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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Rudolph Vinyl from Funko


Funko has gotten into the vinyl toy market recently with a ton of releases from Star Wars, DC Comics, and Gremlins to name a few. This November they will be releasing figures from the popular Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer stop motion film. They will retail for $9.99 each and include all the major characters, including a few not seen here. I have a few of their other releases and they have done a pretty good job bridging the gap between urban vinyl and mainstream toy release. Plus, these guys are way less creepy in plastic than they ever were in that movie.


25% Off Everything in Stock from Toy2R


Ummmmm I guess the picture says it all. Oh, it's only for one week so you should go and buy a ton right now. See, I had a little bit to contribute to this.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

All City Breakers from Kidrobot


Remember those little green army men everyone had as a kid? Did you ever just hope they would cut loose and embrace the urban rap scene of the 1970's? Yeah, me neither, but someone did and so I present to you the All City Breakers from Kidrobot. These guys are being released September 15th and will be blind bagged for $1.95 each. While not necessarily my cup o tea, I really do enjoy the boombox display they're packaged in and the fact that the blind bags emerge from the cassette player.



Star Trek Mr. Potato Head Box Set


These guys were announced quite some time ago, but soon they will actually be available to actually own. For $34.99 you get two taters, one featuring Captain James T. Kirk, and the other his arch nemesis Kor. I think they would have been better off making Captain Picard, because he is already bald thus eliminating the need for the hair accessory, but what do I know.

Monday, August 29, 2011

The Scribe from Jon Paul Kaiser


Jon Paul Kaiser and Toy2R have teamed up for some pretty cool releases this year, but The Scribe is by far my favorite. This dude just looks mean, which is a nice departure from the cuteness that is pervasive in the designer vinyl world. This guy will be making his debut at New York Comic Con at the Tenacious Toys booth and will only be $28. Plus you can meet Jon Paul Kaiser himself as he will be making an appearance at the convention. I think I'm gonna have to snag one of these while I'm there.

Gary Baseman's Toby Inflatable


Gary Baseman's iconic Toby character is the latest to get the inflatable treatment thanks to the folks at The Loyal Subjects. He stands 36" tall and will be available starting at noon Pacific time from The Loyal Subjects online store. It's a weird trend in the world of collectibles, but I am enjoying the fact that people are coming up with new ways to make display pieces other than just prints or figures, though if you are a pet owner I can't imagine the life span of this would be too long. But if you love Gary Baseman, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Maybe hang it from the ceiling?

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Colin Christian Presents Riot Girl



Lots of people make or customize toys. Not a lot of people make figures that stand 6'10" tall and are hot chicks. Colin Christian does both as you can see in his latest work entitled "Riot Girl." This beauty will be available at the Opera Gallery in New York in case you want to see it in person. God only knows how much one of these would cost, but I'm sure if price is your concern, you can't afford it.


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Friends With You Mr. TTT Bop Bag

I remember having one of these when I was a kid and taking all of my hyperactivity out on it. I would punch it, jump on top of it, and try whatever new moves I had learned from the WWF on it. That is until one day the cat determined that it looked like the appropriate place to sharpen it's claws. Now you can relive the glory of my childhood thanks to Friends With You and The Loyal Subjects. The Mr. TTT Bop Bag is an inflatable toy with a smug look on it's faces that practically begs you to hurt it. Go ahead and punch it in the face, it won't care. It falls down, then comes right back to taunt you even more (I think I heard it call you a sissy, I'm just saying). Visit The Loyal Subject's web store and get one for yourself. Or two if you have cats.


Thursday, August 25, 2011

All Suck, All the Time



I was excited to come home today and write about the Chop Suey Rejects just released from Sucklord, but they sold out before I had the chance. But then this happened, this gem of information appeared on my screen and made me forget the pain of getting to the first story too late. The one and only Sucklord will be appearing on the next season of Work Of Art on Bravo. The first season was painful and I felt really cast a negative light on the art world. But now that the Sucklord has become involved in season 2, how could this not be a good thing? I would have to imagine it is all an elaborate joke for him, which is exactly what the show deserves. Can the rogue toy maker bring home the cash to fund his Chinatown plastic factory? Will the spandex costumes and masks make an appearance? Only if there is any justice left in this world.


Voltaire x Toy2R Present Urkor Malravenus


Ever wonder what was lurking under the patchwork of Voltaire's Deady? Well, it looks a little something like a psychotic alien skeleton that is perpetually hungry. Meet Urkor Malravenus, the most evil creature in the galaxy and inhabitant of Deady. Only 500 of these Mini Qees were made and they are only available through HeroMart for $25. I'm not sure that I want that thing looking at me when I sleep, so I would have to lock it up every night before I go to bed. You can never be too careful.

Universal Monsters Series 2 from Diamond Select Toys


The fine folks at Diamond Select Toys will be unleashing Series 2 of their Universal Monsters line just in time for Halloween. Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Bride of Frankenstein will each stand 7" tall and be available exclusively at Toys R Us this October. I think all three of them would look quite nice riding atop my wife's My Little Pony Collection.



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Joe Ledbetter Wrecks and Dazey Lava Edition


This was released today and is almost sold out on The Loyal Subject's website, so consider this a public service announcement to not wait any longer and get one before they're all gone. The Lava editions of any of Joe Ledbetter's toys are always the most sought after so get that credit card ready and order yours now!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Cultyard at New York Comic Con


I wait all year for New York Comic Con, and I didn't think there was anyway that I could get more excited about it. Today, I was proven terribly wrong as the Cultyard added more guests to their already amazing guests from the world of designer vinyl toys. Andrew Bell, Ron English, Tara McPherson, and Erick Scarecrow have been confirmed for awhile and are staples of any good convention on the east coast. But this year attendees will get to meet artists that rarely make the trip to this side of the country for appearances. Angry Woebots, Marka27, Skinner, John Paul Kaiser, and Lamour Supreme will all be in New York to sign for and meet their fans. Get your tickets now because NYCC sells out every year and you don't want to miss the spectacle.

Harley Quinn Statue from DC Direct


I don't know what it is with me and high priced collectables lately. Maybe it's wishful thinking, or maybe it's just that everything that is really cool is becoming really expensive. Check out this 1:4 scale Harley Quinn statue from DC Direct. Ms. Quinn stand 16" tall and is and features her little hyena buddies with mouthfuls of bad news. Lots of hand painting a attention to detail make this figure really stand out and worthy of their "museum quality tag." It can be yours for $325, which really isn't that bad when you consider the amount of work that went into it and the size of the piece itself. Plus check out the costume, cause it is actually tailored. You won't see that quality of work on Project Runway.


Monday, August 22, 2011

Batman Arkham City Robin and Joker 2 Pack


If you're a video game nerd like I am, then you have probably already marked your calendar for the day Batman Arkham City is released. Now you have another thing to look forward to in the form of this Robin and Joker 2 pack from Mattel. Based on their characters in the game, these figures are the perfect companions to the already released Batman and Two-Face set that have already been filling out the shelves of Target and other stores. You will have to wait a bit for these, as they won't be released until November, but you can preorder them now from Entertainment Earth to ensure you get em.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Adventures in Plastic #1


"We're All Mad Here"

The most important thing to have as a collector, besides tons of cash and lots of patience, is a friend with the same interest as you. Nothing enhances the moment you score an amazing toy than knowing someone who would be tormented by your find. There are entire online forums dedicated to people showing off their collections; the problem with those is that you don’t get to wallow in the envy that is plastered on each person’s face as they drool over your thirteen Ikea Detolfs worth of Kaws. Of course, it does help if they are into the same artists or style of figure as you; otherwise your bragging will never reach its full potential.

When I met Erica we discovered that we both shared a healthy obsession with the work of Tara McPherson. She had managed to buy a few of her toys and a print while all I had acquired was a case full of jealousy. My competitive nature suddenly kicked in like a screaming Valkyre descending from Asgard. Armed with a credit card and a computer I hunted down the items she had and the few she wasn’t able to get. The next time I saw her we didn’t even get into small talk before I brought up my recent acquisitions. The smile on her face grew bigger with each toy I mentioned; a smile that I mistook for happiness at my good fortune and keen internet hunting skills, when in reality it was driven by something far more sinister. “I went to New York last weekend and met her at a book signing.” This was a complete disaster. How on Earth could I measure up against such a pilgrimage to see the actual art goddess herself? There had to be something out there we both coveted more than anything…

That very thing was handed to me by Fate itself. McPherson has released a full size Circus Punk that was one out of only a hundred and hand signed on the bottom. This was like finding the Holy Grail and being able to use it to catch dust on your entertainment center. This was big and I needed a way to gloat that was unprecedented in our collecting relationship. I needed to throw a tea party.

I gathered everything necessary to capture this stunning portrait: clothing to fit the occasion, a small table, a few doilies, and my wife’s tea set from when she was a child. My new Circus Punk took a seat of honor and was surrounded by various other characters. Now all that was left was to take the picture.

Sitting on the floor in a suit and making small talk over tea with one’s collectibles can bring many thoughts to the person documenting the event on film. The first thought could involve the word “genius,” bringing forth the maniacal laughter of an arch villain; the other could include the word “sociopath” and leave them coming to grips with the apparent limits of your own sanity. This is why the tripod was invented; it doesn’t judge.

The campaign of revealing the image to her had to be extravagant and hit her from every side to maximize its impact; the true definition of “shock and awe.” I sent it to her cell phone, emailed it to all of her accounts, and put an 8x10 glossy in the mail to her home address.

It turns out the second most important thing to have as a collector are TWO friends that share your interest in case the first one doesn’t appreciate your sense of humor.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

True Blood Bill and Sookie Statue from DC Direct


Everyone's favorite semi-undead couple can now be the centerpiece of your hoard with this porcelain statue from DC Direct. Bill and Sookie are hanging out in the Bontemps Graveyard, which I can understand because having grown up in the boondocks you quickly run out of places to make out with your significant other. This statue stands 13" tall in total and is available right now from DC Direct for $195. The price is totally worth it if you factor in how much this will scare the crap out of your grandmother's ceramic duck collection.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Huck Gee x Kidrobot Gold Life Dunnys



Is there a way I can have a Kickstarter account without having to give anyone anything? We could call it Donationstarter and it could fund my need for all of the plastic goodness that I want to fill my house with. Kidrobot is once again raiding my cable television fund by releasing the Gold Life Dunny series from Huck Gee. These are inspired by all of the amazing customs that Huck offers online, yet in a more compact and affordable form. They will of course be blind boxed and retail for $9.95 each.
But since 14 figures could in now way be enough, there will also be a special 2 pack available. For $29.95 you can own these two Dunnys packaged in a specially designed box. All of these will be available on September 1st wherever you buy your fancy toys.


Joe Ledbetter Piggy Banks


Ok, let's face it. If you're a toy collector you are probably used to picking up change whenever you see it just so you can scrape together enough funds to buy the next "must have" item. If you're an obsessed collector, those "must have" items come around very frequently, so here's a place to store up your coinage for what little time it will be in your possession. These piggy banks are made by Joe Ledbetter and the fine folks at Play Imaginative, and as you can see, come in two color options. Their prices are also optional, as the classic pink pig will retail for $24.99, while its blue friend will have a sticker price of $34.99. You can expect both piggies to be available around October/November.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

New from Super 7

Toy makers Super 7 always have some of the most unique, must have items. They're simple, but every time I see a new one I'm ready to sell one of my kidneys online. Check out this guy called "Little Prick." He's a mini cactus dude with a love for under pants and giving bear hugs that hurt. For only $35, how could you say no? Check out the Super 7 site if you're not familiar with their work, because once you see it, you'll have to own every piece.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Princess Leia 1 - Jabba the Hutt 0


Ok, so this isn't necessarily a "new" toy, but you can get it shipped to you for free from Sideshow Collectibles if you act quickly. It's $229.99, which is pretty good for something this large and with so much detail. But that's not the reason I posted this today. This update was brought to you by the fact that nothing is sexier than a scantily-clad woman choking out a giant slug. That is my wisdom of the week.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

MAD x Kidrobot Bent World Beats


MAD must be on speed dial over at Kidrobot, because he has had no shortage of releases this year. First he had his Kidriot mascot figure, then 2 Dunnys in the 2011 series, 2 versions of an 8" Dunny, and now an entire series of new toys all to himself. That's a lot of plastic.
Playing off of the same idea as his Bent World Vandals figures of a few years back, these posture-challenged instruments are blind boxed and come in two different versions. The first is the studio version, which finds them in pretty good shape when compared to the tour versions, which have visible wear from a life of touring and loose women. You can pick these up August 25th for $9.95 each.
On the same day you can get the "2 Turn Tables and a Microphone" 3-pack that features a gold and red paint scheme. This set will cost you $29.95 and will make all of your Beck loving friends jealous.



Bronze Darth Maul from Sideshow Collectibles


Need a way to "fancy up" your toy collection? Consider your problems solved as Sideshow Collectibles has just revealed their new Darth Maul bronze statue! Now being fancy doesn't come cheap, and depending on which edition size you choose, this Sith Lord could run you anywhere from $4,250 to $5,250. The preorder will be available on August 11th through the Sideshow Newsletter, so you will need to sign up for that. With the way the economy is, I think it's a better idea to invest in Star Wars bronze than the stock market. Plus, stocks don't look nearly as bad ass.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Pharaoh Hound from Argonaut Resin


I am always impressed by people who hand make toys. Whether they transform a platform toy like the Munny, or build it from scratch, it is pretty cool to see what can be made from virtually nothing. One of the premier do-it-yourselfers, Argonaut Resin has been in the toy business for sometime, producing their very popular Tuttz series of Egyptian Cats. Now all you dog loving Egyptologists can rejoice as they reveal the new Pharaoh Hound. Standing 8" tall, this puppy will be available in tons of different colors and will most likely sell out every time a new version is offered. If you're new to the world of hand made resin toys, these would be a great way to get your collection started.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Erick Scarecrow x Uncharted 3 Pre Orders

Nathan Drake from Uncharted gets the full Erick Scarecrow treatment in this new vinyl collaboration. These figures are available for preorder right now on the ESC-Toys website and will come in two different versions. The first is the "OG" style, which anyone who has ever played the popular games will instantly recognize. The second is the "ND" or Naughty Dog colorway, which is limited to 500 pieces and celebrates the game's creators of the same name.


I found this picture on Mr. Scarecrow's blog of the sculpt in progress, and so far everything is looking pretty cool. If you want to get one of these, or both of them, for yourself you should head over to http://esctoy.limitedpressing.com and stake your claim. Oh, and you get free downloadable content for Uncharted 3 with every purchase!


Friday, August 5, 2011

New 8" Dunny from Triclops and Kidrobot


Kidrobot and Triclops have gone all surreal on us for this latest 8" Dunny. Inspired by the very famous self portrait of Belgian artist Rene Magritte, this Dunny sports a transparent head with clouds painted on the back and an apple on the front. Triclops adds their own touch by including a few accessories not found in the original painting. This figure will retail for $75 and will be available starting August 18th.
On a personal note, it's great to see the Dunny form interpreted in its pure shape and not sculpted in any way. Though I like many of the latest releases, it's always fun to see what someone can do without changing the form.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Kidrobot x South Park Out Now


Kidrobot's latest collaboration with the world of pop culture was released today in the form of South Park mini figures. Each one comes blind boxed (just to torture you a bit) and retails for $9.95. If you plan on buying a case of them you might want to do so from the Kidrobot site, because when you make your purchase you will be entered into a drawing to win one of five Dead Kenny figures signed by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Of course, if you're only going to buy a couple of blind boxes, please support your favorite toy retailer.


Jason Freeny 7" Visible Qee


This a the best use of the new clear Qees I have seen yet. Jason Freeny brings his anatomical genius to Toy2r in this 7" Visible Qee. What's really cool about this piece is that the designer himself sculpted the innards, so his vision couldn't be anymore pronounced in the toy. I'm really liking this and for $80, I just may have to get one for myself. These will release this fall, and according to a recent post on Mr. Freeny's Facebook page, he will be making an appearance at New York Comic Con this year. Does that mean I'll be able to score one in my annual "Draining of the Bank Account Extravaganza" this October? It certainly looks that way.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Beastie Boys Action Pack

Who in the world doesn't want their own set of action figures? Well, now the Beastie Boys can cross that off of their "to do" list after this collaboration between A Bathing Ape and Nowhere Ltd. The figures are 11.5" tall, are super articulated, and come with a boatload of accessories. They also cost $750! Now that you've recovered from your mild heart attack, 97% of the proceeds will be going to charity, so that takes a bit of the sting out of the price I suppose. If you're a hard core fan, and a bit rich, head on over to their online shop now and pick these up.


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tenacious Toys x Toy2r at NYCC


Tenacious Toys has just announced that they will be partnering up with Toy2r for this year's New York Comic Con. They will have custom Qees on display and for sale as well as prototypes from new toys. There will be various artist signings throughout the con that will be revealed at a later date. Of course, this will all take place in the Cultyard, which is the hub for vinyl toys within the convention itself and really has a life of its own. It's great to see that not all the excitement is reserved for the West Coast.


Monday, August 1, 2011

Introducing Cherry Vinyl



When two huge names in the vinyl toy world decide to come together and form a new company, that's something that even the casual collector can't help but to get excited about. Pretty in Plastic and Lulubell Toy Bodega have joined forces to create Cherry Vinyl. The first prototypes were available for a preview at San Diego Comic Con and looked pretty amazing.


The first sample is from Scary Girl artist Nathan Jurevicius and features his famous owl design brought to life in a way we haven't seen before. It reminds me of something from an antique children's book, a timeless quality that the next set of figures definitely embraces.


These are entitled "Le Chat" and are the work of Dutch artist Femke. This will be the first release from Cherry Vinyl and is my absolute favorite of the bunch. After perusing the artist's website, it was easy to not only fall in love with her work, but to hope that more toys will be produced from it (hint hint).
While I have not been able to see these figures up close for myself, anyone familiar with the work of Julie B. and Pretty In Plastic knows that the attention to detail and over all quality will be superb. We'll have more about release dates and pricing as soon as it becomes available.