02/21/2004 Entry: "Giant Ninja Turtles @ Toy Fair!"

Oh, so there's something from Toy Fair I just couldn't hold off on showing you guys. Playmates had an incredible setup for their Ninja Turtles stuff, displaying virtually everything they've got. You wouldn't believe how broad the line's about to become -- I really didn't have much faith that things would go as far as they have, but between readers keeping me up to date on the new series (which sounds friggin' awesome) and everything else, I'm now convinced that they're here to stay...at least for a while. Seeing the sheer amount of crap Playmates plans to throw at us in the coming months is a good indication of how successful the Turtles' resurgence has been, so if you're a bit apprehensive about jumping on another bandwagon that's going to dissipate as soon as your ass hits the trolley, don't be. This one's worth the effort. Of all the great stuff (and I mean, really great stuff), there was one item I just couldn't keep my eyes off of...

Look at that! "Ultimate Leonardo!" A giant Leonardo figure! Over thirty inches tall! Not a cheapo deal either, like so many of the biggie-sized action figures of the past have been. We had some guy from Playmates walking us through the showroom, and at first, I though this was just there for decoration. (like the life-sized plastic people in Lego's showroom) Nope, it's legit...they're going to be selling these things. Check out the size comparison -- the normal TMNT action figures barely come up to Leo's big toe. I gushed. I gushed a lot. The guy said they'd retail for a hundred bucks or so, and yeah, that's a lot...but come on! I could so picture that thing being the "must have item" on kids' wish lists come next December. I, of course, will be the first one on line when it hits the shelves.

In another Toy Fair note: for whatever reason, the Wayans were there. I cut through the middle of 'em without realizing it until after the fact. They were walking out of some costume showroom, so if you want to let you imagination run wild and provide yourself with material for a week's worth of nightmares, consider the possibilities of a Marlon Wayans Halloween mask.

Oh yeah, I managed to land a few of those finagled Toy Fair "exclusives." Some Willow figure from "Buffy" that's selling for 100 on eBay, and a gold-painted Gonzo that's in the same price range. Kinda takes the punch out of all the money I spent on lithium batteries.

Working on a new article this weekend. Loads of stuff on deck, and since I'm done with all these assorted other assignments, I can fully devote my time to the junk I really like writing about. You know, old toys nobody has heard of, and occasionally, string cheese. Click here for the end result of my trip to Cali a week or two ago -- a couple of interviews and a preview for the new Transformers game coming out on the PS2. I'm not a gamer by any stretch, but I know what I like, and this was it.

Chestnuts roasted by kennef @ 02/21/2004 03:08 PM EST

just imagine if that giant turtle was remote controlled like a robot that could fight for you! XD

I might put out some cash for one of them too.

Chestnuts roasted by heeloyd @ 02/21/2004 04:04 PM EST

Hmmm.. I wonder if the figures are hollow? Or are they solid plastic?

Chestnuts roasted by Cameron @ 02/21/2004 04:20 PM EST

Real milk chocolate, or chocolate "flavored"?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 02/21/2004 04:59 PM EST

A hundred bucks? I hope they kiss you first!

I might still buy one. Do they come in all the turtles, or just Leonardo?

Chestnuts roasted by Aquabat @ 02/21/2004 05:53 PM EST

I'm not sure if they plan to release all four like this. I wouldn't rule it out, though it'd be kinda silly since few families could afford four figures at 100 bucks each.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/21/2004 06:08 PM EST

I was kinda disappointed that the pic of Arcee was for a statue instead of a toy; you'd think they'd make one of her.

Naturally, I'd have to get both the Ultimate Leo and a My Size Barbie so they can battle to the death. :)

Chestnuts roasted by sillygolem @ 02/21/2004 06:30 PM EST

If Playmates was going to do more large-sized figures, I'd say the next one should be Shredder. Inevitably, they -should- do all 4 turtles, but they should space them out a little. Buying four turtles whose major difference is the color of the mask is a hard sell when they're $100 a pop.

Speaking of the Wayans brothers, what happened to Keenan Ivory Wayans? (who I've always considered to be their leader for some reason) I haven't heard of anything from that guy in ages.

And good job on the article on the new Transformers game. I'd be all over that if I had a PS2... :(

Chestnuts roasted by Aberration @ 02/21/2004 07:14 PM EST

I really, really, really, really, really, really really hope that Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon isn't like Atari's LAST licensed game----

Enter The Matrix.

Which sucked.

A lot.

P.U.

Somebody should wave a skunk in front of 'em.

Chestnuts roasted by Kev @ 02/21/2004 07:45 PM EST

Still, I want that Ultimate Leonardo just so I can have a centerpiece for my living room.

Chestnuts roasted by Kev @ 02/21/2004 07:45 PM EST

Anything on deck for St. Pattie's Day?

Chestnuts roasted by CasinoRoyale @ 02/21/2004 08:07 PM EST

I love Gonzo, but criminey that's a lot of money. I'd definitely pay $100+ for a Michaelangelo or Shredder, though.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 02/22/2004 01:54 AM EST

Whoo! Toy fair! o.o Fun stuff. I wish it was open to public...Hey Matt! Do you know what kinda JOB you have to have to get into it? I'm going to base my college career on that!

Oh oh! And did you get to see the My Little Pony or the Care Bears stand yet? Care to spoil them for me? Pleease?!

Chestnuts roasted by Eskimo! @ 02/22/2004 02:04 AM EST

Did you see any spoiler-rific toys based on villains from summer or autumn event movies?

Why can't the Buffy "Willow" doll come with her own flute, so you can pretend it's a "Michelle Flaherty at Band Camp" doll? Oh, sorry, the jeans would have to come off for the full effect.

I know all too well the sting of buying lithium batteries; last fall, I wanted to take pictures of the 8th floor of Concordia University's Hall Building, which is currently undergoing renovations, because the hallways with the exposed wires in the ceilings and the fluorescent light fixtures hanging down in weird configurations made it look like something straight out of the evil alternate dimension of Silent Hill (without the stumpy-limbed ghoul things) and I bought a roll of black-and-white film for extra kewlness. But I was out of lithium batteries, so I had to make a pit stop at a camera store, and all they had were Energizers (no generic brands) and I had to pay around $30 Canadian. The good thing about buying lithium batteries, though, is that I can sing Nirvana's "Lithium", though I always forget the lyrics halfway through the first verse: "I'm so ugly, but that's okay, because so are you, mmm-mmm-mmm. Blah-blah-blah-blah every day, because dah-dah-dah. etc..."

For anyone that missed it yesterday, I'll give you the link one more time: official Doctor Snuggles website based on the bizarre, possibly substance-induced (though, often animators would like you to believe that, even if they're clean), 1980s European cartoon! And creator Jeffrey O'Kelly says he wants to make more episodes! Woo-hoo!

Chestnuts roasted by Steve Brandon @ 02/22/2004 03:11 AM EST

I'm sorry, but if I'm gonna pay a hundred bucks for an Allyson Hannigan action figure, she better be life sized and fully functional if you know what I mean.

Chestnuts roasted by Kev @ 02/22/2004 10:39 AM EST

"Do you know what kinda JOB you have to have to get into it? I'm going to base my college career on that!"

You have to have an affiliation with the toy industry. So that could be as a buyer, an exhibitor, or a licenser. Or, in mine and Matt's case, as a member of the media covering the show.

Chestnuts roasted by Brian Jacks @ 02/22/2004 01:22 PM EST

I am so jealous of you, Matt. I have been collecting action figures for...well, practically my entire life, and ever since I learned that Toy Fair existed, I've wanted to go. Although, this year, it would have been frustrating for me, because there was no He-Man and Simpsons is ending after Series 16. Still, I would have gone just for the experience, and to scalp the exclusives afterwards.

Chestnuts roasted by Darth Monkey @ 02/22/2004 10:18 PM EST

OMG Dr. Snuggles "building a path to the rainbow". Thanks for the link. I seem to remember 5 minute episodes each day that took months to reach a conclusion.

Chestnuts roasted by F-13 @ 02/23/2004 09:23 AM EST