Another Missed Opportunity

I just pulled this off the brickultra.com website. Apparently, TLG is finally getting around to releasing a TMNT polybag. Here's what it looks like, and the link to brickultra's story:

http://brickultra.com/new-lego-tmnt-polybag-30270/

My take: I think this is another in a long line of questionable decisions made by TLG regarding the TMNT theme. The first polybag should be an enticement to buy more of the theme, and I really question whether the best approach was to include a "Krang in the Robot" minifig. It's already included in the Shellraiser Street Chase set, and while Krang is an important enemy to the turtles, Shredder should be their primary concern.

In a broader sense, I think the stars of this entire theme are the turtle minifigs, so why not include one of them in the first polybag?

Also, while I understand flick missiles are popular add-ins to polybags since they give a small set some instant playability, it's still a flick missile. Further marginalizing the flick missile is the ridiculous "set-up" that Krang is shooting at. They appear to be painted boxes intended to mimic the turtles, but why would anyone ever fire a missile at a group of painted boxes? This is what a 7 year old does with a beebee gun, not a technologically advanced missile-firing artillery cannon.

If you can't tell, I've been very disappointed with the TMNT theme. The figs are phenomenal, but everything else has been a hot mess. From the anchor set not being the largest of the theme to the numerous complaints about the fragility of the Shellraiser set, it appears TLG (and whoever licenses TMNT to Lego) has really mucked this theme up.

That said, I think the lair has a chance to provide decent returns in the secondary market. It's got Splinter and two Ninja Turtles: Leonardo and Raphael. The turtle lair is neat looking, and a base, so it has nice realism, detail and playability.

I will not be going anywhere near the rest of the theme.