John "Ripster" Bolton is the leader of the Street Sharks. He's the smartest and the oldest of the Bolton Brothers. He enjoys creating inventions; taking up most of his knowledge and skills from his dad. He's also an avid pool player. In the first episode, he's seen riding a motorcycle. When he changes into Ripster, he becomes a Great White Shark with teeth that can chew even through steel.
He was voiced by Lee Tockar in the 1994 TV series.
History
Ripster and his brothers were gene-slammed into the Street Sharks and they've been fighting Dr. Piranoid and the other villains who want to harm them and make them look bad.
Abilities
Powers
As a Street Shark, he's a genetically modified human/shark hybrid. He possesses great physical strength, speed, endurance, and durability. Resulting in the trade mark shark dive that allows him to tunnel or swim through concrete like water.
Intelligence
Ripster's the smartest of the sharks and he's their leader.
Driving skills
Ripster's a capable motorcyclist.
Personality
To be added.
Design
As a human, he is a young handsome muscular man with dark brown hair with brown eyes (sometimes the eyes are blue). He wears a light blue button-up shirt and a white t-shirt under, black plants with a belt, and khaki shoes.
As a shark, he wears black pants and khaki shoes.
Toys
Ripster is, perhaps the Shark with the most merch. As revealed with the release of the 2021 merch, Ripster was originally named "Ripley" and was the shark's sport loving brother, attributes which would be passed to Big Slammu. In series 1, Ripster was a dull blue gray in color. In series 2, the leader was given the "Metallic" painting. Both figures were able to punch with their left hand. Along side these, a Rip Rider Ripster was made, where the shark would ride a motorcycle. A 12 inch talking Ripster was able to be mailed away for. Like the rest of the Bolton Brothers, a Hand-Shark would be produced. A Shark Buddy, shown in the 1995 Toy Fare, was produced, but never released, it was a full body Ripster plush toy that could be used as a puppet.
For series three, Ripster was retitled, Ravenous Ripster. This figure was packaged with two laser rifles and could eat them. Uncommon for Ripster's character though, he sported a pair of brass knuckles on his left hand. Series 4, Ripster was Pool Shark Ripster, complete with his leather jacket, pool cue, exploding cue balls, and sunglasses. Oddly, the tongue of this Ripster had very prominent tastebuds. For Series 5, the Night Fighter line, Ripster was re-named once again to Trap Jaw Ripster, where he featured metal jaws that connected to his own. He also had a pair of shark jaws on a chain to use as a flail, and brass knuckles on his right hand. For Space Force, the sixth series, Ripster became Powerarm Ripster, where his left arm was fitted with a Jaws of Life style weapon. When Mattel brought back the IP for 2021, Ripster's prototype design was released. Originally called Ripley, he was a fun loving jock of the Bolton Brothers. The figure came with two accessories, barbells and a football missile launcher.
Trivia
- Considering that the Street Sharks are similar to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ripster takes the place of Leonardo and Donatello as he's the leader of the Street Sharks and also the brainiac of the Street Sharks.
- Ripster is similar to Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) from the Fantastic Four as they were both the leaders and the brainiacs of their team.
Gallery
