To me, NECA's line of action figures based on Eastman & Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics has always been distinguished by three defining principles:

1) Sculpt based on the first appearance in the original TMNT comics
2) Paint inspired by comicbook ink artwork
3) High level of articulation

However, I've often found that most customs tend to forgo at least one of these in favor of the other two. Either the design is based on a later appearance, or they simply use an unaltered figure with a comicbook paint job, or the articulation is lacking, or someone just didn't have time for the ink style line work. In any case, I wanted my TMNT figures to reproduce the NECA style without sacrificing any of the traits that made the originals so incredible.

Many people have made NECA-style Splinters in the past, but almost all of them suffer from a severe lack of poseability. This is understandable, as most Splinter figures from Playmates are fairly lacking in the joint department. That's why I turned to the DC Universe Classics Desaad figure: pre-designed robe, superior articulation, and appropriately short and hunched for an old mutant rat. It was a simple matter to swap the hands and feet, add the tail, and resculpt the abs into Splinter's belt wrap (although it did require that I sacrifice the torso hinge joint). The head was a tad more difficult, with major resculpting of the cheeks to more accurately reflect the comic design, the addition of wire whiskers, and a complete redesign of the neck to fit in a large ball joint.

The one concession I did make for this figure was color. In the first issue of TMNT, Splinter wore a loose, wrinkled robe with a belt wrap, rather than the kimono/ninja gi that he is usually depicted wearing. However, while the original comic is black and white, subsequently released recolor issues portray this early robe as tan and brown. However, since A) Splinter is typically depicted in maroon or red, B) Desaad's robe is maroon and rubber and would be very difficult to repaint without tackiness and joint rub, and C) as noted, the original comic was black and white so the color could technically still be left up to interpretation, I felt the color choice was a minor issue. I also kept his eyes intact, rather than paint them blank white. Though he is portrayed both ways in the first issue, I liked him with irises better.

Splinter's parts are:

Head, hands, feet, tail - Playmates '07 TMNT movie Splinter, heavily resculpted head
Body - DCUC Desaad
Tail joint - ML Wasp elbow
Walking stick - generic sword, fully sculpted staff

Splinter's points of articulation are:

Ball neck
Hinge and rotate "ball" shoulders
Rotate biceps
Hinge elbows
Rotate wrists
Rotate waist
Hinge and rotate "T" hips
Rotate thighs
Hinge knees
Hinge and rotate "ball" tail

Turtle Power!