So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy what is the first part of many insights into what figures were released in the greatest action figure line in toys history (in my opinion). Gone before many of us knew it even existed. I understand that nothing would be here without the comic from a couple of guys from Maine, but without what came in 1988 from a California-based toy manufacturer, it can be argued that the Turtles would’ve been nothing more than an indie comic flash in the pan.
#TMNT TURTLES IN TIME GAME TATTOO SERIES#
For without the TMNT series released in 1987, we wouldn’t be talking about a new animated series coming in 2018. A toy, an honest to god action figure that is responsible for so much more today. For every one-sixth scale figure of the cool, but rude Raphael, there was one figure that perfectly captured who that character was released back in 1988 a toy that combined the elements of its comic book origins and the modern characteristics of its day. That may sound overdramatic, but it seems to me that some people forget where their figures came from. What will follow in my current ramblings is more than a series of reviews of figures from another time, for me it’s something of a time capsule. But I want you to know where it started, or at least, where it started for me. I want you to like what you like and to collect what you want. Some of us prefer to share them with friends and family of a younger generation, which is the point of these writings.īelieve it or not, I’m not trying to force my opinion upon you. Some of us are protective of our memories. Maybe they love the Turtles as much as we do. Some of us may have children of our own now. Fans that may have grown up to be a collector who wants to keep a piece of their childhood alive. But it is also remembered fondly by us, the fans.
#TMNT TURTLES IN TIME GAME TATTOO HOW TO#
Our childhood was manufactured by people who knew how to sell us a product.
While the ’88 Playmates line may have been developed from a cartoon series designed to sell a product to children, so were Transformers, G.I.
Sure, the first line of figures in the storied history of TMNT toys may seem much more like kid stuff or Technicolor byproducts from the decade that birthed them, but there is a lot to be said of a company that isn’t afraid to put personality first, than people that bank on nostalgia and looking to internet message boards to find out what’s popular enough to sell. While it may seem ridiculous to some to mention Playmates Toys in the same sentence as other, more respected companies, I believe it to be essential. Not only does this include action figures released later on by Playmates (whether they be based on animated series or feature films), but by other toy manufacturers like Herocross, Dreamex, ThreeZero and a host of others. I know that may sound trite or just plain wrong to many of you that read this, but in my opinion, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first action figure line has stood the test of time better than TMNT figure line to come since the 80’s. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: just the basicsīack in 1988, a toy company called Playmates released the greatest action figure line in toys history.