By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
We haven’t featured any street art in this space until now. Frankly, this 8-bit style rendering of the TMNT based off the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie poster was too good to pass up. Johan Karlgren brings the image to life, as he has so many others, in his own unique style. (Hat-tip to TMNT_WIZ for the find.)
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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
As far as toy photography is concerned, those Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie figures from NECA are like the gift that keeps on giving.
This image from @dr_mumbles recreates a moment from the film where Splinter is comforting Raphael, telling him, “I am here, my son.” It’s a fine shot in that regard. But what I really dig is how Splinter is lit. He’s cast in white light, which suggests he might be dead. I like that idea of Splinter watching over his son from beyond the realm of the living.
Granted, it also helps that Splinter is dead in the IDW comic books right now. I say “right now” because we know he’ll be back…
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***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***
TITLE: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #132
AUTHOR: Sophie Campbell, Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz (Story Consultants)
ARTISTS: Pablo Tunica, Ronda Pattison (Colorist), Shawn Lee (Letterer)
RELEASED: September 7, 2022
By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
As fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie will recognize, this issue calls back pretty heavily to the campfire scene from that film. We’ve got a very similar scene, complete with lines plucked directly from the movie. And of course, there’s the cover.
Most of it hits me in the feels, as I love TMNT: The Movie. But they might have laid it on a little thick for my taste. In other words, maybe a few too many recycled movie lines. Even with something as great as TMNT: The Movie, its possible to tip your hat too many times.
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***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***
TITLE: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #125
AUTHORS: Sophie Campbell, Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz (Story Consultants)
ARTISTS: Pablo Tunica, Ronda Pattison (Colorist), Shawn Lee (Letterer)
RELEASED: January 19, 2022
By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
I feel a little bad. I had actually forgotten all about the Punk Frogs, and their place in TMNT lore. But low and behold, here they are looking more punk than ever.
I’m such a stickler about the way the Turtles are drawn. Specifically how their heads and faces are structured. That being said, I’m a fan of how Pablo Tunica draws them. Here’s hoping he sticks around for awhile.
There’s a nice, subtle reference to the 1990 film in here. I caught that. I see you, Sophie Campbell…
Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.
By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
Yeah, I’m a little late on this one. Sue me.
These Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie figures from NECA have practically become a staple of the toy photography community. And for good reason. They’re absolutely amazing.
I’ve featured them here a few times before. But in honor of the 30th anniversary of the movie, I’ve opted to spotlight some of my favorites that haven’t been on the site yet.
Let’s start with one that’s if nothing else, timely…
This shot from Yunus Unen serves to remind us that even our mutant friends must protect themselves from the dreaded Coronavirus. Apparently a tiger at the Bronx Zoo was just found to have it. That’s bad news for Tiger Claw…
Another quarantine-inspired shot, this time from French photographer Joe Hume. According to the Instagram post where this shot originated, it was inspired by #coronamaison, a hashtag that means “corona house” in French. It challenges artists and illustrators to create a quarantine scene using a house with a staircase on the left side of the frame. Other than that, they’re free to do as they will.
I’d say this shot fits the TMNT pretty well. Imagine these guys being under quarantine. They already can’t leave the lair during the day! Now they’re stuck together 24/7!
In the caption for the #coronamaison photo above, Hume mentioned closer shots are more his element. Looking at this shot of Shredder, I can’t dispute that. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be the scene in the movie where he’s talking to all the Foot recruits, or if its another setting entirely. The shot seems to suggest it’s snowing. Which is an interesting idea.
In any event, the shot plays to the strengths of the figure/character design, as well as the character itself. The armor and the mask are easy to see and well defined. But the man behind them is shrouded in mystery…
I like this shot by Duane Perera not just because it goes all in on the nostalgia element, but because of the way the Turtles are posed. It’s very believable that they’re all crammed into some ’90s kid’s little room, playing with all his stuff.
Bonus points for the Donnie and the Dunkaroos. I’m always amazed at how toy photographers are able to miniaturize that kind of stuff. Whether it’s an actual prop or a trick of the computer, it almost always looks so real.
We’ll close it out with something downright spooky looking. You can be a little more moody and menacing with Raph, as it fits his personality. Mike of @fullblowntoys definitely nails it hear with the dim lighting and the green steam effect. Not only does it fit the character, but it fits the look of the film. This could have taken place in the sewers, or just the wrong part of town…
For more NECA TMNT goodness, check out “That Damn Swimming Level…”, “Leo in the Sun”, and “Bird Box Starring TMNT”.
Email Rob at at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.
By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
In my experience, fan films are very hit or miss. And as far as Ninja Turtle fan films go, it’s almost always a miss. The reason is very simple: A fan film simply doesn’t have the budget to create Turtle costumes that suspend disbelief. It’s primarily a lip sync issue. Hell, in a lot of them the mouths don’t move at all.
But two TMNT fan films have won me over with sheer nostalgic charm, thanks to a connection with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie.
The first, and I’d argue most impressive, is Casey Jones. Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, it’s clearly intended to be a prequel to the 1990 movie. The filmmakers are clearly going for similar lighting. The lead actor looks ike Elias Koteas (who played Casey in the movie). But the ultimate cherry on top? Robbie Rist, who voiced Michelangelo in all three original films, reprises his role here. And he’s obviously older, he does a fine job recapturing that Mikey magic.
My one big critique? I wouldn’t have put April in the yellow jumpsuit. Yes, we all love the old cartoon. But that’s clearly not the vibe you’re going for here.
Up next is Back in the Shell, which was to be a TMNT live action fan series. The idea is awesome, of course. To their credit, these folks at Prop Shop Garage make some of the most incredible Turtle costumes I’ve ever seen. I even gave them a little press when I first caught wind of it. The influence from the 1990 film is as plain as green on a Turtle. Sadly, the series never got off the ground. But we did get this awesome trailer…
I should add that I was originally going to spotlight a third project here. It came out around the same time as the first Michael Bay TMNT film. It saw Raphael, played by his movie voice actor Josh Pais, interrogating “Megan Fox” about what the new movie would be like.
But apparently, much like the Turtles themselves the film struck hard and faded away…without a trace.
Email Rob at at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.
By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
As those of us who fell in love with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie as kids have grown into geeky adults, more and more curiosity has generated regarding unused content from the film, or scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor.
For instance, cut footage exists of a scene where Shredder fights off the street punks that got caught after mugging April. And he does it while sitting down.
Other bits and pieces supposedly exist. But what you see below is, to my knowledge, the closest thing we have to an actual deleted scene from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. This was to have been an alternate ending, in which April and Danny pitch their story to a comic book publisher while the Turtles look on…
While this is a cool thing to see all these years later, I think it goes without saying we were better off without it in the actual film.
Robbie Rist provided the voice for Michelangelo in the movie. Obviously that’s not him at the end. Would have been cool, but I can’t bring myself to complain about something like this.
Astoundingly, we’ve never gotten any kind of deluxe edition of the film in the United States. But for some odd reason, the German release of the movie contains not only this scene and some alternate takes, but commentary by director Steve Barron.
Totally bogus, dude.
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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
If you’d have told me in say, February, that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie was about to turn 30, I’d never have believed it.
But after “social distancing” at home for a mere week and change, I absolutely believe it. Heck, I’d believe ya if you told me it was 50.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie is 30 years old as of yesterday. If you’re a child of the ’80s, this is one of the movies that shaped your childhood.
But it’s more than just a great nostalgia movie, or even a great comic book movie. It’s a great movie. Period. It’s about more than martial artists in turtle costumes. At its core, it’s about family. The family you’re born with, and the family you choose.
So as we celebrate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie this week, I invite you to take a look at the film’s original trailer…
Obviously, much was unfinished when this trailer hit screens. Most notably the voiceover work. But thanks to the magic of internet geeks and YouTube, we can now watch a “remastered” version of the trailer with the correct accompanying voice work.
God I love this movie.
Email Rob at at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.
By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
The right lighting really does make all the difference.
Of course, this pic from SGT Bananas Toy Photography calls back to a scene from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. It’s the scene where Leonardo hears Splinter calling to him from the astral plane.
For comparison’s sake, here’s a corresponding screenshot from the movie…
I don’t see the image as a recreation of this moment, but rather the creation of a similar scene set in the early morning. There’s something surreal, and somehow beautiful about this absurd fantasy creature bathed in the natural sunlight.
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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder
I’ve got a soft spot for Bird Box, for obvious reasons. Mrs. Primary Ignition and I finally got to watch it the other night, and really enjoyed it.
So naturally, I love this image from Eric, a.k.a. @heatfour on Instagram.
In Bird Box, Sandra Bullock’s character has to guide to children through the wilderness as a ghostly monster pursues them. To further complicate matters, all three have to be blindfolded. It’s a very TMNT-ish look, so this shot is a natural play-off of the movie. Plus, using the figures based on the 1990 film always gets you extra points with me.
Intended or not, this image also has a certain intrigue to it in terms of the kids. How the heck did we get young mutant turtles? Are they supposed to be Raph’s kids? If so, how did that process work?
This image needs a backstory. Just sayin’.
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