Issue 43: Green Machine Gardening

ISSUE 43: GREEN MACHINE GARDENING

The weather is warming and sunbeams are returning to the sky. Mother Nature is finally putting winter to bed. What's next? Spring, baby. The rebirth of everything beautiful. Unless you're living in the sewers, stop and smells the roses.

In honor of the spring season, I wanted to get my green thumb on. Equipped with TMNT gardening gear, it was time for cowabunga cultivation.

Issue 24: Summertime

ISSUE 24: SUMMERTIME

School's out for summer, kids. It's finally time to soak up some rays and take a dip in the pool. My collection of TMNT-themed goodies have always covered the holidays and special occasions throughout the year - and the summer season is no different. Straight out of winter hibernation, I have a few Turtle-toys in The Sewer Den that have had their fair share of playtime during the dog day afternoons of summer.

Issue 10: A Golden Egg For A Golden Ninja

ISSUE 10: A GOLDEN EGG FOR A GOLDEN NINJA

Colorful eggs, white bunnies, candy galore - such iconic imagery for the Easter season. The Ninja Turtles had cracked the merchandising scene of many holidays; Halloween, Christmas, and even Valentine's Day. But, could they manage to break into Easter? A holiday owned by a big, white bunny?

Issue 7: One Cool Irish Chick

ISSUE 7: ONE COOL IRISH CHICK

Forget to wear your green today? Have no fear - the Turtles are always in fashion for St. Patrick's Day. Although the brothers are never seen throwing back pints of Guinness, they sure do evoke the ways of the Irish. They know how to party, they eat pizza like it was potatoes, and they've got a huge family. Not to mention they pal around with one of the coolest Irish gals in the Big Apple - April O'Neil.

In the 1987's cartoon, April was a dedicated TV reporter; always equipped with a video camera and donned a full-bodied, yellow jumpsuit. In the 2003 cartoon, April went through a metamorphosis. Gone were the form-fitting jumpsuit and On-Air ambitions. April was now closer to her character from the original comics - acting as an assistant to the crazed scientist, Baxter Stockman.

In both renditions, April remained a slick mix of girl next door, witty, and intelligent. The Turtles thought she was cool and so did I (in both 1987 and 2003). So on this St. Patrick's Day, The Sewer Den presents a comparison piece from the TMNT collection. An in-depth look at the April O'Neil action figures from 1987 and 2003 cartoon series.

 

To our left, we've got April from the original 1987 cartoon series. To the right, we've got April from the 2003 series. Side by side in all their glory.