It's a Very Munny Christmas at the Mothership Art Gallery

    If anyone was to ever ask my advice, which surprisingly no one ever has, the number one thing I would instill in them is at a young age pick a career that you will love and will give you freedom.  That second part is important, cause you can trick yourself into loving what you do to a certain extent through tried and true brainwashing techniques, but freedom is more than a state of mind.  Freedom doesn't leave you beholden to a company that sees you as an easily replaceable part in their larger machine.  Freedom doesn't leave you feeling trapped and hopeless.  No, freedom allows you to write your own ticket and tons of other cliche things that are escaping me right now.  Freedom also allows you to not miss cool events because no one else will work for you even after you explain to them that your happiness is in direct relation to how miserable you can make them.  It's simple math folks.   

    The Mothership Art Gallery is a relatively new store in Philadelphia that I still haven't made it out to see yet, and sadly I will not be able to break that streak this Friday when they host A Very Munny Christmas show.  Literally a butt ton of artists are participating with custom Munny ornaments from Kidrobot and a blind box resin series to boot.  All the details you need are in the picture so you can go and hang out and get some affordable custom figures/tree decorations.  One day I'll make it there.  One day.  

Weird Ways In Which People Find This Website

   Without question this is the weirdest search phrase anyone has ever used to stumble upon my little corner of the Internet.  Actually, it might have been less of a search and more of a disturbing confession.  Drumroll please as I present to you the sentence that should make me rethink everything I do here if it didn't amuse me so much...."I'm a mass murderer."  There could be someone out there right now that has done something really bad and in his attempt to use Google as an impromptu priest he found a new love for designer toys that has replaced his need for bloodshed.  This may be the most important work I've ever done and my fast track to sainthood.  Can we get The Vatican on the phone?

"Reyn" Edition GOG from Rob Jones x Unbox Industries

 

    The names Gog and Magog are entwined in the lore of many different places and can even be found mentioned in the Bible.  Their pertinence here is in relation to London, who claims them as protectors of the city.  With a face devoid of flesh and a suit that Genghis Khan would have worn to the prom, this dude looks like he would squash any tomfoolery with his spikey ball thingy and spend his lunch break polishing it to its original shine with your major organs.  So much more effective than Armor All.

    This mythological bouncer was designed by one Rob Jones and is based on a gig poster he did a few years back.  Unbox Industries brought it to disturbing life in plastic form and the results are a massive figure that could scare a hyena off a hamburger.  There's three versions of this dude, and Rob has sold out of the first two already.  But you can still own the spectral-like Reyn edition direct from his website by clicking here.  

Black Friday Sales Extravaganza Part Deux

3D Retro

Brian Ewing

doubleparlour

Naomi Knaff

Black Friday Sales Extravaganza Part 1

    You've eaten yourself to the point of nausea, you've watched football until it almost made sense, and you punched a stranger in the face to get a new tv that you didn't really need but the price was suuuuuuuper right and now it's time to really celebrate the season with Black Friday deals from your favorite retailers.  Check em out below and bask in the savings:

Tenacious Toys

Bigshot Toyworks

Strange Cat Toys

Mishka

DesignerCon Leftover Bonanza

    The world of Thanksgiving wil never be the same as people are having leftovers BEFORE they even cook the turkey!  (that was so corny, I'm embarrassed for myself) I'm talkin about DesignerCon leftovers, which judging by everyone's haul photos on Instagram I didn't think there would be any.  Seriously, you guys need to tell me what you do for a living then hook me up with a job.

Everyone from Lulubell Toys, to Le Merde, to other people that begin with the letter "L" are selling their remaining wares online as we speak (or are about to starting today).  Check em out

Lulubell Toys

Toy Art Gallery

Le Merde

    There's probably more, but you'll have to do some hunting for those on your own.  It will make it more fun for you.  

Steiff's Godzilla Has Made It To American Shores

    Out of everything I collect, people are always the most surprised about my small cache of vintage Steiff.  Nestled in between designer toys, World's Fair momentos, and whatever other weird stuff that I find, are these amazing German stuffed animals that for some reason I am obsessed with.  The craftsmanship is impeccable and with the vintage ones I enjoy the fact that I can preserve an object that someone many years before me had loved.  See, it's not all sarcasm.  It is most of the time, but I have my moments of sentiment as well.

  I've been coveting this Godzilla since it was released exclusively in Japan some time ago and now it has finally made its way to America.  The King of the Monsters is available right now for $699.00 from http://www.steiffusa.com.  Oh, and you can save $100 right now by using the coupon code "Godzilla".

Soldier 76 from The 3D Hero

  

    This new resin dude from The 3D Hero is apparently from the game Overwatch which I admit I have never played.  Video games are like illicit drugs for me, in that if I start I'm going to go on a bender, lose all sense of responsibility, feel horrible about myself because I didn't accomplish anything I should have in that time period, and force myself into a shame spiral where I just continue to play because life is pain and who cares if the neighbors can smell that I haven't taken the trash out in forever.  It's not pretty.

   This little dude will be limited to 10 hand painted pieces, cost $60 each, and will be going up for sale on November 29th, which should give you plenty of time to wake up from the deep slumber of your Thanksgiving food coma.  Check him out at https://www.facebook.com/the3dhero for more info on how you can get one.  

Original Colorway Wananeko Sofubi from Javier Jimenez

    Don't be totally bummed if you can't go to DesignerCon this weekend, because I'm right in the same boat with you.  Whether you have to work, or live far away, or are just anti social and the thought of being around people is more terrifying than a pit of venomous reptiles, you can take comfort in knowing that you can still get awesome new toys from the relative safety of your own home.  Like maybe this sweet kitty from Javier Jimenez that are left overs from his successful crowd funding campaign.  Produced in elegant Japanese vinyl, you can own him this Sunday, November 20th at 11 am eastern time by visiting http://www.stickupmonsters.bigcartel.com.  

   He'll also have a special one of a kind Dorobanii figure and a special preorder for his first ever art book.  See, you can still get tons of awesome stuff and not even be exposed to the con flu that everyone comes down with after one of those shindigs.  

You Should Advertise Here and Be a Great Success

    Look at these people, these captains of industry doing business things and making the world a more profitable place before our reptile overlords extinguish all monetary systems and transfer us over to a larval-pelt based economy.  I bet they're talking about how much money (or pelts) they'll make by having their very own button on the right hand side of The Toy Viking's awesome blog site. It was after all voted one of the ten best websites in the world by most of my family (you're all off my Christmas list by the way for me not cracking the top five). 

   And don't think it's cause I need the money, cause I already have the beginnings of a large scale medicinal leech business in my basement (don't tell my wife) that will allow me to reinvest in my real cash cow, which is my southern rock flavored black metal touring extravaganza and pet adoption event.  Besides, if you read my first paragraph, you would have caught onto the larval-pelt/reptile overlord thing, which is free knowledge from me to you.  Let's go ahead and get some practice in with a trade deal.  Do you make stickers, buttons, pins, shrunken heads, toys, medical grade specimens, offer legal advice, a tax shelter, a bomb shelter, breed puppies, or any other thing we can brand with a Toy Viking logo?  Then hit me up via ye olde contact button up top and I could be advertising your wares in no time.  Your logo will be seen by seven people all over the world as they check to see what madness I have committed to public record all in the name of my obsession for designer toys.  Is it ok to say "I love you" after a business proposal, cause I just did.  

Cancer Metal Mass Murder from Johnny Ryan x Monster Worship

    This is precisely how I would expect at figure named Mass Murder to look.  Even more so when you realize it comes from the rather twisted Prison Pit comics of Johnny Ryan.  A name is so important in life, as it can easily set your destiny.  For instance, if you name your child Honey, no one will ever take her seriously.  And you're destined to be broke with a name like Princess, and naming your daughter Beautiful will inevitably mean that she grows up to look like a troll.  Also, all three can be found gainfully employed at the local gentlemen's establishment.  Head my words you future parents of the world and don't just name your kids something you think is cute because cute doesn't pay the bills. Unless they work at the aforementioned club, then they probably do ok.  

    Monster Worship is debuting this sick looking dude  in what's being hailed the "Cancer Metal" edition.  He's all chromed out with a head that looks like delicious Funfetti cake.  Annnnnnnd now I'm hungry.  Pick one up right now at http://store.monsterworship.com for $90.  

Gato Muerto Lapel Pin from Argonaut Resins

    The sudden explosion in popularity for enamel pins was something I could have never predicted, but it's a neat and inexpensive way for artists to put their work out their and for collectors to load up their jackets and hold up the lines at airport security.  Argonaut Resins is getting in on the action with this Gato Muerto pin that is available right now at http://argonautresins.bigcartel.com.  Each one is only $12 shipped in the US and is a much more effective way to take your love of cats with you than trying to fill your cargo shorts with kittens.  Not that I'm opposed to wearing cargo shorts filled with kittens mind you, but the pin is much safer if you're ever looking to have children one day.  Kittens are pointy.  

    

Paul Kaiju Exclusives for DesignerCon

    Paul Kaiju has been posting tons of teasers for his DesignerCon exclusives and I'm over here just fiending for every one.  Seriously, he has outdone himself and there isn't a thing I wouldn't drop kick a stranger to own.  His booth #533 will involve two days of lotteries and you can see some of what is to be offered in these two photos.   And here is the schedule if you plan on purchasing anything:

Paul Kaiju Booth #533  Schedule
Saturday November 19th:

9:00am – 2:30pm: Free tickets available for Saturday Drawing
3:00pm: Random Drawing for Paul Kaiju Figures

Sunday November 20th:

10:00am – 1:30pm: Free tickets available for Sunday Drawing
2:00pm: Random Drawing for Paul Kaiju Figures

    But that isn't even all of it, no sir, because he's got even more releases at other booths.  Unbox Industries (booth #1021) The Sour Lemon (booth #1800) and Vinyl Goldmine (booth #623) will also have different items for sale.  Sadly, I will be working, but you go an have fun for me so I can live vicariously through your Instagram posts.

Vintage Inspired Skeletor and Beast Man Sofubi from Super7

 
    These are what I've been waiting for!  Not that I haven't enjoyed Super7's previous releases of Skeletor and Beast Man, it's just that these two are exactly like the figures I grew up with.  It's the perfect marriage of my interests as a kid and my interests now which is what makes them amazing.  I never get tired of a good nostalgia trip and any dude my age probably feels the same about these.

   Available starting tomorrow (Wednesday, November 16th) as a made-to-order presale, you have no excuse not to get them both.  Now whether you have an excuse to turn you flower beds into Eternia and wage epic warfare against He-Man is something you're on your own with.

www.super7store.com

The Debut of Apalala from Devil's Head Productions

    Winter is coming and I know this not just because Game of Thrones has beaten me about the head with the saying.  Nope, I know it because my drafty bedroom windows remind me at every sunset.  I would cover them with plastic sheeting but the cats like to sit there and make threats to the birds that hang out in the gutters.  So all they're gonna do is take their razor talons and cuts holes in big enough for them to crawl through, and the one that eats everything will digest the whatever strips he can manage to pull free.  It's just easier to turn the heat way up and get an extra blanket.

    This dude looks like something they'd keep out of Westeros with an ice wall.  This is Apalala, the latest figure from Devil's Head Productions, and he's one mean looking s.o.b.  There's a lottery happening right now for those interested in adding him to their collections (which should be everyone).  Here's what you have to do to be in the running:

To enter the lottery send an email to devilsheadquartersmail@gmail.com with "APALALA LOTTO" as the subject and your PayPal email address. Price is $140.00 shipped inside the USA and $180.00 shipped anywhere else. Winners announced and invoices sent first week of December.

Five Points Festival Tickets Are Now On Sale

    I was pretty excited when I heard about Five Points Fest.  It's like comic con, but it feels more curated and adult in that it's focusing on designer toys, comics, street art, and food.  And the key word there is "curated" because they're promising that there won't be table after table of selling the crap you can buy at Wal-Mart.  Kidrobot, Super7, Tenacious Toys, Lulubell Toys, and more have already signed on and it's also going to be the new home of The Designer Toy Awards.  Sounds good, right?  The event doesn't take place until May, but you can buy tickets for it right now.  VIP tickets even include an exclusive Dunny from Kidrobot and Gary Ham.  Don't be left out, get your tickets now at http://fivepointsfest.com.

Even More tokidoki XXRay Figures from Jason Freeny x Mighty Jaxx

    Oh I never claimed to know it all, and I didn't realize that all four of the tokidoki figures that
Jason Freeny dissected and Mighty Jaxx produced would be released at the same time.  Now you don't have to worry as to when you can complete your collection.  Just the click of a mouse, a credit card number, and BAM, they arrive at your door.  Not like, right away BAM, but soon thereafter, probably on a day that would have sucked big time otherwise had you not had a box of toys waiting for you on the porch.  Pick em up tomorrow, November 12th, from www.mightyjaxx.rocks.

Naomi Knaff's Resin Releases for DesignerCon

    Today in the United States we are deciding who it is we will collectively complain about as president for the next four years.  Every time a new election rolls around tons of us can be seen posting online that if our candidate doesn't win we're moving to Canada!  Well I hate to break it to you, but Canada doesn't want us.  Unless you have a highly sought after skill like being a nuclear engineer or professional moose wrestler, our neighbors to the north just aren't that interested.  And who can blame them, because we can be loud, and we rarely put the seat down when we're done in the bathroom.   I'm understand completely Canada, and I still love Tim Hortons and your clean cities, and your lack of violent crime.  

    Naomi Knaff just happens to be Canadian (see how I tied it all together there) and is making the trek from the Great White North all the way to California for next weekend's DesignerCon.  She'll have a load of her crazy resin creations with her, some of which you can see right here:

 
    And she'll be debuting a collaboration with Magitarius, which you can also see right here:

    When Lisa Frank has a nightmare do you think it looks something like these?  I bet it does.  You should visit Naomi at booth # 1015, but only if you want to own the most creative resin toys out there or if you're trying to get her to smuggle you across the border.  

Your Favorite tokidoki Characters Are Getting the XXRay Treatment from Jason Freeny x Mighty Jaxx

     Is there no toy safe from the intrusive blade of Jason Freeny?  His surgeon's blade has allowed him to take a childhood curiosity of an object's inner workings and transform it into a mad obsession with turning beloved characters into anatomical studies.  Actually, I think these are really cute and I'm just lamenting because my wife is a huge tokidoki fan and I know she's going to want these, which means I'm gonna have to start skipping meals or something.  Being a good husband is hard work.

    Mighty Jaxx will be releasing the first two figures in this collaboration on Saturday, November 12th through their website www.mightyjaxx.rocks.  If history is any indication these should be really affordable which is good for you fellow ballers on a budget, because like I mentioned before, these are merely the first two and more are on their way.  

Rotten Rex "Meat Marbled" Version from James Groman x Lulubell Toys

    I shouldn't be writing about this toy because it is making me hungry and I still have to go grocery shopping today.  Now I'm just gonna skip everything else I would have bought and go straight for the meat aisle and load my basket up with steak.  My wife makes this amazing steak with onion soup mix that will make you smack your grandma it's so good.  Don't try and sue me after you smack her either, cause I will lawyer up so fast you'll wish I didn't lawyer up so fast.

   You can own the only dinosaur I'ver ever thought might taste good during a two week open preorder happening right now through Lulubell Toys.  This monstrosity from James Groman stands 15 inches tall and doesn't look like he would take too kindly to any T-Rex arm jokes.  $250 will guarantee you one by visiting http://www.lulubelltoys.com.  

Odyssey 2 from The Sucklord

    The Sucklord released two new figures this week, but one already sold out so there's no point in me making you fall in love with it just to break your heart the way Jenny did in third grade when she knew you liked her yet kissed Michael by the swing set any way.  I'm no Jenny.  So I'm going to tell you about the one still available for purchase called Odyssey 2.  This is in no way the bangin sequel to Homer's epic Greek tale that we will seemingly never get (Even though it takes Guns and Roses less time to record an album. Step it up, Homer!) but is in fact a tribute to classic video games of the past.  It harkens to a time when somehow people were able to have fun with two pixelated sticks and a ball that bounced back and forth and didn't need things like "sex" or "violence" in their video game systems.  Sounds boring.  

    Pick this dude up here and never forget how blessed you are to have grown up with Grand Theft Auto.  

Rise of Rudolph 3 Inch Dunny from Frank Kozik x Kidrobot

    I wrote an entire children's story about this new Dunny from Frank Kozik and Kidrobotwww.kidrobot.com for their website at blog.kidrobot.com so I was just going to tell you to go read that, which you should do anyway.  Seriously, your children will want you to read it to them before they go to bed each night because they deserve to hear the real truth about the North Pole industrial machine.  But then I just kept typing and now this has become more than just a post about a post; it has become it's own, standalone post that merely references a post, so in a sense it's like three posts yet only two.  No, seriously this all makes sense because I thought about it a lot.  And it's Guy Fawkes day, where British folks celebrate the dude who tried to blow up Parliament.  Did his moment of rebellion inspire more than plastic masks and a graphic novel and also light the fuse in everyone's favorite reindeer to stop taking Santa's crap?  Do you see how easy it is to connect all of these events and drive yourself mad with conspiracy theories?  Why are my cats starring at me like they're recording all of this?

    Celebrate Christmas the way it was intended by picking up this 3 inch Dunny now from Kidrobot.com and wherever designer toys are sold.  

Kaiju Frankenstein from Nathan Hamill x Touma x 3DRetro

    This is what happens when you take those trips down to Mexico in an effort to save on plastic surgery.  There are many ways to become fiscally responsible, like cutting down on your visits to Starbucks, or hitchhiking wherever you need to go, but invasive medical procedures should be at the bottom of that list.  Along with cable television, because that is a necessity.

   Frankenstein's dueling personas aren't the result of a medical vacation in Tijuana though.  He's feeling a bit torn because he was created by two different folks.  Nathan Hamill designed one side, Touma the other and then 3DRetro slapped em together to create this conflicted looking monster.  Do you think they share one brain and always agree, or do you think that like conjoined twins they have their own personalities that fight to be unique?  Pick one up at www.3dretro.com for $49.99 and create your own narrative.  

Winter Reindeer: Night Stalker Edition from Andrew Bell x Gary Ham x Pobber Toys

 

    I have an entertainment center from Ikea that has been a pain in my rear since the day I bought it.  For one, it was the wrong color, which Sharon and I decided we would live with.  Then when we moved it somehow gained about 300 pounds since I put it together and nearly killed us both.  And the thing is so massive and holds so much stuff that it has made it an almost impossible task to replace.  We did swear an oath though that if we were to ever move again not only would we not take it with us, but that we would destroy it so it could not pass its evil onto others.  And by destroy it I mean carefully take the bolts out and even more carefully walk the pieces to the dumpster.  I'll be damned if it sends me to the emergency room in one final act of defiance.

   Let that be a lesson on how important it is to carefully select the things you use to display your treasures, for like an at-home haircut, it may be there longer than you bargained for.   Enter Pobber Toys.  They teamed up with Gary Ham to create the original version of this unique way to display your figures and now Andrew Bell has put his own spin on it.  This thing is nearly two and a half feet tall of resin and can be left the way he is or fully loaded with your favorite toys as seen here:

    You have from now until November 30th to preorder one of these things for $499 plus shipping and they are only making the amount that people order.  There will be no second chances, only massively crushing regret that will hinder you in the rest of your worldly pursuits if you don't get one.  Make the right decision by visiting http://pobber.bigcartel.com.