NECA’s new TMNT line is here, and boy are they spectacular! This line focuses on delivering comic-accurate versions of the Turtles from the original Mirage comic book, which isn’t something that’s been done in action figure form before. This new series is a bold jump for NECA - who is traditionally known for delivering exquisitely detailed, but pretty much static action figures. The TMNT line is going to change that reputation. These guys are as superarticulated as they come! The first series consists of the four basic turtles - Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. Expand the post for pics and reviews!

Since these guys are pretty much all the same just with different head sculpts, I’m going to just give a general review then talk about their various accessories and pack-ins when addressing each individual figure.

The first thing you’ll notice is the distinctive style of these figures (yes, the Four Horsemen did them. Imagine that?!) They really do look like they just leaped from the comic page. The paint job, with the dark black outlining, really gives them an “illustrated” look. It comes through in the pics, but if/when you see these guys in person I guarantee you’ll be blown away by how great they look.

And since the 4H designed them, we know the sculpts are good. Really really good. These aren’t toys. They’re little plastic masterpieces. But let’s talk articulation, because that’s the most exciting aspect of this line. NECA has gone articulation crazy on these guys. You’ll be able to tell from the pics that they have double-knees, ball hips, ankle artic (both forward-back and side-to-side, w00t!), a ball-jointed head (both at the top of the neck and at the base where the throat meets the body), ball shoulders, bicep cuts, single elbows, and ball wrists. But what you won’t see is that they also have an ab crunch and a waist swivel under their shells! I was pretty much blown away.

The front piece of the shell is molded in a very soft, flexible rubber. So they can crunch forward and lift their hips (which are pegged at a straight 90 degrees out, none of those awkward 45 degree ball hips here!). The design of these figs really is ingenious. You can get them into just about any pose you desire. They’re some of the most poseable figures I’ve ever had, and they exude so much “personality” through their amazing sculpts that you almost feel like they’re coming to life on your shelf! It’s crazy!

But, as if producing a top-of-the-line figure wasn’t enough, NECA also went crazy with pack-ins and accessories. Each of the turtles comes with a little pre-mutation turtle, a unique display base, a pair of interchangeable hands that feature ninja “climbing” claws, and some character-specific weapons and accessories. And the four display bases all snap together to form a little street scene / diorama. Totally Radical!

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LEONARDO

Leo, being the leader and all, gets done up with a fierce expression of determination and resolve. In addition to his base and swappable hands, he gets his trusty ninja swords (katanas? they look more like scimitars to me. shrug) and a fire hydrant that snaps onto his base.

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MICHELANGELO

Mike, being the fun-loving goofball of the team is sculpted with a nice big silly grin. He gets his nunchucks (nunchaku?) - complete with real chain linkage, a pair of climbing hands, three throwing stars (that he can hold perfectly either in his grip or between his knuckles), and a unique display base. His nunchuks can be stuck under his belt at the sides where his two halves of shell separate. Pretty cool.

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RAPHAEL

Raph is most “fierce” looking turtle; he has a really intense head/face sculpt. He comes with this sai weapons (which fit into his belt like Mikey’s nunchuks do), a trio of throwing knives, and the most elaborate display base of the four - he has a whole lamppost that attaches to his section of the street. Raph also gets the little turtle and extra ‘climbing’ hands like everyone else. Pretty neat!

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DONATELLO

Don gets his bo staff and the other standard accessories (tiny turtle, swappable hands) as well as a canister of ooze and a pretty simple display base with a manhole cover. Overall, he’s the “lightest” of the four as far as accessories go. He’s also the only turtle not showing teeth, his head sculpt featuring more of a tight-lipped grimace. My only complaint with Don is that he’s the only turtle who can’t stash his weapon. There’s no slot or loop or anything for him to slip his staff into on his back. Oh well. I guess it doubles as a walking stick!

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GROUP SHOT

Tags: donatello, leonardo, michelangelo, neca, raphael, tmnt

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