Michael J. :: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987-2001)

Playmates Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mondo Gecko Action Figure Design Concept Drawing

Artist: David Arshawsky (All)

0 Comments - 7,286 Views - 2 Likes

Playmates Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mondo Gecko Action Figure Design Concept Drawing Comic Art

Additional Images:

Model and Toy Collector Special #3 Magazine Page 15 (Image credit: tOkKa)

Model and Toy Collector Special #3 Magazine Cover

Turtle Soup: Designs from the Classic TMNT Years Book Page

Turtle Soup: Designs from the Classic TMNT Years Book Cover

Mondo Gecko Print (Image credit: David Arshawsky)

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Artwork Details

Title:	Playmates Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mondo Gecko Action Figure Design Concept Drawing
Artist:	David Arshawsky (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	7,286
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	0
Added to Site:	12/31/2019
Comic Art Archive:

Description

"The rip roarin', skateboardin' reptile!"

This original concept drawing was accomplished in ink on paper by Anaglyph Sculpture designer and sculptor David Arshawsky for the development of the 1990 Playmates Toys Mondo Gecko action figure.

Model and Toy Collector Magazine published the piece in its special Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1991 buying guide issue, and the illustration appeared again in Arshawsky's 2009 self-published sketchbook, Turtle Soup: Designs from the Classic TMNT Years.

Initially a character devised by Mirage Studios artist Ryan Brown, Arshawsky put his own spin on the lizard skateboarder, mutating him into a freakish hodgepodge of zits and braces, spikes and scales, in the twisted style of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth.

After graduating from the Otis/Parsons Art Institute in Los Angeles, where he learned how to sculpt from the contemporary netsuke carver Bradford Blakely, Arshawsky manned a booth at the San Diego Comic-Con to sell some of his macabre creations when he caught the attention of Scott Hensey, who hired him on the spot to make toys under contract at Anaglyph Sculpture.

Once there in the studio, Arshawsky was soon tasked with embellishing and molding the more oddball figures in the Ninja Turtles line, the likes of which included Mondo Gecko, Pizzaface, Ray Fillet, Groundchuck, Wingnut, Needlenose, Killer Bee, Muckman, Mutagen Man, Scale Tail, Wyrm, and the many mini "sidekick buddy" accessories. His provocative contributions helped shape the signature crude-yet-captivating look of the series, netting Playmates Toys half a billion dollars in sales in 1990 alone.

He would go on to creatively tackle the Hong Kong company's other licenses, such as Toxic Crusaders, Earthworm Jim, Skeleton Warriors, Turok, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, before returning to the Turtles toys in the lead-up to the 2003 4Kids Entertainment reboot.

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About the Owner

	Michael J.
Joined:	August 2015
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Michael's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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