Playmates Toys Action figures based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise have been produced by Playmates Toys since 1988.

The TMNT follows the journey of four young brothers (Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello) who have been mutated (via the definitely-very-scientific mutagen ooze) from baby turtles to turtle-human hybrids and live in the sewers of New York learning ninjutsu from their rat sensei/adopted dad, Splinter.

Leonardo was given twin katana, Raphael twin sai, Michelangelo nunchucks, and Donatello a bo staff.

Since 1988, countless numbers of figures have been made, making TMNT one of the most successful toylines in history. Many of the earlier figures are highly desired by collectors now, so they fetch extremely high prices on the secondary market.

Playmates Toys The first issue was published in 1984 by Eastman and Laird's company Mirage Studios and was a surprise success. In 1987, Eastman and Laird licensed the characters to Playmates Toys, which developed a line of Turtles action figures.

The core elements of the franchise remain the same: four pet store turtles are mutated by a secret chemical that transforms them into humanoid mutants, who then become ninjas to defend New York City from various threats.

Venus That honor goes to Venus, TV's first (and still only) female Ninja Turtle. Unlike her male counterparts - Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, all of whom were named after noteworthy Renaissance artists - Venus got her name from the famously arm-less Greek statue depicting the goddess Aphrodite.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' weapons reflect their personalities and were assigned by their father, Splinter, to teach them important lessons and skills.

The katana Splinter gave Leonardo are weapons that should really be drawn on instinct, encouraging him to both act and react with speed rather than overthinking. Leonardo's a master with the katana, taking on some of the Turtles' greatest enemies in one-on-one duels.

The Turtles Were Teenagers, So They Were Relatable These days, most superheroes or heroes, in general, are grown-ups, which gives the younger audience something to look up to, but it was special that the heroes kids idolized were supposed to be a few years older than them.

10 Most Powerful Turtles in TMNT Canon (Ranked)

1. 1 Donatello. Donatello is a certified genius with inventions that could match those of Marvel Comics' Reed Richards.
2. 2 Slash.
3. 3 Leonardo.
4. 4 Raphael.
5. 5 Michelangelo.
6. 6 Jennika.
7. 7 Venus.
8. 8 Metalhead.

One night in 1983 - and neither can remember why - inspiration struck. Eastman drew a humanized turtle wearing a ninja mask and carrying a katana blade. The idea of a slowpokey turtle as a swift and wily ninja cracked them up. By the end of the evening the artists had created four tortoises.