Mondo Releasing Figure Based on Eastman’s First Ninja Turtle

Before the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had been fully fleshed out, they were nothing more than an idea on a napkin. One simple idea on a piece of serviette in a bar launched a franchise and brand that's still going strong today. To pay homage to Kevin Eastman's original drawing of his and Peter Laird's creation, Mondo is bringing that original concept art to life in a limited edition action figure known simply as The First Turtle.

It wasn't long ago that Mondo first began experimenting with high-end collectible figures, and the company best known for amazing movie poster prints and limited vinyl pressings has already had more than a few impressive offerings. Despite only being in the figure game for a short while, this is the second TMNT figure the company is producing. Back in October, a Lil' Mikey based on the art of Mike Mitchell was put up for pre-order, and subsequently sold out not long after.

Now, Mondo's new The First Turtle is quite different from the NECA or even Playmates versions of the classic Turtles. Both of those companies based their designs on the original Mirage incarnation, whereas Mondo's precedes the more refined designs just a tiny bit.

There are three different versions of The First Turtle available for pre-order now. All three of the basic versions will run you $65. There's a black and white version, and two green Turtles; one with a red bandana and one with an orange bandana. The Deluxe Black and White First Turtle (which came with alternate B/W heads with colored bandanas, and a print of the art) is already sold out, but it would have set you back a Benjamin.

The First Turtle has five points of articulation, and it looks like they are in the right shoulder, left elbow, both hips, and the neck. It's not much for posing, as the figure is so closely based on the original design. That's fine with me though, as I can't imagine anyone posing this thing in any other way than the way it looks in Eastman's art. There's some really nice detail in the figures, and I love the way Mondo's been able to replicate the sketchy style in 3D.

You can pre-order the figures right over here. Each figure is due out sometime in Q4 2015.