinter) changes into a giant rat from the green glow and teaches the turtles the skills of the ninja as they team up with news reporter April O'Neil to battle against Yoshi's arch enemy Shredder and Krang, an alien warlord from Dimension X.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated television series, mainly set in New York City. It first aired on February 8, 2003 and ended on February 28, 2009. The series marked the revival of the franchise as a Saturday morning cartoon on Fox's Fox Box programming block The TMNT 2003 TV series was produced by 4Kids Entertainment, and Mirage Studios, which each owned half of the rights to the show, and animated by Dong Woo Animation. Reruns ran on Cartoon Network's Miguzi block in 2004. The series migrated to The CW4Kids in its final season after 4Kids's contract with Fox ended. Nickelodeon now owns the rights to this and any future Turtles series.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in an all-new animated series on Nickelodeon! Surfacing topside for the first time on their fifteenth birthday, the titular turtles, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello, find that life out of the sewers isn't exactly what they thought it would be. Now the turtles must work together as a team to take on new enemies that arise to take over New York City.
Teen Titans
The Teen Titans are five heroes under one roof. Robin, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy live in a large tower in the shape of a T that they call Titan Tower. No secret identities. No school. Just superheroes being superheroes. They must go up against their arch nemesis, Slade, and his evil minions. What he really plans to do is unknown but one thing's for sure... he's an evil madman.
Teen Titans Go!
Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg return in all-new, comedic adventures. They may be super heroes who save the world every day ... but somebody still has to do the laundry!
Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man
While being trained by S.H.I.E.L.D., Spider-Man battles evil with a new team of teen colleagues.
The Venture Bros.
Hank and Dean Venture, with their father Doctor Venture and faithful bodyguard Brock Samson, go on wild adventures facing megalomaniacs, zombies, and suspicious ninjas, all for the glory of adventure. Or something like that.
Vixen
Originally from Africa, Mari McGabe's parents were killed by local greed, corruption and wanton violence. But the orphaned Marl refuses to succumb to the terrors surrounding her. Inheriting her family's Tantu Totem, Mari can access the powers of animals - anything from the super-strength of a gorilla to the speed of a cheetah. As Vixen she fights valiantly to protect the world from threats like those that claimed her family.
WandaVision
Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.
What If...?
Taking inspiration from the comic books of the same name, each episode of this animated anthology series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments.
Wolverine and the X-Men
Wolverine and the X-Men must join together again to not only battle the increasingly powerful Mutant Response Division, but also to prevent a catastrophic future that Xavier has warned Wolverine must never come to pass.
X-Men
The X-Men are an elite team of mutants, genetically gifted human beings with superpowers, sworn to fight for mutant rights against hostile Government agencies, whilst at the same time protecting mankind from mutant supremacist Magneto who seeks to destroy the human race in return for the atrocities committed against mutant kind.
Young Justice
Teenage superheroes strive to prove themselves as members of the Justice League.
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends is an American animated television series produced by Marvel Productions starring established Marvel Comics characters Spider-Man and Iceman and an original character, Firestar. As a trio called the Spider-Friends, they fought against various villains.
The Avengers: United They Stand
When the planet is threatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left…the AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!
The Marvel Super Heroes
This cartoon series, characterized by extremely limited animation, features five of the most popular super-powered heroes from Marvel Comics: the Incredible Hulk, the Mighty Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, and the Sub-Mariner.
Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills
Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills is an American television series which was released by DIC Entertainment and aired on the USA Network during the 1994–1995 season. The show was a low-budget attempt to emulate the success of Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The lower budget is evident from the installments having been produced using videotape rather than more expensive film stock.
Fantastic Four
When Reed Richards, Sue and Johnny Storm and pilot Ben Grimm take a premature space flight on a new shuttle, they find themselves massively bombarded with cosmic radiation. Barely managing to re-enter and land safely, the quartet find themselves forever transformed with superpowers. Deciding to use these new powers to help people, they form the Fantastic Four, a superhero team dedicated to the protection of Earth from menaces like the Latverian King Dr. Doom and Galactus, the planet consumer.
Biker Mice from Mars
Biker Mice from Mars is a science fiction action animated series created by Rick Ungar that began airing in 1993 in the United States and lasted for three seasons before it was cancelled. It follows three anthropomorphic mice motorcyclists named Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie who escape a war on their home planet Mars before arriving to defend the Earth from the evil that destroyed their homeland and to one day return to Mars. The mice's signature weapons consist of a cestus and a laser, a bionic arm, and flares. Despite the frequent battles, no blood is shown, no firearms are used and many villains are monsters, aliens, and robots. These elements allowed the show to still be considered suitable for children.
The New Batman Adventures
The New Batman Adventures is a continuation of the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series. Stories in this series tend to give more focus to Batman's supporting cast, which include fellow crimefighters Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl, among others. The show also features guest stars such as Supergirl, Etrigan, and The Creeper; characters who would later appear with Batman in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.
WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams
10,000 years ago, amidst a war that spanned millennia, the Kherubim and Daemonites crashed on the planet Earth. While the Kherubim assimilated, the Daemonites carried their plans of domination underground, until which time they could resurface and conquer not only Earth… but the entire galaxy. Now… the time has come, necessitating the Kherubim and their descendants to emerge, mobilize and form the Covert Action Teams (WildC.A.T.s). Their mission: to fight the evil Daemonite forces and ensure the safety and sovereignty of the planet. Watch how it begins and ends as Warblade, Zealot, Grifter, Spartan, Voodoo, Maul, and Void go head to head with Lord Helspont and the evil Daemonites to determine the fate of the universe.
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
With his secret identity now revealed to the world, Ben Tennyson continues to fight evil as a superhero with the help of the newly acquired Ultimatrix.
Green Lantern
The Green Lanterns Hal and his partner Kilowog fight against the forces of the Red Lanterns.
Astonishing X-Men
An alien species attempts to take over earth, but the X-Men are ready for anything.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Peter Quill is Star-Lord, the brash adventurer who, to save the universe from its greatest threats, joins forces with a quartet of disparate misfits — fan-favorite Rocket Raccoon, a tree-like humanoid named Groot, the enigmatic, expert fighter Gamora and the rough edged warrior Drax the Destroyer.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles
In an alternative history Zod is Superman's father, Batman is a vampiric Man-Bat, and Wonder Woman is the child of Ares, God of War. When these dark heroes form an alliance, the question everyone asks is will they save the world, or rule it?
Batman Unlimited
This merchandise show displays short episodic battles, and other encounters, around Batman and his Batfamily like Nightwing, Red Robin and Robin. The episodes manage without dialogues.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes - Guardians of the Galaxy: The Thanos Threat
When Thanos, Ronan, Nebula and the Ravagers seek to possess the Build Stone, the fate of the universe depends on the Guardians of the Galaxy to protect it.
DC's Stargirl
Courtney Whitmore, a smart, athletic and above all else kind girl, discovers her step-father has a secret: he used to be the sidekick to a superhero. "Borrowing" the long-lost hero’s cosmic staff, she becomes the unlikely inspiration for an entirely new generation of superheroes.
Supa Team 4
Four teens are just trying to survive secondary school when an ex-spy recruits them for her superhero team. Their newest assignment? Saving the world.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation
The war for Eternia begins again in what may be the final battle between He-Man and Skeletor. A new animated series from writer-director Kevin Smith.
Jupiter's Legacy
As the world's first generation of superheroes (who received their powers in the 1930s) become the revered elder guard in the present, their superpowered children struggle to live up to the legendary feats of their parents.
Marvel's Hit-Monkey
A Japanese snow macaque's clan meets a stranded hitman, Bryce, and nurses him back to health. But when Bryce bites the dust, it's up to the titular simian (guided by Bryce's ghost) to follow in his assassin footsteps and seek vengeance.
Batwheels
The Batwheels are a team of sentient super-powered crimefighting vehicles that help Batman, Robin and Batgirl—as well as a host of additional DC Super Heroes—keep Gotham City safe. Created only recently by the Batcomputer, our mechanized heroes must navigate the growing pains of being a newly formed super-team as well as the growing pains that come with just being a kid.
Ghost Force
Three secondary school students secretly fight the ghosts that haunt their city.
Invincible
Mark Grayson is a normal teenager except for the fact that his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet. Shortly after his seventeenth birthday, Mark begins to develop powers of his own and enters into his father’s tutelage.
The Guardians of Justice
When their seemingly fearless leader self-destructs, a team of troubled superheroes must confront festering evil in the world — and in themselves.
Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles
A teenage rabbit aspiring to become a real samurai teams up with new warrior friends to protect their city from Yokai monsters, ninjas and evil aliens.
LEGO MARVEL Super Heroes: Maximum Overload
Spider-Man and Marvel's Super Heroes take on a mischievous Loki and a team of super villains in an all-new LEGO adventure.
LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising
Two teenagers from different worlds use their newly discovered Ninja powers to defend dragons from villains who want to use their life-force for evil.
Masters of the Universe: Revolution
It's technology versus magic as He-Man and friends fight back against the shadowy forces of Skeletor in an epic battle for the heart of Eternia.
The Boys
A group of vigilantes known informally as “The Boys” set out to take down corrupt superheroes with no more than blue-collar grit and a willingness to fight dirty.