Maybe I was just looking for something to do, or maybe there is some deep rooted issue I don't know about, but I proceeded to carefully and slowly paint the bandanas their "correct" colors. The result was actually one of the better paint jobs I have ever done on a toy despite the fact that in the grand scheme it's a minute detail. (no work needed for Raphael, of course)
I have decided at this point that it's really neither good nor bad that I painted over these bandanas. I am not running around pretending I painted, sculpted and molded the entire set. When (if) I were ever ask when I had these, I would simply respond "I painted the bandanas, that's it."
Does this ruin the authenticity? More than likely, but that doesn't mean much of anything to me as I am of the opinion that toys don't really have much "worth" unless they hold some sort of sentimental value or are made of gold. In other words, if you had a 1 of 10 Edward Cullen action figure that Robert Pattinson wiped his nose with, I'm sure someone somewhere may offer you thousands of dollars for it but I wouldn't give two shits because it means nothing to me. If someone stole my Sesame Street Ernie puppet that I've had since I was a baby and held it for ransom, my wallet may speak a different story. You get the picture, I think.
Soon after doing this and having them on my desk at work, I came to feel that I missed the red versions. So I'd gone out of my way to make something "better" at the time, but all I'd really done is given myself quick satisfaction and created an opportunity for disappointment. Basically, I asked for it. Turtles have been made in all kinds of shapes and sizes and styles, so why couldn't I be satisfied with these and get my colorful turtles in a different way? What a dope.
Customizing is neither good nor is it bad. You paid for the figure, you can do whatever you want with it. That's what I've been told by designers I've spoken to in the past from several different toy companies. If it's giving you a release as these two projects did for me, then I can't see how anyone could think it's the wrong thing to do. I have never spoken to NECA about this, though, and seeing as how I am hailing this as one of the best produced sets of figures ever, if anyone from NECA comes by and reads this, I'd hugely value your opinion. Are you pissed that I painted over your turtles? Do you think it's cool? Or do you not care one way or the other? Are people going too fair painting or modifying the work you have already done? Shoot me an e-mail.
My customizing days are over at this point. Too immersive and unless I have a really fun idea like the nWo set, I would just hope the things I want will eventually see the light of day. Plus, my fingers and hands are too big for such small, god damned frustrating work.
Ninja Turtles need far more attention and celebration than what I've given them here, so stay tuned and I will celebrate turtle power shortly.
- TS5
