April O'Neil (NECA '87 Cartoon Style)

[Batman1701]

Hello all!  First time posting a custom on TNI.  I post my work on FigureRealm, but that place is . . . well, kinda quiet anymore, so I figured I'd take a shot over here.  Here's my NECA '87 cartoon-style April O'Neil!

The goal here was slavish accuracy to the cartoon model, and I think I just about nailed it! Every line on the jumpsuit, every belt loop and clasp and pocket, every tuft of hair.

- Head is from Hasbro's first ML Wasp, I took extra care sculpting all her little layers and cowlicks in her iconic poofy hairdo. 
- ML Human Torch boots (Ronan the Accuser series)
- ML Hellcat legs and body
- LCBH Ann O'Brien jacket and arms
- Gripping hands from a ML Valkyrie (Hulkbuster series)
- Open hands from a ML Enchantress.
- Accessories all came from a classic Playmates April figure (1992 "5th Anniversary" purple stripes version) with one exception:
- The iconic clamshell . . . er, I mean turtle-shell "makeup compact" Turtle Communicator, also sculpted entirely by hand, built it using an old ToyBiz ML "hinged fingers" hand, so it actually has a tiny hinge that allows it to open and close!

This April O'Neil figure is probably the best work I've ever produced, and she looks perfect with my NECA '87 Cartoon TMNT. When NECA DOES release their version . . . well, I'll undoubtedly pick it up, but she's gonna have a HARD time living up to mine!

TURTLE POWER!!

[Satam]

Nice job.  There was obviously a lot of work put into that, and it paid off.

[SpiderS]

Great looking custom, it's hard to believe that neither Neca nor playmates attempted to make her. We need her ASAP.

[Batman1701]

19 hours ago, SpiderS said:

Great looking custom, it's hard to believe that neither Neca nor playmates attempted to make her. We need her ASAP.

Thanks so much!

Hey, I figure there is ZERO chance she doesn't get a figure as part of the 16 characters NECA is apparently planning to release in their series of figure 2-packs.  Yeah, they're releasing Bebop and Rocksteady, and supposedly the "Dimension X Box Set" characters we've seen prototypes of (Traag, Granitor, Leatherhead, and Slash), but that still leaves 10 slots open, and April and Splinter are no-brainers.  So, we'll get 'em, no worries.

Taking bets on the other 8 figures?  Gotta go "most widely recognized and iconic," and/or "most cartoon appearances" (with the offshoot "appeared in the videogames" for convention exclusives), so I'm thinking the guaranteed releases are:
- Rat King
- Baxter Stockman (Fly)
- Metalhead
- Krang Android
- Casey Jones

And the remaining three could be anyone from the following list:
- Usagi Yojimbo - Most famous, if they have the rights
- Chrome Dome - Very popular character
- Tokka - Well known, appeared in movie, cartoon, AND games
- Rahzar - Same as above
- Baxter Stockman (Human) - If they do "duplicate" characters, he's an obvious choice

And then there are the pipe dreams:
- Punk Frogs - Unlikely, but like the TMNT, they're identical, reusable molds, multiple cartoon appearances
- Zach - "The Fifth Turtle" kid sidekick, kinda obscure, but had multiple cartoon appearances
- Alpha-1 - Obscure, but uses existing Foot Soldier mold, just needs a new head, cheap to produce
- Neutrinos - Zak, Kala, and Dask, unlikely, silly choice, but they were in several classic episodes
- Channel 6 News - Irma, Vernon, and Burne, dull supporting characters, but iconic, appeared in MANY episodes

. . . I would note, I've made or I am making custom figures of almost every character on this list. *LOL*

[red_bird08]

This looks good. Nice work. I hope neca continues to roll out more turtles figures.

[Batman1701]

On 5/30/2019 at 1:33 AM, red_bird08 said:

This looks good. Nice work. I hope neca continues to roll out more turtles figures.

Thank you!  Something tells me you're gonna get your wish! *LOL*

[Thinwheat]

Nice work! I think you're right, Neca will probably release an April eventually, but this custom is really well done and she looks like she blends in with Neca's line of Turtles already. 

[red_bird08]

4 hours ago, Batman1701 said:

Thank you!  Something tells me you're gonna get your wish! *LOL*

Haha I guess.

[Batman1701]

On 6/2/2019 at 11:32 PM, Thinwheat said:

Nice work! I think you're right, Neca will probably release an April eventually, but this custom is really well done and she looks like she blends in with Neca's line of Turtles already. 

Thanks so much!

[Batman1701]

On 5/19/2019 at 12:02 PM, Satam said:

Nice job.  There was obviously a lot of work put into that, and it paid off.

Thank you!  It wasn't nearly as difficult as some of the next customs I'll be posting.  Just wait!

[Joshue]

Hola soy josue  si me gusta tu trabajo y esta excelente y si estás a vender, estoy dispuesto a comprarla

[Batman1701]

On 6/26/2019 at 4:51 PM, Joshue said:

Hola soy josue  si me gusta tu trabajo y esta excelente y si estás a vender, estoy dispuesto a comprarla

Thank you for liking my work!  However, this one is for my personal collection, sorry.

[batdan_11692]

What a stunning piece of work! And it looks like she'll likely be more articulated than the neca April so this one can be her photo shoot stunt double!

[Roadpigmaster]

Not bad... She can be used for this new TMNT Neca toy line.