It's New Release Friday from doubleparlour

    You may fondly think of Friday because of that Chris Tucker and Ice Cube movie, or that really bad song from Rebecca Black that forced its way into your brain uninvited.  When I think of Friday I think of new amazingness from doubleparlour.  And would you look at that, we just happen to have some right here.  And today also happens to be Friday.  And at noon pacific time you can own the figures you see here by visiting http://doubleparlour.myshopify.com.  

Help Kickstart Luna from The Bots x UVD Toys

    Sharon and I decided that we would put a bird feeder outside of the window that the cats like to lounge in to offer them something interesting to look at.  Right away it was a hit, attracting all types of song birds to our house and offering the kitties a slew of critters to get excited about seeing.  We bought the fancy seed that doesn't have the shells on it because as they start to pile up they rot and smell like someone broke open a sewer pipe.  It's kinda gross.  Of course the stuff without the shells is more expensive, which is not a big deal until you see these little birds flinging it all over the place trying to get to the few bits they actually want to eat.  I've been out there several times trying to explain to them our socio-economic status, but apparently birds are quite uninterested in the fact that I have bills to pay.  They're lucky they're cute.

    Luna is the type of critter that appreciates the veritable feast that put outside for her.  Cause she shows up with a light show fit for a Pink Floyd concert attached to her antlers.  Hopefully she also shows up at a reasonable hour to take part in that feast, because the last thing I need is to be woken up by flashing lights in the middle of the night.  Makes me nervous.

    Luna was created by The Bots and will be the first release under Urban Vinyl Daily's UVD Toys brand.  She's on Kickstarter right now raising the necessary funds to go into production and into the collections of folks like you.  Check out the link here, pledge what you can, and clear off some shelf space to welcome her into your home.     

Masters of The Universe Retro Action Figures from Super7

   What year is this?  Shane McMahon was on RAW last night and new He-Man toys are coming out. I ain't mad about it though, cause I love a little bit of nostalgia now and then.  And these new figures from Super7 nail it.  You've seen em in black and white, but now you'll have the chance to own them as you all remember them; in full color!!!!!  And just look how killer the packaging art is courtesy of Jason Edmiston.  You know you're gonna need two sets, cause you're gonna want one to play with in the bath tub (don't act like you're not thinking it) and then another to keep pristine on the cards cause they just look that good.  The preorder for these dudes is going on right now over at www.super7store.com and they will ship out to you in April.

Plaseebo Presents the CATerpillar

    Leave it to Plaseebo to create the one kitty I wouldn't let in my house.  And my kitty threshold is pretty broad, being that I thought for awhile that one of our youngest might have been a bobcat.  He looked a little like one, and he acted like he was on meth at times, so I figured that was enough proof of his wildness.  Not to worry though, he just turned out to be which doesn't make the situation any safer than if he had been completely wild.

    The best part about this guy is that you would most likely save a ton of money on cat food, as his diet mainly consists of neighbor children and small car parts.  Bring him into your life for cuddle time and murder when he goes on sale today at http://www.plaseebo.net/.

    

Sunny Orange Mandrake Root Lottery from Doktor A x Toy Art Gallery

 
    My wife and I had this epiphany that we are getting older and should probably stop eating like 10 year olds left to their own devices.  While cookies for dinner is as great as it sounds, I'm really trying to avoid my blood turning into the consistency of New York sewage, so we've been eating a lot healthier.  I've even been dabbling in the world of vegetables, which are disgusting but supposedly necessary to staying alive past 40.  For years I've felt that it is just propaganda from the farming industry, but who knew I would uncover evidence of just how dangerous plant based food can be.

    According to Wikipedia, the Mandrake root has hallucinogenic properties and was used in pagan rituals.  It's also causes asphyxiation, which seems like a steep price to pay just to enjoy a Doors album just a little more.  And I don't think they actually have any nutritional value due to them being able to kill you and all, but they don't make me eager to eat any other things that grow in the dirt, that's for sure.

    Don't fear the reaper with this dude cause he's only made of plastic and isn't some bizarre man-shaped plant trying to take you to the beyond.  Cast in beautiful orange, this Mandrake Root from Doktor A and Toy Art Gallery is going to be available via lottery staring today at noon pacific time.  Entries will be accepted until Monday at the same time and then winners will be notified to pony up the dough.  Get in on it at www.toyartgallery.com.

Blue Magic Pumpkin Boy from Super7 Available Now

    I've heard of white magic and I've heard of black magic, but blue magic is completely new to me.  I feel that maybe that's the kind of magic they use in very cold places and it involves a lot of sparkles or something.  Maybe that's what the White Walkers on Game of Thrones use cause they're kinda blue and frost bitten.  Maybe I just haven't had my nap yet and am rambling on about nonsense.  Either one could be the case.

     The moral of the story is that Super7's Blue Magic Pumpkin Boy is available for you to buy right this second.  You should start your day off right by visiting www.super7store.com and picking one up for yourself.  Then, if the rest of your day turns out to be crap you at least have something cool to look forward to in the mail.  

Seen at Toy Fair: Kidrobot

    Toy Fair is a weird experience for a website such as ours.  Most of it is filled with stuff for kids and doesn't really cater to the adult collector.  In the days leading up to it we get bombarded with emails from different companies wanting to show us the latest in technology for entertaining toddlers, which if they'd ever seen what we write about they wouldn't want us anywhere near them.  But Toy Fair can still be insightful and a good time for those of us that collect designer toys and my favorite booth to visit every year is the one manned by Kidrobot.

    Unlike past years where everything was a surprise when I got there, I had some ideas about what they would be showcasing because of the various teasers that have popped up on Instagram.  Lest you think that diminished my excitement level at all, because two toys in particular had planted their images in my head and I just had to see them in person.  

    Gaze upon the glory that is the collaboration between Franks: Kozik x Frazetta.  I feel like these two vinyl titans should come with their own fog machine and Norwegian black metal band.  These were the prototypes on display and we should be expecting at least one of them to be available this Summer.  I already have a space ready.

   Now for something a bit more on the precious side.  These vinyl renditions of Horrible Adorables felt sculptures are going to be must-own figures for me.  Not only will they look great in any toy collection, but they look like they could be used as accent pieces in some fancy home decor magazine shoot.  

   I believe these will be sold in window boxes so you can pick the ones you want, which is obviously all of them.  

    Jason Freeny is a man of curiosity, which is mainly focused on the inner workings of some of the world's most beloved characters.  Soon you'll be able to own this anatomical representation of Bugs Bunny and marvel at all the bits and pieces that make him tick.  I've got a cabinet of curiosities just begging for a bit of humor, and this would look lovely next to the electro shock machine.

(By the way, all of these toys were expertly produced by Klim and his team at Bigshot Toyworks, who are on point when it comes to making cool stuff.)

    Ok, if you don't own a really nice table top display case yet, let me give you a great excuse to buy one.  This Dunny Chess set from Otto Bjornik is truly a work of art and when you're not busy owning your friends in the classic game you're going to want to make sure it has a place of distinction in your house.  You will be able to buy the pieces in packs of two or you could just skip all that and get an entire set.  Either way, the figures come with squares that form the game board and buying them will probably impress your mom with how much culture you have.  

   Of course these are not all the new things Kidrobot had on display, these just happen to be my favorites.  There's new stuff coming from The Simpsons, Street Fighter, TMNT and more Labbits and Dunnys than you can shake a stick at.  Have you actually ever seen anyone shake a stick at a group of things?  That whole saying would be way more effective if you saw people doing that.  

    See more pictures at www.facebook.com/TheToyViking 

Toy Fair 2016 Photos Are Up

   
    Want to see all the newest stuff that's coming out from your favorite brands?  Head on over to www.facebook.com/TheToyViking to see our photos from this year's Toy Fair.  

Flat Bonnie Wants You to "Adopt a Plush - Save a Bunny" This Easter

    What the hell is wrong with people that they think giving a kid a live animal as a present is a good idea?  Kids are little terror demons sent to punish us, yet every year at Easter parents have the notion that it would be so cute to get them a rabbit to take care of.  The only way that could be a reasonable thing to do is if the rabbit is virtual and lives in an app on their phone, because God bless you if you can get a kid to pay attention to anything else.  There should be a law, but there won't be because of the Illuminati and stuff, so we're just gonna have to put an end to this practice ourselves.

    Rally behind the army that is Flat Bonnie, who is spearheading this campaign for reasonableness by encouraging people to adopt a plush critter for their kids rather than a real one this Easter.  For a mere $23 you not only can have one of her awesome creations, but a portion of the proceeds will be donated to helping animal organizations.  That's like doing good twice, which is a month's worth for me.  

     http://www.flatbonnie.com 

     Now by all means if you're a responsible adult who can afford to take good care of an animal then you should give some lucky little fuzzies a forever home.  Open your hearts, but use your head.  

Skull Head Butt's "Oozi-X" from Kaiju Monster

   You wanna make the world's shortest horror film?  I'm gonna write the story here in this post, all you've gotta do is actually film it.  Let's set the scene:

     A man in wife are in bed together.  She is fast asleep, while he is in and out of consciousness. 

     He opens his eyes, and sees the vague impression of the three above figures in the dark shadows against the wall of their room. Thinking he is in the middle of a dream he closes his and tries to fall back asleep.  

     He opens his eyes once again and now they are closer, surrounding the bed and intently staring at him.  He is allowed a mere gasp before they descend on him.

     The next morning the wife rolls over in bed to awaken her husband and instead of finding him that side of the bed is covered in slime.

                             (This is the point where you applaud and give me an Oscar.)

    This dude from Skull Head Butt ( I love that name) is kinda freaky but thankfully they don't ooze all over the place like they toy they're paying homage to.  I've got enough things leaking around the house without the toys doing it too.  

    These suckers are blind bagged and there's three different colors you could end up with.  Here's how you can get in on the lottery to win the chance to purchase one:

Those interested in bagging the figure are going to need to fire over their name, Instagram name (if you have one), country, shipping address, phone number and PayPal address to kaijumonstergallery@gmail.com before close on Thursday, February 18th… Good luck to all who enter!"

Milkboy x Kenth Toy Works Team up for Nadsat Boy Vinyl Toys and T-Shirts

    If you're going to pay tribute to a cinematic masterpiece, A Clockwork Orange is not a bad one to pick.  And it sure beats making vinyl toys based on Deliverance, which I haven't brought myself to watch but am well aware that I do not want to own any collectibles from a film that is famous for a scene involving the phrase "squeal like a pig."  It doesn't speak to my authentic personal brand.

    Kenth Toy Works and Milkboy have teamed up for a sofubi homage to the ultra violence with Nadsat Boy.  This is no little action figure either, as they stand 12 inches tall and are featured in original white and Milkboy pink.  But lest you think they stopped at just making a killer figure, because they also made t-shirts as well, cause you can't have your shelves looking good while you look like a bum, no can you?

      Now here's how you get your hands on this stuff no matter where you live in the world:

Pre-order is available for customers in Japan at MILKBOY Online Shop [http://shop.milk-inc.com/?pid=96348205]  

For Overseas Customers: Please send Email to [toys@milkboy.net] for orders. Sorry, we accept Paypal only.

Strawberry Cream Pie Guy from Super7 Wants to Make Your Valentine's Day A Little Sweeter

    There's a little town in Pennsylvania know as Centralia, where for decades a fire in their coal mines has burned underneath the city.  With a nearly endless supply of fuel the fire has rendered the area uninhabitable save for a few people that remain; and upon their death the state will take over the land and prevent anyone from ever entering again.  This perfectly describes my wife's metabolism.  

    She loves sweets but if they ever attempt to put an ounce of fat on her boy her metabolism turns into King Theoden (look it up, punk) and proclaims "you have no power here."  It's quite impressive and has shocked more than one diner waitress.  

    If your significant other has a sweet tooth but you want to get them something that will last longer than an episode Jerry Springer, how about this Strawberry Pie Guy from Super7.  It's a permanent reminder of their love for all things sugar and its just down right adorable.  He's gonna be available starting this Sunday, February 14th, at noon pacific time for only $25.  Maybe you should get a real pie too, just to tide them over until the figure has the chance to arrive to your house.  

www.super7store.com

Harley Quinn as Seen In Arkham Knight from Prime 1 Studio x Sideshow Collectibles

    This is one purrty statue.  I'd be scared to death to own it though, because I know as soon as I unbox it one of my cats is gonna scratch an itch against it and send it crashing to the floor.  And that's just what could happen while I'm watching them.  There's always the distinct possibility that I turn my back only to have them do some resculpting with their teeth.  I'm kind of willing to risk it though because this Harley Quinn is one of the best I've ever seen.  Prime 1 Studio and Sideshow Collectibles have outdone themselves with the world's most adorable sociopath.  Priced at $929, you can see why having my furry little children anywhere near it would make me especially nervous.  But it's also a great excuse to make a baller, uber secure display case that in and of itself is a conversation piece.  Is it too hipster to dig a moat in your living room?

    Preorder this beauty right now from http://www.sideshowtoy.com and it will come with those exclusive Batman and Joker dolls you see.  Medieval means of protection not included.  

"Titanium Edition" Iron Monster from Guumon x Miscreation Toys

    How on earth do you make a freaky looking toy that was born in a burning oil drum filled with nightmares look so dang...pretty?  Guumon applied some serious paint wizardry to these Iron Monsters from Miscreation Toys that almost makes you forget that they look like they want to choke you out.  Instead you are mesmerized by the metallic colors as they dance before you; hiding the great evil underneath.  Or something, I've been dramatic since they upped my meds.  

    These dudes are being released this Friday, February 12th at 7pm pst only at http://autopsybabies.bigcartel.com.

Heavy Metal Wookie from Lisa Rae Hansen

    SPOILER ALERT:   Due to a terrible occurrence in the latest, Chewbacca was faced with a sudden influx of time on his furry hands.  He could have pressed them to his face as a receptacle for his tears, but instead he learned to form a power chord with them and formed the galaxy's most brutal metal band called Bantha Skull.  They'll melt your face off then punch you in your newly exposed skull, which is gonna hurt you way worse than them.  

    Lisa Rae Hanson is the lady behind this genius resin toy and she wants to send them all out on tour this Friday, February 12th, at noon GMT.  Only 5 of each color will be available and the only way place to get them will be at http://ibreaktoys.storenvy.com.  At only $45 each they won't last long, so pray to Dio that you are lucky enough to snag one.  

Life-size Armored Batman Statue from Hot Toys x Sideshow Collectibles

    Not that long ago I had an incident that made me think about home security.  Like any good man looking to protect his homestead I began to weigh my options.  I thought about obtaining a firearm, or installing a home security system, or even going completely medieval by putting a few severed heads on spikes.  There's nothing quite like a few rotting heads of your enemies to let potential troublemakers know how you play ball.  

    But nothing felt like me (except the severed head thing) and then I saw this.  Standing at over 7 feet tall, this life sized Armored Batman from Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles just screams home security.  All I'd have to do is push him in front of my door at night to send would-be burglars running back from whence they came.  Now, hiring Batman as permanent protection for your domicile doesn't come cheap, not should it.  He'll set you back $7999.99, but never you worry because they offer a payment plan.  Check out the details by visiting http://www.sideshowtoy.com/.

The Abominable Snowman Gnaw-X from Plaseebo

    I'm gonna skip my usual circus routine because this figure is available right now.  Right now as in you could still buy a Plaseebo original before someone else snatches it up.  Go go go to http://www.plaseebo.net/news/.  You want a story to tie it all together?  Fine, its snowing outside where I live right now and this is The Abominable Snowman Gnaw-X so its pretty much fate that you go and get it.  

Amanda Visell's "Scaredy Labbit" from Kidrobot

    Oh, Lord help me, cause I can feel my money leaving my wallet the longer I look at these.  Some phantom hand has reached in and lifted my credit cards from their place of rest and is attempting to type all of their digits into various websites, ordering the fine Labbits you see before you.  I am but a man; too weak to resist such temptations when laid before me.  

    Kidrobot knows I love Labbits.  Frank Kozik knows I love Labbits (it's detailed on the restraining order). Amanda Visell may or may not know that I love her work.  Now all three of them have colluded to create this amazing hunk of plastic in not one but two different versions!!!!!!!!  The dark blue version you see above can be had as we speak from your favorite toy retailer, while the light blue one you see below will be an exclusive to www.kidrobot.com sometime this month.

    

    But this Labbit not only looks good; it also answers one of those really important questions that is never covered in a public school education:  what happens when you eat a ghost?  Is there any nutritional value to digesting a spectre?  Can you expect a night full of indigestion after swallowing a poltergeist?  Behold, the answer:

    Ghosts are just like corn!!!!!!  So don't bother eating them, because like their vegetable cousin they come out just the same as they go in.  You won't learn stuff like this on TMZ.  

Skull Toys x Unbox Industries "Visible Man" Preorder

    Every now and then being the heavyweight champion of toy bloggery has its perks.  And no, I don't have some trophy on my mantel proclaiming me that because I wouldn't want a trophy; I'd want a title belt.  A full blown WWE belt would work just fine and I would wear that sucker with pride everywhere I went.  So when that becomes a thing I will graciously accept it, but until then you can just imagine it the same as I do.  Now back to my story.

    So being the Stone Cold of the online toy world means that every once in a while I get to do something cool, like handle a toy prototype in its infancy.  It was about two years ago that I met Dan from Unbox Industries and I held this very toy in my very hands.  They were still working out the squishy skin that covers the vinyl underneath and after much research and pain and suffering you will finally be able to order this beauty.  Designed by Skull Toys in homage to the Visible Man character from 2000 AD you can preorder this 30 cm tall freak show beginning this Saturday, February 6th at http://store.unboxindustries.info.  

I'm Tired of Shoveling Snow so I'm Reviewing Some New Plush Labbits from Frank Kozik x Kidrobot

    You may or may not be aware, but it snowed a butt ton where I live a few weeks ago.  Snow literally ceases to be an exciting thing the moment you get a job and responsibilities, because unlike when you're a child, most of the time a little frozen precipitation is no reason to slow the world of commerce.  Once we got over two feet of snow and the person I worked for didn't care that I sent her a picture of my car covered in a snow drift, she only wanted to know if I'd be able to make it to open on time.  My car was buried more securely than King Tut and she just wanted to make sure I was willing to risk my life in case some random idiot braved the storm to buy a T-shirt.  Thankfully I know longer work for such an unreasonable company and spent the storm safe at home where periodically I would pray not to have a heart attack while shoveling my car out.

    Being out in the snow made me think of soft things, like these new plush Labbits from Frank Kozik and Kidrobot.  It also made me think of frostbite and Civil War style amputations, but let's just focus on the fuzzy bunnies.  (I also don't currently own any toys inspired by archaic surgical techniques, but I'm open to it).

    These dudes have obviously been the product of some interesting love connections going on in the animal kingdom.  Now, I can kinda see a Dalmatian and a bunny getting a little tipsy and spending some time together, but the giraffe thing is beyond all comprehension.  There are particulars of that coupling that boggle the mind and yet here we have proof of it.  Science doesn't lie, folks.  

     Labbits, as it oddly turns out, are about as interested in helping with freeing your automobile from an icy prison as they are with discussing the complexities of their gene pools,  and being that my heart felt like it was going to explode I decided to return inside and take my bunny companions with me.  

    Look at how lovely they look in their more natural, leisurely habitat.  You may recognize this little gathering of books on top of my dresser from other toys reviews or Instagram posts.  Not only does it make me look studious to have them, but if you're able to see the titles it further pushes my status as an international man of mystery.  We have books from comedians and noted authors and even graphic novels working hard as mere background fodder, but are they doing more?  Is there a secret message hidden within their spines that reveals something more about your humble narrator?  Actually, there's not.  My wife just happened to put them up there one day because our bookcases are beyond capacity and the lighting in my house it not that great but things look kinda nice here and I was hoping you thought I was smart.  Love me, damnit!!!!!!

    I love plush Labbits cause they're not wimpy plush like you get at a regular toy store.  These things are soft but they're also firm as hell, which I think describes my authentic personal brand.  And I wish it described my pillow.  Do you realize how hard it is to find a pillow that is as firm as a Labbit plush?  These things have spoiled me because I can't find a pillow that would be nearly as comfortable as sleeping on one of these.  Now I'm gonna need Kidrobot to make flat ones with the exact same material inside so I can finally get a good nights rest and start to make sense to the people around me.    The above picture was taken inside my bedroom on what I refer to as the landing pad for my cat Daenerys.  She likes to jump from the bed and skid across this table in order to get into the window, which is ok because it is shorter than the window and therefore prevents her from just sliding right through the glass and into the open air.  My therapist would be proud of me for opening up like this to you all.

    These soft little critters are available right now from www.kidrobot.com or wherever you like to buy your designer toys.  Get a whole pile of them and lay naked right in the middle and I'm pretty sure the meaning of life will hit you like a right hook.  Or your wife will come home early from work that day and you will never be able to buy her enough shoes to get her to stop making fun of you for it.  Either way.