Is a variant of a variant a sign of the end?

Let’s review the TMNT punk Leonardo and punk Raphael ( white and red ) two pack by NECA

[@reiddutchess9955]

This two pack is the most shameless move they have pulled yet 😂

[@leodenverrex3819]

@@reiddutchess9955 WHAT!? Dont you want a lil Teddy & lamp? 🤷‍♂️

[@georgepasymowski2508]

😊I'm turtled out. Even the tmnt wrestling figures aren't selling well. I may get the xmas 4 pack but it's got less accessories compared to the musical mutagen ones. Great review as always.

[@JoseGonzalez-yq4gw]

We need that Technodrome display

[@casperscorner4757]

This is a calm time right now. Arron mentioned the other day that we are far from the end with the toon line. There are even deeper cuts we are going to start seeing soon. We still need that last ronin toon figure. I'm not giving up on that.

[@joeguido2931]

They need to continue the cartoon line via what they did w the upcoming Panda dude where they take a character that was a previous playmates toy and toon it. Hothead , walkabout, Monty Moose, Snake Tail , Merdude , etc. and we are also still owed a Tempestra

[@Rumblefiah]

100%

[@anthonykocur8222]

I couldn’t agree more. What you said is exactly what I’m looking for. Remade characters from the Playmates line (plus Tempestra). After that, I can say with all honesty I could be done with the Toon line. And if this line begins to dwindle, well, our wallets will be rocked with the 2012 Nick Turtles.

[@Chalor.]

As much as I'd love that, I don't think Playmates will give them the rights to do that. Panda Khan is different because he's a comic character created in 1983. And you see how Playmates took the original toy design inspired figures away from Super7, so I doubt they'll let NECA give it a go ...but perhaps not 🤞🏻

[@anthonykocur8222]

@@Chalor. That makes sense. I never knew the history of Panda Khan. I’ll have to do some research there. The only upside is my wallet remains fuller.

[@Endo-Skeleton]

Clothing them with jackets ironically make them look more naked! Just out there free balling it. 😂

[@bjpalm1994]

😂😂😂

[@PLASTK_pizza]

@@Endo-Skeleton shirt cocking it ! Like Jonny and Hatter on a Live Stream

[@frobafett]

Things are headed in the Neca TMNT universe to the year 2012

[@RetroTube1982]

What I wanna see with NECA, and they can reuse the molds and save money that way, but give me the four Turtles in their toy colors. Or give me Shredder without the cell-shading, give him some shiny metallic paint. And I know they did that pinball version, but that had a purple shirt instead of grey.

[@jraymondsmith]

Been waiting on these for a while, so I was pumped. Plus, winner molds I figure it just helps them cover the cost.

[@thecurmudgeon7350]

They still have a lot to milk with this line. They still haven't released the cheapskates and other vehicles like the Blimp and Turtlecycle. They still have other characters to go like Tempestra and Creepy Eddie. Also they can just rerelease certain figures as singular ultimates with added accessories...specifically Casey Jones, Shredder, Baxter Stockman, etc.

[@christophersloss485]

To answer your question, the market is becoming saturated. If you flood the market, people will not feel the need to go out and buy. They will just wait because there will be a two-pack, a variant, or a rerelease. It also removes the rarity and "cool" factor and market value. Everyone hates to admit it, but the secondary market is essential to keeping interest. I don't want to buy a $60 figure if I can only sell it for 10 if I ever need/want to sell it.

[@greenmagicdragon]

People just entering in on this line would be so overwhelmed right now with the crazy number of releases they have. Not to mention the fact it would be one of the most expensive lines to complete even at standard retail prices let alone secondary market prices. I’m still all in on this NECA TMNT Toon line but part of me kinda wishes it would come to an end and another part of me is happy to keep going along for the ride. People out there are saying we’ve already have enough deep cuts and variants but if people keep buying them NECA is gonna keep making ‘em. Hatter Nation 🎩

[@gonzalogca4907]

I was a completionist at the beginning but I really got tired after a while. I have no idea what characters they can show at NYCC to renew my interest. Me personally, I'm just waiting for the Shredder 2.0 and the giant Krang to call it quits.

[@nickb5427]

I think many have checked out of this line for a few reasons: Many years of milking by NECA and prices are only going up. Economy is not the greatest. Deep dives from here on out. I bought the wrestling 4 pack, brand new off eBay for $120 shipped a couple weeks after it was released. My preorder and paying retail days are over. I have 95% of everything released so far. I called it when NECA charged $250 for the sewer scenes, they effectively drive a ton of their completionists out of the game. It waterfalls hard once you don't want to/can't get everything for a decent price and I think we are witnessing the effects of price gouging. Also, the resell market is pretty bad for these figures save for a couple pieces. It's only going to get worse over the next 20-30 years, until we die. I would bet the TMNT market has peaked already, with all of us 40-somethings moving out of our reckless spending years. The next gen of fans is waaaaay smaller than us OG fans.

[@chewmaniac86]

Definitely got alot more to do with cartoon line: Monster and human villains, Red Sky season figures!

[@patrickmcgavin2245]

I have the punk set. I'm also getting this one, bc I wanted Raphael in his White jacket.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

Hatter you are quick I was going to ask if you got this one! I got it too! 🎩🐢🤯👍

[@DesperadoDingo]

I'm always into rereleases and variants because it's always someone's first attempt at the line. That goes for any toy line. I'm also not a completionist, so I just flip the old one if the new one does something I like more. However, I found the VHS toon turtles underwhelming vs the prior four packs. I'm already in a difficult spot because Canada and NECA get on like oil and water, and any attempt to just get me basic ninja turtles never seems to work out. I have no interest in side characters or variants if I can't get the bread and butter. TLDR, yeah, it's the punk turtles themselves just being niche looks. I don't know why companies don't keep the basic TMNT, Spidey, and Wolverine on shelves at all times. People mock McFarlane for all the Batman stuff, but Batman sells at the stores I go to. Just keep the onboarding evergreen.

[@truerc]

Paying full price and seeing big discounts later certainly discourages future retail purchases. Maybe NECA needs to reduce production runs or stick with popular stuff. Who knows?

[@christophersloss485]

Everyone hate the Flippers" but it is a sign of a healthy market. When no one wants it, then its a sign no one wants it.

[@chaosbringer12]

This is exactly what they did with Bunny Bebop and Rocksteady where it's not something a lot of people need, but it's there as a deep cut for those that wanted it and asked for it. That doesn't necessarily signal that this is the end of the line. I believe Trevor said they still have a lot of stuff planned and a lot of stuff they still can do as long as the interest continues to be there. Given how fast just about every drop immediately gets bought up... I don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon.

[@frankschuler2867]

This one was a real head scratcher for me. I still see the 4-pack of the punk turtles shelf-warming at some places. Maybe the alternate colors are better...but I can't say I really wanted any of the punk turtles at all. I know...some people want them, but it seems like there is lower hanging fruit out there. How about Mirage April and Shredder? Ultimate toon Shredder? That 1/4 scale Android Krang? Tempestra? The toon mobsters? The line isn't over, but I think we are about 90% of the way there.

[@jonathanhodapp8735]

I think also if you look up punk turtles there’s two episodes one has the brown and white jackets from the two pack. The other episode has the ones from the four pack so I don’t think they were wrong but I think they knew if they would’ve released these two in a four pack, nobody would’ve bought extra two turtles. This way they can say we didn’t do it wrong. We just didn’t do it in the order that everyone else would’ve wanted lol

[@christophersloss485]

I love this pack, but I hate I had to buy it. When are we going to get a black jacket, Mikey? Also, why couldn't we get these in the original pack?

[@dmc2008]

I've definitely seen people buy this who didn't know about the punk 4-pack, and are expecting a follow-up 2-pack with Mikey & Donnie..... 😶

[@kennethcasteenjr.4917]

Once they start making characters from the red sky seasons they’ll be on fiyah again.

[@oreofox]

I remember when the 4-pack came out this past Haulathon, people were putting them up on ebay for $300+. Interesting to see them for quite a bit below retail in that screenshot you showed. Curious how the people who jumped on those $300 listings feel about that.

[@edrock9995]

the variants did sell out, I was too late to pull the trigger...I hope they restock or they're easier to find in store...as far as the 4 pack goes, it could just be a price point issue

[@NostalgiaUnboxed]

They just made more than ever (with most of the new stuff) and it’s actually available at most stores

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@NostalgiaUnboxed yep!🐢🐢🐢🐢

[@freakasaur100]

I bet that single pack shredder is gonna be hard to find. It’s just that the mainline figures sell a lot more

[@joeguido2931]

I called playmates , Jim said it’s cool I checked

[@AutomaTom1939]

I was kinda grumpy when I saw this--I'm pretty sure most fans wanted these season 1 colors for the 4-pack, and I'm pretty sure NECA knew that. 🤨

[@jonathanhodapp8735]

You also have to remember they just had a big sale where you could get neca included so people were buying them for $100

[@OverBenthousand]

They have got to wrap up the animated line soon. They’re eventually doing 2012 right? (Man I wish they would do 2003 as well..) and they’ve legit reached the bottom of the barrel with this line, lol. I’m all for it being finished. The VHS pack was my last animated purchase… and I’ve even sold some of the other two packs of characters that had small screen time.. it got to just be too much on my shelves for characters I didn’t even care about lol.

[@printrabbit8117]

I don't think the line is dieing but their prices are going up, the accessories are going down and they're releasing less desirable stuff. It doesn't have to fall a part yet but If they continue down this road, it'll happen sooner than necessary. I expect all the heavy hitters to be updated, pinless and new heads. That'll keep it going for a while.

[@Motherslug-q7l]

having No bad guy vehicles or Technodrome playset base is a Huge let down, which I don't see us ever getting. Neca still has characters that haven't been made like Scaletail, King Lionheart, Tattoo, Walkabout, ect. Plus, Neca could easily reissue all these characters again as a lot of collectors would rebuy them a second time instead of paying those super ridicules toy show prices, as I know a lot of collectors still Army building the Foot as well as not being able to find certain characters they missed the first time. That's the nice thing about Toy Companies now a days, is that they can reissue them, cutting scalpers in half with New selling's on items

[@cmflynn75]

I'm almost hoping they're nearly done with the 87 line because I feel like I'm gonna be in trouble once they start the 2012 line, though I would love to get an 87 styled PizzaFace before they tap on the line

[@mjtsRokuChannel]

I wonder if including standard weapons with these would make them more popular on store shelves.

[@philipnapier3382]

I’ve never been into variants . I just want the basic design of the characters . Honestly who needs a bunny suit bebop and rocksteady ? These things are pretty pricey so I just keep it to the basics

[@toomuchnewtoys]

I think everything runs its course, things can only really stay on a high note for so long, so it stands to reason eventually any line is going to peter out. At this point especially many people have built up a huge collection after what, 5 years now? folks run out of space even if they do love all this stuff so they cant have so many sets of turtles.

[@stevewegling8070]

Hatter, yes the TMNT Punk 4-pack is a niche variant. Certain interpretations of characters or the characters themselves will not be must buys in my opinion. I think the Punk frogs 2-packs( is there a theme?😏) did not seem to sell that well either. In my store the wrestling TMNT are chilling on the shelf as well. Some of issue is the scalpers profit margin is too thin on bigger ticket items. It seems $20-$50 is the sweet spot for flipping. Most people balk at going more then twice the SRP on an item like collectables. $100-$150 tops. Then its rent , a car payment or something that really matters that get missed(in theory). Lastly the saturated market theory holds credence. NECA does spectacular work always has I hope always will. But these are luxury items/ entertainment when you really look at them. That is always the first cut for most realistic people. Go get your girl 🧑‍🍼and have a great day 🤜🤛✌️

[@PLASTK_pizza]

I’m of the opinion that the line changed at the release of the party wagon. The party wagon did not deliver. And since the release of the party wagon, the cell shading has also ceased to exist. I’m also not a big fan of re-releasing figures. Updates be damned. I still feels like a wrong move. They should be pushing for more mutants and most definitely that giant Krang from two SDCCs ago. At one point, I thought that we would get a technodrone diorama. I think those days are long gone. Anyone else feel the same?

[@Chalor.]

Once I read your message, I concur. The Party Wagon was underwhelming - and undersized. The removal of the subtle cell shading was a dumb move to save a few cents. Now you've lost the uniformity. The Turtle Blimp should've been announced and right around the corner to ship by now. Them not showing off Tempestra, Merdude, Ray, etc. by this point is a bad move.

[@PLASTK_pizza]

@@Chalor. Well put!

[@angelsoler1213]

RIP Neca ⚰

[@tedmatthews1048]

Collected everything on from the first 8 pack set from SDCC until this year. Due to the prices on the sewer lair and also releasing characters that were never in the show, I have basically quit the line. The endless turtle repacks (toon, promo art, disquise, punk, etc.) have not helped either.

[@Doesmachine87]

Although the line is not near its end I think it has reach its peak and that is why now you see the Neca Tmnt cartoon line looking to move to a different direction and redesigning old figures also their business practices have changed don’t know is because they know how the line is so now they throw as much product as they can but I hear ya I too try to be a completist but they way they do business now made me pull back

[@SEEshadow]

The punk turtles are so specific that I don't think they're as popular. I don't think companies that do repaints are shameful. It allows them to reuse molds which makes them money, the reason companies exist.

[@jonathanhodapp8735]

I think because they’re still trying to milk the end individual turtle brothers the running out of variance and some people don’t need 10 different versions of the same ninja Turtles. I think if they would just re-release the core brothers. See them flying off the shelves more.

[@PEHfinale]

The original 4-pack should have made the jackets removable and included alternate arms (like the business suit Casey Jones did) so that people who bought all four brothers could choose how to display Leo and Raph. If they HAD to do it this way, they could have at least given variant Raph and Leo some unique expressions (like Mikey's toothy grin in the 4-pack) so people who bought both sets would end up with four distinct expressions. As it is, this release feels very underwhelming to me.

[@MrOzone-hc1py]

I think they are almost to the end for 87 turtles

[@HankG51]

I like the season 1 punk Turtles more than the later season punk Turtles

[@ozzy9226]

Stuff like this is cool but also why I stopped collecting the cartoon line there just seems to be no end to the characters with all the variants they can do

[@casperscorner4757]

I love LAMP!!!

[@KJ-tz7vc]

Who has time for babies when there are so many toys with which to play?!

[@elko84]

I don't think you can just go off price. Why would someone pay $150 for a 4 pack and then sell it for $85. I always figure someone getting $85 is happy with $85 because they probably paid $0 for it if you catch my drift.

[@jartree]

Sticking with the original punks. Don't need another set, not like I am looking to recreate a specific episode.

[@iconoclast575]

The toon line has just been boring lately. It's been nothing but hyper-specific variants that will only appeal to a small percentage of their usual customers, like the punk turtles, mecha & vacation Bebop & Rocksteady, space and samurai turtles, suit Casey, etc. They need to release more first-time characters, and re-release or remake some of the old figures that are hard to get nowadays. They can do Karai, Tempestra, re-do Krang in the walker, re-release a foot soldier 2-pack, and stuff like that. They are definitely running out of interesting things to do with the line though.

[@spadedonemcdysentery2493]

This one is pretty shameless. Only 2 new sculpts in the box with the lamp and teddy bear. The rest is all literal repaints or reissues. The value just isn’t really there at $60. The other problem is the 4 pack was only around 6 months ago. Not enough time went by to not feel stupid buying a bunch of repaints. I only picked this up cuz I’m a toon line devotee.

[@Wildwes1981]

I want ultimate shredder already haha

[@Talisac80]

100% always planned to make these. They came out way too soon after the 4pk. So it was a total intentional cash grab

[@sorryalligator]

$10 says this is a fairly limited run. NECA had to know it would sit otherwise

[@robledoeugene1975]

At this point everything is a pass for me just waiting on a Tempestra. It feels like all were getting now are repaints and variants of the same characters.

[@butterflyhink]

I feel like if NECA hadn't found a way to release all the on-screen seen punk turle variants, people would have been disappointed and complained. But when they DO release them all, people call it a shameless cash grab. Sometimes people just like to whine.

[@snoweverywhere]

I really just think the demand wasnt here on the 4 pack. The 4 pack that came out the year before seemed to meet the demands for anyone that didnt get the disguise turtles. Overall Neca seems to have slowed down on releases across all their brands. Personally i think its a good thing because they know people are buying more than one line. Its a lot easier to give up on a line when releases get overwhelming.

[@ioncewasmikey]

Dang, it doesn't feel like they've slowed down on TMNT to me. I don't even collect all their Turtles lines but the drops when they happen seem huge.

[@snoweverywhere]

@ioncewasmikey that's another thing - the tmnt drops seem like they only happen on Target geek out events which are only 2-3 times a year. A lot of their other lines (Monsters, Gargoyles, DnD) are pretty much just trickling them out one at a time.

[@ioncewasmikey]

@snoweverywhere I think they'd do better to trickle the Turtles out. That way the collectors don't have all this pressure to drop $300+ at a time, especially the Toon collectors. Might help things sell through better.

[@snoweverywhere]

@ioncewasmikey I agree. Especially since some people still do have big distribution issues with these being store exclusives. It makes them a 'now or never' purchase for those people.

[@albatz1377]

You think that's bad ..give it a few months and they will put out a single leo with a red jacket and matching shoes haha

[@TasteTheD]

Raph's shoes look a touch lighter on the new one. I think I'm done with the toon line now.

[@calicocalthecopperkid7230]

NECA has pumped quick and dumped fast w/TMNT. Reminds me of my 16year old self back in '97. Got my first few pumps in... best 2 mins of my life.

[@ioncewasmikey]

I see you're also waiting for the Judith Hoag April in yellow jumpsuit.

[@calicocalthecopperkid7230]

@@ioncewasmikey 🤣coco butter and towel ready, you know it!

[@ioncewasmikey]

@@calicocalthecopperkid7230 😂

[@All1My1Little1Words1]

Everybody wanted a white coat turtle and people even made their own versions and than they release it everybody complains 🤷

[@jadeduh4555]

So am i the only one who already has these 4 versions in single/individual packs??

[@Istvantastic]

Wow, the custom paint actually looks better! Does if feel like a genuine NECA figure with the custom paint? Also, I HAVE to say this (don't hate me) please clean your nails for something like this. I have never noticed in your other videos, so maybe it's a one off and I should shut my mouth

[@willyblanco22]

What's happening is no one has any money. Inflation through the roof. We're picking and choosing more now and when we do impulse buy we wond up selling to get fast cash. The economy is in the toilet.

[@saulcortez944]

I already stopped collecting tmnt to many unwanted characters and variants

[@leodenverrex3819]

I disagree sir. I'm so anxious for the Mobsters & Machinegun Mamma! = -D

[@miKeYdOEsNtLiKeiT508]

Punk turtles .. last year now ? Has it been ? Lmaooo i don't think so

[@miKeYdOEsNtLiKeiT508]

Yea.. I dont get this 2 pack at all... like what the thought was ...

[@wesleysteeleiv]

If Super 7 can make an entire Wave variants and idiots still buy them, NECA will be fine.

[@jonathangreen2064]

TBH learn 3d printing for accessories save yourself thousands buddy

[@APremiumDegenerate]

It’s just not that interesting a four pack

[@limpx336]

Its just they made a weird set no one asked for.

[@albertcook]

First to say first

[@leodenverrex3819]

First to say second

[@PLASTK_pizza]

What the fuck is up with the blue shoes? Was this a misfire? If anyone wants some truly spectacular TMNT TOON figs, the quarter scale Toitles are 🤌 Don’t sleep on them! They are worth every MFn cent!