From the Archives: Foot Soldier (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: “Weird Al” Yankovic – Eat It

For this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’re taking a look at one last NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This version of the Foot Soldier is based on his look in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze. While this movie’s foot soldier is nearly identical to the earlier releases, he has a slightly larger torso piece. Technically, you could refer to him by the figure’s nickname of “the fat foot.” However, it’s honestly a minimal difference from the previously released ninjas. Also, he is painted in the same black tone as the figures from the first movie, and not the slightly grayer/brown repaint from the SOTS Foot Soldier 2-pack. Speaking of two-packs, this big guy is only available in a 2-pack with Keno. This is annoying to me, as he’s a great army builder for the line.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Yellow Foot Soldier (Video Game)

Recommended music: Wiz Khalifa – Black And Yellow

Yes, for this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This custom yellow version of the Foot Soldier figure is based on its appearance 1989 Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game. NECA also never got around to making this version, so I also had to do it myself. This head style from the animated foot soldiers works better than the rounded heads, in my opinion. However, I am missing something crucial to the Yellow Foot Soldiers from the game. They need a pink boomerang (or a white boomerang in the NES port).

This version of the foot soldiers can throw boomerangs across the screen to attack from a distance, but can also engage in some hand-to-hand combat as well. I’m not planning on NECA making this color of foot anytime soon, so I guess I need to go ahead and get started on some boomerangs. 😄

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#TMNTthearcadegame
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: White Foot Soldier (Video Game)

Recommended music: The Greatest Bits – Technodrome

Well, on this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This white version of the Foot Soldier figure is inspired by its appearance in the 1989 Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game. This variation of foot soldiers is a common enemy in the game, armed with either a katana or throwing knives. They show up early in the game, and all the way until the final level: The Technodrome. The knife version has unlimited knives to throw across the screen (which can be blocked) or, if they are up close, can be used to stab the Turtles. “Look out,” indeed!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#TMNTthearcadegame
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Ming the Merciless (Military Suit)

Recommended music: Queen – Ming’s Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless)

For this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re back in 1980 with the NECA Toys Ming the Merciless!

This ‘Military Suit’ version of Ming is based on the 1980 Flash Gordon film, and NECA has finally produced a version that actually looks like actor Max von Sydow. While it’s not his most famous costume from earlier in the film, the military suit is what Ming chose to wear to his wedding, and he wore it until his death near the end of the film.

The figure comes with two alternate sets of heads and hands (most have his ring), and his sword. With 28 points of articulation, he’s poseable enough to pose walking and talking… but also could take on Flash, I suppose.

“Klytus, I’m bored. What plaything can you offer me today?”

#ActionFigurePhotography
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Flash Gordon Vultan

Recommended music: Queen – Vultan’s Theme

For this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’re still flashing back to 1980 with the NECA Toys Flash Gordon Vultan!

NECA made an excellent choice in picking this character to round out the first (and so far only) wave of this line. The well-painted sculpt does a fantastic job of hiding 31 points of articulation. The figure also comes with two alternate sets of hands and four different faces (to be topped off with hair or a helmet), in addition to a communicator and two weapons.

Speaking of faces, all of them are detailed likenesses of actor Brian Blessed. I really hope NECA puts out another wave of these fun characters!

“Squadron 40… dive! …. Second wave. Dive! … Impetuous boy! … Oh, well, who wants to live forever? DIIIIIVE!!!”

#ActionFigurePhotography
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Flash Gordon (Final Battle)

Recommended music: Queen – Marriage Of Dale And Ming

For this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’re flashing back to 1980 with the NECA Toys Flash Gordon!

NECA finally did it! For years, they released Flash Gordon figures based on comics, cartoons, and even knock-off film versions. They eventually got the full rights for the film and multiple actor likenesses. This includes Flash himself, Sam J. Jones!

This “Ultimate” version of Flash (Final Battle) sports 28 points of articulation, his outfit from the battles near the end of the film, two alternate sets of hands and heads, and three weapons. He’s poseable enough that the sword can actually be held with two hands, ready for Flash to take on Ming the Merciless once he hops down from the rocket wreckage. The paint job is great, even down to Flash’s body hair. Aaa-aaah! 😄

“The game’s lost, Ming. Stop your attack on Earth, and I’ll spare your life.”

#ActionFigurePhotography
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Purple Foot Soldier (Video Game)

Recommended music: Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze (Live)

Also present for this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’re taking a look at another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This purple version of the Foot Soldier figure is based on its appearance 1989 Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game. I believe this is the most common color variant of foot soldier for both the TMNT animated series and the video games, showing up right away in this game to attack unarmed, or to peek around a corner and throw sticks of dynamite at our heroes.

In the ‘Parking Garage’ level, this version is more advanced, now armed with a spear that can not be blocked and the ability to toss a player across the screen. In the ‘Highway’ level, the purple foot carry missiles above their heads and gain the power of tossing manhole covers like frisbees. 🤨

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#TMNTthearcadegame
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Pink Foot Soldier (Video Game)

Recommended music: Sewer Burzum – Pink Incident

Popping up for this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This custom pink version of the Foot Soldier figure is based on its appearance 1989 Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game. NECA never did get around to making this common version, so I had to do it myself. I like this head style from the animated foot soldiers better than the rounded heads, anyway. While I didn’t paint all the pixels seen on the other video game figures in the line, I was able to incorporate multiple color shades to resemble the sprites from the game.

This version of the foot soldiers shows up in the sewer level, carrying sledgehammers. They are slow but can attack from a distance. They also appear later in the game with green machine guns and even later to pilot little helicopters, but I don’t expect NECA to make those accessories any time soon.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#TMNTthearcadegame
#ToyPhotography

Raphael (1990 film)

Recommended music: Foreigner – Hot Blooded

Well, we’ve reached another #TurtleTuesday, and today, we’re taking a look at a NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Raphael!

This version of the Raph is based on his look during the 1990 TMNT live-action film. The figure was first released in an SDCC exclusive 4-pack with the other turtles. The oversized packaging for this set was reminiscent of the movie’s original VHS release box, except it says “THE FIGURES” in place of “THE MOVIE.” NECA has continued this same idea for 4-packs from the following two TMNT films.

Playmates Toys made ‘Movie-star’ figures in the vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line. They did this again in 2014 with their ‘Classic Collection’ line. However, these NECA figures represent the first super articulated and detailed representations of the movie likenesses in a 7″ scale. NECA warmed up on the designs by making 1/4 scale turtles from 2016 to 2017. They then released the 4-pack of 7″ turtles the following summer.

The hothead of the turtle boys comes with a pair of his familiar sai weapons, extra hands, and an alternate bandanna design. The set also comes with accessories to share among all the other turtles, including an ooze canister and four slices of pizza.

Raphael comes with 30 points of articulation, including double-hinged elbows and knees, ankle rockers, and more. Thankfully, NECA made the four turtles easier to acquire in the years to follow, eventually repacking them as a GameStop exclusive and then in 2-packs that were even more accessible to collectors at Walmart stores.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

[Reminder, no “daily toy” post tomorrow as Bond is back for October – DM]

From the Archives: Orange Foot Soldier (Video Game)

Recommended music: Figure – Cowabunga

For this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This orange version of the Foot Soldier figure is based on its appearance 1989 Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Arcade Game. Even though it is not a completely accurate head sculpt for the foot soldiers, I like the pixelated paint work on these guys, and the orange version is no exception. This variant shows up early in the game to throw ninja stars, AKA shuriken, at our hero turtles and comes back in level four ‘Parking Garage’ (or level five if you’re playing on NES with the added ‘Snowy Central Park’ level) right after a large sedan pulls out, taking out anyone in its path.

While the ninja star orange soldiers are easy to take out, the machine gun versions are a bit harder, being able to shoot a spray of bullets from a long distance, and can gun-butt the turtles when up close. Usually, a jump kick or special attack will take out this common enemy without too much effort.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#TMNTthearcadegame
#ToyPhotography

Rahzar (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: Laga Gaga – Bad Romance

Roaring ahead this #TurtleTuesday, we’re taking a look at the NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rahzar!

While Rahzar, the mutant gray wolf, has appeared in many different TMNT comic series, toy lines, and three different Turtles animated series, he made his debut in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze.

In the movie, the limited dialogue from the character was provided by the one and only Frank Welker, who you may also know as the voice of many animated characters, including Megatron, Ray Stantz, Scooby Doo, Slimer, and Soundwave, among others. Though his role in SOTS, voicing both Rahzar and Tokka, came about due to the exclusion of two other cartoon characters – Bebop and Rocksteady.

You see, Bebop and Rocksteady were originally created by Peter Laird and David Wise for the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and to expand the Playmates toy line. Since they were not a part of Kevin Eastman and Laird’s original comics, Golden Harvest/Mirage did not have the rights to the henchman characters for the live-action films. Rather than go through additional legal licensing, the filmmakers came up with replacement mutants in the form of Tokka and Rahzar.

For the NECA toy line, Rahzar wisely came in a 2-pack with Tokka, as they were the first Secret of the Ooze figures in the line. Rahzar stands over eight inches tall, has over 30 points of articulation (including jaw), and features a detailed sculpt with great paint application.

The duo also comes with a pile of accessories accurate to the second live-action film. These include an extra pair of hands, a fire extinguisher, a mutagen canister, a pipe, a hubcap shield, a wooden beam, and most importantly, a box of donuts! That last accessory allows you to “observe the ancient ritual of the … traditional pre-fight donut.” 😜

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Foot Soldier (Turtles in Time)

Recommended music: Florian Haack – Neon Night Riders

For this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This Foot Soldier figure is based on its appearance from the 1991 video game ‘Turtles in Time.’ The pixelated deco really works well for the foot soldiers and is supposed to depict their look from the level “Neon Night Riders,” which takes place in the distant future year of 2020. 😄

For the home console ports, most of this level was a 3rd person view where Foot Soldiers come right at the screen, but the end of the level versus Krang’s android body (and the entire arcade version of the level) is side-scrolling with both the turtles and Foot Soldiers on hover boards.

Like the turtle’s figure releases, the hoverboard design does not match the game. It uses a surfboard design versus the more disc-like design from the actual video game. It is not a huge deal. However, it takes up unnecessary space on the collection shelf. Some coordination is involved in getting your flying turtles to get up close to your flying feet. 😛 Thankfully, the release also includes a sword and a ray gun for some variety.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

Professor Jordon Perry in Hazmat Jumpsuit (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: Twenty one pilots – Jumpsuit

Jumping up this #TurtleTuesday, let’s have a look at another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Professor Jordon Perry!

This Hazmat Jumpsuit version of Professor Perry is also based on his appearance in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze. The figure arrived in a 2-pack containing another Professor Perry in a lab coat (see last week’s post). The likeness for this version is just as accurate for actor David Warner as the other figure as the heads are fully swappable due to the removable hard hat.

Yes, this set does come with film-accurate accessories, including multiple canisters of ooze, an extra set of hands, a clipboard, two pairs of glasses, and a full set of lab equipment, including a computer, vials, and other test tubes. What this set is missing, however, is that even after 20+ years since the film, NECA forgot to include that giant mutated flower seen in the picture.

April O’Neil’s co-worker didn’t forget and snagged one for the Foot Clan. Fortunately, NECA packed in this correctly scaled prop with the Secret of the Ooze Ultimate Shredder. While I appreciated the inclusion of this version of Professor Perry, which is very detailed down to his name and information being printed on his tiny ID card, the costume only appeared in two brief scenes. I would have much preferred NECA to take on the additional tooling and likeness rights for other SOTS characters like April, Chief Sterns, or a ninja rapping Vanilla Ice. 😎

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

Professor Jordon Perry in Lab Coat (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: Leonard Bernstein – Candide Overture

Popping up this #TurtleTuesday, let’s have a look at the NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Professor Jordon Perry!

This Lab Coat version of Professor Perry is based on his appearance in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze. The figure arrived in a 2-pack containing another Professor Perry in a hazmat suit. The likeness is remarkably accurate for actor David Warner. Warner is likely more known for roles in The Lost World, Star Trek V and VI, Time Bandits, and Titanic.

For film-accurate accessories, Perry includes both an empty and a full TGRI canister of ooze, an extra set of hands, a clipboard, two pairs of glasses as you will lose one in the carpet, and a full set of lab equipment, including an early 1990s computer, vials, and other test tubes. I’m glad NECA finally made this figure more than 20 years after the film was released, as Professor Perry was an important part of the film.

If you’d like to see more of the accessories in action, you can scroll down a long way on my Instagram, as this figure was my #9 action figure release of 2024.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Foot Soldier – Ultimate (Cartoon)

Recommended music: Etta James – Security

On this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’re taking a look at yet another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This “Ultimate” release of the character is also based on the 1987 TMNT animated series and sports many new, fun, episode-specific accessories. These include an alternate giant head to create the Foot Soldier Robot Alpha One, a head with a yellow foot logo, a security guard cap, a spear, a pistol, and a fan, in addition to a dozen previously released hands and weapons. The paint and articulation remain solid from earlier versions, so this makes a good army builder if you’re not able to find those previous versions at a decent price.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#Teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography