The Sad and Horrible Show at Rotofugi

    

    Damn, even for 2020 the name of this show is kinda rough.  That is until you realise it's a combination of Sad Salesman and Horrible Adorables, who are sending this year back to the hell it belongs on a wave of cuteness.  Opening this Saturday (December 19th) at Rotofugi in Chicago, there will be plenty of felt and resin abound for you to cash and carry some great art Toys for yourself or as gifts.  There is no opening reception because of Covid, so if there's something you want and you don't live in Chicago I suggest visiting previews.rotofugi.com to get a heads up on what will be available.  The piece de resistance might just be this super sick tag team figure that is completely drool worthy:

    The other day I was at work and wearing my mask like the good citizen I am and I was concentrating on repairing something and a little drool made its escape. Had my tongue sticking out and everything like I used to as a kid when I colored, so thankfully the mask spared me the embarrassment of someone seeing that.  

Rotofugi Exclusive Evil Ape Fink from MCA x UVD Toys

 

    I always find it funny when I go into a major chain store that sells toys and something will be marked "limited edition" and their idea of limited is that 15,000 of them exist.  Fifteen thousand!  Nope, if you want limited, 50 is way more like it.  That means you and 49 other people around the world are in a special club and are the only ones able to enjoy the feeling that owning a special figure offers.  Of course I myself never buy anything strictly by how rare it is, but it is a nice bonus.  It's like being the caretaker of a sacred object that you were entrusted with by an ancient god and then you absorb its powers and become the only one that can stop an evil doer from realizing his dream of global domination.  Yup, it's just like that.

    I didn't just pull the number 50 out of thin air in the paragraph above, as it is the actual amount of exclusive Evil Ape Finks that Rotofugi will have on sale this Monday.  This is the second colorway of the figure from MCA and UVD Toys and the only place to get them when they become available August 17th at 10am central time will be www.rotofugi.com.  

Kidrobot's Polyphony Exclusives Now Available at Rotofugi

 

    Being a completist is one of the hardest aspects of collecting, especially when it comes to designer toys.  There's so many exclusives that it can be hard to even keep track and then there's the ones only available at conventions in other countries that become nearly impossible to obtain without mortgaging your house.  Rotofugi is coming to the rescue by offering a slew of Beijing-based Polyphony's recent Kidrobot exclusives.  There's 2 different version of the Quiccs and Hello Kitty collaboration, two of the new Labbiters from Frank Kozik, and Scott Tolleson's Designer Con mascot 3 inch Dunny in an exclusive colorway.  These are available in their Chicago location now and will be offered up online beginning this Thursday, June 27, at 11am cdt.  Check out www.rotofugi.com for pricing info as well as limits of each figure Per customer.  

Autumn Algonac Mini from Chris Ryniak x Squibbles Ink x Rotofugi

      Anyone that makes any type of product that is set to release this time of year should always have the words "pumpkin spice" in the title.  I don't care what it is or whether it relates to what you're selling or not, those two words cause a feeding frenzy.  I hear Harley Davidson is having trouble attracting new customers, but not after they release the Pumpkin Spice Edition Sportster.  Don't mind me, I'm just out here saving us from the decisions of that failed business man that's ruining our country.

    Chris Ryniak's Algonac mini figure looks like he's taken my advice to heart, color wise anyway, as he is the perfect shade for Fall.  This stylized 2.25 inch vinyl turtle is produced by Squibbles Ink and Rotofugi and is limited to 150 pieces in this edition.  You can own one right now by visiting www.rotofugi.com.  They retail for the ridiculously low price of $17.95 each.  

Black Friday Sales Part 2

Rotofugi

3DRetro

Ring of Honor

Buff Monster

20 Inch Squadt Gassed from Ferg

    Like my waistline, toys are getting bigger.  Sadly I can't say the same for my house, so there are tough decisions that need to be made for the sake of my toy collection.  The entertainment center is a dead man walking without question, and my couch has done painful things to my joints (while being stylish as hell) so sitting on the floor couldn't be much worse.  You've gotta have priorities when your happiness is at stake.

    This giant Squadt from Ferg is 20 inches of tactical fury ready for deployment to your home.  He comes with all the accessories you could ever want but here's the kicker:  there's only 55 of them in the entire world.  So only 55 people will get the joy of placing this behind their front door to act as a deterrent for anyone breaking in.  I'm telling you, if someone kicks your door in and sees this guy they're gonna think you're some made genius who created a little murder robot and all your loot will be totally safe.

   You'll have your shot at one this Saturday, December 31st from Rotofugi at the following times worldwide:

- New York 10:59 am
- Chicago 9:59 am
- Los Angeles 7:59 am
- London 3:59 pm
- Paris 4:59 pm
- Hong Kong 11:59 pm

www.rotofugi.com

Four New Flavors of Frank Kozik X Rotofugi's Jerome for SDCC

 

    There are some aspects in life that are way different from what I know having lived in America my whole life.   For instance, did you know that in Taiwan the garbage trucks come around playing ice cream truck music to let you know when to bring your trash out?  Then you have to chase the truck down and throw the bags in the back yourself.  Now, I know you think I may be a dang gone liar, so here's video proof that even Agent Scully would have to accept:

    I just knocked your teeth straight outta your mouth with that truth slap.

    My wife and her family lived over there for a bit and were pretty confused the first time they witnessed it, and I had only seen it online after one of her friends recorded and posted it.  Technically there is probably ice cream somewhere buried in there, but that's better left to the rats.  They also have strippers that you can hire for funerals but that's a topic for another day.

    When it comes to ice cream choice is the key and Rotofugi is giving you plenty of it courtesy of Frank Kozik's Jerome.  There are four new flavors to choose from and because they're not jerks and realize everyone can't be at comic con, they're making them available online as well.  If you're not in San Diego you can get em starting Wednesday, July 20th, at 8pm central time at www.rotofugi.com.
   

"Rocket Pop" Edition Jerome from Frank Kozik X Rotofugi X Squibbles Ink

    Would you be so brave as to doubt that I have a story involving a rocket pop?  Ok, I'll admit, I really don't except for the time that I was little and we went to Washington DC in the summer and I got one from a food cart.  And it was delicious.  That's still a better love story than anything that turd Nicholas Sparks has ever written.

   So while my rocket pop story may not have got you feeling those sweet summer vibes, Frank Kozik's nicotine addicted ice cream Jerome will do the trick.  I'm so ashamed of myself for using the phrase "sweet summer vibes".   This dude, produced by Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink is decked out in red, white, and blue and is arriving just in time to crash your weekend BBQ.  Limited to only 75 pieces, snap yourself up one on July 1st at 10am central time only from www.rotofugi.com.

"Candy Corn" Smorkin' Monger Jerome from Kozik x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink for NYCC

 

    Every year about this time I go candy corn stupid.  I'll get caught up in all the Halloween prep, buy a bag of candy corn, and be instantly reminded of why I'm supposed to remember to never buy candy corn.  I can ingest maybe four pieces before a wave of death nausea washes over me, rendering any remaining part of the day useless as I try to sleep it off.  Then I usually take the rest of the bag to work, because despite how evil this devil's candy is, I still can't just waste em.  And I'm usually mad at those people anyway, so it's a win-win.

    Did you know New York Comic Con is coming up?  Well it is suckas, as in next week, and of course I have to go.  I had been pretty good about not getting too excited for any exclusives, basically for the sake of my wallet.  But my accountant will be happy to know that this toy is as affordable as it is desirable, so now she can work harder on getting me that tax exempt charitable status instead of nagging me about nonsense.

   Jerome is the brain (freeze) child of Frank Kozik and is produced by Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink.  This four inch tall ice cream dude with a filthy habit is limited to only 50 pieces: 25 of which will be available at New York Comic Con, and 25 to be made available online October 13th at www.rotofugi.com.  For convention goers, you can find them at the Clutter Magazine booth for $19.95 each.  You should probably save me one just cause I won't make it to the con until Saturday.  Thanks in advance, boo boo.
    

Imperial Lotus Dragon Release and Signing with Scott Tolleson at Rotofugi

   

    Did you miss me?  Sharon and I took a bit of a vacation and headed out west to visit with her grandmother and drive all around Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.  It was my first time on that side of the country (I'm not terribly well traveled) and it was like being in a completely different world.  Not only was the landscape crazy but the people were waaaaaaaay different than what I'm used to.  Mostly because they weren't miserable.  New Jersey has a certain reputation for people being mean and it wasn't given arbitrarily.  It's probably because there are just too damn many of us packed together in a small place and we're tired of smelling each other's armpits.  I could even feel myself getting angrier as I got off the plane on our return home and I almost beat a guy for looking at my luggage at baggage claim.  But out west everyone was so nice and pleasant and we had great conversations with people we just met.  And their Wal Mart was reeeeally clean, which will let you immediately gauge the happiness of the locals.

     Scott Tolleson will be taking a trip this Friday (I don't need any gold trophy to know that was "Seemless Transition of a Seemingly Unrelated Story to One About Toys of the Year") to Rotofugi in Chicago to release his Imperial Lotus Dragon Dunny from Kidrobot.  Buy yourself a toy, have Scott sign it, and enter to win free stuff.  Scott has been painting up these two fellows you see here and I wonder if these may be the door prizes in question:

    If so, you'd be a lucky son of a gun to own either of them.  Check out the details in the picture at the top of the post, cause I have to go to work and probably shouldn't be late cause I was typing all that out for you.  Kisses.  

Smorkin' Monger Jerome from Frank Kozik x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink Available Now

    Me and ice cream aren't friends.  We used to be back in the day, but then something happened between ice cream and my digestive system and they have been enemies every since.  It's probably been 20 years or more since that cool, refreshing dairy treat has passed my lips, but I still remember it well.  If I try hard I can almost taste the sweet vanilla goodness of a soft serve cone, but then my stomach seems to get wind of my mental betrayal and starts rumbling in protest.  If the US and Cuba can put aside their differences you would think a bit of diplomacy would go a long way in healing this rift in my body, but I seem to be doomed to a life where ice cream is but a distant, delicious, memory.

    Frank Kozik debuted this giant sized Smorkin' Monger named Jerome at San Diego Comic Con, but now he is available to all of us unable to attend.  Produced by Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink, this 4 inch figure retails for only $15.95 and is available right this second at www.rotofugi.com 

My Top Ten Favorite SDCC Exclusive Thingys

    Yeah, sure, that's a tad bit dramatic, but seeing everyone's pictures from San Diego Comic Con makes me REEEEEEAAALLLLLLLLYYYYYYY wish I was there.  Thankfully New York Comic Con is coming up soon or else I would be losing it for real.  In the spirit of my depression let's take a look at my top 10 favorite exclusive things that are available to convention goers as we speak.  

    Despite our best efforts, Sharon and I still have space left on our walls at home.  We've determined that we hang our pictures "salon style" which they used to do back in the day, and it is a much better term than "a visual representation of mental illness style", which we had been using prior.  These three prints from Kidrobot and artists Brandt Peters, Frank Kozik, and Scott Tolleson would indeed take a place or prominence amongst our collection.  Pick em up during each artist's signings at Kidrobot's booth #5645.  

     That beauty to the right is the comic con exclusive Berry Chocolate Lady Dunny from Junko Mizuno x Kidrobot.  What words could I use to express my desire to have one?  Just look at it.  

    Thakfully, Frank Kozik's ice cream dude Jerome is merely debuting at comic con and will make its way online at some point afterwards from Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink, otherwise I might have had to hire myself a toy mule to procure one.  If you're there, get one at booth # 5248.  If you're not, practice the difficult art of being patient.  Trust me, I need all the practice I can get.  

    Shub Zeroth Misfortune Bags courtesy of Metacrypt and Brian Ewing's booth # 4503 should be on everyone's must-have lists.  Not only do you get a sweet sofubi monster toy, you get a bag to carry it in.  That's a convention blessing.  

    Super7 is straight killing it this year with their Skeletor's Lair pop up shop located in their San Diego retail store.  You can't go wrong with nostalgia presented in a fresh way, like this Chia Pet Moss Man.  Genius!  

    A soft vinyl Skeletor collaboration with Gargamel?  Sign me up, son.  I can't wait to see painted and marbled versions of this, which are gonna blow my mind/bank account wide open.  

     You know its true love when you find an amazing toy at a bargain of a price and that's exactly what Headspace from Luke Chueh and Munky King is.  And the best part is that there will be some available on their website at a later date, so stay the hell away from eBay cause all hope is not lost.  

    JJ Abrams did such a good job with the new Star Trek movies that I'm confident Star Wars is gonna be awesome.  I'm so confident, I would totally by this Black Series Storm Trooper without thinking twice.  

    I'll be more than happy to welcome this 20 inch hologram Darth Vader into my life.  

    Anything from Weta Workshop.  Seriously, have you seen pictures of their booth?  It's an event by itself.  Everything they do make me weep tears of joy.  

Frank Kozik x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink Exclusive "Jerome" for SDCC

    I'm probably going to get hit for telling this story, but it makes me laugh every time I think of it, so a black eye might be worth it.  Don't say I've never bled for my art.

    We live a short drive from Wildwood, NJ , which is somewhat akin to purgatory by the sea.  See, people with kids a who are really afraid of germs go to Ocean City, while those of us that like to people watch and aren't concerned about catching a criminal record go to Wildwood.  Obviously the wife and I gravitate towards the latter, so every summer we get excited to almost get run over by the tram car and watch silly tourists have their food stolen by seagulls the size of golden retrievers.  Once while walking down the boardwalk my wife grabs me by the arm and has a concerned look plastered across her face.  I thought maybe she lost her wallet, or left her phone in the car, but I never could have expected what she told me:

"My mole fell off."

    After taking a moment to process what I just heard, she showed me a mark on her shoulder that had once housed the now absconded mole.  Evidently the strap of her purse had acted like a makeshift saw, cutting that sucker at the root and separating it from the rest of her body.  I knew I couldn't miss an opportunity this, as how many times will skin imperfections find themselves flying off my wife's epidermis?  I told her that I saw something drop from her shoulder but just thought it was a piece of lint from her tank top and it landed in a woman's ice cream as she passed by us.  

   The look on her face was a mix of horror and hilarity as I tried my best to convince her that some stranger was ingesting and oddly shaped and textured sprinkle even as we spoke.  I even pointed out the lady that was turning into an unwilling canibal courtesy of her frozen treat.  "I wonder if she's going to wake up tomorrow with a craving she can't explain to ingest every blemish she see." Sharon wasn't buying it and I ended up with a bruised arm for nothing but even now it still makes me laugh.  

    I don't think there are any moles hidden in Jerome's swirly little head, but he does like to smoke so you may find a stray ash or two.  Frank Kozik's ice cream bro will be making his debut at San Diego Comic Con courtesy of the folks that produced him, Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink.  But fear not those of you who crave nicotine-addicted dairy products, for there will be an online release to follow shortly after for those of us not at the convention.    

    

Exclusive Germ S005 [ROACH] from Ferg x Rotofugi for SDCC

    I used to sell home security systems in Philadelphia.  Unfortunately to do that, you have to actually go into people's homes, which can be more of an adventure than you ever bargained for.  Now don't get me wrong, I am a sucker for a good estate sale, but those people are dead and someone at least put a little bit of effort into making the house more presentable and less of a death trap.  I'm talking literal death, not that figural nonsense either.

    My salesman days involved entering a lot of homes but one I will never forget, mostly because I wake up at least once a month in terror from the nightmares it still induces.   My boss was with me for this appointment and when we walked in he just looked at me like this was gonna be a bad one.  We sit down on the couch and the entire time we're talking it sounds like the drywall is gonna get up and walk right out.   Then we started to see them on the floor, these brazen little critters that couldn't have been less afraid of two dumb human beings.  We were both ready to get out of there and thankfully the customer balked at the price so we took that opening, said our goodbyes, and itched for weeks afterwards.  

   I've been lucky enough to not encounter another roach infestation in my life, but I'd be willing to fill my house with these instead.  Ferg is dropping these exclusive Germ S005 [ROACH] dudes through the Rotofugi/Squibbles Ink booth at San Diego Comic Con.  There are only 100 of these available at $150 each.  Read up on www.rotofugi.com for the pertinent details so you don't miss out.  

SDCC Exclusive Snybora from Chris Ryniak x Squibbles Ink x Rotofugi

    Doesn't this dude look like he wants to strike up a conversation with you?  Like at any moment he will start waxing poetic about how this season of True Detective is way better than the first one because the dialogue, while still seemingly written by someone on mushrooms, has the benefit of not having to be delivered by that stoner in the Lincoln commercials (he's not up on famous Hollywood actors).  Oh, and he absolutely has a British accent, as he was Oxford educated, but doesn't like to talk about it to avoid being labeled a snob.  

    Chris Ryniak's Snybora is going all exclusive for San Diego Comic Con in this sweet green paint scheme.  This pretty little lizard man bro will be available at Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink's booth #5248 for $35 each.  Buy me one and I'll let you decide where he's gonna live in my house.  You have no idea what a big step that is for me and my OCD.

"It's Spring" Marshall from 64 Colors x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink

    Man, let me tell you something.  There I was, watching Wrestlemania on Sunday, when suddenly my internet connection goes down.  Can you believe that nonsense?  I reset the router, reset my Playstation 3, almost drop kicked my neighbor just because (I see her eyeballin me with her judging eyes), but nothing worked.  About an hour later it finally came back up which meant I didn't get nearly the amount of sleep I normally would have because I had to stay up and watch it or the internet would have completely spoiled the results.  The point is I'm still tired, but Wrestlemania will always be worth it.  The end.

    My wife always makes fun of me when I'm over tired because I look all spaced out like something's on my mind.  There was some commercial for ADHD medicine that showed some lady thinking about the Easter bunny during some work meeting and since then she thinks that's what's on my mind.  Yeah, maybe I do think about bunnies more than most grown men, but that's not for me to say and I doubt there's been a reputable study done on it.

    Look, more bunnies for me to contemplate!  It's the already adorable Marshall from 64 Colors upping his level of cuteness dressed as a rabbit.  Produced by Squibbles Ink and Rotofugi, these dudes are limited to just 350 pieces and will be available beginning tomorrow, April 1st, for $12.95 each.  Get yours at 10:59am eastern time at www.rotofugi.com.

More NYCC Exclusives from Clutter Magazine

    New York Comic Con just opened it's doors, and while I won't be there until tomorrow, there is plenty to see and do right this instant.  Clutter Magazine sent me an email filled with all kinds of nutty stuff you're gonna want so let's get to it shall we.

   Fact:  Bears have skulls the same shape as human beings do.  It's on the internet, so it must be true.  Luke Chueh only made 15 of these Dissected Bear Heads in Kenner prototype blue, with 5 being released each day via an 11am lottery system.  The lottery last 15 minutes, after which time the winners will be announced and then they get to buy this dude.  No lottery today, only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so you have time to plan accordingly.  

    Tim Clarke is a legend.  The day he followed me on Instagram I almost pooped my britches.  This dude not only created Boglins and Sectaurs, but he worked on The Dark Crystal with Jim Henson.  We're talking about things that defined people's childhoods.  He's got a new toy series out called Totims and he will have a bunch of those and those prints you see above.  He'll be hanging around Saturday starting at noon and if you're gonna shake anyone's hand during the show, his would be a good one.  Maybe some of the magic will rub off.  

    Ron English is obviously not as big a fan of breakfast cereal as I am.  And I love Cap'n Crunch, even though it shreds the rook of your mouth like you were chewing razor blades.  This is the latest edition of his obese faux pirate, and it will be released Saturday at 1pm and Ron will be there to sign em and tell you the dangers of high fructose corn syrup.  

    I've been in a few fights in my day.  Most of those involved dust ups in my high school cafeteria and certainly never with anyone that looked like this.  Who would fight this guy?  I don't care how bad you think you are, when you see a guy dressed like this and with such an unpleasant look on his face, you need to move along.  Restore made this glow in the dark Neo Japan in such uber limited quantities (10) that he will be sold through a lottery system on Saturday at 2pm with the drawing taking place 15 minutes later.  

    Saturday is gonna be busy for whoever is manning booth # 504, cause at 3pm Jon-Paul Kaiser and UME Toys will be present to release their Buford Mandrake figure.  He comes with two masks, though which one is more disturbing is open to debate.  Meet those fine English gents and pick up this collaboration piece that is sure to be a hit, cause I said so.

    Ok, this is pretty killer.  We've never seen Jeff Lamm's Greasebat figure so...so...cuddly.  Lana Crooks hand made five of these stunning plush toys and I hope there is one left just so I can see it in person.  

    The Flyers lost last night and I'm kinda bummed about that, but they did play pretty well.  And I love the orange and black no matter what and this lizard bro makes me thankful that there's another game tonight with which they can redeem themselves.  Chris Ryniak's Snybora has long been a favorite of mine and this paint job from Squibbles Ink and Kirby Kerr makes it even closer to my heart.  Only 25 folks can own one though, so you better be quick if you wanna play with him on the ride home.  

    Visit the Clutter folks at booth #504 for all that you see and more.  That kinda sounded like something a game show announcer would say.  I need some sleep.  

SDCC Exclusive Snybora from Chris Ryniak x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink

    I am going to admit something I'm not terribly proud of right now:  One of my favorite things to watch on tv at the moment is Naked and Afraid.  There are a couple of reasons I enjoy this show.  One is that I am desperately trying to wrap my head around why anyone would want to be dropped in the wilderness without pants and being left there for three weeks.  Maybe I just don't know how to have fun.  The other reason I like it is because I feel that if I watch enough of them someone is going to get bit by a snake in a very uncomfortable place and it will be the single greatest thing that has ever been on tv.  Like when that guy got his calf bit off on Shark Week and they actually showed it!!!!  That was I-N-S-A-N-E!!!  So far nothing real bad has happened to anyone on the show other than some questionable food choices that led to stomach discomfort, but a producer did get bitten by a snake and half his foot rotted off.  That was pretty gross and a perfect example on why the people that are on this show have lost their minds.  

    I would also be totally fine with something like this Snybora rising from a lake and chasing two naked folks through the woods.  I imagine he would run kind of like a frilled lizard and scare the living crap out of you.  The Blushing Envy version of this scaly menace was created by Chris Ryniak and brought to life by Squibbles Ink and Rotofugi and is an exclusive to San Diego Comic Con.  Get one for yourself at booth 5248 for $35 and have it sit next to you as you watch reality television for all the wrong reasons.  

Kidrobot Announces SDCC Exclusives

    Kidrobot is doing things a little differently at this year's San Diego Comic Con.  They have forgone having their own booth in favor of spreading their exclusives around the show floor to different partners.  While you may think it's a negative that you can't just get all this stuff in one spot, I think you should look at it differently.  Look at it as an opportunity to explore booths you may not have ever visited before and to learn about other cool stuff you may really enjoy.  Now it's like they're doing you a favor by sending you on this journey of self discovery/potential bankruptcy.  

     Check out their first ever artist designed Bot figure.  Tristan Eaton designed this and it will be available first to convention goers, but it sounds like the rest of us will get a chance at one as well later on.  The folks at Rotofugi (booth 5248), Bait (booth 4949), and Fugitive (booth 601) will all have these available.

    Who doesn't love a sassy space critter with an abundance of fire power?  No, I'm not talking about your mom, I'm talking about Rocket Raccoon!!!!!!  He's getting the Labbit treatment from Frank Kozik (booth 5051) and you will not only be able to buy it first and get it signed, but you'll be the first to even SEE what it looks like.  I actually know how the figure looks:  snazzy on my entertainment center!  See what I did there?  I'm a mess.  

    And here's an example of what I was talking about earlier.  How many people would have normally made a stop at the Nickelodeon booth?  Be honest.  Well now you have the perfect reason to go and check it out to score these exclusive Beebop and Rocksteady figures.  Booth 4113 is the only place you'll be able to get them and who knows what else they'll have that you can't live without.