DST talks turtle with new slate of TMNT products for Fall

The heroes in a half-shell are back in a big way and Diamond Select Toys has a mass of new figures and more based on them on the way.

“The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are one of those brands that any company would love to work on,” says Diamond Select Toys president Chuck Terceira. “Not just because it’s so popular today, but because it’s such a long-lived property, with distinctly different incarnations of the Turtles and their colorful supporting characters stretching back to the late 1980s. Plus, it’s just a heck of a lot of fun. They’re turtles who fight ninjas, robots, and talking brains. What’s not to love?”

It really is kind of amazing that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have made such a dramatic comeback. It was only a few years ago that their last animated series hit a wall and faded into obscurity. Here with this newest incarnation though, which switches up the lore a bit (and to great effect), the green teens are back in a big way and making an impact for new fans as well as former followers who can’t get enough of the show.

Taking full advantage and scheduled to start hitting stores this Fall, DST’s lineup of Ninja Turtles stuff is just about as varied as you might imagine it being from them. There’s a little something for every fan of the fab four including Minimates (which are amazing), banks, bottle openers, and yes – a pizza cutter. Scroll down for the full descriptions and some shots of the goods.

Most of this stuff will start arriving into stores this September, but there are no firm release dates as of yet.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Minimates Series 1: The cast of the animated series has been transformed into a series of 2 -inch block figures as part of the wide-ranging Minimates brand. Each figure in the line features interchangeable parts as well as their trademark weapons. Characters include the four Turtles, April O’Neil, Shredder, Foot Soldiers, Foot-Bot, Kraang and Exo-Armor Kraang and are available in blind bags and two-packs. Sold at comic shops, specialty stores, Kmart, Sears and Toys “R” Us.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vinyl Bust Banks: The four turtles will be re-created from the waist-up as full-color vinyl money banks. Striking action poses with their trademark weapons, each 7 inch bust is based on 3D data from the animated series, and will feature collectible-quality sculpting and paint, as well as a coin slot and access door. Sold at comic shops, specialty stores and Toys “R”Us.
• Michelangelo Metal Bottle Opener: A classic image of Michelangelo enjoying a slice of pizza, taken from promotional artwork for the 1987 cartoon series, has been turned into a 3D metal bottle opener, with magnets on the back so it can be hung on any metal surface. Sold at comic shops and specialty stores.
• Michelangelo Pizza Cutter: Michelangelo’s mind is always on pizza, and now his head will help slice it! This pizza cutter shaped like Michelangelo’s head is a must-have for any pizza party, Turtle-themed or otherwise. Sold at comic shops and specialty stores.