A Juggernaut was just announced: https://www.toyark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-Soft-Vinyl-Juggernaut-005.jpg
I love the mondo 1/6 master of the universe figures. and I am so happy that they are making the special giant size scare glow with glowing skeleton. But. The new TMNT mondo soft vinyl figures... Even though I will probably order all of them(especially the Mondo Geko sculpted by James Groman)... In my opinion they look too much like action figures.... They almost need to be more smooth with less details? For my personal taste the dune TMNT cartoon figures are the best sofubi turtles.
When talkin’ to someone from Mondo at DCon they explained that the goal was to have them heavily resemble the original Playmates figures with modern attitude, for which I think they playfully succeeded. They’re super tough lookin’ and the scale is great.
That totally explains the action figure look! and I agree, if that was their art direction then they look great. I just hope the price is not too high... the Mondo MOTU 1/6 figures(two scare glows, scare glow horse, teela, orko already announced for release this year and I am sure there will be more) are already killing my wallet LOL.
Biolante was $125 /Space Godzilla was $150. Juggernaut just hit at $200, but looks huge. I'd guess the licensing cost is part of that too, but IDK. Probably the range though ($125 - $200).
Juggernaut $200 was expected due to licensing cost and size. but I am hoping the Turtles would be $80 - $100 range. I can still have hope since the Mondo James Groman Godzilla was $250. Or maybe Toho studio is more generous on licensing costs...
IMO, I think you sort of hit the reason right there. I feel like there are already several versions of the turtles, in addition to those Dune releases, that have been given the more distinctly minimal/smooth sofubi treatment (though, maybe the likes of Realhead and Punkdrunkers don't really count as they have added their signature skulls or face to the sculpts). Even the recent pseudo-rereleases of the old Playmates roto-casted mega sized turtles may also be scratching that itch for some (much cheaper and easier option too). Plus, if you're gonna hire Groman, you gotta let him bring his Groman-ness. I've never really thought Groman appeared like he was trying to do a Japanese sofubi style in his vinyl releases. It always felt distinctly western, despite similar production methods, and I think that's actually a good thing in many ways. Offer something unique to him.
