Tag: NECA

Michelangelo (Musical Mutagen Tour)

Recommended music: Kiss – Heaven’s On Fire

Right on schedule, this #TurtleTuesday, we’re rocking out with yet another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo!

Today, we’ve got this Musical Mutagen Tour Michelangelo figure based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Out Of Their Shells concert tour. The tour played around the US from 1990 to 1991 and overseas in 1992. There was also an accompanying studio album that I personally picked up on cassette at Pizza Hut.

NECA Toys likely couldn’t get the rights to the tour name to put on the package. However, their nickname for this San Diego Comic-Con set works well, too, as it seems to be a nod to The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” album.

This version of Mikey sports a denim jacket, knee pads, and leg warmers. He also sports a little star accessory that decoratively snaps into his eye socket. I believe this is supposed to resemble Paul Stanley’s iconic makeup in the rock band Kiss. Known as “The Starchild,” Paul also has a star design over his right eye.

Finally, Michelangelo is the turtle paired with the beatmaker/synthesiser. The original album actually said Mikey was on lead guitar, and the album art pictured him with a star-shaped guitar. Now, it seems this has gone to Raphael. Michelangelo has taken over the saxophone, which initially matched up with Raph. I’d expect nothing less for the “party dude.”

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Donatello (Cartoon) Baby Turtles

Recommended music: Foo Fighters – The Teacher

Who’s at the door now? Well, on this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello!

This “baby” Donatello figure is based on the 1987 TMNT cartoon. He and his brothers are ready to take a little pizza break from their studies.

This version of the turtles came in a TMNT Cartoon Accessory Set. It includes lots of fun Easter eggs from the show. The little turtles are a cute inclusion to the set, but they’re a real pain to get to stand up with their tiny turtle legs and feet.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

Michelangelo (Cartoon) Ultimate Pizza Club

Recommended music: Alestorm – Pirate Pizza Party

On this #TurtleTuesday, we’re taking a look at yet another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo!

This “Pizza Club” version of Mikey is based on his look from the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. NECA designed the figure’s box to look like an old TMNT VHS tape and labeled it: “Michelangelo is a Party Dude.”

He is also referred to as an “Ultimate” release, due to including a handful of new accessories, several of which are episode-specific. Besides a new head sculpt, Mikey comes with: a fishbowl containing his pet fish Maxwell, a toy version of Gorgonzola which is the TMNT version of Godzilla, a granola & licorice pizza, a chef’s hat, a hand puppet of a little bearded guy that I cannot identify, nunchucks, a soft goods pizza apron, and an orange VHS tape.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of new pieces here that really make it a worthwhile release. So, if you’re not feeling overwhelmed with previous cartoon deco versions of Michelangelo and want another version of the “Party Dude,” then it’s probably worth picking up this one as well.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Donatello (Turtles in Time)

Recommended music: Foo Fighters – Learn To Fly

Flying ahead this #TurtleTuesday from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello!

This version of Donatello is based on his pixelated appearance in the 1991 ‘Turtles in Time’ arcade game.

While the inclusion of a color-coordinated hoverboard is a nice accessory allowing you to give your turtles the gift of flight, it doesn’t actually match the design of the hoverboards in the actual video game, which were more disc-like .😎👍

#TMNT

Michelangelo (Cartoon) Punk Disguise

Recommended music: Frank Sinatra – Summer Wind

On this #TurtleTuesday, we’ve got yet another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo!

This version of Mikey is based on his look from a lone episode of the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. NECA specifically made this Michelangelo in his “punk disguise,” as seen in the season three episode “Usagi Yojimbo,” and not from the season one episode featuring punk turtles, “Enter the Shredder.”

While the turtles in the 4-pack do have painted eyes behind their color-coded shades, the glasses are not removable. It’s probably for good reason as this version of the turtle figures now features double-jointed knees and elbows, so Mikey would likely lose his glasses while performing some sick moves on his included skateboard.

#TMNT

From the Archives: Donatello (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: The Beatles – Please Mister Postman

Cleaning up this #TurtleTuesday from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello!

This version of Donatello is based on his look in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze. First available in a 4-pack with his turtle brothers and later in a 2-pack with Michelangelo.

While the sculpt is similar to the Donatello released for the first film, NECA has made some subtle differences, and the later release of the accessory set allows for some additional fun poses like Donny with his bo-staff mop.🤪

#TMNT

Back To The Future Accessories (2015)

Recommended music: Alan Silvestri – A Flying Delorean? 

We’re back in 2015 (again) on this #WhateverWednesday, so let’s take one more look at the NECA Back to the Future Accessory Set!

I’ve already covered all of the action figure releases that NECA Toys put out for the Back to the Future films. I also discussed the additional accessories for 1955 and 1985. Now, it’s time for the 2015 stuff.

To begin, we’ve got a futuristic gym bag that helps Marty go incognito as a fashionable teen 30 years into the future. While the bag does not explicitly say NIKE FOOTWEAR due to licensing, the design is close enough that you get the idea. Inside the case is a folded-up version of Marty Jr.’s jacket and a pair of the infamous Nike Mag sneakers. Yes, they are also missing the Nike branding, but the 1/12 scale “power laces” look good.

Unfortunately, the shoes can not be swapped onto your 2015 Ultimate Marty figure (or any Marty figure), as the figure is already wearing his irremovable Nike Mags. The jacket is also not removable, and even if you do pull it off to reveal his cranberry colored tee, the arms are gray jacket sleeves.

Speaking of accessories that could have been easily included with the original figure, we also get a lone piece of paper from later in the film, from when Marty Sr. runs into trouble with his co-worker Needles, played by Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame. I’m not sure why the film’s writers thought that the future would bring us fax machines simultaneously printing the same information in every room of our homes, but now you can own a tiny printout exclaiming “You’re Fired!!!!” on company stationery. 😄 This accessory would have been a lot cooler if NECA had actually released a figure of Jennifer or an older-aged version of Marty.

Released in US theaters on July 3rd, 1985, we’re just ONE DAY away from the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future! I figure it’s worth jumping in the DeLorean to revisit some great toys from the film.

#BTTF40
#BackToTheFuture40
#ToyPhotography

Michelangelo (Cartoon)

Recommended music: Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky (2012 Version)

This #TurtleTuesday, we’ve got another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo!

This version of the “party dude” turtle is inspired by his appearance in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. Mikey’s cel-shading deco style really turned out as designed, even for NECA’s first attempt at releasing the character with cartoon coloring. Maybe the skin tone is a bit too olive and closer to Donatello’s shade of green, but I think it works well for Mikey, too.

Michelangelo comes with two different styles of nunchucks. He has a simple, chained nunchaku and another one that is attached to a posable disc, which is meant to represent spinning nunchucks. This was the first time the spinning design was used for a Michelangelo at retail, as NECA has already debuted this marvelous accessory at San Diego Comic Con 2016 for a TMNT 4-pack based on the arcade game. Which do you like better?

#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT
#toyphotography

From the Archives: Donatello (Musical Mutagen Tour)

Recommended music: W.A.S.H. – TURTLE POWER – TMNT Remix

Good morning, turtle fans! Moving ahead this #TurtleTuesday from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Donatello!

This “Mystical Mutagen Tour” Donatello figure is based on the 1990 TMNT Coming Out Of Their Shells studio album and concert tour!

These are fun designs for the turtles, featuring denim jackets and leg warmers, which are definitely costume elements that were never covered in the vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line, even with dozens of variations on the turtles during its run.

#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT

Back To The Future Accessories (1955)

Recommended music: Alan Silvestri – 1.21 Jigowatts

We’re back in 1955 (again) on this #WhateverWednesday, and we’re still looking at the NECA Back to the Future Accessory Set!

Since I’ve already covered all of the action figure releases that NECA Toys put out for the Back to the Future live-action films, and discussed the 1985 accessories last week. Let’s see what’s included in the Back to the Future Accessory set for 1955.

First off, we’ve got the brainwave scanner Doc Brown head to go with your 1955 Doc Brown figure. The reused extra head with this invention attached is a real highlight of this accessory set, and a piece that was apparently too large to include with the original Doc release. While the shocked expression on Doc’s face is typically seen when he is wearing a different costume, it still works here. That’s right; technically, Doc should be wearing his silvery robe while adorning the brainwave scanner.

“My god, do you know what this means? It means that this damn thing doesn’t work at all.” – Doc


In the film, when Marty puts his yellow radiation suit back on to fool the adolescent George McFly into pursuing Lorraine, he delivers this classic line:

“Silence, Earthling. My name is Darth Vader. I am an extra-terrestrial from the planet Vulcan.”

Yes, I covered this ‘Tales From Space’ version of Marty eight weeks ago, but this additional accessory makes the figure even more complete, as this set includes an additional gloved hand doing a Vulcan salute. While Marty only makes the hand motion for a moment, it’s a pretty unique pose that NECA likely had to sculpt the fingers from scratch.

Additionally, there is a walkie-talkie and Marty’s letter to Doc, both seen in 1955 scenes, but I don’t have a picture thought out for those accessories just yet.

We’re just ONE WEEK away from the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future! I figure it’s worth jumping in the DeLorean to revisit some great toys from the film.

#BTTF40
#BackToTheFuture40
#ToyPhotography

Michelangelo (1990 film)

Recommended music: Primus – The Ballad Of Bodacious

On this bodacious #TurtleTuesday, we’re taking a look at another NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo!

For this version of Mikey, NECA made a figure based on his costume from the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action film. The first Ninja Turtles movie did a good job of bringing in the darkness and a hint of the violence from the original comic book series. This was a very different depiction of our heroes in a half-shell than what the animated TMNT series made familiar to a younger audience at the time. Michelangelo helped to keep the mood light with his positive personality, funny one-liners, and exciting mastery of the spinning nunchucks.

Just like the other turtles in the line, the accuracy of the film costume is spot-on, with an excellent paint job on a 1:12 scale, and it is a huge upgrade to any movie version of turtle figures previously released by Playmates Toys. This Michelangelo figure was first available in an SDCC 4-pack with all the other turtles and was later repacked for regular retail in a 2-pack with Raphael. As far as I can tell, that retail version received the same paint apps and accessories.

#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT
#toyphotography

From the Archives: Donatello (Cartoon) Punk Disguise

Recommended music: Bachman Turner Overdrive – Taking Care of Business

Don’t change that channel. On this #TurtleTuesday from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Donatello!

This latest version of Donatello in Punk Disguise figure in the toy line is based on the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, along with the other turtles who just aren’t balancing business and pleasure like Donny.

While he has an alternate mohawk head that is a little more “punk,” I personally prefer this head with shades because Donny is so cool that he remembered to pick up a toy robot with the groceries.😄👍

#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT

Back To The Future Accessories (1985)

Recommended music: Alan Silvestri – 85 Twin Pines Mall

We’re back in 1985 this #WhateverWednesday, and looking at the NECA Back to the Future Accessory Set!

I’ve covered all of the action figure releases that NECA Toys put out for the Back to the Future live action films. Yes, they really only scratched the surface on the first two films with this line; however, there was one more release that really helped set the scene for several more… scenes.

The Back to the Future Accessory set contains over a dozen new accessories. Tonight, I thought I’d cover some of the new parts seen in 1985. First up, we’ve got a full Hazmat hood and a case of plutonium to go with the Doc Brown figure. One piece of plutonium from the case is removable (as seen in the film). The original figure contained swappable arms so Doc could wear his Hazmat gloves, but this is the first time he was able to be fully protected while handling nuclear components.


Also found in this set are two different “OUTATIME” license plates, one being in new condition, and the other slightly damaged after it flies off the DeLorean when the car bursts back in time, aflame when traveling at 88 MPH. Thankfully, a new pinching hand is included for Marty as the original hands included did not close enough to hold the plate.

Finally, one of the highlights of this set is Doc Brown’s dog, Einstein, who’ll I’ll cover more in depth in a future post.

We’re just two weeks away from the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future! I figure it’s worth jumping in the DeLorean to revisit some great toys from the film.

#BTTF40
#BackToTheFuture40
#ToyPhotography

Michelangelo (Cartoon) Baby Turtles

Recommended music: Turtle Giant – We Were Kids

This #TurtleTuesday, we’ve got a NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo!

Like Leonardo last week, this version of Mikey is based on his look in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. It’s also called “Baby Turtle” because NECA didn’t have a better name for these guys before they became teenagers.

This version of the “party dude” turtle also came in a TMNT Cartoon Accessory Set with items seen in the cartoon. Mikey is also overly cute and still so difficult to pose with his tiny feet. While Leonardo got to visit Goat Island last week, Michelangelo also made the trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, while his tiny nunchucks stayed safely at home.

Anyways, I guess I should have added Mikey to party on Goat Island and added Leo to this blue and green picture taken at Brookgreen Gardens. The Myrtle Beach attraction is a simply massive botanical garden, with hundreds of different plants, hundreds of statues, and dozens of different animals walking or slithering around. Many opportunities within these colorful confines to take some pictures. Also, there are actually three visible turtles in this picture. 😉

#teenagemutantninjaturtles
#TMNT
#toyphotography

From the Archives: Donatello (Cartoon)

Recommended music: Three Days Grace – I Am Machine

Due up next this #TurtleTuesday from the archives, we’ve got another NECA Toys Donatello!

This figure of Donny is based on his look from the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. You know the theme song to the show at least, “…Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines…”. This was NECA’s first release of the character in a cartoon design, and I still like the way he is painted. The deco is supposed to represent the cel shading of animation, and I like it just as much as any paint job from the vintage TMNT line.

#TMNT