1989 – 1992 The Vintage Artwork Figure Carboard Characters Cameos
 

1989 – 1992 The Vintage Artwork Figure Carboard Characters Cameos

Hello Dromers, you probably know by now how much I love the cardboard artwork of the original Tmnt toyline. In my Humble opinion, I think it will never be surpassed, specially the ones used from 1988 till 1992 inclusive. The artwork used from 1993 onwards, it´s another story….

Let´s go back to 1988, the Tmnt toyline came out inside a nice package and a more than great and unique artwork was used for each of our beloved figures. I must say that one of the main reasons I started to collect Tmnt was due to the artwork used by our more than clever Playmates that featured that awesome exploding brick wall and not one or two but three illustrations of the figure that came inside.

In 1989 Playmates would raise the bet and not only we got the three illustrations in the brick wall but also others characters (friends or foes) would make cameos in the cardboard too!

I don´t know you but I do loved those illustration cameos from the very beginning. I believe this was another awesome idea of Playmates cause a child wouldn´t buy a not very familiar figure but maybe. just maybe might be convinced to buying it if he see another familiar character. Is that true? Perhaps.

Let´s see those cardboard cameos illustrations from the original toy line, hope you like it and thanks for reading.


1989 Krang Carboard (Raphael makes a Cameo suffering from Krang´s brain drain gun attack)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psff6c5c30.jpg



1989 Baxter Stockman Carboard ((Raphael makes two Cameos, he is about to being attack and then he is strangled by Baxter )

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5d3a4500.jpg




1989 Leatherhead Carboard (Raphael makes two Cameos being attacked by Leatherhead´s tail and then by his swamp gun and turtle trap)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psdca3abe8.jpg



1989 Wacky Action Breakfightin´Raphael Cardboard (Foot Soldier, Bebop and Shredder make cameos being atacked by Raphael)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps67ef4f12.jpg




1989 Wacky Action Rock N´Roll Michaelangelo Cardboard (Bebop, Rocksteady and a Foot Soldier all makes cameos being atacked by Michaelangelo )

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps900a8272.jpg





1989 Wacky Action Sewer-Swimmin Donatello Cardboard (Bebop makes a cameo running on a deck being secretly chased by Donatello)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psa0b0251c.jpg




1989 Wacky Action Wacky Walkin Mouser Cardboard (Splinter makes a cameo being chased by a hungry Mouser)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psa2151750.jpg





1990 Wacky Action Slice´N Dice Shredder Cardboard (Genghis Frog and Mondo Gecko makes cameos being attacked by Shredder´s Serrate sword and Sicko Sickle)


http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps32a17138.jpg




1990 Wacky Action Creepy Crawlin´Splinter Cardboard (Foot Soldier makes a cameo being about to be attacked by Splinter)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psf57c0cc4.jpg



1990 Wacky Action Sword Slicin´Leonardo Cardboard (General Traag and Bebop makes cameos being attacked by Leonardo´s menacing mace and silly sword)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psa49bc02b.jpg

1990 Napoleon Bonafrog Cardboard (Baxter Stockman makes a cameo being attacked by Napoleon´s foot-swatter)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps77d67b05.jpg




1990 Panda Khan Cardboard (Shredder makes a cameo being attacked by Panda Khan´s fusion blaster and Krang also makes a cameo under Panda´s foot)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps207a7b3b.jpg




1990 Ray Fillet Cardboard (Bebop makes a cameo being attacked by Ray Fillet)


http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ebc2efc.jpg





1990 Scumbug Cardboard (Leonardo makes a Cameo being attacked by Scumbug) By the way Leonardo´s facial expresión is priceless.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psefa60ac6.jpg



1990 Slash Cardboard (Raphael makes a cameo trying to attack Slash)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9f14dc20.jpg




1990 Don The Undercover Turtle Cardboard (Triceraton makes a cameo being ponted by Don´s mutant revolver)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psb6c89899.jpg





1990 Leo, The Sewer Samurai (Foot Soldier makes a cameo being beheaded by Leo´s samurai sword)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps23ce03c5.jpg




1990 Mike, The Sewer Surfer (Foot Soldier makes a cameo being attacked by Mike´s Wave-whipping Water Flingin' Wheel )

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psf77284bc.jpg



1990 Raph, the Space Cadet Cardboard (Slash makes a cameo being ponted by Raph´s Lucky laser luger)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4f118250.jpg






1990 Donatello with Storage Shell Cardboard (Scumbug makes a cameo being attacked by Don´s killer pizza)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...pse5b91e46.jpg

I always liked the little cameo appearances.

Thanks for sharing !! The artwork of the European "Hero Turtles" cards was a bit different. The cards did not always show the figures that are behind the blister. The "Mutagen Man" card did not show the figure itself, but Slash, Scumbug, Leo and Triceraton.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psdc1f7b4a.jpg

Cool thread as usual Bill. In wacky action Raph's art the legs of Bebop and Shredder can be seen.

those are cool. i've never really looked to hard at the cards but now that i look closer i get why people collect MOC. especially the old vintage ones that actually show the figure.

Thank you so much. Didn´t see that one! Getting old...

1991 Chrome Dome Cardboard (Mike makes a cameo being attacked by Chrome Dome´s servo sai)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psda75e138.jpg



1991 Dirtbag Cardboard (Wacky Action Creepy Crawlin´Splinter makes a cameo and is about to be stabbed by Dirtbag!)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6833d945.jpg


1991 Groundchuck Cardboard (Leonardo makes a cameo fighting Groundchuck)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps38da18a3.jpg



1991 Sergeant Bananas Cardboard (Raph, The Green Teen Beret makes a cameo fighting alongside Sergeant Bananas)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb9725d6.jpg




1991 Space Usagi Cardboard (Shredder makes a cameo being hold by Raphael and about to being attacked bt Space Usagi). Anyone found odd Raph´s facial expression?

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps344646a4.jpg




1991 Tattoo Cardboard (Foot Soldier makes a cameo being attacked by Raphael who also makes a cameo).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...pscf5838f2.jpg



1991 Walkabout Cardboard (Rocksteady makes a cameo being attacked by Walkabout´s Bring 'em Back Boomerang and also Michaelangelo makes a cameo). Since there´s no way for Rocksteady and that shot must have hurt a lot.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps829be1ef.jpg



1991 Wyrm Cardboard (Foot Soldier makes a cameo being attacked by Wyrm´s Porcuepounder)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psc69e14cf.jpg


1991 Zak The Neutrino Cardboard (Skateboardin´ Mike makes a cameo having fun alongside Zak).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8a30601.jpg

1991 Make My Day Leo Cardboard (Dirtbag makes a cameo and is being “shot” by Leo´s Mutant Magnum).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psbcaf4477.jpg




1991 Movie Star Rahzar Cardboard (Leo makes a cameo promoting these figures).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5bf2adcd.jpg




1991 Movie Star Super Shredder Cardboard (Donatello makes a cameo promoting these figures).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps36d8c0b3.jpg




1991 Movie Star Tokka Cardboard (Raphael makes a cameo promoting these figures).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps126daaf5.jpg



1991 Leonardo with Storage Shell Cardboard (Pizzaface makes a cameo being attacked by Leo´s ninja stars, spiked knuckle and katana). Love Pizzaface´s facial expresion he is just terrorized.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps987fc8ba.jpg




1991 Michaelangelo with Storage Shell Cardboard (Groundchuck makes a cameo).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a3d9226.jpg


1991 Raphael with Storage Shell Cardboard (Rocksteady makes a cameo and is being attack by Raphael´s Blowfish Mace).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psa73954b7.jpg





1991 Wacky Action Head Spinnin´Bebop Cardboard (Michaelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo, make cameos being all atacked by Bebop using his Psycho Sickle and Spiked Skull Ball.) Seems that our Tmnt ninja stars are useless…

http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/...psec78bc4b.jpg





1991 Wacky Action Machine Gunnin´Rocksteady Cardboard (Michaelangelo, Raphael and Donatello, make cameos being all atacked by Rocksteady using his Pulverizing pistol, Boxing Skull Glove and Terrifying Tusk Gun.) Donatello uses a manhole sewer as a Shield to avoid Rocky´s attack…Just awesome.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...pscf4be2c7.jpg

1991 Headdroppin´ Don Cardboard (Foot Soldier makes a cameo and is being hit in the head by Don´s centipede club)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps79e42684.jpg




1991 Headdroppin´ Leo Cardboard (Wacky Action Machine Gunnin´Rocksteady makes a cameo attacking Leo)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9d12aede.jpg




1991 Headdroppin´ Mike Cardboard (Bebop makes a cameo attacking Mike). By the way anyone knows where Bebop got that axe?

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3975a7d2.jpg




1991 Headdroppin´ Raph Cardboard (Groundchuck makes a cameo fighting with Raph)

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0c73105a.jpg





1991 Antrax Cardboard (Raphael makes a cameo and is about to being beheaded by Antrax´s Ante-up axe).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps19f43a6a.jpg





1992 April Cardboard (Leonardo and Raphael make cameos being filmed by April). Perhaps in this last year the remaining seriousness went away…

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2d09779f.jpg




1992 April, The Ninja Newscaster Cardboard (Movie Star Foot Soldier makes a cameo fighting April and receiving a punch in the face courtesy of Movie Star Raphael who also makes a cameo).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psdac5bab2.jpg



1992 April, The Ravishing Reporter! CArdboard (Shredder makes a cameo being
attacked by April´s compact Ninja stars and Michaelangelo in a never seen before smoking version makes a cameo too atacking Shredder).




http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c983d4f.jpg



1992 Doctor El Cardboard (Raphael makes a cameo celebrating their friendship maybe?).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1bce87c9.jpg




1992 Hothead Carboard (Leo, The Sewer Samurai makes a cameo….are you afraid Leo?).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps14bfce80.jpg

1992 King Lionheart (Raphael makes a cameo and is about to be dubbed Sir Raphael).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps853d03a6.jpg


1992 Merdude Cardboard (a more than scared Shredder makes a cameo being attacked by Merdude´s Sawfish Sword also Michaelangelo makes a cameo attacking poor Shredder).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psdad12f0a.jpg


1992 Monty Moose (Rocksteady makes a cameo fighting Monty Moose…who´s gonna win?).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps522c8c92.jpg



1992 Movie Star Foot Soldier (Movie Star Michaelangelo makes a cameo fighting Movie Star Foot Soldier).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psd6daac97.jpg




1992 Scale Tail (Raphael makes a cameo being tangled in Scale Tail´s tale). I wouldn´t like to be in Raphael´s place.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psdd27b03a.jpg




1992 Wacky Wild West Crazy Cowboy Don (Groundchuck makes a cameo being shot in the face by Don´s reptile rifle).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psf7f12244.jpg



1992 Wacky Wild West Crazy Bandito Bashin´s Mike (“Cowboy Scale Tail “ makes a cameo being attacked by Mike´s jalapeno knife and kowabunga cork shotgun)..

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1f07a395.jpg




1992 Wacky Wild West Chief Leo (“Cowboy Foot Soldier” makes a cameo being attacked by Leo´s Bodacious Bow and Arrow and Totally Turtle Tomahawk).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...psd10ed104.jpg




1992 Wacky Wild West Crazy Sewer Scout Raph (“Cowboy Bebop” makes a cameo being shot in the face by Raph´s Kowabunga Carvin' Knife and Long Range Reptile Rifle).

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/...ps94a2c680.jpg


Well, That´s it for the figures. Hope you like it. By the way anyone felt a bit disappointed when the Cardboard Artwork change in 1993. I believe it was ten steps back, figures like Halfcourt, Sandstorm, Mona Lisa, Hot Spot, Rhinoman, Mighty Bebop, Robotic Rocksteady, Robotic Bebop and of course Scratch really deserved some fine awesome artowrk in their cardboards. Why they change it? Maybe due to budget reasons... I guess we´ll never know.

That's Mike on the Movie Star Foot Soldier box, not Raph.

Hi, Yes, it´s true. Thanks a lot.

Nice trip down nostalgia lane. Good work. The Storage Shell Turtles have my least favorite art of the bunch. It looks like they were scribbled in a few minutes.
My favorite cameo is easily Krang on the Panda Khan artwork. :lol:

Great post; I always felt the packaging artwork for the series from '88 to the late run of '90 were the best examples of toy art. The artwork is probably 80% of why I was into the toys in the first place growing up. It's a real shame we don't get to see toys packaged in such stellar examples of illustration like those found from the '80s/early '90s.

Thanks for this - great post. I really like this art style.

I remember trying my hardest to open them without ruining the art on the cardboard I loved the art more than half the stranger random characters

That´s true. We don´t get these toy arts nowadays. Thanks a lot for your comments

Am I the only one that noticed Tattoo is 25 bucks!?

I could not agree with you more I love the artwork from 1988 to 1992
Thanks for sharing!