A new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Funko Pops! are getting a comics-accurate representation, based on the Eastman & Laird comics.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are getting a comics-accurate Funko Pop! line.
TMNT were created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984 as a black-and-white indie comic book series from Mirage Studios. Since that time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have gone on to become world-famous pop-culture icons, showing up in every form of media and merchandise available, from movies to animated shows, toys, apparel, video games, stage shows, and so much more. Since their inception, the
TMNT have rebranded time and again, reaching each new generation that follows, keeping the franchise alive and thriving.
Eastman & Laird famously created the characters as a joke, simply doodling and brainstorming, later creating a whole team of Ninja Turtles and making it loosely tie into the origins of Marvel's Daredevil (although never officially). The toxic Mutagen ooze that turns the turtles into walking, talking, kicking, punching ninjas is unofficially the same cannister that blinded Matt Murdock and gave him his abilities as The Man Without Fear. The other connection Eastman & Laird made was in naming their evil ninja brood The Foot, which is a riff on Daredevil's nemesis clan, The Hand. Marvel connections aside, TMNT went on to be a dark and somewhat violent comic in subsequent early issues, mirroring the style of the time, especially by artist Frank Miller.
Today, Previews World announced preorders for their new line of TMNT Funko Pops! which are designed in the style of Eastman & Laird's original comic series. Featuring the block-like representation of comic-colored art, as well as black-and-white variants of each character to mimic their black-and-white appearance in the early comics, the TMNT line has the staple characters of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo. In addition, the line has the Turtles' hockey-masked ally, Casey Jones, and arch nemesis, The Shredder, also recreated in their comic-book likenesses. Take a look at the figures below:
Today,
TMNT are featured in the ongoing IDW comic book series, which has become massively popular in 2021, especially "The Last Ronin" series, which leaps into a dark future where there's only one Turtle left, fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The latest Nickelodeon series,
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, was cancelled after two seasons, although a
Netflix sequel film is slated to bow next year. In addition, Seth Rogen is
producing an animated TMNT film for Nickelodeon that's setting up for an August 2023 debut. There's also another live-action reboot in the works from
SNL's Colin Jost and his brother Casey Jost from
Impractical Jokers.
It's hard to pinpoint what it is that makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles such a popular brand, but the creative flavor put forth by such a diverse and odd assemblage of characters makes for some imaginative entertainment, and maybe that's enough. Having gone through so many incarnations, be it live-action or animated, TMNT have stood the test of time since their creation to be a nostalgic well that fans continue to return to. With so many projects currently running and more on the way, it's no mystery that Funko would tap this particular resource, which will surely be a collectible treat for uber fans who began their TMNT journey from the very start.
Cowabunga! Funko's PX Pop! Comics TMNT Vinyl Figures with B&W Chases Available for Pre-Order Now!
PRE-ORDER by 11/22/21
Expected in Stores January 2022
Funko's
POP! COMICS:
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES VINYL FIGURES
WITH BLACK & WHITE CHASE FIGURES
Inspired by the now legendary comics phenomenon that took the world by storm, Eastman & Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are ready to hit your Funko collection "air-borne" with this brand new, PREVIEWS Exclusive series of Pop! figures!
The Mirage Turtles come to life in your collection with a comics-inspired cel-shaded design. Collect Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo equipped with their signature weapons and classic red bandanas; vigilante Casey Jones with his bat and trademark hockey mask; and the biggest baddie of all, Shredder!
Plus, these PREVIEWS Exclusive Pop! figures feature black and white chase variants for that classic indie comic look.
Please Note: Chase variants are packed randomly and cannot be guaranteed with purchase. Please contact your local retailer for information on how to aquire these variants.
DONATELLO
with bo staff
(MAR218990, $13.99)
LEONARDO
with twin katanas
(MAR218991, $13.99)
MICHELANGELO
with nunchaku
(MAR218992, $13.99)
RAPHAEL
with sai
(MAR218993, $13.99)
CASEY JONES
with baseball bat & hockey mask
(MAR218989, $13.99)
SHREDDER
with signature helmet & claws
(MAR218994, $13.99)
