TMNT Michelangelo Action Figure

In 2008, NECA presents the first series of all-new action figures based on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics published by Mirage Studios. Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Turtles continue to be one of the most popular comic book franchises of all-time, spawning numerous spin-offs, film adaptations, and leaving an undeniable impression on pop culture over more than two decades.

Note: Final product may differ from item shown.
Item Number: 54002
Item Number w/ Check Digit: 54002-2
UPC #: 6-34482-54002-2 (634482540022)
Release Date: 04/2008

The NECA line of TMNT comic figures is out, and boy was that a long wait. I mean, I first heard about these guys 6-8 months ago, and I’ve, just like I’m sure every kid of the 80’s, been wanting them for the last 20 years. Well I’m not waiting any more!

FYI - this review will be covering the set of figures that come with the display bases and full extra accessories, vs the boxed set and the tubed figures (which don’t come with the bases, extra hands etc). Also, since all the figures are essentially the same other than head and accessories, the Leonardo review will be the most in-depth, with the rest just showing off the differences.

The packaging for all the brothers is pretty much the same, but it’s a good look. Artwork and masthead from the original Mirage comics, as well as pictures of all the different figures. My only complaint on packaging is the shell/tomb thing, where you pretty much have to destroy the plastic to get the figures out. Not that I’m a MIB kind of guy, but sometimes there are reasons to put figures back into package, and with these it’s not really an option. Anyways, Mikey here comes with a ton of accessories, just like all four of the guys - of course his chuks, the diorama/sidewalk stand, extra hands with climbing spikes, 3 ninja stars, and an un-mutated baby Mikey too.

Michelangelo, like all the turtles, comes in at around 5 and a half inches tall. 20 somethings points of articulation, and a ton of accessories, posability and armory are great. Body-wise, the turtles are all about the same, but they each have different head-sculpts, and Mikey’s might be my favorite. The goofy grin, the big eyes, NECA just absolutely nailed that playful look which matches the comic character perfect (vs the ridiculous “surfer dude” vibe the cartoon and movies gave him, which wasn’t even cool in 1982 when Jeff Spicoli did it…) and gives the mold lots of extra charm.

Not that these figures needed any extra charm. Mold, paint, accessories, posability, everything just adds up to make this a great line, and maybe even line to beat for toys of the year. As you can see from the pics above, you can even actually twirl the nunchuks around, since they’re on an actual chain. How cool is that??

The only real drawback I’ve found, aside from the packaging issues, is that Leonardo is the only figure of the set who comes with a sheath or way to hold his weapons in his belt. As you can see in the above left picture, you can actually store the chuks in a gap of the belt on Michelangelo’s hip area, but it doesn’t seem that was intended and I probably just invented that now (all patents pending!). It’s not a major issue, but given all the weapons Mikey here has, it would have been nice to have somewhere to stash stuff when he’s on the go, ya know?

Overall, great line, great toys, and perfect representations of the comic they were inspired from. These aren’t really for kiddies, although I bet there are some kids out there who would love them. But I’m pretty sure this whole line was made for me, me specifically, or at the very least the 13 year old me from the 80’s who wanted toys like this more than anything.

Cowabunga my ass.