I'm pretty psyched for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. I was decidedly less psyched for the official Playmates figures based on the new movie. They lacked a severe amount of detail that I felt I needed to fix to really bring the movie designs to life in action figure form. I had to study several images and trailer stills in order to get down every detail of the characters. Each figure has been fully repainted, from head to toe. I painted spots on their skin, eye detail, Japanese Kanji on their bandanas and shells, and gave them realistic shading, highlights, and weathering. For Leonardo I actually used the head from the Combat Warrior figure (the one where you squeeze the legs to make the arms swing), because it actually has a smaller head than the basic figure (which is too big), and it sits better on the figure. I added the NYC button on his weapon strap. For Michelangelo, I added the shades hanging around his necklace, and the tattoo on his left bicep. On Raphael I carved the scar over his lip, painted the tattoo he has on his right bicep, and gave him some shades that fit over his forehead. For Donatello, just like with Leo, I used the head from the Combat Warrior figure and made it fit on the basic figure body. The head gear was much more detailed, and I thought it looked better. I made his glasses out of craft wire, with sewing thread for the tape in the middle and painted them with the tortoiseshell frames. I also used sewing thread to look like electrical wiring to connect pieces of his tech, and painted the screens of the iPads taped to the back of his belt (yes, he has iPads hooked up to his equipment). Of course I also went through and gave all their weapons realistic repaints as well, adding real chain to Mikey's. And now that the Ninja Turtles actually look like they do from the movie, they're ready to take down Shredder and the entire Foot Clan. Be sure to check the link below to my site to see the entire gallery. COWABUNGA!