| The Terrific Whatzit | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Funny Stuff #1 (Summer 1944) |
| Created by | Martin Naydel |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Merton McSnurtle |
| Notable aliases | McSnurtle the Turtle |
| Abilities | Superspeed Superstrength Flight An "automatic conscience." |
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.
McSnurtle is a turtle and shopkeeper who lives in the town of Zooville and is famed for both his honesty and his laziness. He is granted powers by two powerful, otherworldly entities (the nice Prince Highness and nasty Prince Lowness) who want to see how a completely honest person would handle being granted superpowers. These powers include superspeed, superstrength and the ability to fly. McSnurtle also gains a ghostly "automatic conscience" who won't relent until he goes into action against the threat of the story.
When in action as the Terrific Whatzit, McSnurtle removes his shell and dons a costume almost identical to that of the Golden Age Flash save that the lightning bolt emblem is replaced by a "TW" in a yellow circle. 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. A redesigned 21st century version of the Terrific Whatzit recently appeared in the DC Super-Pets children's book Salamander Smackdown as a superpowered pet of the present day Flash.