@misfit thank you for this detailed response. I hadn't considered a lot of what you suggest but it all makes sense. I'll have to count myself among those collectors who don't like this approach, especially given how NECA refused to re-release their original Mirage TMNT figures. It's their prerogative, of course, but it's frustrating nonetheless. That said, I'm still more than satisfied with how they treat the brand and have no other complaints. I hope they continue to hold the license(s) for many years to come.
Those original Mirage turtles were also CON EXCLUSIVES, back when that was the ONLY way to get NECA TMNT.
Like Misfit said, it's possible those molds were stolen from the factory, because there were A LOT of knockoffs of those molds for a few years, and even those eventually dried up.
@salemcrow did you mean "Mirage Turtles" as in the majority of the line? Because the actual turtles weren't exclusives. They were sold at specialty retail in a couple of different formats. They even languished for awhile eventually hitting clearance prices in a lot of places. As NECA would confess, they weren't a huge seller as they were either a little early on TMNT nostalgia or the nostalgia was just reserved for the cartoon.
@tenime I think they just kind of half-assed the checklists this year. The Gargoyles one is missing a few announced figures as well. I'm guessing Leatherhead is not in any danger.
@valor I think there were mitigating factors with the old Mirage figures. There have been rumors the molds were stolen or it's possible NECA got rid of them thinking their chance at TMNT had come and gone.
Given how good a lot of the knock-offs are, I wouldn't be surprised if the molds were stolen. This is another reason I really wanted that set.
Yeah it's always been my guess that NECA just let the factories have them (in so much that they didn't fight to get the molds back). I mean Playmates had come down on them and for all they knew they weren't going to get any more use out of the molds...and it costs money to store molds anyway...so eh?
Nowadays though, we have companies scanning vintage figures and re-releasing those. I wonder how well that would work here. Scan, do some fine tuning or something...I dunno. I know a lot of people want them. I wouldn't mind some attempt at remaking the figures.
That’s more or less my assumption. Or they just sold them outright to the factory since they probably thought it was all over for them with TMNT.
Considering how many people are still buying the bootlegs (at least on FB groups), and that the modern bootlegs are pretty ugly, I think there's definitely money to be had in sculpting a new set of first appearance Mirage turtles. Especially if they upgrade them/make them more "Ultimate"
Considering how many people are still buying the bootlegs (at least on FB groups), and that the modern bootlegs are pretty ugly, I think there's definitely money to be had in sculpting a new set of first appearance Mirage turtles. Especially if they upgrade them/make them more "Ultimate"
I have bootlegs, but I wish they would do this. And also do figures of those "concept" Turtles that Eastman and Laird did when they were creating the characters, that have already gotten vinyls from other companies.
In a day & age with 3D scanners & 3D printers, "lost molds" isn't really an excuse for ANY company *glares at Playmates' inaccurate vintage reissues* anymore.
It’s true that it’s easier than ever to reverse engineer a set of tools, it’s just that once you do that you’re essentially starting over. I think in NECA’s case, their thinking was if we have to spend money on new tools, why bother trying to recreate 15 year old molds when brand new ones could be made instead? I’m also guessing the Lawson turtles were the preferred look in-house which likely played a role.
Oh, I don't need the 2008 figures. I already have them (and the blue/purple/orange knockoffs - still regret not getting a red, but I was like "I already have a red bandana Raph, I don't need another!" - but the official's coloring doesn't quite match the KOs, the new ones out now are horrendously painted, so I can't have two full matching sets if I want; maybe 3 on one side, and 3 on the other, lol - but I can't do one set in one room, and one set in another).
When everyone accuses my stating the facts & reality regarding my physical/mental/financial abilities or lackthereof as "making excuses," I definitely don't like when other people are legitimately making excuses when there are other options available to them. *shrug*
And 3D sculpting has made action figure creation more possible for everyone than literally ever before. *shrug*
I had the 2008 ones then sold them off when Shredder and his crew were in limbo too long. I would be up for a new take. I have the new 4 pack, the Usagi 4 pack is my main concern since I like the look of it but couldn't buy it this month. It's already like $500......
@tenime the reality of it is that lost tooling means they couldn't do it cheaply. And if they're going to put in all the cost of new tooling, they're not going to make something that a large part of their target audience already has. It's not just an excuse that they can't do it period, it's just the matter of diminishing returns.
I understand that, and that needs to be stated if that is the reason. Because all I've heard is "the molds are gone." Hence, my logical response.
And again, I don't need them. I already have them. I am more perturbed by Playmates using that excuse (especially for incorrect stickers, when no steel molds would be needed for a flat piece of adhesive paper).
Playmates gets very confused by colors. Especially if there's more than one. It makes them agitated and prone to outbursts of tears and license squeezing.
Picked up Red Shirt Casey from Target and Wanderer from Best Buy over the holiday. Both are great figures and I love what NECA is doing with the comic line.
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