Model & Toy Collector: 1991 TMNT Special

Tweet

In response to Ryan Brown's post on his blog today with the Fall 1988 issue of Model and Toy Collector, here's the cover to the monster "Special #3" issue that wasn't kidding when it called itself a 1991 Buying Guide.

This thing is PACKED full of the TMNT goodies. Interviews, art, product pictures, more art! There's even an article with pictures of Ryan's Hallowieners characters.

I think magazines often get overlooked a lot as far as collectibles go. Yeah, they're probably not something to invest in if you're looking to make a profit, but for a devoted fan they can be a wealth of information and pictures. Unfortunately, this holds more true for the magazines of 10-20 years ago. Current magazines tend to be more likely to all be recycling the same information and especially the same pictures. Not one magazine article about last year's TMNT movie had a unique picture. The article that appeared in the Sci-Fi Channel's magazine was so poorly written and full of misinformation that I couldn't even bring myself to purchase it.

Luckily, the TMNT hit their stride during a period of time when there was no Internet and underground fanzines and genre magazines were the only way to get information about your favorite comics, TV shows, and movies. Because of this, there is a seemingly endless supply of fantastic TMNT articles from a whole range of magazines. This particular issue of Model & Toy Collector is easily among the best of them. I'll keep in mind to post some of my other favorites in the future.

Dario Brizuela to Appear at Comic-Con!

Tweet

Dario Brizuela (probably my favorite of the new artists to hit the TMNT scene in recent years) has just announced on his blog that he will be appearing at San Diego Comic-Con at the IDW Publishing booth.

Hurrah!!

NECA Packaging: Clamshell vs. Tube

Tweet


I am doing a horrible job at restraining myself when it comes to these NECA figures. I really shouldn't need more than one of each, and since I open all of my toys, I shouldn't have anything in the packaging. Buuut... I decided awhile ago to keep one Mike in the clamshell packaging, since it's quite sharp looking. Then the "tube" packaging came out and I decided I'd get Mike in one of those, too. I had to go to eBay for that and I finally got him today. Above is a comparison of the two. It's hard to believe it's really the same figure!

I really like the tube packaging. I'd love to have a bunch of these to stack in a display! But no, I will restrain myself there. I have to stop somewhere. As it stands, I ended up with a second clamshell Mike that is still unopened, I have a basic box set on the way, not to mention the NYCC Exclusive set that I also have. Oy!

NASA TMNT Patch

Tweet

Let's face it, patches aren't just for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Grown-ups like patches, too. It's not uncommon for small groups and organizations to create custom patches. It's also, oddly, not uncommon for licensed characters to appear on these patches. I have some such patches from Boy Scouts and fire houses that feature Turtles, but this one for NASA is my favorite. It's also the only such patch I've seen that's used art from an official TMNT artist. Anything based on A.C. Farley's work is über-appealing to me!

UPDATE: Here's the official NASA page that explains the patch design: http://mplm.msfc.nasa.gov

The modules are named for significant engineers in Italian history, Rafaello, Leonardo and Donatello. This is the logo for the 3 Italian named modules developed by MPLM team members.  The logo, copyrighted by Mirage Studios, depicts a ninja turtle in an astronaut flight suit.   

A.C. Farley has also posted the artwork on his Facebook page, and had this to add:

They got in touch with Mirage and asked if we would do the patch. I got to do it because I am in love with the space program. They made enameled metal pins, embroidered patches and jackets and other stuff I never even seen.

Kirby, The Fifth Turtle

Tweet

Back when I posted about The Other Fourth Movie, someone requested to see the Kirby concept sketches from Kevin's Artobiography. Well, I just stumbled upon a snapshot of the sketches I took awhile ago, so here you are!

Eric Talbot Arts Again

Tweet

Eric Talbot has arted in his sketchbook yet again and shared the results on his blog. Lots of neat little details to check out on this one!

Leo and Usagi

Tweet

A few weeks ago Stan Sakai posted this drawing of Leonardo and Usagi Yojimbo by Peter Laird to his blog. I was going to post it here then, but Stan scanned it in so darn big that I was fighting a losing battle with my computer trying to clean it up and resize it. Well, as of yesterday I have a shiny new computer, and it was able to handle the original file just fine. ^_^

Check out the date on this one - Very old school!

TMNT Flashback: "Music Raph"

Tweet

In honor of the recently revealed "Music Don" action figure showcased at The 5th Turtle, here's a look at how a "Music Turtle" was interpreted by someone who actually knows something about Ninja Turtles, the fantabulous Ryan Brown.

T-shirt, guitar, and no crazy chap pants - What a concept!

Don't miss Playmates' defense for "Music Don", posted today by Murphy. Thanks for all the love, Playmates. We're sending it right back atcha.

Interview with Dan Berger

Tweet

Today, Newsarama has an interview with The Man himself, Dan Berger. Dan talks about what's on the horizon for the Tales of the TMNT title and a few other things. Admittedly, there isn't a whole lot of, if any, new info here, but it's always good to hear from Dan!

You can read the full interview here.

Tomorrow, Newsarama will have an interview with Steve Murphy.

TMNT: Back to the Sewer - Update

Tweet

This is a general post to acknowledge the existence of "TMNT: Back to the Sewer", the new season of the 4Kids cartoon that will begin airing this Fall.

Character style art has been drifting out through the fake "blog" on 4kids.tv for about the last month or so. And there was the big "reveal" of the logo on the same "blog," at The Fifth Turtle, and on ninjaturtles.com. I've purposely avoided reporting all of this because I haven't forgotten the pledge I made back in February.

I don't think there's much to report beyond the release of the character style art that you can see on the above Web sites. Oh, there was the theme song contest a couple months ago. If anyone missed out on that I could probably post the MP3s.

I'm going to continue to not acknowledge this series, although I'm sure I'll make a mention of it right before the premiere and I'll let you know what I think after the premiere.

Tales of the TMNT #46 Now Available

Tweet

Oops, I think I've slacked on posting comic releases lately.

So in case you weren't aware, Tales of the TMNT #46, "Temps" by Dan Berger and Jim Lawson, was released to comic shops last week. This story is set in the middle of the Volume 1 arc "City at War" and is one of the stronger issues of Tales we've seen lately.

If you haven't yet sporked your local comic shop into carrying the title, you can get it direct from Mirage at ninjaturtles.com.

Mini-Mutants Series 2 Now Shipping

Tweet

I found the second series of the Mini-Mutants figures in Target tonight. This series is based on the old 2K3 Paleo Patrol figures. Each Turtle comes decked in dinosaur garb and comes paired with its own dino creature... thing.

Pics of the three Turtles that were on the peg (Mike, Leo, Raph) are below. Don can be seen on the back of the card to the left.

I personally can't find anything worth spending money on in this series, so I happily left them all on the peg as I continue my boycott of crappy TMNT products (about 99% of what is available right now). Although I suppose these are still a billion times better than "Music Don."

Turtle Man

Tweet

Did you know there is a DC character known as Turtle Man, apparently an enemy of The Flash? Well, I can't say I know much of anything about The Flash, so this is brand new news to me.

In a complete bit of randomness tonight, I was digging through my comic boxes looking for stuff I could remove to make space for my new acquisitions. I found a book titled "Who's Who DC: A Definitive Directory of the DC Universe," which is pretty much what it sounds like. I put it in my discard pile (I'm pretty sure I got it as a give-away in a Con bag back at one of the old Minnesota comic shows), but before moving it to my eBay corner, where I'd throw it into a box as my own freebie, I took a closer look at the cover. This volume of the DC index included a "Turtle Man." So I opened it up to take a look and, amazingly, was met with a familiar style of art. Yes, this Turtle Man is penciled by none other than Peter Laird. Go figure!

And since I collect non-TMNT work by TMNT creators and artists, this book is saved from its forever fate of unwanted give-away item. Back into the box (this time with a bag and board)!

Random Picture

Tweet


Just because this is the view I'm constantly looking at while at my computer, and I had my camera handy, here's the top of my PC and the goodies that live there. From left to right there's a bootleg Saint Turtle figure, Yoda candy dish now a pencil (and sonic screwdriver) holder, small-scale unleashed Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mike figure, Mike lamp, small holographic Obi-Wans, and Jersey Devil.

I find the lamp to be a particularly curious item, as it's basically an old bubble bath soakie with a lamp stuck through it. As much as I never thought I needed such an item, my desk is too dark without the secondary light, so I really can't function on my computer without it.

Eric Talbot's Sketchbook

Tweet

Eric Talbot has updated his blog with this neato page full of Turtle (and Utrom!) goodness - Check it out!

Michael Dooney Lunchbox

Tweet


If I tried to tell you that I didn't collect lunch boxes it would only take one quick walkthrough of my apartment to call me a liar. Scattered around you'll find not only the occasional TMNT lunch box, but also Star Wars and Hello Kitty. But really, I'm not a lunch box collector.

I am, however, a collector of "neat stuff," and over the years I have acquired a pile of lunch boxes that I've determined to fall into this category. All of the TMNT lunch boxes I've made a point of getting have one thing in common: Fantastic art. And, to my knowledge, art that is completely unique to them.

Pictured above is a recent eBay acquisition; a lunch box featuring art by Michael Dooney. I also love this one because the lunch box style is so unique and not your standard box design. The other TMNT lunch boxes I have that I'm incredibly fond of feature art by Chris Allen and A.C. Farley. Perhaps I'll feature those in the future.

NECA SDCC Exclusive Revealed?

Tweet

Ectopaul found this link, a Japanese Web site that seems to reveal that NECA will have an exclusive Mouser 3-pack for sale at San Diego Comic-Con this July.

Murphy has previously revealed that there would be an exclusive boxed set at SDCC similar to the set that was for sale at New York Comic-Con, but with an additional accessory. So does that mean that there may be two exclusives in the works?

We'll see if Murphy can confirm anything in the next day or so.

Update: Murphy's official comment on the above picture is "No comment." I think it's safe to take that as an unofficial official confirmation. :D

TMNT Flashback: Coloring Contest

Tweet

I found this piece in a promotional packet for the first TMNT movie. I find it particularly amusing because the transition from real picture to black and white line drawing wasn't completely successful. Mike and Raph don't look too horrible, Splinter just kinda looks sad, but both Don and Leo seem to have growths on their shoulders.

If anyone wants to take a crack at actually coloring it, feel free to email your effort to me.

eBay Auction: "The Hollywood Store"

Tweet


Here's an interesting piece of art that has appeared on eBay. Titled "The Hollywood Store," I don't know what the intended use or purpose of this piece was (maybe there actually was such a store - wouldn't be much of a stretch), but amongst several familiar names and faces are two rock and roll Turtles (Mike and Leo, it looks like). Interesting that the artist would choose the Coming Out of Their Shells Turtles to depict... although more likely it was the first and/or only reference material they had to go by.

eBay auction #110252129381
Disclaimer: This is not my auction, I do not know the seller, and I cannot vouch for the seller.

The Other Fourth Movie

Tweet

When TMNT hit movie screens last year, it was the green guys' fourth big-screen adventure, with a 14 year gap since the last one. You may or may not be aware that a fourth adventure almost came much sooner, in the form of a live action movie.

Obviously that movie never happened, but it seems like production got further along that I ever expected it did. I recently purchased a 1996 Playmates toy catalog where to my surprise I found this page teasing this movie and the toys that Playmates intended to tie into it.

Details of this proposed movie aren't well documented, but it is known that it was to involve a 5th Turtle, who would have been named Kirby (after Jack Kirby) - Concept sketches of Kirby can be seen in the front and back cover of Kevin Eastman's Artobiography book. This page uses Michael Dooney art created for the TMNT magazine (Fall '92 issue) with a Turtle-in-shadow also featured (I believe the shadow was created using a piece of Leonardo art, also by Michael Dooney, that was used as a pinup poster in the TMNT magazine). The Turtle-in-shadow would presumably be Kirby.

The only plot hints given on this page, which don't include any talk of a 5th Turtle, are in the description of "a weird world of parallel dimensions and gothic proportions." Winter '96 is the given release date.

Japanese Phone Charms

Tweet

Here are some TMNT phone charms that I recently purchased from Japan (it'll probably be at least two months before I receive them, alas).

This kind of item is often bootlegged, so it's hard to tell if these are official without holding them in hand. Whether or not they are official, these items appealed to me because they are obviously molded after drawings done by AC Farley, one of my favorite TMNT artists. NinjaTurtles.com actually used to use these drawings on the profile pages of each Turtle.

You can also check out a back view and an alternate front scan.

eBay Auctions: TMNT Manga!

Tweet

Yes, I'm going to shamelessly pimp my own auctions.

I just imported some of the TMNT manga that adapted episodes of the original cartoon and I'm selling the extras on eBay.

When I describe these as super rare, I'm not kidding - I scour eBay every day for TMNT stuff, and I can't tell you that I've EVER seen these available before.

Volumes 1-5 are up for auction right now! You can click here to view all of the auctions and bid! Good luck!

TMNT 3 Press Photo: Paige Turco with Elias Koteas

Tweet

I recently purchased a TMNT 3 press kit off eBay that included seven color slides. I received the kit today and was amazed at this particular slide, as I can't say I've ever see this photo before. And because it's such an adorable picture, I had to scan it and share it right away!!

25th Anniversary "Shell-abration" Plans Teased

Tweet


Murphy has posted the 25th anniversary logo (left) and a link to a brief article outlining Mirage's relationship with Peppercom, the PR agency that will be in charge of next year's 25th anniversary activities.

While no specific details are given, some basic ideas are alluded to.

• TMNT will have a significant presence at Toy Fair and Comic-Con (I'm assuming San Diego).
• In some fashion, the Turtles will "tour" the US.
• The campaign will focus on both old fans and new fans.

Murphy has previously announced at The 5th Turtle that as part of the 25th anniversary celebration, Mirage will publish a trade paperback of the first run of Volume 1 comics ("remastered" versions), a "very special" expanded reprint of TMNT #1, and the long-awaiting final tale of the TMNT Adventures universe, The Forever War.

The TMNT made their comic book debut on May 5, 1984, which is the date used to mark their official anniversary.

NECA Figures Unboxed!

Tweet

Yesterday I finally received the phone call I've been waiting for - My comic shop had received the case of TMNT NECA action figures I had ordered through them! A whole case! MINE!!!


But alas, I'm not keeping the whole case. That's a bit excessive even for me (not to say that it isn't tempting!). After some time with a box cutter, I had myself four Turtles.


If you aren't lucky enough to have your comic shop deliver these fantastic figures virtually to your door, they are now being spotted in several retail stores. Suncoast is one store where they've been seen, but due to the closure of many Suncoast stores in recent years, you may have better luck looking for a Hot Topic, where they've also been seen. And if all else fails, they're now available on Hot Topic's Web site, here.

Tales of the TMNT #45 Now Available

Tweet

Tales of the TMNT #45, a tale of terror told and illustrated by Jim Lawson, arrived in comic shops yesterday. If your shop still isn't ordering it even after showing them all of your best ninja moves, you can get it direct from Mirage at ninjaturtles.com.

Eric Talbot Convention Sketches

Tweet

Eric Talbot has posted a sample of some of the sketches he did at this past weekend's New York Comic-Con on his blog.

Great stuff!!

TMNT Vol. 4 #29 Now Available

Tweet

Last Friday, TMNT Vol. 4 #29 was made available for download through Wowio.com.

Anyone who needs help getting a Wowio account (including international friends) can feel free to contact me and I'll do what I can. However, I have had issues with receiving the Wowio confirmation emails, so I can't guarantee speediness on the matter.

You can also order a hard copy of the comic directly from ninjaturtles.com for $10 + shipping (what a deal).

Tales of the TMNT #49 Preview

Tweet

Tales of the TMNT #49
Ship Date: August, 2008

Format: 32 B&W pages, full color cover, standard size comic
Retail Price: $3.25

Cover art by Jim Lawson and Steve Lavigne; script by Jake Black, art by Jim Lawson
“Mind Games ” - In this issue we finally discover what actually happened when the TMNT went west to save Raphael from the clutches of D.A.R.P.A. (as seen in TMNT Volume Two)! Mr. Braunze returns to New York with a deadly pack of villains on his trail, and only the Turtles can save him from a fate worse than death! It's a psionic shootout of epic proportions!

Tales of the TMNT #48 Preview

Tweet

Tales of the TMNT #48
Ship Date: Late July, 2008
Format: 32 B&W pages, full color cover, standard size comic
Retail Price: $3.25

Cover art by Jim Lawson and Steve Lavigne; script by Jake Black, art by Jim Lawson
“The Decider ” - a brutal crime wave wrecks havoc upon the streets of Springfield, Massachusetts and all evidence points to the perpetrators as being giant turtles! Leo, Don, Raph, Mike, Casey Jones and Master Splinter struggle to solve the vicious robberies and find the real mastermind behind the crime wave before the TMNT are revealed by the local media!

TMNT NECA Figures Now Shipping!!!

Tweet

Many TMNT fans today received the unlimited edition box set of NECA's new TMNT figures. This is the box set that includes just the Turtles and their standard weapons; no extra accessories. The individual figures, with all accessories included, should be available within the next few weeks. And don't forget that if you're going to New York Comic-Con you can get an exclusive box set that includes all four Turtles AND all of the additional accessories!

Picture above provided by StealthNinjaScyther - Thanks!

UK TMNT Comic Magazine #12 Now Available

Tweet

Hero checks in with some scans from TMNT Comic magazine #12, the latest issue of this UK-exclusive publication.

This issue features part one of the story first published in Tales of the TMNT #38, now is full color. It also features the first part of a time-twisting Fast Forward tale penned by acclaimed Transformers writer, Simon Furman, and illustrated by the one and only Diego Jourdan.

The cover to the issue is pictured above. Below is a scan from each of the two comics as well as the toy attached to this issue.

If you're in the UK, you can click here to subscribe to the magazine or order back issues.

     

Tales of the TMNT Michelangelo Mini-Series Covers!

Tweet

My buddy tOkKa got an exciting email from long-time TMNT artist and colorer Steve Lavigne with cover art for all four issues of the upcoming Tales of the TMNT Michelangelo Mini-Series attached! The covers are penciled by Jim Lawson with colors by Steve.

The cover to issue #1 is featured to the left. You can check out all four covers over at Mikey's.

Coming Out of Their Shells - Hebrew

Tweet

Here is certainly one of the more obscure things I've picked up over the years. Yes, this is another foreign language edition of the Coming Out of Their Shells Tour - This time in Hebrew.

Once again, I'm offering MP3s of the album for download for a limited time only.

Due to my complete illiteracy in Hebrew, I had to call in some help on the translating of the track names, and even then my volunteer got stumped on a few of of the vowels (but a big thanks to oldmanwinters for at least giving me something to work with!). So the blank underscores are missing vowels. If anyone can offer more complete translations, please let me know and I'll send you a photo of the track names. However, all of the songs are completely recognizable, so providing the English titles is no problem.

Here is your download link.

Track listing:

1. Ysano M_hs_rion (Coming Out of Our Shells)
2. Kot pisa (Pizza Power)
3. Mata (Tubin')
4. Shira Sh_l (April's Ballad)
5. Qowabunga (Cowabunga)
6. Yalak Yashar (Walk Straight)
7. Ad Mvvt (No Treaties)
8. Yyalak Im Helev (Follow Your Heart)
9. Son_ Mosipa (I Hate Music)
10. Y_s Al Mi L_smok (Count On Us)

Happy Easter!

Tweet

In celebration of today's Easter holiday, here's a look at some old TMNT Easter decorations. Have a happy day!

Tales of the TMNT #44 Now Available

Tweet

Tales of the TMNT #44 is available in comic shops as of yesterday (Wednesday). This issue contains the story of "The Amulet," by Jake Black and Murphy, as well as the backup story, "The Lessons," by Dan Berger.

If your comic shop doesn't carry Tales of the TMNT, whack 'em with a foam nunchuck and click over to NinjaTurtles.com to get yourself a copy.

Restored TMNT 1 Leonardo Movie Costume

Tweet

This is REALLY neat! Over at the Technodrom forums, Bmaga123 posted a link to a movie prop restoration service where on a page featuring examples of their work is an original Leonardo costume from the very first TMNT film! If you hit the link, you can see the amazing before and after. Consider me extremely impressed, both by the restoration work and by the simple existence of the costume in the first place!!

New TMNT NECA Packaging Variant

Tweet

In the comments section of The 5th Turtle, rm posted a link to Big Bad Toy Store that features the above picture of Leonardo in a really neat tube packaging. They say that these figures will only be packaged with each Turtle's signature weapons and no additional accessories. Considering how neat this looks, I don't think the lack of other accessories really matters!

The Leo in the pictured package, if you couldn't tell, isn't the final product.

TMNT Flashback: The Good Ol' Days

Tweet

On the heel of today's big announcement, how about a moment of reflection on the days that were. Above is a press photo from the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie with Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman on the set with Leonardo. Back when two men were able to work and collaborate together to create characters and stories that inspired and brought joy to millions of people around the world.

I can accept that business partnerships come and go, just as friendships do. But today's press release seems to be dripping with insincerity as far as Kevin and Peter's appreciation for each other goes. Kevin's sale of the TMNT to Peter shouldn't exclude him from being a creative mind that can occasionally be tapped for the purpose of good storytelling, but because the two of them are apparently unable to speak directly to each other, that's exactly what it does mean.

I can only hope that they'll be able to put aside they're differences just enough so that whatever participation Kevin has in next year's 25th anniversary events, there can be some sincerity showcased between these two creators. As it stands now, it seems they go as far as avoiding each other when they're at the same convention.

If the TMNT are ever going to get the respect they deserve from the world at large, there needs to be some reconciliation. There is no shame or lost pride in reconciliation; it's a standard show of being an adult.

BREAKING: Kevin Eastman 100% Bought Out of the TMNT

Tweet

Just released on ninjaturtles.com, you can click the image on the left to read the full press release. The contents of the release are transcribed at the bottom. The bottom line is this: The TMNT are now 100% owned by Peter Laird.

You may be asking the question, "Didn't Peter already buy out Kevin's share of the TMNT?" Well, that is certainly what Peter has lead everyone to believe ever since the mentioned June 1, 2000 date. It wasn't until just last year that we learned that Kevin still had a financial stake in the franchise due to materials written by Kevin and interviews given.

So what changes now? Nothing, really. The TMNT have been creatively Peter's since June 1, 2000.

What will never change: Kevin Eastman's work on the TMNT is forever and always Kevin Eastman's. The art, the writing, and everything else he did is his work. Peter Laird may have the legal right to do with that what he wants, but changing it will never be the morally right thing to do. And IMO, it is beyond insulting to even attempt to sell these sad and pathetic efforts to the fans.

Northampton, MA (March 12, 2008) - Dear Fans, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman wish to let you all know that on March 1, 2008, Peter and The Mirage Group completed the buyout of Kevin's entire right, title, interest and income participation in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property and the four Mirage corporations involved in the ownership, management and protection of the TMNT. This latest event finalizes a transaction that began on June 1, 2000, when Peter and The Mirage Group purchased all of Kevin's ownership interest in the TMNT property and the corporations, except for a small continuing income participation.

Commenting on this latest transaction, Peter said, "I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Kevin for working side by side with me in creating the TMNT and moving them from the pages of Mirage's humble comic to the heights of success they achieved in animation, movies, toys, video games and other TMNT products and entertainment. Couldn't have done it without you, dude! It was an amazing and wonderful experience."

Kevin echoed these sentiments by commenting, "When I think back to the old days, two Jack Kirby fanboy artists, the living room studio in Dover, New Hampshire, my first sketch, our first page, the first issue stacked in the living room.. sure we'd never sell a copy.. ahhh, those were the days! Peter and I lived the dream, lost some along the way, but together built a foundation, heck, an empire that lasts and still resonates with kids around the world today. I look back at this gift, this partnership, with only the fondest of memories.. knowing Pete and Mirage will take excellent care of the boys, while I seek other artistic callings."

And this announcement is probably a good place and time for us to jointly thank all you fans for being so great in opening your hearts to our characters and making the Turtles and us a part of your lives. Neither of us could have done it without you. THANKS!

[Kevin Eastman] [Peter Laird]

Boxed NECA TMNT + NYCC Exclusive!

Tweet

The 5th Turtle today revealed the look of the upcoming boxed set of all four NECA TMNT figures. Not only that, but it was also revealed that there will be a New York Comic-Con exclusive boxed set that will include all of the figure bases and accessories (the regular set only comes with the weapons).

And bonus for those lucky enough to attend NYCC: Both Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird will be at the show (and you'd be a fool not to get 'em both to sign your box)!

Official: Blue Bunny Still Sells Ninja Turtles Ice Cream!

Tweet

After speculating over the weekend that Blue Bunny did, indeed, still sell the Ninja Turtles ice cream that they've been selling since the early 90s (late 80s?), I sent an email to them in search of some confirmation. I received a response today that confirmed it is still sold, but unfortunately you are stuck locating an ice cream man if you want to enjoy it.

Thank you for contacting our Consumer Affairs line in which you inquired about the availability of the BLUE BUNNY Ninja Turtle Face Bars. We truly appreciate hearing from our valued customers.

Unfortunately, the Ninja Turtle Face Bars are Impulse (Ice Cream Trucks, Convenience Stores and in Vending Machines) Items only. They are only sold in single-serve sizes.

They are not available for retail sale through grocery stores. We do not have a list of businesses that sell single-serve items. And, unfortunately, due to the inherent dangers of shipping items on dry ice, we do not have a service to sell directly to the consumer.

We appreciate your interest in our products and taking the time to contact us.

If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

June

Consumer Relations Specialist

Wells Dairy, Inc.