TMNT

Name of Toy Line: TMNT
Production Company: Playmates Toys, Inc.
Characters and Elements: Mirage | Playmates
Years of Production: 1990 - 1993
Countries/Regions Available: Playmates Toys distributes toys in over sixty countries.
Size/Scale: Approximately 2"
Figure Trade Markings: None
Approximate # of Figures: 1-20

Details: The TMNT toy line has seen many releases starting in 1988 and continuing into the present. Nineteen ninety was an especially fun release with many accessories included with the basic figures. It was a 90's toy release that had a 1980's feel to it.

Four of the common basic figures had mini-figures included with their accessories: Muckman (Joe Eyeball), Napoleon Bonafrog (Mutant Fly Friend), Ray Fillet (Fish Stix), and Wingnut (Screwloose).

Here's a look at the basic figs and their companions.



And here's a close-up look at the real stars, the mini-figs themselves! (The attached wings on the green figure, Mutant Fly Friend, can be spun around 360 degrees.)



For a look at the packaging used for the 1990 release, check out Ninja Turtles.com, linked to below!

Four less common figures from the basic assortment had companion figures.
In 1991 Sergeant Bananas was accompanied by Larry the Lemur:



Larry has an articulated right elbow and tail:



And Walkabout was joined by Kid Kangie:



Then in 1992 Monty Moose came with Bob the Beaver:



Here's Kangie and Bob in all their glory!



In 1993, a figure called Scratch (the crafty crook cat no less!) was released with the companion figure Jail Bird (the swindlin' sidekick!). This figure is extremely rare and a carded version can fetch hundreds of dollars...hence we cannot bring you an image!

Outside of the basic assortment, various companion figures could be found. In 1992 Bandito Bashin' Mike was released as part of the Wacky Wild West range...and his sidekick was a cactus!



Here he is - Thorny the Cactus Pal!



Back to 1991 now and two figures from the Mutant Military range were lucky enough to be accompanied by mini-figs! This time it was Raph the Green Teen Beret and Midshipman Mike!



Here's the close up, Biting Bulldog Buddy and Sewer Sea Gull!



Lastly comes a strange one, a turtle part way through the mutation process! This little guy came with the Mutations series first relesed in 1992 and the Retromutagen Ooze canisters in 1993 and even glows in the dark!





One final point of interest is the fact that like many Japanese keshi, our little friends often appear on the packaging fully painted:



Were we supposed to paint them ourselves? Was it just for marketing purposes? Who knows, but we like them just the way they are - paint free.

Related Web sites:

Toypedia's TMNT Sidekicks

Ninja Turtles.com

Virtual Ninja Turtle Museum