The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are probably my favorite characters from my childhood. Close by are the Masters of the Universe, Thundercats and Ghostbusters, but none of those stand up to my passion for collecting all things TMNT. Recently, I've been scouring the internets for any great deals I could find on merchandise featuring the Mean, Green Machine in an attempt to recoup some of my childhood collection. I did find some cool stuff that I would like to share with you. Hopefully it brings back some great memories from that time in life where animals in bandanas were everything to us. Here we go!
Henry Gordy International TMNT Flash Gun (1988)
I loved these "Rack Toys"! You know the kinds of cheapish toys that were always in grocery stores or drug stores back in the day. They featured some of our favorite cartoon characters on seemingly strange products that really didn't relate to the characters. This is one of those. I remember seeing this on the racks and honestly wanting it! I don't know if it was the fact that this was a toy gun with a built in flash light or if it was the incredible card art that really drew me in. Anyway, for a couple of bucks it is now in my ever growing TMNT collection
Mello Smello Glow in the Dark TMNT Stickers (1990)
I remember having quite a few TMNT Mello Smello stickers in my collection back in the early 90's, but I don't think I ever had these glow in the dark versions. The artwork on these is fantastic and look at that seemingly random Ace Duck sticker in the middle. TMNT merchandise rarely included characters like him. The back of the sticker pack is also a nostalgia trip in itself. Who didn't collect stickers back in the day?
TMNT Lenticular Motion Cards (1991)
I have no idea who created these cards, but I do remember pumping quarters into the machines at our local A&P Grocery store in NJ in an attempt to complete the set! We never did complete the set. Luckily I was able to buy it for about what i would have paid back in 1991. The cards say to "Collect All 24!" cards, but in all honesty, there are only 12 cards. Each card features 2 characters which are revealed when you tilt these mini sized marvels in an up & down motion. This set has a real mixed bag of characters and features everyone from Mondo Gecko to Tatsu! Did anyone else call these "Flicky Cards" back in the day or was it just me and my older brother?
The backs of each of these cards breaks us off a little TMNT trivia for each character. Who knew Krang's favorite phrase was "Home is where you hang your hat!" or that Shredder's favorite food is "Anything Raw". These cards shed a lot of light on the inner thinkings and likes of these rad dudes!
IDW TMNT "Inside Out" Director's Cut Comic (2017)
This book is from the recent run of TMNT comics published by IDW. I must say, I really have enjoyed reading these books. This hardcover "Director's Cut" features issues 1-5 of the TMNT Universe series and is a limited edition that is signed by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and TMNT writer Tom Watlz. I actually stumbled upon this book while I was helping my daughter purchase some My Little Pony books from the IDW website to fill some gaps in her collection. The book was only $14.95 and I am glad I found it when I did!
Thanks for checking out some more great Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles items from my collection. I hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for "New Additions to the TMNT Collection VI" coming next Friday!
