# Deadly Mutant Tortoise Depictions Mustardo Paints the Ninja Turtles with Extreme Grit By Jason Soy | Published 2011-12-30 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mustardo References: [geektyrant](http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/12/26/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-awesome-fan-art.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter) & [mustardo.cghub](http://mustardo.cghub.com/) Many will be shocked to learn that these Mustardo [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-ops-6-tmnt) illustrations are actually more faithful to the original comics than the famous ‘90s cartoon series. At its core, the Ninja Turtles were a group of badass fighters who were out for revenge over the death of their master, Splinter, and Mustardo’s wicked renditions of the turtles amidst wild action poses really captures the gritty feel that was missing from everyone’s favorite [nostalgic cartoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stranger-things-animated-series). Mustardo is a Concept Artist based in Stockholm, Sweden. He drew these Ninja Turtle images on a whim, but the results far surpass many up-and-coming illustrators’ [fan art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junji-ito-artwork) of the animal crime fighters. It’s also apparent that Mustardo injected his images with a sense of realism, giving his version of the turtles realistic weapon harnesses as well as a few battle scars. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Realistic Depictions of Popular Characters:** Opportunities to reimagine popular characters in a more realistic and gritty manner for trendy new merchandise, movies and tv shows. - **Nostalgic Revivals with Edgy Twists:** Opportunities to take beloved retro franchises and give them new life with dark and gritty interpretations. - **Pop Culture Fan Art Reimagined:** Opportunities to showcase more professional artist takes on beloved characters and franchises in a new light. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art and Illustration:** Opportunities for illustrators to create edgy versions of popular characters for fan art or commissioned work. - **Merchandising and Licensing:** Opportunities for merchandise companies to license gritty new versions of popular nostalgic characters for clothing, toys, and other products. - **Television and Film:** Opportunities for production studios to create edgier adaptations of popular franchises for television and movies, such as a darker, more realistic Ninja Turtles reboot. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Glowing Movie Campaign Murals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mural.md) - [Animated Movie-Themed Snack Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtle-cakebites.md) - [Cartoon-Themed Pizza Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmnt-pizza-seasoning.md) - [Cartoon Turtle-Themed Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/turtle-pizza.md) - [Film-Themed Pizza Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizza-hut-mutagen-ooze.md) - [Nostalgic Superhero-Inspired Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cowabunga-cleanse.md) - [Animated Turtle Clothing Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sheins-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles.md) - [Cartoon-Inspired Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magic-the-gathering-x-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles.md) - [Cartoon Mashup Qsr Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-tmnt.md)