Comic Book Pick: 12/20/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #2

The team behind the smash-hit crossover series is back to reunite the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half-Shell. When Donatello goes looking for a new mentor to help him improve his fighting skills, he opens a doorway to another reality, hoping to summon the Turtles' one-time ally, Batman. But instead, he gets sent to Gotham City and someone else comes through the open portal-Bane! Suddenly, there's a new gang boss in New York and he's out to unite all the other bad guys under him. Can Donnie get back in time and bring Batman with him to help his brothers before Bane causes irreparable destruction? Co-published with IDW.

(W) James TynionIV (A/CA) Freddie Williams II

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Keepin it Christmas!

There are so many great things about this time of the year. Besides getting gifts there's the music (I'm looking at you WHAM!), movies, books and random items you find at the Dollar Tree. While unpacking our decorations to make our house a festive wonderland, I uncovered a few gems from my collection that make me happy it's Christmas.

This is one of my favorite issues of the original Mirage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle run. First of all it features Michaelangelo as the lead, it introduces his cat..Klunk and it's set during Christmas in NY! The gist of the story is that Mikey goes gift shopping, he spots some baddies robbing a toy store and he fights to get the toys back so they can be delivered to some underprivileged orphans. The artwork is vintage Eastman/Laird Turtles and the story is solid. I always had a soft spot for this issue and then a few years ago my sister bought my family this DVD for Christmas...

and it contains a pretty faithful cartoon version of the Michaelangelo Christmas special right down to the "Little Orphan Alien" toys. We watch this every year now as part of our Christmas special viewing rotation! You can view it for your holiday pleasure by clicking the YouTube video below!

Christmas is coming fast and I still have quite a few things to do before it gets here. So, I wanna join Mikey in saying, Thanks for reading and...

Comic Book Pick: 11/29/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/GHOSTBUSTERS II #5

The climactic conclusion as the teams reunite to face their adversaries... and a long lost ally!

(W) Erik Burnham, Tom Waltz (A) Dan Schoening (A/CA) Charles Paul Wilson

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Comic Book Pick: 11/8/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/GHOSTBUSTERS II #2

As the teams split up to evade their spectral pursuers, Michelangelo and Peter Venkman enter a dimension populated by anthropomorphic animals... including Turtle Ghostbusters!

(W) Erik Burnham, Tom Waltz (A) Pablo Tunica (A/CA) Dan Schoening

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Wax Pack Revolution: All Topps Edition

A recent obsession of mine has been collecting old wax packs of trading cards from the 80s & 90s. Sure, I have a ton of these non-sport cards from when I was a kid, but the artwork and design of the packaging is something I missed. When you would buy one of these packs you would tear it open and throw away the wrapper. Never giving it a second thought. Seeing these again brings back memories of feeling the slick paper in your hands, seeing the simple artwork and the smell of bubble gum. Let's dive into a few of these packs that I have on display...YET AGAIN!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 2nd Series (Topps, 1990)

If you have read this blog before, you know I love me some Ninja Turtles. Me and my brother collected these cards so we would have cardboard versions of the cartoons we loved so much! Of course it didn't hurt that Usagi Yojimbo was featured on some of the cards. We loved that guy!

Comic Book Pick: 11/1/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/GHOSTBUSTERS II #1

The two beloved franchises reunite for a new adventure more action-packed and hilarious than ever! The Turtles are stuck in a ghost dimension by an old adversary and only the Ghostbusters can save them. The ensuing adventure will be an inter-dimensional romp like never seen before! The sequel to the surprise crossover hit! From the creative teams of both TMNT and Ghostbusters!

(W) Erik Burnham, Tom Waltz (A/CA) Dan Schoening 

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Happy Turtles Day!

Today is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles day! How are you going to celebrate?

Jammin'

Got the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie soundtrack blasting in my office this morning!

Anyone?

UGH!!! Kinda pissed right now! My local comic book guy declined to take part in the TMNT day comic giveaway! Anyone got an extra copy?

Comic Book Pick: 10/25/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #75

"Trial of Krang," part 3 of 3. The oversized conclusion to the Turtles' greatest extra-dimensional story arc is here! Both the prosecution and the defense have tricks up their sleeves as testimony gets emotional. Meanwhile, a war rages outside the courtroom as the Malignoid swarm engulfs Planet Neutrino! An oversized epic that starts the road to TMNT #100! Courtroom drama and extra-dimensional war action all in one issue!

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman (A) Cory Smith (CA) Kevin Eastman

SRP: $7.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

My Faves: Figure Collection #6

I have a fairly big collection of loose figures from the 80s & 90s. I would like to share a few of my faves with you at this time and since it's the Halloween season, I'm gonna make this one an ALL BAD GUYS EDITION! Here we go!

Toon Shredder (Playmates, 1992)

I never had this version of the Shredder as a kid, but always wanted him. He was released around the time I stopped buying toys and hit puberty. This version of Shredder is what we should have got the first time around instead of that purple and dark blue suited imposter that was released in 1988. I just wish he wasn't so damn hard to pose!

Why Michael Dooney is my Hero.

As a huge lifelong fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the art of Michael Dooney has always been around my collection. Whether it be from the comic books, posters or Nintendo video game box art, Dooney's artwork, in my opinion, has always been the standard for other TMNT artists. So when I had the chance to purchase some of his autographed prints, I jumped at the opportunity! I got the prints and had intentions of getting them framed, but never got around to it. They ended up on a shelf in the basement. A few months ago when I was cleaning said basement I was shocked at what I found!

Ironically enough a strange goo had spilled all over the Ninja Turtle prints! I was not very happy about this turn of events. I tried to clean them the best that I could, but as you can see it didn't help. After some more cleaning I discovered that the goo came from a half drunken can of Duff Energy Drink! This is one time where I could "Get enough of that wonderful Duff"!

I became even more frustrated because I know it was myself that caused the damage. Like I said, I tried to clean them off and it didn't work. So I contacted Michael Dooney himself via his website, Dooney Girls! What happened next was AWESOME!

Mr. Dooney went out of his way to make sure that the damaged prints were replaced. I am very thankful for his dedication to his fans. But he didn't stop there...

He also threw in these 2 prints as a bonus! What a cool guy! It's these type of actions that keep your fans for life. I appreciate the personal care Mr. Dooney gave me and I will be getting these prints framed ASAP! That's why Michael Dooney is a hero to me.

Found Usagi!

Finally found a Usagi Yojimbo TMNT figure today! At Shopko of all places? Also couldn't pass up the animated BATMAN & HARLEY.

FREE NES GAMES!!!

My wife's uncle was moving and he was giving away his old games! Of course I couldn't pass up these TMNT NES classics!

My Faves: Figure Collection #5

 I have a fairly big collection of loose figures from the 80s & 90s. I would like to share a few of my faves with you at this time. You ready? Here we go!

Michelangelo: TMNT Movie (Playmates, 2014)

This 11 inch Michelangelo figure from the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was a major award! Land O' Frost lunch meats had an online promotion in conjunction with the film. When you bought a jumbo pack of their lunch meats a sweepstakes card was included with a unique code that you had to enter on their website.

I did just that and 4 weeks later I received this extra large action figure in the mail! Of course my kids wanted to play with him, so we tore open the box and he spent a few years in my son's playtime rotation. He has since been moved to the basement where the lesser played with toys dwell.

Dolla, Dolla!

Who wants to be a dollar store ninja turtle with me this year?

Comic Pick Ups...

Here's what I picked up at my local comic shop today! What did you get?

2014 Ninja Turtles Movie Cards

In 2014 Paramount and Nickelodeon movies decided to have Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company helm a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. I'm not going to lie, I was crazy excited for this movie. It had been years since we had a Ninja Turtles movie hit theaters and that one wasn't the greatest. I had seen the Michael Bay Transformers movies and for the most part I was entertained, this lead me to have some pretty unreasonable expectations for this new incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

As part of the marketing campaign, these sheets of trading cards were given out at select movie theaters. I was lucky enough to grab one of these sets. The artwork is pretty cool and leads me to ask the question, "Why was there never an official comic book adaptation of the movie released?".

The backs of the cards were puzzle pieces for you to put together after you tore the cards apart. I did not do that. I prefer to keep my set attached. Maybe one day I will frame it?

In addition to the 9 card set, these sweet tattoos were also given out! I did eventually see the movie in theaters in 3D. It was better than what I was expecting. I had heard so many bad things about the movie that even a halfway decent film would have surprised me. One of the best things to come from this movie was the song "Shell Shocked" performed by Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa & Ty Dolla $ign. It's no "Ninja Rap", but then again nothing is or ever will be.

Comic Book Pick: 8/2/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES DIMENSION X #1

The Turtles journey to find a reclusive and indestructible empath- only to find that the assassin Hakk-R has found him first... and convinced him that the Turtles are the enemy!

 Directly ties in to the exciting events of the main series, "The Trial of Krang!"

 Continuing the events from Free Comic Book Day!

(W) Paul Allor (A) Pablo Tunica (CA) Nick Pitarra

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Comic Book Pick: 7/26/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo

The TMNT are teleported to a world of talking animals-the world of Usagi Yojimbo! When the samarai rabbit embarks on a quest to save Japan and the deadly Jei blocks his path, a Turtle team-up may be the only chance for survival!

(W) Stan Sakai (A/CA) Stan Sakai

SRP: $7.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Autographed TMNT Flying Disc!

If you have been recently visiting the official Mirage Licensing website, you have seen that Peter Laird has been holding ebay auctions each week for vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles items. These range from hard to find items like a sealed Scratch action figure to McDonalds Happy Meal Toys. One item that caught my eye was this TMNT Flying Disc from the early 90s!

The artwork on the package is classic Turtles and the neon pink color of the Flying Disc is totally a signature color of the 90s! I placed a $10 bid and one week later, I had won this amazing TMNT relic straight from the Mirage Studios headquarters archives in Northampton, MA!

The coolest thing about this item is that it came autographed by Peter Laird himself!

Yes, that Peter Laird! Co-creator of the Mean Green Machine and father of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Being a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since I was a child, I had always wanted to own a piece of memorabilia that had been signed by the Turtles creators. This was an inexpensive way to do that.

But that's not all, while paying for my item through PayPal I put in a request for Dan Berger to sign the Flying Disc also! And he did it!

For those of you not familiar with Mr. Berger's work, he worked on the early issues of the Archie published Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures series before moving to the main TMNT title in 1989. Berger also created the independent comic Gutwallow and came up with the TMNT character Merdude! He is currently Managing Editor of Mirage Publishing and maintains The Mirage Group Website.

As a lifelong fan, I am extremely happy to have this item in my ever growing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collection. I am very careful with it though. Since the guys signed on the plastic wrapper, any little poke or tear could ruin it! Gotta keep this baby up high and on display in my man cave/kids playroom.

RADICAL, RADICAL, RADICAL!!!

RADICAL, RADICAL, RADICAL!!!

Custom Ninja Turtle Ghostbusters!

I am a lifelong fan of both of these properties, but the Playmates mash-up toys are kind of goofy looking. I prefer the look of these customs!

Fathers Day 2017 Recap!

I know I'm a little late, but I hope all the dads out there had an amazing Fathers Day this past weekend! I know my kids did a great job of planning out my day and made me some fantastic art for my office!

After cartoons we got ready and the kids took me out to the bagel shop for some breakfast and they surprised me with a CGC graded copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1!

Comic Book Pick: 6/14/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #70

"Desperate Measures" Part 4! A stand-off between humans and mutants turns deadly for one side and the consequences will have an impact for years to come! The senses-shattering conclusion of an action-packed story arc!

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman (A/CA) Mateus Santolouco

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Comic Book Pick: 5/31/17

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

TMNT AMAZING ADVENTURES ROBOTANIMALS #1

Baxter Stockman is looking to become the new major villain on the streets! His first step to world domination? Turn the Mutanimals into robots!! All-ages three issue mega-story! If you dug the Batman/TMNT Adventures books, you'll get a major kick out of the next adventures of the TMNT from the current Nickelodeon cartoon!

(W) Caleb Goellner (A) Chad Thomas (CA) Billy Martin

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis provided by PreviewsWorld.com

Top game wants for SNES Mini

The NES Mini has come and gone. I was one of the lucky few that was able to find one at a retail store and I LOVE IT! In fact, just today me and the kids were playing Double Dragon II, Bubble Bobble and Balloon Fight on it. I just wish there was a way to add more of my fave Nintendo games to it? Well, now all the talk and speculation has come to Nintendo releasing a SNES Mini in time for the 2017 holiday season. If this happens, I want one! Here is my top ten list of games that I would like to see on the console based on how much I enjoyed them as a kid.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time

(1992, Konami)

Honorable Mentions go to: Act Raiser, Donkey Kong Country, Earthworm Jim, Killer Instinct, NBA Jam Tournament Edition and Sim City. I hope you enjoyed that Super Nintendo featuring Mr. Paul Rudd. What games would make it onto your SNES Mini wish list?