Mega Bloks TMNT Blind Bag Series 2 SLASH!

The Mega Bloks Nicktoon TMNT Blind Bag minifigs have already made it to wave 2, and the best figure of the bunch so far is Slash!

Of the two blind bagged series, I have thus far only picked up one from each (Raphael from series 1 and Slash from series 2). I'm trying to keep to my absolute favorite characters and have been lucky enough to find each series and squeeze until I found my needed figures.

Slash is pretty easy to find using the squeeze method; he has a huge torso with a spiky shell and you can double check for his mace as well to be sure you have the right figure.

Along with the Fully Disclosed Box TMNT 2 movie Casey Jones, I now have three TMNT Mega Bloks minifigs. They're all pretty cool, but I'm a much bigger fan of the classic toon, movie and comic versions of the turtles and their pals than of modern iterations, so it's been pretty easy to pace myself with these little things. I'd love to see Mega Bloks release some minifigs based on the classic action figure designs, that would be pretty Bossa Nova!

In Space, No One Can Hear You Report The News

Robot Monster Space Superhero and Toyriffic made a toy swap the other day, and included in the box I received from John was this Space April O'Neil action figure!

Space April is one of the latest Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figure releases, and coincides with recent episodes that take place IIIIIIN SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!

I don't follow the ongoing cartoon very closely, but the idea of having April O'Neil in a space suit is too cool to pass up.

Space April's helmet is removable, which is cool for play value but unfortunately her head sits pretty low on her neck, so without the helmet on she looks a little out of proportion.

A lot of fans of the show are glad to see this head-sculpt, as it more closely resembles April's animated design than the standard April O'Neil action figure, but I actually prefer the more cartoony looking version even if it is off-model. The other headsculpt, while not cartoon accurate, certainly comes across as more lively than this one.

April looks better with the space helmet on. It fits loosely into a tab in the back and isn't as snug as I'd prefer. It could have used a couple more points of linkage to keep it more securely in place, but whatever.

Not being up on the cartoon, I am unsure if this is a camera or a blaster that looks like a camera (knowing the history of the TMNT action figure line, it could be either!) but I am guessing that it's just a camera.

Then again, who carries a camera in a hip holster? Whatever it is, it's a nice addition to the figure and fits nicely into the holster - in fact, it snaps in more securely than her helmet. Safety last!

As modern TMNT action figures go, Space April is pretty good. Her articulation is lacking (but not as much as some of the figures in the line) and while her paint apps are limited, she's pretty basically colored so it is in keeping with the animated design. The pearlescent white really pops and is a nice bonus, as they could have easily just went with basic and likely cheaper white paint.

Space April is a good looking and fun variant, and if modern TMNT figures are your thing, she may be one you'll want to add to your collection.

Thanks again to John for sending her my way!

Baxter Fly TMNT Half Shell Heroes

Baxter Stockman existed for quite some time in the modern Nickelodeon TMNT series as his regular human mad-scientist self. He even received action figure treatment in one of his robot suits, and also appeared as such in LEGO form I believe. But what he is best known for is being the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's answer to 'The Fly', and he's finally been mutated both on the show and on toy store shelves!

This is the Half Shell Heroes version of Baxter Fly that comes paired with yesterday's Slash. He is also currently available in fly form in the standard TMNT action figure line.

Dig that hipster 'stache!

This modern take on Baxter's fly mutation looks little like the original TMNT version, for one thing Baxter is back to his comic-book correct ethnicity, and while ethnicity is not really evident in either version because he's a mutant fly, the hair-color at least has gone from orange to black. This version is also a bit more loyal to the homaged 1958 movie 'The Fly', down to Baxter's single mutated hand.

In Half Shell Heroes form he's a fun small size, and reminds me of the end scene in the original The Fly. Probably around Halloween I will string him up in some fake spider-web and draw a word balloon for him that says 'Helllp meeee!'

Baxter Fly has the standard 'double leg' articulation at the hips and swivel shoulders, as well as a moveable head. He's a little top heavy and mine has loose hips (like Elvis) so he's prone to toppling over.

I only really picked Baxter up because I was jonesing for Slash, but he's a great figure in his own right. What's not to love about a human/fly mutant hybrid?

Eeny Meeny Miney Moe, Catch Tiger Claw by the Toe

Mighty Mutanimals 2.0?

Another new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle release hanging around on store shelves now is the assassin Tiger Claw.

Admittedly, I know nothing about Tiger Claw except what I have read on his bio card and online. I haven't seen the episodes he appears in, but there's something about a western-garbed Tiger man with shades of Deathstroke that a guy simply can't resist.

Tiger Claw is a good action figure and seems to be a fan favorite, so he may be tough to find until the initial 'must-have' heat dies off.

Tiger Claw comes with two pistols, which each fit nicely into holsters permanently attached to Tiger Claw's thighs.

Tiger Claw's tail is intentionally missing. Apparently someone removed it in battle. Given the fact that Playmates are well known for cost-cutting, I am surprised it is not only orange, but it appears to be a separate component and not molded onto his buttox. I suppose had they not at least made it orange, it would have looked a little too...ahem...awkward.

Tiger Claw has swivel shoulders and hips, as well as a turning head and knee joints.

I am a cherry-picker when it comes to the new TMNT toy characters, so there are many I do not own. But it seems lately they have been releasing a lot of groovy characters that are hard to resist, with many more on deck (Rocksteady and Bebop are due out this month!) so the TMNT posts are only going to continue around here!

Mirage Comic Book Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures by Playmates

Do not adjust your monitors. Your color settings are just fine. Contrary to what you may think, you are not seeing a quartet of Raphaels holding his brothers' weapons. What you are seeing are the newest variants of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, based on their original Mirage comic book illustrations!

These Comic Book Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are hitting stores now as part of the standard Playmates TMNT toyline. If you are seeking them, look for the white 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' header. Other figures in the line have the words printed in yellow, making these ones pretty easy to spot on the pegs even when they are hiding behind the other figures. So much for Ninja stealth!

Each of the four turtle brothers is available in this 'comic book' style, the only difference between them being their head sculpts/bandanas and the inclusion of their signature weapons. Some moms, kids and even collectors may opt to only get only one, feeling that the similarities are too monotonous to warrant buying more than one. But in my opinion having all four of these guys together makes for a pretty slick display, and seeing as how they are comparably cheap ($8.99 standard, and often you can find sales on multiple purchases), collecting them all is a hard proposition to resist.

As a small bonus, each figure comes with a card depicting some old-school comic book art. Unfortunately the card backs do not provide any details or any added info. But they look cool on the front!

Word on the streets is that Donatello is the 'short-packed' figure - appearing one per case as opposed to his brothers' two per case ratio. This seems to be pretty standard lately, with Donatello getting the short end of the proverbial Bo Staff. I guess the bean counters don't think he's as popular as his brethren, and maybe they are right. Regardless, if you see Donatello and are on a budget or on the fence about having them all you might want to grab him first, as he could turn out to be harder to find than the others.

That said, Playmates TMNT figures are rarely hard to find , are well distributed and very common at most retailers. So 'harder to find' may be relative, and Donny will probably still be pretty easy to get a hold of if you want him. You just might have to be a little patient - a trait toy collectors tend not to posess.

Speaking of collectors, a common complaint about these guys is that none of the Turtles have sheaths or any way to stow their weapons. This is a design aesthetic accurate to the original art, and perhaps a cost-cutting measure too (since all four turtles share the same body and belt), and really it isn't a big deal for Raph, Don and Mikey. But it is pretty noticeable with Leo, who was given sheaths as the comic art progressed. It would be nice for Leo to be able to sheath his Katana, but the lack of sheaths is not a deal breaker for me.

On the flip-side, Leonardo does have two different sized Katana. They could have easily just packed the same Katana in twice, so there's a point for Playmates.

Mikey's Nunchuku correct an earlier issue for many of his action figure releases by making the 'chain' very thick and not easily bent/stressed/broken. They don't move or bend, but they won't easily break either, or get that hideous stress-induced lightening of the plastic, so that's a plus in my book.

Michaelangelo (or is it Michelangelo?) has the best face sculpt, with his grimacing teeth showing on each side of his grizzled, edgy hard-core schnoz.

But of course Raphael is my favorite, because he's always my favorite. He comes with two good and solid Sai and a bad attitude.

The turtles are well articulated, with swivel shoulders, swivel elbows, swivel hips, swivel knees and a ball-jointed head. Some folks lament the lack of wrist articulation, but whatyagonnado? Lack of wrist articulation isn't a deal breaker for me either.

The original pre-production pics appeared to show dark paint in the sculpted scribble-marks. This paint application is not included on the figures produced, and while it looked good I am actually ok with how they look without it. I enjoy how light and shadow play on the hash-marks; it adds depth and presents a more subued effect. Anyways, it's an easy 'fix' if you are so inclined.

I know collectors are finding a lot of reasons to gripe about these guys, and invariably the comparison to the Collecotr's Grade NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is a bit unfair to be honest. Are these guys perfect? Not quite. Are they NECA quality? No, not any moreso than JLU figures are DCDirect quality. Apples and Oranges.

For what these are, the Playmates Mirage Comic Book Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are not only a mouthful to say, but they are totally radical, dude! They are eight-ish bucks, available darn near everywhere, well made, solid and durable for kid's play (which is the target market, as much as collectors want to argue otherwise), completely unexpected and finally...

...they are in scale with original Playmates TMNT figures! And let's face it, Casey Jones here is the 'Mirage Comic Book' version too, because there was no other source material to draw from when he was designed. He looks absolutely GREAT next to these new comic book ninja turtles.

Being able to pair Raph and Casey together on my shelf is worth the price of admission alone!

I highly recommend you grab at least one of these guys for your collection. And if you are even a fair-to-middlin TMNT fan, you should probably grab them all. They are really fun to have around, inexpensive, durable, and you can team them up with any iteration of the Turtles and their cohorts for all sorts of parallel universe hopping good times!

COWABUNGA!

He's a Radical Rat :: Nickelodeon TMNT Splinter Action Figure

This fellow here is the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles iteration of Splinter: father of the Teenage Mutant ninja Turtle brothers.

I found this guy at a thrift store and paid fifty cents for him, so mine is missing the walking stick he was originally released with. I replaced it with a much cooler katana (whose origins are a mystery to me) I found in a playmobil lot I picked up at a garage sale.

I didn't originally feel the need to own this guy, but for fifty cents I couldn't pass him up.

I don't know that I would pick him up if I had to pay full price. His Nickelodeon animated design is a bit on the bland side and lacks the charm of the goofy-looking original Splinter action figure. And he certainly could have benefited from the inclusion of a few weapons; the original came with a sweet hidden sword in his cane, a bow/arrow, and a couple throwing stars.

Giving him this katana does help.

Also, as a rule, a soft-goods robe would have been preferred over this molded plastic outfit. It limits the movement of his legs, although Splinter probably isn't going to be twisted into a bunch of acrobatic poses anyways.

I'm sure Splinter is still plentiful on store shelves, and a new 'Dojo Splinter' (with removeable helmet), which I think looks pretty cool, has just been released. Had I only been given the chance to own one of them, I would probably opt for Dojo Splinter as he has a little more 'oomph' than this bland Splinter. But I am also a purist and like to have 'original' versions of main characters, so if I would have owned that one first I would have probably then felt the need to track this guy down too.

So I guess the moral of the story is that I am glad to have this Splinter and any fifty cent action figure is better than no action figure at all.

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!

TMNT Newtralizer Action Figure :: 'She turned me into a newt!'

'I got better.'

Newtralizer! Another brand new Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figure release (along with the new Slash reviewed yesterday.)

Although I have not seen the episode in which Newtralizer appears, his design had me captivated from the second I saw it online, and I am glad to be able to add him to my action figure collection.

Fist of all: 'Mutant Newt.' There is not one single part of that  two word sentence that isn't slopping over with 'awesome.'

Second, this guy's look just screams his 'nineties EXTREME!!!!' superhero comics influences. From Punisher to Judge Dread to all those idiot 'superhero' creations with more pouches than personality, Newtralizer is one modern TMNT design that hits on all cylinders.

Newtralizer is a Kraang killing bounty hunter (he even has the Kraang tentacles hanging from his belt to prove it!) and of course any child of the Star Wars generation knows there are few things cooler than bounty hunters.
 

 Newtralizer comes with two weapon accessories: a bladed disc...

...and a knife that fits into a sheath on his leg-strap!

The removable knife is a nice touch and one that could have been skipped by the manufacturer for a myriad of reasons, so it's great to get it here. In my humble opinion, a toy with a stowable weapon is better than a toy with non-stowable weapons any day of the week.

I suppose you could also count his wrist mounted 'guns' as weapons too (or even his unpainted tail blade), but they are part of the sculpt and not actual accessories.

As with Slash, there are two reported variations of Newtralizer being found - one with grey weapons and one with brown weapons. I've seen them both in person, and I think the grey 'metal' looking weapons are far superior to weapons that match Newtralizer's skin tone, but you are free to choose whichever YOU think is best when you are out hunting this guy down.

Nickelodeon's TMNT Slash Action Figure :: Turtle Power!

Slash has always been one of my favorite TMNT characters. I love the Edward Hyde/Bizarro aspect of the character, the mad twisted tweak on the cuddly loveable Turtle Teens.

So when I learned Slash would appear in the Nickelodeon TMNT cartoon, and that he would later appear as an action figure, I was pretty stoked.

At first I was unhappy with the action figure's shortcomings, and had decided to pass on him. But Toys R Us is having a 'Buy one, get one 40% off' TMNT sale, and since I was buying Newtralizer I decided to nab Slash anyways.

I am glad I did.

I admit, the pin-headed design isn't my favorite. And of course it has been said time and again (even by me) that Playmates' non-turtle TMNT action figures fall short in many ways (paint apps, articulation, accessories...you name it.)

But I took a step back from the toy collector mentality for a minute and realized a few things: primarily, if 'OtherToyCo.' was in charge of the TMNT license, they would be asking upwards of $20 plus for these guys. And while you might get slightly more articulation, or perhaps more paint apps, there would still be plenty of issues to complain about. PLENTY! And would you really be getting more/better for your more money? I say thee 'nay.'

So is Slash perfect? Heck no. But at BOGO 40% off he and Newtralizer came to about $6.30 each, and that's simply incredible in this day and age. Heck, $8.99 for a figure this size is incredible this day and age, especially for a licensed property. Playmates keeps these guys at around $8.99, sells them everywhere, has yet to release an impossible to find anything, and stores stay well stocked and have sales all the time.

All that considered, I just can't complain about Playmates handling of TMNT action figures anymore. I will continue to like/dislike character designs and whatnot, which is anyone's prerogative, but I'm absolutely okay with how the toyline is being handled and how many kids it is able to reach at this price-point while still (somewhat) appeasing old jaded toy collectors at the same time.

Nickelodeon Slash is scaled smaller than he appears in the cartoon, but his scale works well next to the original Slash. And having grown up a Transformers/GoBots fan, scale is just something you had to let go of. In the Transformer world, Semi trucks are larger than jet fighters, and cassette players are even larger than that! Scale, shmale - who needs it?

Modern Slash comes with one weapon: a nice, solid mace.

There are currently two paint variations on the modern Slash. The one I picked up has yellow paint apps on his chest. The other available version lacks this paint app and instead has the paint applied to small spikes on his left shoulder. I've seen both versions in person, and although it's a small thing, I prefer this one. Your mileage may vary, or you might not care either way, but something to consider if you are in the market for Slash.

"Paradise!"

Upcoming Imaginext Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy!

Revealed at the 2014 Toy Fair is this wonderful pair from the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy Imaginext figures!

Now it is well known that I am no fan of Sponge Bob (or is it Spongebob?) But Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy are parodies of not only the obvious Aquaman and Aqualad, but also of Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. Which makes them pretty awesome in their own right, without even mentioning that they are voiced on the cartoon by the late Ernest Borgnine (Mermaid Man) and Tim Conway (Barnacle Boy).

These are a must have for me, and will be slid directly into my Imaginext Justice League roster when I find them.

Pic via ActionFigureInsider Forums