Tomart’s Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR ’97, PLAYMATES “NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION” (( April 1997 ))

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early N.M. logo  (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

–>> Here’s some more Ghosts come to haunt the sewers from Toy Fair’s past !!

This artwork and early N.M. logo was being used by Mirage and Saban early on in the development of the live-action show. I recall seeing it multiple times on the official TMNT website.

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

This has been rescanned at a higher rez, and broken down to hi-light a better look at the prototypes and such presented within’ the magazine spread.

There’s a bit going on here including early prototypes of Venus and Dragon Lord, logos, and a very “DARTH VADER” – like, early Shredder prototype that’s quite pointy.

Pink-bandanas on Venus and a really cool paint job on DRAGON SKULL a.k.a The Dragon Lord.

The very comic-book, “DOONEY STYLED” Elite Guard in this line was the first “Shredder Elite Ninja” ever to be sculpted into a toy.

The Elite Guards don’t look like this in the show at all as they do on the fig.

It’s not mentioned much, but the story was supposed to go in that after Venus defeated Shredder and the N.Y. Foot Clan was disbanded, the Shredder’s Elite were to join Dragon Lord’s “THE RANK” army in lieu of the absence of the FOOT. Hopefully when Oroku Saki was to return, they would have rejoined him once again betraying their new Dragon master.

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early "VADER-esque" 'SHREDDER'  (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

Connotations between “SHREDDER” and “Darth Vader” drove me nuts growing up – i heard it many times. But it’s pretty hard not to think of the Dark Lord with this early proto and SHARP version of Saki. The final figure looks immensely cool, one of my all time favourites.

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early "pink-bandana" Venus  (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

Venus’s proto included pupils and a pink coloured banadana and wrappings.

NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION :: VENUS ..card backer ii  ; signed by Mitchell A. Lee Yuen - "RAPHAEL"  in N.M.  (( 1997 ))

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☯ ☯

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early "DRAGON SKULL" the 'DRAGON LORD'   (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

One of my favourites from the Teens’ Rouges Gallery. One has to presume that the Dragon Lord’s final facial look was not ready by the time he went to sculpt. The masked version would be the only version EVER to be manufactured and the same sculpt is used on his TURTLEFLAGE deluxe figure. He never wore the mask in the show, as you may recall. A “sculpted dragon-head” was promised for a future figure, maybe it was even sculpted at one point. But who knows. Again, the line went away after the second wave.

The cool paint wash on this highlights the sculpt a bit better on the prototype than on the manufactured figure. You can even see the upper “GREEN” portion of his face just a bit peaking above the face mask. The final figure just makes it look like he’s wearing a full, white head mask.

NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION :: "CAMO-CAPE TURTLEFLAGE" DISGUISING DRAGON LORD ..card backer ii (( 1997 ))

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☠ ☠

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..Eastman, vehicles & 'THUNDER THRASHERS TMNT'  (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

 

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early Cycle assortment & 'Mutant Marauder'  (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

The Biker , MEGA MOTORIN’ “Elite Guard” looks suspiciously like he’s wearing similar looking garb to the Rank Warriors. And none of the villains on the show ACTUALLY get a souped up ride like the cool red n’ purple, stealthy lookin’ speedster. Raph’s bike looks kinda similar to how it looks in the live show.

The big fat Mutant Marauder would be rereleased in the TMNT 2003 line tho’ it was redecorated a bit and didn’t feature in the animated show.

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early 'THUNDER THRASHERS' asst.  (( April 1997 ))

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★ ★

Early “T. Thrashers” protos include a pink-bandana Venus again, and she is wearing a top which actually looks cool on her.

For whatever reason, her final DLX Thrasher toy removed the top ( *GASP* ) and e’rythang just all umm — hangs OUT free-flowin’ in the breeze at the skate park.

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..early 'THUNDER THRASHERS' "pink bandana & tank top" 'BLACKTOP BOARDIN' VENUS" Venus (( April 1997 ))

Tomart's Action Figure Digest #xx :: pgs.26, 27 TOY FAIR '97, PLAYMATES "NINJA TURTLES: THE NEXT MUTATION / ..Eastman in the showroom sewers  (( April 1997 ))..and there’s your buddy wandering his way thru’ the Toy Fair’s very own sewer system.

• •

N.Y. Toy Fair ’15 has wound down, but the hunt is just beginning for the collectors, kids, moms n’ dads EVERYWHERE !! ::

Back at Wonder Festival 2015, Prime 1 Studio showcased all four of their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014 Statues. Now we get a close up look at the Donatello Statue. **Prime 1 Studio has posted some official photos and some info for the upcoming release…-

Check out the full gallery on **TOY ARK and click ***Prime 1 Studio here for release info.

~ t

 

Nickelodeon TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR v.2 (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 iii (( 2014 ))☣ ☣

–>> Good Ol’ Spy Roach has had a recent variant pop up with bolder colouring and highlights on is chest and underside area.

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 i (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 ii (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR ..card backer (( 2013 ))

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☣ ☣

COCKROACH TERMINATOR

MUTATED SPYROACH

Cockroach Terminator Mutated Spyroach. Meet the biggest and toughest insect ever! Cockroach Terminator was once Donnie’s little spy before falling into a container of Mutagen Ooze and mutating into an unstoppable monster. He is ready to destroy anything that crosses his way, including the Turtles! Anyone who pesters this insect should be ready to get stung!

• WEAPONS: Saw Blade / Kraang Blaster / Donatello Spy Gear
•TEAM: Kraang Evil Aliens

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR ..card insert (( 2013 ))

..minor variation on the newer card insert, including instructions on attaching the “antenna” piece into Roach’s head. This insert is from the original release. The browner tones on the body and carapace seem a little darker as well. His one “Good eye” seems to be painted in a lighter black. The cylindrical metal component on his shell on this re-issue has NOT been painted silver as on the original release for some reason. I suppose you could always paint it yourself.

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 iv (( 2014 ))These paint touch-ups really make Roach look a little better. I’m trying to break it down here for ya best i can to help  you decide; if you think it’s worth a re-purchase of the guy for the new colouring. or just to have a variant MOC to save.

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 v (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 vi / with C.T. original release '13 (( 2014 ))

Not a perfect toy, but i am fond of the little guy.. and while scale issues plague so much of this line, C.T. here is really not one of them effected. He pretty much is to scale of the Teen figures like he was on the show last season.

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 vii / with C.T. original release '13, Buzzsaws  (( 2014 ))

.Blade on top is with the new release, lower blade with spot on handle is the older release blade.

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 ix / ..with SCUMBUG '90 (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 x / ..with MINNETONKA MUTANT '05 (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 viii (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 xi / ..vs. NINJA AT-3 LEONARDO '13 (( 2014 ))

Nickelodeon  TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES :: COCKROACH TERMINATOR V.2 xii / ..ROCK ROACH (( 2014 ))
WHO'Z YA DADDIE ?!

• •

Related notes ::

10951150-1400084225-706480

~ t