Question about Traag, Leatherhead and frogs

[Stevan]

Ok first of all if I remember well from the classic TMNT cartoon Leatherhead was pretty big croc but the toy itself from vintage TMNT is this puny croc :( So what gives? Why was he made so small instead of big like in the cartoon?
In regards to Genghis Frog and his brothers there were 4 of them in the cartoon and only 2 were made as action figures. Why only 2? Also why was Napoleon Bonafrog made to look so silly as action figure and he does not even resemble his cartoon version?
I could say the same thing for General Traag. His action figure looks nothing like the way he appeared in cartoon and yet again I ask why is that? :-?

[azure turtle]

I think a lot of the early toys were either based off of the Mirage comics, or they were based off of concept drawings and not the final cartoon design. I think that's how we got the current space turtles to have different space suits than what was seen on the show.

[MikeA]

I think a lot of the early toys were either based off of the Mirage comics, or they were based off of concept drawings and not the final cartoon design. I think that's how we got the current space turtles to have different space suits than what was seen on the show.

Actually it is quite the opposite Azure. The Vintage TMNT line is quite a unique line, in that the sculptors were given nearly all the creative control. I have spoken to both the sculptors from the vintage line, and they both said they just had a blast coming up with the most insane character ideas. Some of the initial figures were based off the cartoon, but later, figures were added in the cartoon that both the sculptors created themselves. This is different from most other toy lines (including the new TMNT line), where the sculptor is given concept drawings or an idea to match. In essense, most toy companies only employ sculptors, while playmates employed the creators of the line. One of the sculptors worked with another guy (a non-sculptor) in order to create most of the figures after 1989.

In regards to the first question, who knows why they made Napolean look so different. My guess is that whoever sculpted Bonafrog, and I think i'm guessing correctly here, wanted to give some variety to the line. I mean what kid wants two of the exact same figure only repainted? I realize this forum has plenty of devils advocates, and some collectors really enjoy variations, but from a toy making stand point, that is pretty sound reasoning. I know why the Leatherhead is so "puny." It has to do with the fact that playmates was a stickler about the the scale of all the action figures they released. None could be bigger than the rest, even if they had a long snout and tail. :wink: The first Shredder sculpt is crouched for this very reason. The sculptor wanted to make him bigger, but knew that playmates would not allow this, so he did make him bigger, but put him in a crouched pose. Some might really dislike this pose, but I think it is sculpted masterfully, and quite a neat fix to the problem. Sorry if I have rambled, but I hope someone finds this interesting.

[BigApple3AM]

That was VERY interesting, and I'm not meaning to be sarcastic, I truly thought that was cool. I always thought it was because of the packaging that they couldn't be made bigger or they wouldn't fit.

[MikeA]

That was VERY interesting, and I'm not meaning to be sarcastic, I truly thought that was cool. I always thought it was because of the packaging that they couldn't be made bigger or they wouldn't fit.

To be perfectly honest, it could very well be that Playmates desired a uniform package system. Obviously, as the line gained momentum, and Playmates realized that TMNT were very marketable in any fasion, and that TMNT were selling well enough to take a risk in packaging, and figural size, the bubble sizes began to change. Neither of the sculptors that I talked to were specific as to why Playmates wanted every figure the same size, but your guess is as good as mine. :)

[Stevan]

Azure Turtle and Mike A I think you guys are probably right about what you said. It makes sense. Thanks for shading some light on this matter :)