Old Card Backing vs. New Backing

OA · 10-06-2003, 06:21 PM

I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on this...

I think it's simply amazing that from the original line ('87-'95 or so), virtually all of the individual figures had their OWN card art. I mean, you would think from a production standpoint that that would make things so difficult that it wouldn't be worth it. Esp. with the first line- why go through allt he trouble for a line that has yet to be proven. And this was done for line after line for the most part. For me, this makes the question of keeping my tmnt toys on card or not so much easier- to open the card would be to ruin the wonderful art.

I think it really sux that for this new line there are pretty much only 2 types of cards (forget that changing of the color of the head crap). That said, i still love the new figs. Just got nanobot- he is bad ass!!!

Splinter · 10-06-2003, 07:06 PM

Individual card backs can add up to a dollar on the cost of a figure. That's been quoted by most toy companies. And for something that 90% of the time ends up in the trash, it is an unnecissary expense. That can be better used to make the figures better. Remeber, these are toys. They are meant to be opened and played with. The majority of collectors are openers, and it's better to stuff the buck into a better figure, then into the packaging.

E-money · 10-06-2003, 07:25 PM

Vintage Splinter, you do have point about a better figure but when the Turtles where new back in 88, they didn't have tons of money planned for this, the cards where absolutly AWESOME! and the figures were extremely well made. I thnk the old cards beats any backings on any action figures series, of any company ever. I used to love reading those small quotes in the front too. Those were the best! The new one, since they had to make them all the same, were choses wisley too. They don't compare to the old ones but are also good.

-Errol

MasterMole · 10-06-2003, 07:31 PM

I did love the cardbacks on the original figures. It was really cool that each figure did have different art on their cardbacks. Also the vehicle boxes and playsets in the old line had awesome box art. It grabbed your attention in the toy aisle. There were actual real pictures of the turtles and their enemies as they looked in the show, not just boring pictures showing only the plastic figures and vehicles. It's a shame we no longer have that.

OA · 10-06-2003, 08:13 PM

Yea, thats my point E-Money. they dint have much money yet still had terrific art. And yea, the playsets and vehicles ruled! I just picked up a Mutant Module MIB (for $14.50 w/ shipping on ebay- what a deal!!!) and have been staring at the tremendous box art ever since!! How they could do this for EACH set/figure back then and not for these newer ones, I don't know. Actually i do- Money %$$$! Oh well, long live the vintage lines...

evil_henchmen · 10-07-2003, 12:45 AM

You cannot beat the artwork on the original cardbacks, simply amazing. I love to just look through each one of my vintage moc figures and read the quotes and look at the great artwork.

10-06-2003, 06:21 PM	#1
OA Scatter the nuns!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,981	Old Card Backing vs. New Backing I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on this... I think it's simply amazing that from the original line ('87-'95 or so), virtually all of the individual figures had their OWN card art. I mean, you would think from a production standpoint that that would make things so difficult that it wouldn't be worth it. Esp. with the first line- why go through allt he trouble for a line that has yet to be proven. And this was done for line after line for the most part. For me, this makes the question of keeping my tmnt toys on card or not so much easier- to open the card would be to ruin the wonderful art. I think it really sux that for this new line there are pretty much only 2 types of cards (forget that changing of the color of the head crap). That said, i still love the new figs. Just got nanobot- he is bad ass!!!

10-06-2003, 07:06 PM	#2
Splinter Radical Rat Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Splinter's Dojo Posts: 1,531	Individual card backs can add up to a dollar on the cost of a figure. That's been quoted by most toy companies. And for something that 90% of the time ends up in the trash, it is an unnecissary expense. That can be better used to make the figures better. Remeber, these are toys. They are meant to be opened and played with. The majority of collectors are openers, and it's better to stuff the buck into a better figure, then into the packaging. __________________ R.I.P. Master Splinter - Mirage Comics - May 1984 / June 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - New Episode Guide

10-06-2003, 07:25 PM	#3
E-money Foot Soldier Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 198	Cards... Vintage Splinter, you do have point about a better figure but when the Turtles where new back in 88, they didn't have tons of money planned for this, the cards where absolutly AWESOME! and the figures were extremely well made. I thnk the old cards beats any backings on any action figures series, of any company ever. I used to love reading those small quotes in the front too. Those were the best! The new one, since they had to make them all the same, were choses wisley too. They don't compare to the old ones but are also good. -Errol

10-06-2003, 07:31 PM	#4
MasterMole Foot Soldier Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Willow Grove, PA Posts: 213	I did love the cardbacks on the original figures. It was really cool that each figure did have different art on their cardbacks. Also the vehicle boxes and playsets in the old line had awesome box art. It grabbed your attention in the toy aisle. There were actual real pictures of the turtles and their enemies as they looked in the show, not just boring pictures showing only the plastic figures and vehicles. It's a shame we no longer have that. __________________ TMNT are Cool. I anticipate buying the next toy(I hope) and watching the next episode. Will a company please give the Proper DVD release to the current and classic Turtles cartoons? Playmates Toys: Shape Up, OR feast on my large,lumpy,hairy MOLE, then Back Off!

10-06-2003, 08:13 PM	#5
OA Scatter the nuns!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,981	Yea, thats my point E-Money. they dint have much money yet still had terrific art. And yea, the playsets and vehicles ruled! I just picked up a Mutant Module MIB (for $14.50 w/ shipping on ebay- what a deal!!!) and have been staring at the tremendous box art ever since!! How they could do this for EACH set/figure back then and not for these newer ones, I don't know. Actually i do- Money %$$$! Oh well, long live the vintage lines... __________________

10-07-2003, 12:45 AM	#6
evil_henchmen Hench Mutant Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 282	You cannot beat the artwork on the original cardbacks, simply amazing. I love to just look through each one of my vintage moc figures and read the quotes and look at the great artwork.