Wheeljack’s Lab invites you to explore the 1988 Playmates Toy Fair Catalog. Since catalogs like this were originally distributed at trade shows, the general public rarely saw them. Thus, few could see glimpses of upcoming toy lines and products. Luckily, our high-definition scans now allow you to view the promotional images of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures.
The 1988 Playmates Toy Fair Catalog helped introduce readers to the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. Based on the characters from Mirage Comics, this toy line was prepared to launch a mutant frenzy worldwide. With the help of Fred Wolf Films, Playmates converted the gritty world of the comics into a playful adventure ready for the toy aisle. Thus, they launched a wide variety of action of action figures and vehicles in 1988.
Turn Your Playmates Toy Fair Catalogs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toys into Cash Today
This 1988 Playmates Toy Fair Catalog began by providing information about the Gas, Jokes & Crazy Weapons Assortment. Playmates described the assortment as follows:
“It’ll be a laugh riot when you become a practical joker just like the wild and crazy Turtles! Fool family, friends, and the Foot with this assortment of real pranks and hilarious Turtle jokes. And heat up the fun and action with the crazy figure-sized accessories included in each set.”
Set #1
Fans could join the Turtle team with the official Turtle Ring, which actually squirted ‘fresh from the sewer’ water. This set included a squirt ring with a Turtle logo and a Turtle joke book. It also included four crazy figure-sized accessories: a sewer cover shield, a mag flyer, a boom box radar, and a sewer pipe bazooka.
Set # 2
Players could write secret messages to the Turtles with Invisible Turtlesheil Ink! The words magically appeared when exposed to heat. They could then blast the Foot with the Retromutogen Squirter. After that, they could watch Shredder’s reaction as the green liquid magically disappeared in seconds. This set included Invisible Turtleshell Ink powder, Retromutogen Squirter, and a jokebook. It also included four crazy figure-sized weapons: a garbage can shield, a pizza flyer, a sewer slingshot, and a city communicator.
Set #3
Fans could communicate in the sewers like a real mutant Turtle! It was the “Turtle Call’’ razzer, the ultimate insult to the Foot Clan. They could then peek at Mutant Turtle Eggs, a devious Turtle package that gives the Foot a real jolt when opened. It made an excellent prank for family and friends. This set includes Mutant Turtle Eggs in an envelope, Turtle Call, and a jokebook. It also featured four crazy figure-sized weapons: a no Foots shield, a rock ‘n roll flyer, a sewer stopper, and a sewer searchlight.
Next, this 1988 Playmates Toy Fair Catalog page advertised the Turtle Battle Fun Assortment. Fans could be real mutant Turtles just like our green teen Turtle heroes. Kids would be shell-shocked as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michaelangelo came to life with this assortment of kid-sized accessories. Each set featured fun action accessories, including an official Turtle weapon, color-matched elbow pads and knee pads, and a Ninja mask with a Turtle nose—11 pieces in all.
Leonardo
Players could pretend to be Leonardo, the battle commander of the Turtles. This set included one Katana Blade sword, a blue Ninja mask with a Turtle nose, blue knee and elbow pads, a belt and buckle with a Turtle logo, a mag flying disc, Leo’s favorite jokes, and a label sheet with insignias and wacky Turtle phrases.
Raphael
Otherwise, fans could become Raphael, the witty voice of the Turtles. This set includes two sai, a red Ninja mask with a Turtle nose, red knee and elbow pads, a belt and buckle, a sewer cover flying disc, Raph’s favorite jokes, and a label sheet.
Michaelangelo
Players could also become party reptiles like Michaelangelo, the wild and crazy Turtle. This set included nunchakus, an orange Ninja mask with a Turtle nose, orange elbow pads, orange knee pads, a belt and buckle, a pizza flying disc, Mike’s favorite jokes, and a label sheet.
We are glad to present these exciting, exclusive 1988 Playmates Toy Fair Catalog scans. Check out even more of our scans to see the exciting promotional images from the Playmates Toy Company’s past.
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About Our Playmates Toy Fair Catalog Scans
Playmates handed out catalogs to attendees of toy fairs and other events, such as dealers and retailers, to promote their upcoming slate of products. Each catalog contained information about the company’s newest toys, even ones still in development. Thus, companies often included first looks at action figures, playsets, vehicles, etc. Therefore, they have become valuable and rare collector’s items.
These Playmates Toy Fair Catalogs featured toys from their beloved lines. For instance, the company made its mark with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. Playmates also created multiple Star Trek toy lines. Moreover, fans fondly remember the Toxic Crusaders and Barnyard Commandos toys.
Playmates used in-production prototypes in their images as these catalogs were prepared before the lines were released. This meant that the featured toys often differed from the retail releases. Moreover, toys sometimes appeared only on these catalog pages, as they were canceled or never hit retail store shelves.
While Playmates only handed these booklets to trade professionals, we have now made them available to all. You can explore the toys featured in these catalogs with our Playmates Toy Fair Catalog Scans. This is a rare treat since catalogs like these have become increasingly difficult to locate with each passing year.