LEGO Metalhead :: TMNT Custom Minifigure Build

After slapping together a custom Panda Khan LEGO minifigure,  I started thinking of what other Ninja Turtle characters I could possibly cobble together. It struck me that the robotic turtle Metalhead (Classic Metalhead action figure, Modern Metalhead action figure) was do-able and would be a fun character to have in minifigure form. So I set out to make a Metalhead minifigure!

In making Metalhead, I didn't use any actual minifigure components. Instead, I built him entirely from standard LEGO bricks and bits. I based him predominantly on his modern look, but took a lot of liberties and just let my creativity lead me down a long path to this final result.

I gave him a blow torch hand, which can be switched out with other weapon types like a chainsaw or a claw or whathaveyou. I had the notion of making a rotating 'stick' ala the classic action figure's spinning nunchucku weapon, but I haven't put that one together yet.

Metalhead is a little larger than a standard minifigure. His legs don't move, but his arms can be rotated at the shoulders. After putting him together I looked around online and discovered a few other Metalhead customs, but they are generally pretty small. Essentially they are little more than micro-builds. My Metalhead has a bit more heft to him, and his weapon customizeability gives him more personality too.

Heavy Metal Noise! :: Nickelodeon's TMNT Metalhead Action Figure

This is the modern iteration of Metalhead, from the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toyline by Playmates. I've had this guy for quite a while now, but realized the other day that I had never gotten around to blogging about him! The nerve!

Design-wise, Metalhead is a real gem. I love his skull-knee-pads and the nuts/bolts at his shoulders, knees, and the sides of his head. I didn't take a picture of it, but his shell is an NYC sewer lid - a real genius design component!

Metalhead's 'weapon' is a simple flame/missile that you place within a hole in his right hand and 'flick' from the back of his elbow to send it flying. This action feature limits Metalhead's right arm to a perpetual 90 degree bend but it doesn't encumber his aesthetic too much when the missile is removed. And since he's a robot, a limited range of motion is acceptable.

His shoulders are a basic swivel and his wrists rotate. His hips and knees are the more dynamic ball hinge, and his head is on a ball joint, which gives him a large range of emotive head poses.

His elbows do not have any articulation, but I'm ok with that. The only issue I have with his arms is that his bent arm and his straight arm are the same length - were he to extend his right arm it would become longer than his left! If I had to guess why, I would say Metalhead's initial design probably called for some sort of action feature or interchangeable hands/weapons on his straight arm, and that feature was cut for costs. Leaving Metalhead with mis-matched arm lengths. Honestly it's not really that noticeable, but I noticed it and it bugs me just a little bit.

That said: Metalhead is so cool I recommend him regardless of any dumb old stumpy arm!

As for scale, Metalhead is a tad smaller than the Turtles, which is in line with his animated appearance.

I picked Metalhead up many months ago. I'm sure he's still easy enough to find at retail, my experience with the TMNT toyline is that they are plentiful and easy to find (I applaud Playmates and retailers for keeping it that way - no under-packed rarities or retailer exclusives!) but I can't confirm it myself as I have not looked for him recently. If you have, let us know in the comments!

Heavy Metalhead Noise

I didn't know anything about Metalhead before I got this action figure, just that he's a robot ninja turtle and that's pretty slick.

Turns out he started as an evil construct built by Krang, and was later 'fixed' for the side of good by Donatello. Ooh, an evil robot ninja turtle...even cooler!

I received this guy sans accessories- well, he had his backpack but it had a broken strap so I tossed it out. But it turns out you can pop off Metalhead's forearms and pop in his robo-nunchucks ala Trap-Jaw, Pretty cool, I may need to find his accessories someday so I can do so!

Until then I'm just content having a robot ninja turtle because who wouldn't be?