Sewer Surfin' Mikey

Ah, Mikey, the Sewer Surfer.  

By the way, does anyone know why Mikey's board says Kowabunga with a K instead of a C? Is it some sort of mistake or strange design translation? Somebody clue me in!  

This wave-roarin' Turtle personifies everything I love about the summer season and the 90s.  I mean, look at the splashes of neon blue, yellow, pink, orange, and the fifty shades of green! I absolutely love the design of this figure--not to mention Mikey's surf board and party belt!  However, it's not just the 90s nostalgia and summer appeal that keeps me coming back to this great variant Turtles figure from 1990.  It's the fact that it was one of the very first Ninja Turtles figures I ever owned;  nothing can replace the countless memories I have playing with good ole Sewer Surfin' Mikey! 

To be honest with you, I can't specifically remember who bought this figure for me back in 1990, whether it was my parents or my grandmother, but this figure, along with Detective Donatello, were definitely two of my earliest growing up.  Surfin' Mikey was one I specifically remember holding while watching "Sky Turtles" and "Case of the Killer Pizzas" for the first time.  It was one I remember taking to my dad's pool with me when my parents were still together in the early 90s.  And, thankfully, it's one of the very few figures I still have to this day.  

Sewer Surfin' Mikey made it through countless moves over the years.  He's one of the few childhood toy survivors, and I'm so thankful for that, because now, I can give a piece of my childhood to my son, Grayson.  He's eighteen months old now, and today, the only Ninja Turtle he wanted to take with him to the bathtub was, well, you guessed it--Sewer Surfin' Mikey.  It's surreal to see your son playing with the same toy that brought you so many years of joy growing up, but it's a blessing, too. I guess that's what this blog is all about--sharing the magic that is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.   Here's to hoping you enjoy some rays, some waves, and, of course, some totally tubular pizza.  Until next time, dudes!  

Cowabunga! 

Here are a few more specs on Mike, The Sewer Surfer thanks to the great TMNT toy website: http://www.tmnttoys.com/: 

Vital Surftistics

Accessories The Crab Sewer-worthy Surfboard Sewer Shark Buddies (on his shoulder) Wave-whipping Water Flingin' Wheel Party Belt

Favorite Snack: Plankton Pizza

Favorite Beach: Turtle Head

Favorite Movie: Bailin' in Bombay

Description

There's a wild wave roarin' in-and Mike's ridin' it all the way! He's been workin' hard to blast the Foot and now he's ready to blast the beach-sewer surfer style. Armed to the teeth with Turtle treats, Mike's the ultimate party warrior. He's ditched the drips, joined up with his boogie boardin' buddies and strayed for spray. Watch him snap open cans with The Crab, keep his balance with the sewer shark twins-all on his sewer-worthy surfboard. So slap on some shades and catch some rays' cause this rowdy reptile's ridin' the waves. And remember-no Foot Clan drips are allowed.

Cowabunga, dudes and dudettes!

My name is Rob Luther and I’m a Turtle-holic.

It’s true!  I’ve literally been a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before I could tie my shoes, and my love for the mean green fighting machines has only grown over these thirty years of my adult, yet not-so-grown-up life! 

One of these days, I would be happy to elaborate on exactly where and how my love for the TMNT began, but today, I believe it would be best to keep it short and sweet.   

My goal for this blog is to simply write anything and everything that is on the top of my mind regarding our beloved Turtles—whether it be the comics, cartoon episodes, toys, video games, or, of course, the radical relics of the Turtles universe that may have faded into obscurity over the past three decades.

Will I be writing about every single facet of the TMNT franchise?  While I’d love to say (or write/type) yes, unfortunately, I have no choice but to say no.  As a husband, father, teacher, and podcaster, I simply can’t write about everything.  However, I can write when I can!  There are sparse pockets of the day when I do have the opportunity to write about a Turtles comic, or a Turtles toy, a cartoon episode, a video game, or even a unlicensed 1990 Turtles cookie cutter set!    

There will be times when I can simply take a step back into the sewers and share my meager, irrelevant thoughts with you with a smile!  And that’s why I’m here, my friends.  That’s what this blog is all about!  Anyway, I’ve said enough for one day! Here’s to sharing a slice of pepperoni and jelly bean pizza with you all! 

Cowabunga!

--Rad Rob