Action Figure Barbecue: Stuff You Must Own!- New TMNT Classics series 2

Series 2 Rocksteady and Bebop along with the series 1 Turtles

  New Rocksteady and Bebop from Playmates' TMNT Classics

     Of course fans have always known of the timeless coolness of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but this year we have seen kids once again get excited over our favorite lean, green, pizza eating machines.  While Playmates toys has released a robust line of 4-5 inch figures targeted at kids, (although collectors love them too) what really got fans excited were the TMNT classics, 6-7 inch figures with excellent articulation that are excellent homages to both the original TMNT action figures and the cartoon appearances of the characters. Retailers could barely keep these guys in stock so it only makes sense that Playmates will continue with this awesome line.  Here's the first images I've seen of Rocksteady and Bebop, the two new figures from series 2. 




  
     Both figures look like a blend of their cartoon depictions and the original toys and appear to feature great articulation.  Personally, I'm hoping they at least come with the shields the original toys included(the manhole lid shield and the trash can lid).  I know many fans are wondering where Splinter, Shreddar, and April are; it seems likely that A. Playmates isn't ready to produce 'unique figures yet (the turtles all share the same body mold and it appears that Rocksteady and Bebop might share a base body, also) or B. Playmates wants to make sure that there are plenty of important characters left to sustain this line for awhile.  Putting out all of the big guns first could easily cause fans to lose interest in the line if Playmates decides to release less popular characters like Scumbug, Rat King, and Mondo gecko.  Of course, there's also the issue that a number of fans still haven't completed their set of turtles yet. Releasing only two new figures in a wave (instead of four) gives case assortments more room for a second run of the Turtles to make sure fans stay interested. No one wants to collect a TMNT line if they don't have the turtles themselves.  We should see these guys around the middle of 2013.

Written by: Jerry Reed Epic Review contributor