After a bit of lag once TMNT ULTIMATES! series 4 was released, series 5 and 6 look to be releasing right on top of each other, and we have a first look at series 6. In two parts!
The TMNT ULTIMATES! line-ups are starting to get pretty eclectic, and I am a fan. Series 5 started to bring us more depth in terms of character selection, and series 6 continues that with some cool weirdos. None more so than Scratch. I squealed a little when he was announced because there is no bigger unicorn in TMNT action figure lore than this old cat burglar. He is one of the very few figures that I have never owned, so getting him for the first time is really something, and he turned out great.
In fact, this entire series turned out really, really, and that is some great news after series 5 had its share of issues (loose joints have been rough there). There are no articulation issues with this wave, in fact, it is probably the most rock solid TMNTU! wave yet in terms of joint quality. I REALLY hope this continues because it is the biggest hump the line needs to get over going forward. I am weird and look at things like legal lines on packaging and I noted that series 5 was produced in Vietnam and series 6 was produced in China. So, obviously different factories, and I REALLY hope they stick with this one.
I am going to let the pictures do most of the talking here, but I have a few quick thoughts on each individual figure. We will cover off three today and I will be back tomorrow for a look at the other two releases tomorrow.
SEWER SURFER MICHELANGELO
Surf’s up dudes! The original TMNT variants continue, and I really looking forward to having this whole group together. I have always liked this look for Mikey, but I am surprised how much I dig this figure, it is definitely the sleeper of the wave for me. I would say the deco on this figure is based more on the original card back art rather than the figure itself (there are some color differences in the wet suit between the U! and the vintage figure). That said, this is one of those figures where it is AWESOME to get an amped up paint job to bring out all of the details in the sculpting. It is night and day.
All of the vintage accessories are in-tact here, and I like the addition of the removable cuff and cord attached to the surf board. The sunglasses are obviously removable so they work on both of the heads, and both of those heads are compatible with the standard U! Michelangelo figure as well. Like all of the figures in this assortment, the material choices are great here (the nunchucks might be a little rubbery, though) and all of the sprues are big and WILD! I really like them this assortment. I am ready for Space Cadet Raph, and hopefully we will see Undercover Don soon, too.
ACE DUCK
Man, Ace is just one of those figures I absolutely loved when I was a kid. I cannot really explain other than I just thought he was cool. He was the only guy other than Donatello who got to fly the Turtle Blimp for me, so he was really important. He has always been a pretty straightforward figure by comparison to others in the line, but that leather jacket aviator look just works so well. All of the classic elements are recreated here, and I am fan particularly of how the wings and tail have been handled, and the swappable jackets that allow it to all work. I have always been a no wings guy with Ace, so I am glad to have the options.
The BEST part though the inclusion of the alternate parts that recreate the Errol McCarthy control art and have otherwise never made out in plastic. The alternate head with leather cap (and CIGAR!!!) has so much character, and add the goggles to that and it is REALLY hard not to go with that look. Oh, and then there is a tommy gun, too! It’s wild and I will need two of these to get both looks. I will say I wish the jacket was a bit darker and the beak was a little more orange, but it looks better in person to me than in pics, so your milage will vary. Overall, this is a really fun figure and I am looking forward to Genghis Frog joining him as they ofter went on adventures for me.
SCRATCH
Oh boy. This is a big deal to me, and I am sure I am not alone. It is pretty awesome owning Scratch for the first time. I really like this figure, and it recreated the vintage offering in very true form. There are so many accessories here, and the gun in the cake remains the most hilarious of them. Scratch has the distinction of having a sidekick figure in the for of Jail Bird, and I loves me some sidekicks. He joins Fish Stix and Joe Eyeball as two characters who have gotten serious upgrades with this line due to size and paint, and he looks great. I will say that unlike the others, he is NOT articulated, and I wish he had just a little at least.
I think my favorite piece in this release is the alternate head. The side eye has so much personality that I think it will be the default look on my shelf. It is like he is trying to escape jail without being see and it gives the same vibes as that monkey puppet GIF. The ball and chain are cool, too, but I am surprised that the shackle is not removable. I think that was the case on the vintage figure, but I kind of wish we had that option here.
I have a few design choice quibbles here and there, but overall this is a VERY solid series, and I love things about each of these three. I will back tomorrow with a look at Slash and Mousers, so stay tuned.
*Thanks to Super7 for sending these along for a First Look
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Source: The Fwoosh
