Turtle Power Returns In 2003

Turtle Power returns to toy shelves in 2003 with Playmates re-launch of their very popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line based on the comic books and upcoming new animated series to be shown on the FoxBox starting in February 2003.

We recently had a chance to talk with the Vice-President of Boys Toys at Playmates, Vinnie D' Alleva who let us in on what we could expect to see in the coming year for Turtle toys.



To kick things off with a bang Playmates will be releasing a line of highly detailed 12" collectible statues based on the Turtles characters from the orginal comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. These statues will only be offered through Diamond Distributor's and sold at comic and specialty shops. The first statue in the line will be of Leonardo and should be out by the end of December or early January 2003. The statue which will be limited to 2,222 pieces was sculpted at Varnar studios and will be packaged with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Then look for the remaining three Turtles to get the statue treatment over the course of 2003. After that we could possibly see things like mini-resin busts based on all our favorite Turtle characters.

Fans can find this and other great products based on today’s most popular properties at their local comics shop, or by contacting the Comic Shop Locator Service toll free at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at https://csls.diamondcomics.com.

If statues aren't you thing then you can look forward to a new line of action figures, vehicles and playsets.




Look for the first wave of 5" action figures to be released in early 2003. The first series will include Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, Shredder, and Foot Soldier.



After that you can look for a second series of 5" figures to include April, Casey Jones and a brand new character who goes by the name Drakk, Shreder's second in command. The third wave of figures is tentativly scheduled to include 2nd versions of the Turtles a Foot Tech Ninja and the Manotech Monster who will be another new character.

Along with the first wave of figures will be a new wave of Turtle vehicles which are also due out early next year. We will see the release of:

- The Turtle Cycle




- The Sewer Slider




- Deluxe Ninja Turtles Armored Truck




After that we can expect to a Foot Ninja Hover Jet and a Turtle Lair Playset that will be out later in the year and retail for around $50.00. We are told this thing will features lots of electronic lights and sounds, spring loaded weapons, trap doors and hand operated features. It is also slated to include a exclusive Splinter figure.

Other cool new Turtle toys we can expect to see in 2003 are Role-Play toys based on Turtle weapons, 13" figures of Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, Raphael and 2" PVC figures with limited articulation. These PVC's should retail for around $2.99 and the first wave will include the 4 Turtles with a second second wave to include Shredder, April, The Foot, and Splinter.

So there you have it. With all these exciting new toys coming from Playmates, 2003 just may be the year of the Turtle.