The first episode of the cartoon aired in December 1987, with Playmates releasing the first series of toys a few months later in the summer of 1988. (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles original core lines, 1988-92) It was this closeness between the two parties that would see the TMNT brand into 9 series and over 50 toy lines across the 80s and 90s… With legendary animator Fred Wolf at the helm of the project, Playmates were effectively working as executive directors their marketing crew working side by side with Wolf’s team all of the way. Eastman and Laird agreed to the show, and began talks with established animation house Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. Unwilling to back the IP based on just it’s comic credentials, Playmates negotiated a deal whereby a cartoon series would be produced to coincide with the release of the toys (a first of it’s kind). Unfortunately, the project hit upon deaf ears to all but one company, a little known Californian based toy manufacturer called Playmates. Looking to push the brand out of the niche worlds of miniature figures, RPGs, and comics, Freedman began pitching the characters and story to major toy manufacturers across the states. 1985 saw the first spin-off in the form of Palladium’s licensed role playing game, with the agent securing a range of cast lead figures from miniature industry leader, Dark Horse, the following year. Originally intended as a parody of some of the 80’s finest comic series’ including Marvel Comics’ Dare Devil and New Mutants, Dave Sim’s Cerebus, and Frank Miller’s Ronin, the self published strip was soon signed to Mirage, going on to sell thousands throughout the 80’s.Īpproached by licensing agent Mark Freedman after a second printing of the comic, the Turtles were finally heading into mainstream culture.

Starting life as a comic book in early 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the creation of two upstart comic artists, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Setting trends in the toy industry that have filtered through to the modern art toy scene, the “Heroes in a Half Shell” have had a lot more influence than you’d originally believe…

One of the most popular toy lines in the late 80’s-early 90’s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles helped define the sheer scope and creativity that could be achieved with the action figure medium at the time.

In our first issue, we delve into the world of Playmates and their original TMNT range. Welcome to the first volume of our latest feature, Retro:Respect. Each month we’ll be bringing you an in-depth look at some of the art toy/low-brow scenes’ biggest influences, their history, and how they’ve affected the industry today.

Tmnt action figures