Kidrobot at Toy Fair

    We all are well aware that Kidrobot is in a heavy transitional period, not only with their purchase by N.E.C.A. but with naming Frank Kozik as creative director.  Many people are still skeptical while many more are hoping for a return to what it was in the past.  I can tell you right now that things are not going to return to what they used to be and after the conversation I had at Toy Fair, you wouldn't want them too.  That's because they're focused on the future, which is paved with possibilities you wouldn't have even thought of and that will return a level of excitement to the world of designer toys that has been lacking.  I spent over an hour talking with Frank and new head of marketing Steve Elmes and here are some of the highlights from our discussion:

- The rules are out the window.  You will see production pieces using any and all of the Munnyworld characters.  This will not only include stand alone figures but complete blind boxed mini series.  If the design makes sense and is cool, it will happen.  The first series to encompass this new philosophy will be this set of Tricky Cats that will debut later this year:

    This is an in-house series with a few Kozik designs and the rest created by their design team. They're cute, they've got great mass appeal, and they will cater to not only the seasoned collector but someone who just likes their look and uses them as a gateway drug to fuel a new toy addiction.  It's a great way to build a new collector base while appealing to the already existing one.  There are going to be many more series that will be single artist driven that you will absolutely lose your mind for.  Trust me, as soon as I heard the names involved I started looking for a second job so I can afford them all.  

-  If you're a toy customizer the ability to have an actual Kidrobot piece has never been greater.  Seriously, they are scouring social media on a daily basis to look for new talent.  Keep posting your custom figures but more importantly keep refining your work because they want to make your stuff.  There is no longer a stable of artists that they will only pick from when deciding what to produce.  If what you make is awesome, you've got as good a shot as anyone of getting into a Dunny series.  

-  A lot of people were talking about their stance on bootlegging vs. customizing from a few weeks ago and those discussions have led to something really interesting.  There will be a submission period in the near future where people who want to make resin multiples or a series of Dunnys that is just too complex to factory produce will be able to propose their ideas and possibly be granted a license to go ahead and make it themselves.  Not only does that make your toy super legit, but they will even help you promote it.  Again, now is the time to refine your technique and get your work on social media to start building hype.  More info will be available soon on this program.

-  Almost any license N.E.C.A. has is open to Kidrobot.  Now for those of you that aren't into licensed toys, what if it was your favorite artist putting their spin on it?  What if Tara McPherson made an Alien toy, or if Skinner tackled Friday the 13th?  Not that those particular ones are coming out (I'm not trying to start a riot here) but they could happen in this new philosophy of anything goes.  From what I understand the ball is already rolling on a few.  

-Mega Man is happening and here is the proof:

-So is this amazing 8 inch Dunny from Junko Mizuno that I cradled like the baby Jesus:

- Kidrobot is not only making it's return to San Diego Comic Con but will also be at Designer Con

-Expect to see more toys with social and political commentary

- Expanding on the last note, not everything will be as dark as it has been.  Cute is coming back to help balance things out a bit and make us less angry.  I need something to calm me down.

- Frank Kozik is pretty tall and might dunk on you.

    I saw waaaaaaaaay more than I was allowed to take pictures of, but I swore a blood oath that I wouldn't go starting rumors and leaking information.  What I can tell you is you won't be disappointed, especially when things kick into high gear in 2016.  

Toy Fair 2015 Pictures Are Up

     All of the pictures from our adventure at Toy Fair yesterday are now posted at www.facebook.com/TheToyViking.  Go and take a gander, peruse, eyeball, or do whatever it is you do with pictures of toys that falls within the legal limits of your place of residence.  You sickos, you.  More posts to follow.

Lady Titan Vinyl Figure from My Hero Toys

   If you're lucky enough to have attended San Diego Comic Con than this toy might look pretty familiar to it.  That's because actress Tanya Tate is often times seen roaming around the convention floor dressed exactly like this.  Her company My Hero Toys is now paying homage to her well known cosplay with this figure.  At only $30 its probably the best bargain you'll find all day and it's most likely the only way you'll could convince her to come home with you.  

    

Porceplane by Flatau Florian x K. Olin Tribu

    Normally, I'm a huge fan of throwing things and would never tell you to not throw a paper airplane.  I'm no buzzkill, and sometimes great things happen, like getting stuck in a stranger's hair, or landing on someone's dinner.  But you really really should not throw this one.  For one, you might seriously injure someone, which will result in years of court and lawyers fees.  And most importantly, this sucker would break cause it's made of porcelain.

    This uber fancy paper airplane from K. Olin Tribu x Flatau Florian is limited to 30 pieces and available right now at http://www.artandtoys.com/

"Not Another Heartless Bastard" Resin Bust from Huck Gee

    Ooooooh how did they get that sweet anatomical heart to float in the resin like that?  I'm sure there's some practical explanation that would be way more boring than the ideas I came up with.  First off was dwarf magic, because if they could make Thor's hammer, I'm pretty sure this is not a big deal.  My second guess was also dwarf magic, because the more you think about it the more sense it really makes.  I didn't bother with a third guess because I'm marking this mystery as solved and moving on to something else.  

    Huck Gee never fails to impress me with the things he releases and this is no exception.  Despite the fact that he's got some dirt on the dwarves that live beneath his studio and blackmails them into doing all of his work.  There's no law against it, unless you're dressing the neighbor kids up as dwarves and then running a sweatshop.  But hey, I'm no narc.  

    You know you want this piece of resin goodness that is ready just in time for Valentine's Day.  It will be released tomorrow, Friday the 13th, on what will be the newly relaunched www.huckgee.com.  Limited to only 50 signed and numbered pieces, each 6 inch bust will retail for $200 when it drops at noon pacific time.  

Kidrobot to Offer Adventure Time Toys This Summer

    Have you ever watched Adventure Time?  There's some crazy stuff going on in that show.  Not that you couldn't look at the gang of characters right there and come to that conclusion on your own, but the show will make you question the last strand of sanity you're holding onto.  And its really funny.  And it's fitting that Kidrobot, a company based in Colorado, would be making toys for the hit series.  Not that Colorado is known for legally selling anything that would enhance your experience while watching Adventure Time.  I would never insinuate such a thing.  

  

   A plethora of products will be unleashed this summer, including an exclusive for San Diego Comic Con.  Of course, not everything they're making is pictured above, cause that would just ruin your ability to squeal when everything is unveiled.  So squeal now, and save some squeals for later.  

The Ice-Cat from Joe Ledbetter Drops Tomorrow

    Is this from that movie Frozen, cause I haven't seen it?  Just kidding, I know it's not but I'm completely serious about having not watched it.  When you tell people that you might as well have said that your favorite past time is kicking puppies, because the horrified looks on their faces would be the exact same.  I try to explain to them that I don't have children so why would I be interested but that is never an acceptable excuse.  Yet it's the same one that makes it totally ok for me to not go to Chuck E. Cheese or petting zoos (even though I enjoy petting the goats just as much as any 5 year old).  I know people that haven't seen Star Wars and yet I'm the bad guy in all of this.  

   Oh, and don't leave your cats outside in the winter cause it's kinda mean.  Unless you own a snow leopard or Siberian tiger, cause their names kinda dictate that they're down with the chilly weather.  And don't leave Joe Ledbetter's Ice-Cat outside either.  Not because he will freeze, but because someone will probably steal it.  They are limited to only 200 pieces, so someone's gonna be left out....wait for it...IN THE COLD!   These go on sale tomorrow from http://store.joeledbetter.com/ at 8am pacific time for $110 each.