Custom Toy of the Week: Sergio Mancini

        Sergio Mancini does an amazing job on this Kidrobot Trikky DIY toy.  Styled after the figure that won him the Munnyworld contest last year, this toy shift effortlessly from the cat design to his now signature blue print features.  This is by far my favorite piece I've seen from him and would love to own this in my collection.  Check out more from Sergio and some of his friends at http://redmutuca.com/.

Black Widow Premium Format Figure from Sideshow Collectibles

    Ok, let's get to the real reason that everyone is excited to see The Avengers this summer.  Scarlet Johansson + leather suit = box office success.  Sure there are some of us who are super hero fans and have been waiting for years for this film, but that's just what we tell our wives.  And being that this is as close as we'll ever get to having the lovely Ms. Johansson in any of our lives, I thought it was worth posting.

    Sideshow Collectibles has made this "premium format figure" available for preorder as we speak, or err type.  For those of you drooling don't get too excited yet.  This thing is gonna run you $324.99, which means putting Black Widow on your bedside table may be just as hard as trying to score a date with the real thing.  But for those of you with the cash to spend, click here to sign up for the Sideshow newsletter so you can secure your (sort of ) date with the girl of your dreams.  

Spongebob x UniPo Samples

    UNKL have released shots of the factory samples for their Spongebob UniPo series.  There are still tweaks to be made, but this is a good sign that these figures will be available in the near future.  I enjoy when something as popular as this show is willing to take a risk by being interpreted into an art toy.  Not much more to say about these except that we'll let you know what's up when we know.

Ice Scream Man from Brutherford Industries

    The State of New Jersey doesn't only produce Bon Jovi records and drunken guidos (though those are our chief exports) we also have some amazing artists that make things you should own.  Case in point The Ice Scream Man from Brutherford Industries.  Made right near our glorious state capital of Trenton, each one is hand made and limited in quantity.  Right now you can buy yourself a strawberry for $75 (limited to 125 pieces) or a Vanilla for $50.

   This is my cat Ophelia begging me to buy her one as I'm trying to post this.  Based on the look she's giving me, I have a feeling there will be a surprise in my shoe if I don't.

Spy vs. Spy 2 Pack from DC Direct

    I remember first being exposed to MAD Magazine at my grandparent's house, who still had a stack of them from when my uncle was a wee lad.  After the excitement of going to the grocery store and watching The Price is Right had worn off, I would read every word of these gems as if they contained the secret to life.  Maybe that's why I turned out the way I did?  

   Spy vs. Spy was an enjoyable little comic, where two color impaired secret agents continually tried to kill each other with little success.  No you can relive their bumbling antics with your very own vinyl figures from DC Direct.  Each toy is 9" tall and comes equipped with enough ridiculous weapons to ensure the fun will last for hours and hours.  Packaged together, the set will cost you $49.99 when these are released on May 2nd.   This release also coincides with the 60th anniversary of Mad Magazine and I'll be more than happy to celebrate by making some room on my shelf for these guys.

    

The Dark Knight Rises POP! Vinyl from Funko

    Funko has caused quite a stir with these new POP! Vinyl figures from The Dark Knight Rises.  These images are being shown all over the internet as some of the first toys to tie in with the upcoming film.  As of right now there is no release date for them and no word if any other characters will be made available.  I've been hoping that Bane wouldn't be the only bad guy in the movie and that there would be plenty of other surprise characters.  Either way I will definitely have to pick up the Batman figure when I see him.

    On another note, I love the retro look that Catwoman has.  She looks like a modern version of the character from the television series.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Return

    Holy crap!  There's new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys and they don't suck?  Nickelodeon is doing a new CGI driven TMNT cartoon and these are some of the products that will be available soon in stores.  These designs are much better than that anime inspired relaunch they attempted a few years ago and are pretty close to the original designs.  They look a bit grittier, maybe a tad bit meaner, but I'm ok with that.  Can't wait to see what they did with Shredder and Krang.

    Even the van got an update.  Looks a bit more durable than their first one.  

    This playset is huge and I kinda want it.  I'm pretty sure my cats would love nothing more for Christmas this year.