Warning: Contains spoilers for Masters of the Universe / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles of Grayskull #1! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have had a number of costume and weapon changes over the years from various team-ups and crossovers, but arguably none of them can compare to how utterly awesome their remakes are thanks to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Not only are the upgrades visually stunning, but the real-world story of how they came about is fascinating.
Masters of the Universe / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Grayskull Turtles #1 by Tim Seeley and Freddie E. Williams II finally brings the TMNT And these Lords of the Universe Team up in an epic showdown against Skeletor, Shredder, Krang, and even a corrupt He-Man himself – and it’s just getting started. The first issue fires on all cylinders, from nostalgic payoffs to captivating world-building. The artwork and character designs are perfect, with gorgeous splash pages of action and exposition that draw the reader into the story TMNT / He-Man continuity.
generally, Masters of the Universe / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Grayskull Turtles #1 is an absolute achievement, giving readers a satisfying first issue while leaving them wanting more. The obvious standout is Williams’ artwork and character designs, including and especially each of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as he expertly combines their classic weapons and colors with the aesthetic of Lords of the Universe. And interestingly, this is not the first time the artist has brought this up TMNT / He-Man Turtles to live.
Artist Freddie E. Williams II was attached to a canceled TMNT/He-Man crossover years ago (& released his original sketches)
He-Man/TMNT The Crossover That Almost Happened Behind the Scenes Sketchbook by Freddie E. Williams II
Back in 2019, Nickelodeon and Mattel (who own the rights to TMNT And MOTUrespectively) planned a TMNT / He-Man Crossover miniseries that would have been collaboratively published by IDW Publishing and DC Comics, and Freddie E. Williams II was the artist attached to the project. However, due to some behind-the-scenes circumstances (including the publishing rights for MOTU went to Dark Horse Comics around that time), the original crossover never happened.
Although just because The original TMNT / He-Man Crossover did not happenDoesn’t mean Williams didn’t put a fair amount of work into it. In fact, the artist drew a ton of concept sketches in preparation for the crossover, a number of which feature the original concepts of the Ninja Turtles sporting Eternian armor and weapons. Fortunately, the work wasn’t a complete waste, as Freddie E. Williams II compiled his sketches into a book (which is currently for sale on his website).
When you look at the original sketches, and compare them to what fans finally get into Grayskull turtles #1, readers will notice a large number of similarities and differences. For example, in the US SketchbookLeonardo is dueling both halves of the Power Sword, and Raphael is riding Battle Kat, two things not present in Grayskull turtles #1. However, the official crossover comic features the Ninja Turtles wearing Eternian armor that looks identical to Williams’ original vision.
Turtles of Grayskull #1 isn’t the only place where Freddy E. Williams II’s vision comes to life
Mattel has launched a Grayskull turtles Toy line complete with canon minicomics
While there are certain aspects of Grayskull’s turtle designs in the sketchbook that don’t appear in the official comic (at least, not yet), the overall aesthetic is identical, which is a consistency that’s also found outside the realm of ​​2-D artwork. Turtles from Grayskull designs are currently used as action figures by Mattel. Right now, four figures are available (Donaltello, Leonardo, Man-at-Arms, and Mutated Er-Man), with many other Turtles of Greyskull figures planned for later releases.
Not only that, but each figure comes with a minicomic set in the Turtles of Grayskull universe. In fact, reading the minicomics only enhances fans’ understanding and enjoyment of the official Turtles of Grayskull comic series, as they are set in the same continuity. And, just like with the sketchbook, the main series and the action figures, the mini-comics also feature the breathtaking artwork of Freddie E. Williams, who found a way to merge both franchises into distinct crossover redesigns for each character.
The clear standout are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves, sporting all-new costumes and weapons thanks to the official crossover with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
No matter where fans see them, whether it’s as a sketch, as a full-color splash page, or as a real-world action figure, Greyskull’s turtle remakes are undeniably awesome. From the costumes to the weapons, everything about the mashup characters is a treat for anyone who grew up loving. he-man And TMNT – and even for new fans of either franchise (or both). However, the clear standouts are these Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles himself, sporting all-new costumes and weapons thanks to this official crossover with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
Related
Masters of the Universe / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles of Grayskull #1 by Dark Horse Comics is now available.