Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Unboxed: NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze Super Shredder

I remember my second Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie experience better than the first one.  Although I managed to see both in theaters, the second one was a complete surprise as I was told we were “too busy with soccer games”.  My father, who was not a fan of sitting through kids movies in theaters, must have had an extra warm heart that weekend.  I remember after my soccer game asking if we could see it expecting him to say no.  I was shocked when he was like “let me talk to your mother”.  After a brief chat on the walk to the car it was decided, we were going to the movies.  We then stopped by the house to change and check the paper on when the next showings were.  As I mentioned, my dad wasn’t big on taking us to the actual movies so the fact that he took me to this one gives it an extra special place in my heart.

I knew they would try to go bigger with new characters and expand on the previous movie but was not expecting Super Shredder.  Although it wasn’t the climactic ending I was expecting it was still cool to see what would happen if Shredder juiced up on mutagen.  NECA did a great job with this one bringing Super Shredder from the big screen to action figure.  Although he is considered a Walmart exclusive, NECA did have a limited amount up on their site as well.  If you missed out on those it looks like you are at the mercy of Walmart.  I can’t express enough how grateful I am to the gang at NECA for listening to the fans and finding creative ways to help get these figures into more collectors’ hands instead of the scalpers.  There are many issues with distribution and licensing that not everyone understands so the hard work to find ways around them is definitely appreciated. (more…)

Unboxed: NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Slash& Leatherhead

The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon in the 80s was what got me into the turtles so the toon line by NECA is one of my favorites. The only problem is they are everyone else’s favorites too, making them hard to come by at retail.  With a little patience I do eventually find them. It might be months after all the cool kids get theirs, but I eventually get them without having to feed the scalpers. After not having much luck finding NECA’s Toon Casey Jones and Foot Soldier my expectations weren’t high on my ability to find Slash and Leatherhead either. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I snagged the last one at my main Target the other day so quick after release. (more…)

Unboxed: NECA Splinter, Shredder, & Foot Soldier TMNT Movie Figures

To say the live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is one of my all-time favorites is an understatement.  By 1990 the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were by far my favorite franchise and I was all about turtles at the time.   I had a TMNT themed birthday party, nothing but turtle Christmas, and the movie was one of the few times I remember seeing my Dad in a movie theatre.  But for whatever reason, I had a ton of cartoon based action figures but never bothered for the live action versions.  Of course, that all changed a couple of years ago when I saw NECA was releasing a line of movie figures.  Until recently, Playmates was the sole maker of TMNT figures.  The only reason I think NECA (and others) got any sliver of the license is that fact that any TMNT figure they release is some sort of store or con exclusive.  NECA always does their best to get things to as many people as possible.  That said, some of these figures are harder to come by than others.  What I have learned is patience is key.

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Walmart Exclusive TMNT Black and White Comic 4-Pack

It’s the summer of new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures. Playmates just revealed a new comic inspired Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Black and White Figure 4-Pack arriving at the end of the summer. The set, which will be a Walmart exclusive, features the four comic inspired Turtles released a few years back, just in black and white. The set will also include a reprint of TMNT #1, with a new cover by Kevin Eastman.

The figures will be available on Walmart.com starting on Thursday, August 18th. We aren’t sure of the price but you can expect them in Walmart stores mid-August. (more…)