LEE’S TOY REVIEW #xx :: pg.x TOY FAIR ’98 – PLAYMATES’S ‘ZORRO’ & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS (( xx 1998 ))

LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS / Unreleased 'SHADOW NINJA TMNTS' (( xx 1998 ))

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LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS  (( xx 1998 ))** View LARGE On Black **

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–>> .. included on this random page are Varner Studio’s ZORRO and NEXT MUTATION offerings for 1998.

I don’t believe this proposed second ZORRO wave was ever produced. The infamous wave that included fan-fave LADY RAWHIDE.

You may or may not recall : The NEXT MUTATION “Turtleflage” assortment would make to retail for the most part. The basic Turtleflage teens made it to store pegs, tho i never saw the basic CAMO TMNTs myself locally. However, 3 of the four main villains from that wave ( Simon Bonesteel, the Eastman designed Silver the Gorilla, and Vam Mi ) were readily available with the Wave 1 assortment at a local Walmart, i snagged them quickly and the three are now the hi-lights of my collection of figures and dust. Infamously, Dr.Quease – Dragon Lord’s mad scientist, the fourth villain in the wave would not see release.

All this was happening as the Next Mutation’s first and only season was going into hiatus. The remaining months leading to K•B closing out the line of toys seemingly exclusively with the Deluxe TURTLEFLAGE Dragon Lord and Teens, the basic Next Mutation figs, and the popular classic TMNT reissues showing up in the big grated discount bins in front of K•B’s old mall stores.

Important note on this page:: You get a fleeting shot of Dr.Quease here with the basic Camo Teens and bad guys with a faint peek as to what his weapon would have looked like. We also have painted prototypes on the display stands that the young lady is holding at the Playmates booth, the SHADOW NINJAS!! These most impressive figures would into hiding, never to be released. They were due possibly upon the arrival of a hypothetical second season of NEXT MUTATION. That was not meant to be so Varner’s incredible, heavily martial arts themed Teens went back to California and into the Varner vaults seemingly forever. With the exception of Raph, we are given a blurry view of Venus and the rest of the team. I recall publication of more images of the Shadow Ninjas elsewhere ( maybe an older Playmates Catalog ) but that may be just wishful thinking in this ol’ Snapper’s untrustworthy brain. This page was, for me – the only verification that these toys existed. 16 years later at SDCC 2014, at the VARNER STUDIOS booth – the unpainted prototypes from Steve and his team themselves had put the Shadow Ninjas out on display for the public to see in time for the Teens 30th birthday.

LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS / Unreleased 'SHADOW NINJA RAPH' (( xx 1998 ))

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  A pretty good shot and rare image of the unproduced – painted “SHADOW NINJA” Raphael proto.

San Diego CHAOS CONUNDRUM 2014 ::  VARNER STUDIOS Booth, SDCC '14; TMNT protos - Unreleased "SHADOW NINJAS" NEXT MUTATION protos

** Varner Studios inc. **

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San Diego CHAOS CONUNDRUM 2014 ::  VARNER STUDIOS Booth, SDCC '14; TMNT protos - Unreleased "SHADOW NINJAS" NEXT MUTATION protos

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 I brought these images up to hi-rez best i could, but it didn’t do much good. Well a little bit. Whatever- you get a better grasp at the color scheme of the Teens in their awesome SHADOW NINJA martial arts gear. Varner Studios can make ANY Turtle look really cool.

LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS / Unreleased 'SHADOW NINJA TMNTS' (( xx 1998 ))

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Varner15

LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS / 'TURTLEFLAGE' asst. (( xx 1998 ))

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 Again i attempted to enlarge a portion of the photos in the article. Dr.Quease looks like he may be holding some kind of pincher-like projectile launcher or something. His scalpel-like arm weapon appears to have been a clip-on as it appears on the opposite arm of the prototype pictured from the back of the TURTLEFLAGE packages. The blood-splatter design on his jacket appears a little different than on the package image as well. But it is hard to tell as the article image is a bit blurry even when enlarged.

Still you get some good ideas as what could have been if he was released to retail.

LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS / Unreleased 'Dr.Quease' weapons peek  (( xx 1998 ))

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LEE'S TOY REVIEW #xx ::  pg.x TOY FAIR '98 - PLAYMATES'S 'ZORRO' & NT: THE NEXT MUTATION. Turtleflage & SHADOW NINJAS / 'TURTLEFLAGE' Don & Leo's Camo Blitz Bike  (( xx 1998 ))

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Finally in the breakdown of the page, here’s a small shot of the cool TURTLEFLAGE LEO and his CAMO BLITZ CYCLE, a really neat bike. I beleive that toy is actually rather sought after nowadays along with the DLX Donatello vehicle from the same series. A good shot of the creepy-cool basic TURTLEFLAGE DON appears too – the article mentions his camo mask lookin’ like it’s from SILENCE OF THE LAMBS .. EEEEEeessh !!

Well just call me Clarice O’Neil .. :{

 • •

RELATED NOTES ::

 

February, 2015
02TMNT Annual 2012 Deluxe Limited Edition HC
25TMNT New Animated Adventures #20; TMNT: Mutanimals #1; TMNT #43

March, 2015
04TMNT New Animated Adventures #21; TMNT: The IDW Collection, Vol. 1 HC
11TMNT Color Classics, Vol. 3 #3
18TMNT: Mutanimals #2
25TMNT #44

April, 2015
08TMNT New Animated Adventures #22
15TMNT #45; TMNT Color Classics, Vol. 3 #4; TMNT Classics, Vol. 10 TPB
22TMNT: Mutanimals #3; TMNT/Ghostbusters TPB

May, 2015
02 – FCBD 2015TMNT Prelude to Vengeance – FCBD 2015

06TMNT Color Classics, Vol. 3 #5; TMNT New Animated Adventures, Vol. 5 TPB
13TMNT New Animated Adventures #23
20TMNT #46; TMNT/Ghostbusters Director’s Cut
27TMNT: Mutanimals #4

TBD
??Secret History of the Foot Clan, Deluxe Workprint Edition HC

Steve Lavigne

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2luUrtwOyo4&sns]

~ t

Free Comic Book Day – The People, the comics…. the hail?!

It has been a wild couple of weeks…

Free Comic Book Day not only was the annual comic giveaway across the country, but it was also the 30th anniversary for the teenage mutant ninja turtles. I was fortunate to be around for the special Eastman & Laird reunion and signing events for both Jetpack Comics in Rochester, NH and Shellback Artworks in Wells, ME.

 

Continue reading “Free Comic Book Day – The People, the comics…. the hail?!”

“Dark Knight” .. pin-up art by Kevin Eastman (( 1985 ))

"Dark Knight" .. pin-up art by Kevin Eastman (( 1985 ))

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Thanks Ras ::

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http://www.tmnt-ninjaturtles.com/

” TMNT – A COLLECTION ;http://www.tmnt-ninjaturtles.com/

The Most Complete

and professionally cataloged collection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and memorabilia” Also from **Rich’s Comic Blog schedule, going well into the 2nd and on to the 3rd quarter of the year :

** Upcoming TMNT Comics ** – updated APR 24 – 16:11 MDT

(dates subject to change)

April, 2014 09TMNT Color Classics, Vol. 2 #6 23TMNT New Animated Adventures #10; TMNT #33; TMNT Adventures, Vol. 7 TPB

May, 2014 07TMNT Color Classics, Vol. 2 #7; Tales of the TMNT, Vol. 4 TPB; TMNT New Animated Adventures, Vol. 2 TPB 14TMNT New Animated Adventures #11; TMNT Classics, Vol. 8 TPB; 21TMNT #34 28TMNT 30th Anniversary Special; TMNT Annual 2012 Deluxe Limited Edition HC

June, 2014 11TMNT New Animated Adventures #12; TMNT Heroes Collection Oversized HC; TMNT, Vol. 8: Northampton TPB 18TMNT: Turtles In Time #1; TMNT Animated, Vol. 4 TPB 25TMNT #35; TMNT Annual 2014

July, 2014 02TMNT, Vol. 1: Change Is Constant 2014 TPB; TMNT Micro-Series, Vol. 1 2014 TPB; Tales of the TMNT, Vol. 5 TPB 09TMNT New Animated Adventures #13 16TMNT: Turtles In Time #2; TMNT: Utrom Empire, Vol. 1 TPB; TMNT Original Motion Picture Special Edition HC 30TMNT #36

• •

I was heading out to do some grocery shopping this afternoon when I decided to do a quick check of email on my phone. I was not expecting it, but one of the messages was from the local printer who was handling the printing of TMNT #32. He said the books were all printed, and I could come and pick them up.

Which I did. And here they are.

..

NT Volume 4, #31 can still be seen on this blog at the following URL: **http://peterlairdstmntblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/tmnt-volume-4-31.html

There is a very good chance that #31 will see a physical printing, but it probably won’t be for a few months. .. ..

I think the plan is for Shellback to have exclusive sales for a short time, then the remainder of the copies will go on sale via the ***Mirage website. — PL

 Take a look at the Laird, Eastman, Lavigne FCBD collaborative print !! !! l SHELLBACK ARTWORKS :: "TMNT v. SHREDDER"  exclusive print for Free Comic Book Day 2014 // .. cleaned inking by LAIRD

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SHELLBACK ARTWORKS :: "TMNT v. SHREDDER"  exclusive print for Free Comic Book Day 2014 // .. color by Lavigne (( 20

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  • In from Kevin ..
.. .. I’ll be signing in Rochester NH at JETPACK COMICS FCBD extravaganza from 10-12:30 and then Peter Laird will be joining us too from 1-4

We are very excited about this event and looking forward to seeing so many of you then.  Complete details of the event, times, limited editions stuff, directions etc. can be found by clicking here

On Sunday May 4 Peter and me along with Jim Lawson and Steve Lavigne will be signing at Steves awesome gallery/store in Wells Maine.

*** Shellback Artworks is on Rt 1 in Wells.  Visit them on Facebook.

.. ..

We are in Calgary this weekend at Stampede Park for the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo     — KE

~ t

FCBD: GGM at Jetpack Comics and Shellback Artworks

Greetings!

Well, this Saturday I’ll be roaming around both at JetPack Comics in Rochester, NH as well as Shellback Artworks in Wells, ME. 🙂

I’ll be around in a black shirt and red hair bandanna taking photos – if you see me, stop over and say hi!

For those that can’t be in the Northeast, I’ll be doing a write-up on the day, and review on the new TMNT Animated Adventures comic, and whatever else I can find… maybe a giveway, if I can beat the crowds. 🙂
~ Machias

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody

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–>> Tokka tries to keep personal projects posted on GGM  to a minimum ( but he also swore he’d stop talkin’ about himself in the 3rd person years ago as well ), but you TMNT fan-folks may appreciate this more than most.

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody i

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 Photos by Miki, shot at ** Steve Lavigne’s SHELLBACK ARTWORKS in Wells,MN.

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody ii

This custom hoodie was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary  of one o’ Mirage Studio’s most popular story arcs in TMNT history; and the final one that put an end to the original Volume one of the Mirage Turtles FOREVER : “City at WAR“.

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody iii

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody iv

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody v

Ripped from an old t-shirt .. the classic “C.A.W.” logo features on the front, and one the back the iconic Eastman & Laird image a vicious Shredder Elite choking the life out of one of the warring Foot Soldiers. One of the most memorable panels from TMNT v.1 #50.

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody vi
tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody vii

The Hoodie goes up a tad small when the hood is actually pulled up over my noggin, but it’s not to bad. “Blood”,”ooze” , street grime & spray, Three-toed dragon symbol stencil, and some very worn battle-wrapping around the arms pay a small nod to the Shredder Elite Guards themselves.

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody viiitOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody ix

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody x // ..hood up

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody xi

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody xii

tOkKustom :: TMNT: C.A.W. 20th Anniversary Hoody xiii // ..Leo beats tOkKa to a bloody pulp

Special thanks to Dan Berger.

~ t