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Whether you are into TMNT art or are just excited about their 30th Anniversary and the upcoming movie, you will be able to get your cowabunga fix right here on the TMNT blog. Anything and everything related to the totally cool turtles can be found here. You may actually learn quite a bit of interesting turtle trivia here.

Showcase: Art by Matt Kaufenberg

by Zach Gasior January 27, 2015

written by Zach Gasior

We encounter some wonderful art on the internet from Ninja Turtles fans. Sometimes an artists vision can warm up our hearts w/ a simple twist. Artist Matt Kaufenbeg took an imaginative fun design and created some sweet TMNT designs. Kaufenberg even brightened up the villains with his own artistic twist. Below is a few words from the artist…

“I am a freelance illustrated hailing from Minnesota. Growing up in the 80’s, I’ve always been a huge TMNT fan. Although I love the cartoon, it’s the aesthetics of the toy line that really inspire me. Instead of sticking to the simplistic designs of the cartoon, the designers of the toys added all kinds of fun extra details that spurred the imagination.

As an illustrator, I try and apply that kind of attention to detail to my own work, especially when it comes to character design. It makes the drawing process much more enjoyable and adds excitement to the final piece.”

Check out these sweet designs and tell us what you think.

January 27, 2015 4 comments

The 25th Anniversary of the First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie

by Justin W January 14, 2015

written by Justin W

Although 2014 may have been the 30th Anniversary of the TMNT, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing special to celebrate this year. In fact, 2015 marks a very special anniversary in the franchise, an event that spawned four other momentous occasions in the history of the Ninja Turtles. 25 years ago, on March 30th, 1990, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made their first jump onto the silver screen. That’s right, the first ever Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is officially 25 years old.

While many of you shellheads might be too young to remember when this movie came out, I’m sure there are quite a few TMNT fans out there who have fond memories of this film’s release. If you can imagine it, the Ninja Turtles were still a pretty fresh franchise, and the success of the animated series in 1987 lead to bigger opportunities. The turtles had gone from the pages of a comic book to the aisle of a toy store, and it was only fitting that they should finally take on Hollywood.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film was an unmitigated success. At its roots, it was a low budget independent film (much like the roots of the comic book that inspired the characters), but that wouldn’t stop the fans from going to see their favorite heroes in a half shell in live action. Despite the low budget, the film featured some incredible animatronics and action, and would go on to become the most successful TMNT movie of all time.

Okay, so last year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from director Jonathan Liebesman was incredibly profitable, earning over $475 million worldwide. However, Paramount and Platinum Dunes spent $125 million to make that film a reality, while the original 1990 film had a budget of only $13.5 million. With a tenth of the money, a rag tag group of production studios worked together to create an incredible film that would make back almost 15 times its budget. Worldwide, the film made a total of $201 million, far surpassing expectations and becoming the 9th highest grossing movie of the year.

The success of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was nothing to sneeze at, as it lead to two sequels which would also do pretty well in theaters. To date, there have been five Ninja Turtles films released in theaters, and all of them have been successful. That being said, none have been quite as lucrative as the original film from 1990. Due to its importance in the history of the franchise, it’s worth taking note of the 25th anniversary of this film and paying due respect.

What’s your favorite scene from this movie? If you can remember your favorite moments, quote them in the comments below and let all of your fellow shellheads know that it’s time to celebrate the first (and widely considered to be the best) TMNT movie ever made!

January 14, 2015 14 comments

Action Figure Blog Movie / TMNT Movies Other TV Series

The 4 Most Important TMNT Moments of 2014

by Justin W January 6, 2015

written by Justin W

Last year was pretty hectic for the Ninja Turtles, bringing us a lot of interesting experiences and memories. Of course, it was the 30th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so it makes sense that there were a lot of notable events, but some were definitely more memorable than others. Sadly, not all of these memories were important for the right reasons, but they will all surely leave a mark on the TMNT franchise as a whole. With that being said, let’s talk about four of the most outrageous moments of 2014 and the impact they had on the turtles.

TMNT Halloween Costume Fiasco

Early in the year, millions of shellheads were eagerly awaiting an official press release of some sort from the movie studios producing the newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. Whether it was a trailer for the film or some production stills to get us hyped, we were all getting a little antsy waiting for some kind of news from the powers that be. In fact, we were so starved for information that we would take anything that we could find – including images of TMNT Halloween costumes planned for a release later in the year.

Sadly, these were the first images we would see that would give us any indication of what to expect from the new movie, and a lot of people were not pleased. Others were psyched about what they saw and happy just to finally see something. Mere weeks later, the studios would finally begin releasing photos of concept art for the film and even trailers. I highly doubt that the Halloween costume fiasco had anything to do with this, but hopefully the studios will learn from this experience. It would appear they are already learning from the experiences of this release, as we are already learning big details about the sequel, which has a planned release date of 2016.

Nick’s TMNT Nostalgia

Okay, so nostalgia has played a fairly significant role throughout the new Nickelodeon TMNT series, but last year saw a return to the universe of the original animated series from 1987. In addition to this, we also saw a lot more references to nostalgic cartoons and movies from the 70’s and 80’s, as well as Kevin Eastman getting his own starring role in the show (he plays Ice Cream Kitty).

It’s clear that the creators of the show are obsessed with the era that originally brought about the Ninja Turtles, and that’s a good thing. After all, who better to create the next great Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series than someone who knows how it should look and feel? If this nostalgic take on the turtles continues on as it has been, we’re in for a great experience that is sure to keep both long time shellheads and newer fans happy for years to come.

Awesome New TMNT Toys

Not only did Playmates continue creating incredible toy lines for the Ninja Turtles, but a plethora of other toy companies such as Jakks Pacific, Minimates, Funko and Kid Robot also produced a few TMNT toys of their own. Jakks Pacific in particular made a 4 foot tall Michelangelo, while Minimates produced a line of incredibly detailed figures in blind bags. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the turtles, Playmates produced a line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures which were designed to look just like the turtles from the original comic book. Needless to say, it was a good year for TMNT toy collectors.

Thankfully, it would appear that last year was only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to new and creative toy lines based on the turtles. Early this year, Playmates will be releasing both their Mutations line and a Mix & Match line. While the base Mutations line is based on a series of figures that they have done in the past, the Mix & Match toy series is incredibly innovative and looks to be a lot of fun for kids. Not only are there more TMNT toys being created for collectors, but there are also TMNT figures being crafted for kids as well. This is a good sign about the health of the Ninja Turtles toy market and where it is headed.

TMNT Movie Takes World By Storm

Although a lot of fans were initially worried about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from Platinum Dunes, the film went on to become one of the most successful of 2014, earning over $400 million worldwide. Some shellheads were disappointed in the final result, while others were more than pleased with Jonathan Liebesman’s efforts. Whether you loved it or hated it, the movie was lucrative enough in the end that the studios decided to go forward with plans for a sequel. It’s safe to say that turtle power is back and the world wants more of the TMNT.

Even if you weren’t a fan of the movie, it did have some positive effects on the franchise. For one thing, now that it has become the most successful TMNT movie of all time, we can be assured that we’ll be seeing a lot of Ninja Turtles related projects coming in the near future. We’re not just talking about sequels here, we’re talking about comic books, toys, additional seasons of Nickelodeon’s TMNT and more. The newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film also ensured that the Turtle Power documentary would get a pretty nice release both digitally and on DVD, and that’s pretty cool.

Here’s to Another Turtley Awesome Year

All in all, the 30th Anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was pretty awesome. Not only did we get to celebrate our heroes in a half shell in style, but the success of the franchise also guaranteed many more years of Ninja Turtles projects to come. Even if you didn’t appreciate some of the most important turtles moments of 2014, chances are that you’ll see the benefits of them this year. What are you most hopeful for in 2015? Let us know in the comments below!

January 6, 2015 7 comments

Blog TV Series

TMNT Showcase – The Triceratons

by Zach Gasior January 5, 2015

written by Zach Gasior

Aliens abound in the TMNT universe, from the good and friendly to the evil and just plain mean. But some species walk a fine line, being allies to the turtles one minute, and their sworn enemies the next. No alien race has taken on this role more in the franchise’s history than the Triceratons.

Resembling walking, talking triceratops dinosaurs, the Triceratons breathe a mixture of nitrogen and sulfur, forcing them to wear protective masks when not in their native atmosphere. They are completely herbivorous, and value loyalty amongst their people above all else. Having destroyed their own home world years ago as a result of the species’ powerfully aggressive nature, the Triceratons now live mainly on asteroid cities that they can maneuver through space to help them conquer new worlds and expand their empire. These cities have become as sufficient for habitation as an actual planet, with factories, sports arenas, and even universities available for the inhabitants.

The Triceratons owe their success in large part to the mindset they’ve adopted as they conquered the galaxy. The saurian species long ago decided that the most effective way to grow, evolve, and continue conquering was to embrace and adapt the technology and scientific discoveries of the planets they destroyed. Most notably was the ability of atmospheric adaptability. Through this, the Triceratons are able to mutate their own physical chemistries to make it possible to breathe any atmosphere, even if it would otherwise be toxic. Additionally, the Triceratons have adopted the use of a highly dangerous stimulant called Xemorene, which gives them incredible speed and brain function. However, the drug is completely addictive, so using it even once creates the possibility of withdrawal that can end in death.

The Triceratons have appeared countless times in the various incarnations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. During the Mirage comics era, the turtles were transported to Triceraton space, and three of the aliens were transported back to Earth. The saurian of note was Zog, who lived in the sewers until Raphael found him. The others were responsible for stopping a Triceraton invasion in the Nevada desert, saving the Earth from total obliteration by one of the alien’s asteroid cities. After Zog left the sewers, the turtles were confronted by Captain Zak’s Triceraton commando force, which nearly resulted in the total conquest of Earth. However, thanks to the help of Leatherhead, the turtles were able to repel the commandos completely.

In their completely villainous role in the 1987 animated series, the Triceraton force under the command of Captain Zorax came to conquer Earth. In the 2003 series, the Triceraton Republic went back to its roots, traveling from planet to planet under the rule of Prime Leader Zanramon. They sent captured peoples to the stadium to fight in gladiatorial games. Once Zanramon was eliminated as ruler, the Republic adopted an honorable legislature, returning the species to the way it was before Zanramon’s reign. The turtles came across the Triceratons in this series when they chased the Fugitoid Professor Honeycutt to Earth, where they tried to invade, but were repelled and captured the turtles for their battle games.

Of all the aliens, allies, and enemies that have appeared and reappeared throughout the TMNT incarnations, the Triceratons have been an unavoidable staple. Since they were actually designed before the turtles themselves existed, it’s only right that they become a part of the franchise’s lore. Whether noble, destructive, dangerous, or honorable, the Triceratons have left a trail of destruction in their path, and Earth has always been a target they’ve been unable to take. As long as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stand in their way, that will always remain the case, leaving the saurian species with one less world in their ever-expanding territory.

January 5, 2015 1 comment

Blog TV Series

The Punk Frogs

by Zach Gasior December 31, 2014

written by Zach Gasior

Deep in the Florida Everglades, four unsuspecting frogs were made part of a diabolical plan by the Shredder. Looking to make new mutants to do battle with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shredder sought mutagen from Krang, but an accident led to the canister ending up in the Everglades. So those four frogs became humanoid mutants as well, and the Punk Frogs were born.

Seeing that his plan could still be successful, Shredder convinced the frogs that the turtles were villains, and trained them to battle his arch-nemeses. He gave each the name of one of his own personal heroes, and armed them with deadly weapons. Attlia the Frog carried a mace; Genghis Frog was armed with an axe; Napoleon Bonafrog intimidated enemies with a whip; and Rasputin the Mad Frog was a marksman with his bow and arrow. Shredder sent his mutant army to steal everything he needed to create more mutagen, leading to confrontation with the turtles and Captain Hoffman’s Anti-Turtle Squad.

Once the squad attacked the Punk Frogs, the Ninja Turtles were able to intervene, proving their kindness and giving the frogs pause for consideration of what Shredder told them. Together, the turtles and frogs managed to escape the Anti-Turtle Squad and foil Shredder’s master plan, all the while keeping their respective locations secret from their enemies. The Punk Frogs ultimately relocated back to the Everglades, but visited their new friends whenever the opportunity arose.

The Punk Frogs were a very interesting group of allies for the turtles. It seemed like there was some idea for creating a second group of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” that could draw in viewers, keep the franchise alive on TV even longer, and provide a much larger universe for these groups to exist in (kind of like what was attempted with the Mighty Mutanimals). They were even given a very TMNT characteristic – hating pizza – that could serve as one of their “things” in future adventures. But they ended up being occasional characters whose story was never really expanded throughout the 1987 series.

There was also a problem with the group’s name, versus their appearance. Even though they were called the “Punk Frogs,” all four dressed like stereotypical surfer dudes, and carried weapons that did not in any way fit their look. The impetus for those weapons made sense – they had to be four weapons that reflected the violence of their names and were completely different from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But they did not at all fit with the personalities or style of the Punk Frogs. If they had been dressed in leather or spikes (or in another way similar to Bebop and Rocksteady), then perhaps it all would have made more sense. But the frogs seemed to be trying too hard to reflect that they came from Florida, and not that they were suppose to be warriors.

The Punk Frogs reappeared in the 2012 series, this time angry at humans for harming their forest home. After a misunderstanding with Michelangelo, the frogs attacked April O’Neil and Casey Jones, which precipitated the burning of their home and their eventual reconciliation with the turtles. Eventually this group of Punk Frogs left for the Louisiana bayou. While this new version seemed to fit better with the name “Punk Frogs,” they were never explicitly named such. The weapons and personalities were more in line their individual names and that larger team name, but they still didn’t appear to be “punks” in the stereotypical sense, which could have been the reason why they were never officially dubbed The Punk Frogs.

Like other groups, allies, and villains, the Punk Frogs seemed to be designed to capitalize on and replicate the success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, with only four total appearances in the 1987 series and one in the 2012 series, this group of amphibians does not seemed destined to mimic what their reptilian counterparts accomplished. However, that does make them worthy allies and friends for any group of Ninja Turtles.

December 31, 2014 0 comment

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