tmnt-fansite-logo
Home Tags Posts tagged with "preview"
Tag:

preview

Movie NewsNews

PREVIEW: TMNT JUNKFOOD MAYHEM!

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

With The Return of our TMNT to Theater this August, Get ready To Shell-a-brate Junkfood Style!

With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem only months away, the film’s secrecy is now a shattered TGRI canister and all the oozey goodness is glowing all over the proverbial sewer floor. Trailers, toys, apparel, promotions and tie ins are floating to the surface like turtle shells after a fight with The Super Shredder. But we have the scoop on some of the digestible (mostly) merchandise that could be hitting your nearest grocery store and even movie theater!  

Target has delivered the goods in the form of “Turtle Power” gummy pizza. And if the small bite size gummy “personal pans” weren’t enough, they also have a larger gummy pizza offered. I’m not sure if I’d recommend any ninjutsu after downing a couple of these but they sure look colorful and radical. 

If you’re not rushing towards becoming a diabetic just yet, Instagram junkfood savant Markie_devo  unveiled the brand Cakebites is set to release some TMNT themed (flavored?!) snack cakes. The flavors (so far) include a Raphael heavy “Cowabunga Chocolate” as well as an interestingly enticing “Half-Shell Lemonade” flavor. The Cakebites brand could usually be found in the snack cake aisle of any major grocery store, but if you want this in your stomach ASAP, hit their website to find the closest retailer near you. 

If all the sugar is putting you off, we have a more savory snack found in Peatos, which are a cheese-less alternative to traditional cheesy puffs. No “pizza” flavor it seems, as the bags are just adorned with our newest iteration of our beloved Heroes in a Halfshell. Currently, the Sam’s Club website has these listed for sale, though I’m sure the TMNT themed bag will be available wherever these snacks are normally sold. 

The raddest snacks so far, won’t be found in your local grocery store…but instead the local movie theater. Recently, a Reddit user known as u/WorthCampaign5860 posted images of new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem-themed movie theater concession products which include popcorn bags, cups, and cup toppers, all featuring our iconic turtles brothers! Not much is known about the sewer scoop (such as the who and where) although it could be safe to assume that this may be an AMC promotion as they regularly roll these types of tie-in out into their theater. 

Have a tummy ache yet?! What future TMNT Mutant Mayhem tie-ins would you like to see? Pizza promotion? Soda flavors? The return of pudding pies?! Comment below or on social media and let us know, dudes and dudettes! 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:Mutant Mayhem hits theaters August 4th 2023.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Action FigureBlogReviewsToy/Action Figures

REVIEW: TMNT X Stranger Things Wave 2

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

The Second Wave of 80’s Crossover Nostalgia…Fresh From The Sewers of Hawkins!

With the recent announcement from IDW Publishing about a TMNT/Stranger Things comic crossover coming this summer, Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Stranger Things Upside Down Remix packs that hit stores late last year suddenly doesn’t seem so random as everyone made it out to be. 

The first wave of figures included Leonardo/Eleven and Raphael/Hopper. The newly released second wave includes Mikey/Dustin and Donatello/Lucas. Both Stranger Things and TMNT are no strangers to toy licenses. Besides the absurdity of the crossover, one can see the difference in styling of these toy designs: with our believed Turtles harkening back to Eastman and Laird’s original 1985 Mirage Comic appearances. As for the Stranger Things characters, they sort of walk the line between true likeness and animated stylings. Which, all in all, makes these toys unique in their own right…and a “must-get” for Turtle and Stranger Things fans alike. But I guess that’s the point, isn’t it? 

Compared to the first wave, Lucas and Dustin’s sculpts have a more true-to-form likeness of the actors that portray them on the show. And the details are there, from Dustin’s graphic tee, vest patch and hat to Lucas’s sweet kick and 80’s shorts. 

As for the Mikey and Donnie, not much can be said apart from Raph and Leo from the previous wave. Playmates does a good job at capturing the intimidating look of Eastman and Laird’s ‘85 run (complete with little turtle tails). The Turtles sculpts are solid…yet redundant…mostly because they’re missing the little flairs that make each turtle individuals that were implemented for the animated series. They have their appropriate weapons, scowls, red bandanas, and belts. Skin Tone is the same dark aqua-like green. Great figures for diehards that want a set of Mirage toys that won’t break the bank, but probably confusing to many casual fans. 

What’s overlooked here is the figures overall presentation and included accessories. Both properties have their adorning logos (with TMNT having the original Mirage logo and art) and the packaging needing to be “flipped” to view each character. A great gimmick alluding to Stranger Thing’s “Upside Down” adventures throughout the series. The box also gives a quick synopsis on why this crossover is happening to begin with (besides dollar signs of course):

“The Turtles have tracked TCRI’s latest illegal experiments from NYC to Hawkins, Indiana, where it’s trying to harness the power of the upside down. The half-shell heroes must team up with eleven and her friends to try and stop TCRI’s next experiment before it succeeds.” 

Another overlooked aspect of the figures that actually sounds pretty great for what it is. And we’re hoping that is the basis for the upcoming comic series as well. There’s also a lot of little on theme accessories included with the sets like cassette decks, spray cans, backpacks, 80s tech, and Eggo waffle ninja throwing stars because why not? If I had to go out, it would definitely be by way of a waffle throwing star. 

In conclusion, Playmates toys has been using the Ninja Turtles to crossover in every way they can the past couple years, whether it be with Cobra Kai, Street Fighter, and Stranger Things. They make for interesting collectables. Nostalgic, yet a sign of modern pop culture. The Mirage inspired TMNT figures are great to have for the diehard Turtle fans, and the Stranger Things figures are solid in their own right. There’s a strong chance of overlapping fandoms all things considered and these look great in the box and out.  My only question is will there be a wave 3 in the future? 

Perhaps Mike and Splinter? Max and April? Will and Shredder? Kraang and the Demogorgon? 

Only time will time, dudes and dudettes. Stranger Things have happened. Comment below and let us know if you collect these Playmates TMNT X Stranger Things figures!

The second wave of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Stranger Things Upside Down Remix is exclusive to Target stores and retailing for $39.99. You can also pick up the first wave for a little cheaper if you want all four Turtles.

0 comment
2 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic Book NewsNews

TMNT & Stranger Things Comic Crossover Announced!

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

The TMNT head to the Upside Down this Summer!

And the only things that can make it more 80’s would be some dense hairspray! IDW publishing confirmed that, this summer, one of the largest properties born out of the 1980s is about to collide with one of the biggest hits of recent years channelling the 1980s. It appears that writer Cameron Chittock and artist Fero Pe are attached to the upcoming series, their surnames listed on the full cover that was shown by IDW Publishing. This remains to be confirmed by either party just yet.

It’s no mystery that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have crossed over with a slew of popular franchises. Three volumes of TMNT/Batman have been published while the second volume of a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers crossover is currently ongoing. Other crossovers have included TMNT/Ghostbusters, TMNT/X-Files, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Street Fighter (set to be published this year). Not to mention the TMNT crossing over with various multiverses of themselves throughout various forms of media.

Yet this crossover may not come as such a surprise to some shellheads, as Playmates Toys have released TMNT x STRANGER THINGS action figure packs as early as last year…making the team up not as random as it may seem. And with a new wave of TMNT x Stranger Things action figures hitting Target stores this year, the collision shows no signs of stopping just yet. The action figure packs may also give a hint at what the announced comic book series may entail, as the toys read:

 “The Turtles have tracked TCRI’s latest illegal experiments from NYC to Hawkins, Indiana, where it’s trying to harness the power of the upside down. The half-shell heroes must team up with eleven and her friends to try and stop TCRI’s next experiment before it succeeds.” 

While a team up of these properties may seem a bit “random” at first, one may argue that plotline isn’t as preposterous as we thought, in fact, we are actually looking forward to this.

This isn’t Stranger Things first comic rodeo either, as the property isn’t shy in the funny pages. From character focused prequel comics to a crosser over with Dungeons and Dragons, Stranger Things is a property able to entertain in many forms of media. As are our favorite heroes in a halfshell.

So here’s to a fun and interesting summer and hoping we can see Eleven share a slice of pizza with our Turtle brethren and perhaps a Kraang can meet a Demogoron

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BlogNewsVideo Game NewsVideo Games

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge Hits Consoles!

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

After what feels like a long time coming, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge finally hit physical and virtual game shelves late last week. So far, it has received a positive reaction among fans and critics alike. IGN‘s Cameron Hawkins gives a great (spoiler free) preview

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have a notable history of beat-’em-up games on arcade cabinets and retro consoles like the NES and Super NES. Now Leo, Raph, Mikey, and Donny are back again for another adventure in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, and it looks… like a modernized version from the same era, which adds an immediate nostalgic appeal. Developed by genre veterans Tribute Games, the build I played shows that this retro-rules pseudo-sequel is shaping up to be a charismatic – albeit safe – return to the genre.

Something important to share first and foremost is that Shredder’s Revenge is its own game. It may be based off the 1987 Ninja Turtles, but the story is not connected to TMNT: The Arcade Game or Turtles in Time. After playing the first two levels with the developer, Shredder’s Revenge is very much inspired by the era, and plays more or less as a modern release with quality of life improvements, so don’t expect many new additions this time around.

With that being said, “old on purpose” isn’t particularly a bad thing. Combat is smooth and introduces a super attack that is unique for each playable character. I was even able to “meditate” in the middle of battle to automatically fill my super bar. It honestly feels more like a taunt to the enemies, and it was continuously charming to boot. Similar to the level-complete animations where each character is different from one another, each taunt is distinctive as well. Tech wiz Donatello plays on a little Game Boy when meditating and uses his staff as a pogo stick after beating each level. Mikey, on the other hand, does a little dance, and Raphael simply laughs at enemies. It’s these kinds of details that not only distinguish each character, but it’s also a good way to show off their personalities for those who may not be as familiar with the franchise. Tribute also seems to nail the overexaggerated cartoon animation of the late-80s in even the small details, too, like the ninjas typing on a keyboard.

Similar to the classic TMNT games, you’ll find pizza boxes as you progress through each level. Not only is there pizza that heals, but there are also other pies for extra strength, and infinite supers for a limited amount of time. Another fun callback to the older games is throwing enemies around like rag dolls or towards the screen itself, which remains satisfying even 30 years later. Each level seems to end with a boss, which in my case consisted of the iconic duo Bebop and Rocksteady. Both brought a relative challenge that made me be more conservative on when to attack and focus more on dodging. I also can’t fail to mention the funk and groove that is Shredder Revenge’s fantastic soundtrack.

The soundtrack isn’t the only notable new thing in a game full of nostalgic nods. Also new to Shredder’s Revenge is the ability to choose April O’Neil and Master Splinter as playable characters for the very first time, with four total players being the max by either local couch co-op or online play. There will be two primary modes available at launch: Story and Arcade mode. From what the developers told me during my play session, the only main difference between the two modes is that Story will allow you to upgrade your characters health and super bars while Arcade will have you at base level throughout. For those who are (or not) looking for a challenge you will be glad to know that there will be three difficulty levels the choose from to help personalize the experience you want.

Despite its beloved and iconic past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge isn’t trying to break any barriers when it comes to the beat-’em-up genre and honestly, that’s OK. Everything that I’ve seen so far has been true to the TMNT brand, and it’s clear that a lot of tender love and care went into making this game live up to its past. So far so good. Chaotic combat, engaging boss fights, and a killer soundtrack is what makes a great beat-‘em-up game, and Shredder’s Revenge is looking to check all those boxes when it comes out this Summer.

You can read the full article of the preview here. 

IGN went on to give TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge an 8 out of 10.  It currently stands at an 85 on Metacritic.

I think it’s safe to say that the TMNT’s throwback to nostalgic arcade beat ’em ups has proven to be a success. Can this lead to a sequel? Or perhaps “new” wave of licensed throwbacks in the same vein?

Sound off below on what you Shellheads thought of the game!

Developed by Tribute Games, Shredder’s Revenge sees the four heroes-in-a-half-shell return to a new adventure based on the classic 1987 Ninja Turtles cartoon, though the story isn’t connected to the original TMNT arcade game or Turtles in Time.

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is now available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch!

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: LAST RONIN #5

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

TMNT: The Last Ronin #5

Story by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz 

Art by Kevin Eastman, Esau and Isaac Escorza, and Ben Bishop

Published by IDW 

Released April 27th, 2022

The jaw-dropping finale to the biggest TMNT story ever is here! One final showdown between mutant and Foot Clan will determine the fate of NYC. Will the Ronin be able to find some measure of peace or is he fated to meet the same end as his brothers? Don’t miss one of the most epic battles in TMNT history and the conclusion to the comic book event of the year!

Part 5 of 5: FINISH HIM! 

Has it really been 7 months?! Talk about waiting on pins and needles for the epic conclusion to THE LAST RONIN. But it’s here! We left off learning how Mikey was truly left alone. The fall of his master and brethren. And his return for revenge. The battle has been won and it is now time to head to war. Last Ronin #5 is an action packed issue and a satisfying conclusion to this elseworlds TMNT tale. 

The rebels rebel, Michaelangelo takes on Hiroto, and Casey Marie grows into her own skin. The long road to conclude this story might have an affect on how the pacing feels as of this reading, I’m eager to see how this story follows in a collected trade paperback. As of now, I was very satisfied with the final issue. I did have some qualms; though the story ends (Spoiler) with a “to be continued” which I wasn’t expecting. The conclusion had a solid pace and a great and intriguing ending. I personally just want alternate stories like this one to just end…yet in comics…it seems every possible story path needs to be continued. Let’s do a breakdown: 

The Rad: 

  • Very solid artwork throughout the issue. Mikey looks the most “Frank Miller” in this issue than the previous. Great use of color and tone, especially in the “dreamy” concluding panel. 
  • The cast (overall) was portrayed well. Mikey, his deceased turtle brethren, Casey Marie, April were all written with purpose and poise. 
  • Wonderful emotional conclusion to the TMNT lore. Whether canon or not (I know it’s not). 
  • Great action (especially between Mikey and Hiroto) with clear Dark Knight Returns inspiration. Casey Marie’s “hero” moment was earned as well. 
  • Seeds planted for the “future” are intriguing and well placed. 

 The Bad: 

  • Hiroto wasn’t anything special. His lineage was his character. Other than that, he’s not very memorable in this issue. And his ultimate demise was too simple. But it’s comics. He’s probably not dead.
  • Casey Marie revealed to be a mutant seemed a bit rushed. It might read better in a collected book.  
  • The big ‘ol robot henchman Mikey faces prior to Hiroto seemed like they strolled in from a Gundam/Final Fantasy story. Their character designs didn’t fit. 

Notes: Last Ronin #5 is a satisfying conclusion to what is possibly the most intriguing TMNT story in any medium in years. I don’t know how much of this story is Eastman/Laird as opposed to Waltz, but the entire plot comes together as an exciting, intriguing, and heartbreaking elseworlds story within TMNT lore. It has an edge and excitement that has been missing from the main title, and just the right amount of fanfare. I feel the wait between issues may have been a disservice to the story, as a collected trade will be the beneficial way of reading it…all the way through in a single sitting. Great artwork, action, insight, and heart make Last Ronin an unmissable TMNT story…and one that I’m sure we’ll be talking about for years to come. 

TMNT: THE LAST RONIN #5 IS NOW AVAILABLE WHEREVER COMICS ARE SOLD! 

 

 

 

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Close