Satanic Symphony: Baphomet Kickstarter from toyVillian x Nemons

 

    It has been a minute (two months worth, but whose keeping track) since my last confession, I mean post. A lot of stuff has happened that kinda made it hard to keep track of doing this sort of thing, but after unsuccessfully guessing my password the required amount of times to get locked out, and stretching my typing fingers for so I didn’t pull a hamstring, I’m back here with all 12 of you. And how could I pass up the opportunity to spread the word about a toy like this. If he doesn’t have your grandma clutching her pearls and wondering what’s become of this world then I suggest you check her pulse cause you might be due a few bereavement days from work. 

    Baphomet represents the idea of balance, but he also looks really cool on heavy metal t-shirts that in my day were a sure fire way to get you kicked out of the mall. Or so I’ve read. This version from toyVillian (aka teeVillian) and Nemons looks like he could have had his own theme park built around him and if Disney were like that I would be way more interested in going. 

    

    Standing at 7 inches tall, this adopted symbol of the occult is in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign intended to make him a reality. Thankfully you don’t have to buy any mystical book or dig up the grave of a Knights Templar member to get one of these for your shelf. All you have to do is visit this link, select your pledge level, and invite this lovable goat-headed being into your home once the campaign is successful. Altar and book of sacred spells not included. 

Ultraman Chibi Kickstarter from Last Bastion Studios

     

    Space is at a premium when it comes to my house. My wife and I are both collectors and neither one of us is fortunate enough to only be obsessed with one thing. I envy those among you who have a singular interest that you can dedicate yourself to pursuing, mainly because it would save me a ton of money, but also because I'm running out of places to put things. I'm not only into designer toys, but I collect Godzilla figures, vintage Steiff, World's Fair memorabilia, guitar picks, Star Wars and whatever else happens to catch my attention. At this point drugs would be cheaper and would also solve my space problem because all of my things would be at the pawn shop. 

    Drugs are bad kids, and I was only kidding about that being a viable alternative. The real solution to the problem is to collect smaller things, like these Ultraman Chibi figures from Last Bastion Studios. At only three inches tall, anyone has room for these dudes no matter how full you've packed your living space. You can tuck em in between things, or on top of other things, or between things. You can hide them and then find them again one day and then it's like you got something new again. 

   These figures are officially licensed from Tsuburaya Productions but will only become a reality if their Kickstarter gets funded. Available rewards include both painted and blank versions, so check out this link and help these go into production. 

She’s Wicked Vinyl Figure from Naomi Knaff

   I don’t have many stories involving spiders because I am content enough to let them do their thing without my interference. It’s actually a good way to live your life in relation to a lot of things and some people may know it as “minding your own damn business” but many choose to ignore it. Anyway, my spider story involves my day job and a person sitting on the other side of my desk. I’m busy trying to convince them to give me all of their money and they’re busy trying to give me as little of their money as possible when I spot something dangling above their head. A tiny little spider has made his way Mission Impossible style from the ceiling and lands right in the poor woman’s hair. Not knowing how she would react to her new tenant and not wanting it to get killed in the process I had to think quickly. So I said the two word that any stranger wants to hear to put them immediately at ease: hold still.

     I reached across the desk, plucked the offending arachnid from her hair, and set him free outside where hopefully he lived a long and prosperous life and was not eaten by a bird or something like that. And what might have happened had I not intervened? You’re about to find out. Or if you looked at the picture up there you already know. Don’t be a smart ass, just go with it.

     She’s Wicked is not only a description, it’s her actual name and it’s easy to see how she came upon it. This is the latest figure from artist Naomi Knaff, who has forced a Lisa Frank notebook to take acid and watch every season of The Bachelor in a row without an intermission. Ok, I don’t know if that’s how she came up with this but I certainly mean it as a compliment. This spooky mamacita features 16 points of articulation, which is like 13 more than I have left at my age, stands 10 inches tall, and is limited to 5 hand painted pieces by the artist herself. She can be yours for $220 when she goes on sale this Thursday June 22 at 8-m European time only at https://www.naomiknaff.com/. 

Resin Artifacts from Maximum Fluoride/Mike Fisher

 

 

   I've been kind of obsessed with videos online of people exploring abandoned places, but my favorite ones are when they find an old forgotten home. In many instances they are time capsules frozen in a moment where everyone just seems to have disappeared. Entire families worth of belongings will sit caked under layers of dust as if their owners had always intended on returning, but something happened to prevent it. Sometimes the urban explorers will rifle through things but often they will leave it undisturbed. See, this is why I don't even bother trying to participate in something like this because my restraint level is next to zero. I've seen plenty of videos that captured stuff I would want and would have a hard time leaving behind. Everything from lamps to pictures to collectibles; I would have my car loaded. Then, because I really like weird stuff, I would end up bringing something home that was cursed and set of a cataclysmic chain of events that would be beyond the help of any priest. I mean seriously, if you don't want people to desire objects full of bad juju then stop making them look so cool. I'm looking at you, human skulls. 

    I can absolutely see one of the Artifacts from Maximum Fluoride stashed away in a forgotten crate in a creepy basement, just waiting for me to find it and declare how perfect it would look on my dresser. That's how the ghosts get you! But I refuse to learn my lesson because good design is always more important than old curses. And these are all brand new, so they haven't even had the chance to be infused with the woe of the ancients yet. 

   There are three different versions to chose from including two pyramid shapes and one made to look like a coffin. All three are available in different color ways that enhance the expert sculpting of Hollywood effects pro Caleb Schneider.  All are available now at https://maximumfluoride.bigcartel.com/.

    

Warlock Trooper from Martin Ontiveros

 

    If they're going to continue to make Star Wars films and TV shows (which, like death and taxes, is inevitable at this point) then I would love to see them take some liberties. Extreme liberties, not just continuing to expand a universe by filling in the back story of every minor character. I'm talking reimagining it from start to finish in different genres. How about a Star Wars horror series? Or what if Tolkien influenced an entire trilogy? Disney has dipped their toes in these waters with the Visions animated shorts, but I want more and I especially want one built around this toy.

     Martin Ontiveros has resurrected his Warlock Trooper resin figure and good God almighty this is what I want the next Star Wars film to look like. A full blown heavy metal video of craziness, which really isn't a stretch because you already have space wizards and laser swords. I don't know the first thing about making movies, but with a starting point like this it practically makes itself. 

   These bad boys are limited to 25 pieces on signed and numbered card backs and can be yours this Friday starting at 10 am Pacific time. You can only find them at martinheadrocks.bigcartel.com .

In Memory of Frank Kozik

 

    I don’t really know how to process the news that the world has lost Frank Kozik. I thought of a thousand ways to write this, but anyone who knows his name already know all that he accomplished in the world of art, music, and toys. There are countless places that can tell you how he literally changed the landscape for creative folks today and I can assure you they are well worth reading. Instead, I am going to tell you my memories of Frank.

    I remember when my wife bought a Labbit from his website and had an issue with the shipping address. She called the phone number listed and Frank himself answers, which completely caught her off guard. After speaking with him she immediately called me at work so excited that she had the opportunity to talk to one of her favorite artists.

    I remember seeing Frank at New York Comic Con just roaming around and checking out various booths. I was beyond nervous to introduce myself and I’m sure he saw me waiting for him to finish a conversation he was having, looking like a complete dork. I approached him and gave him one of the business cards I had made for this very website and he told me that he enjoyed reading my posts. Thankfully, I didn’t squeal like a preteen at a Taylor Swift show. Well, not out loud anyway. 

    I remember when he took over as creative director of Kidrobot and a member of the marketing team reached out to me becausw he wanted to meet and discuss me writing their blog posts for new releases. My wife and I went to Toy Fair the day after a snow storm and that’s when he told me he had been fighting for me to take over the blog, but people were concerned my content was too…let’s say rated r. But he believed in me and I held that position for four years before the company shifted focus into more license-friendly products. 

    I remember emailing him weekly with my posts and he telling me when they were awesome and critiquing me when they needed some work. I learned to tailor what abilities I have beyond being creative and into something that would get people excited about an object. 

    I remember when I first posted a picture of my Nordic Lucky Cat figure online and he said it was “amazing”. 

    And I remember when he posted this picture to his Instagram, which made me feel I was doing something right.

      My heart breaks for his wife Sharon and his beloved cats.

Tenth Anniversary Exclusive T-Con for ToyCon UK 2023

      I’ve seen a lot of concerts in my lifetime, but few will ever be as strange as seeing the Sex Pistols play a casino in Atlantic City some twenty years ago. Seeing a band that many people think of first when they think of punk rock perform at a venue known for excessive displays of wealth is weird by itself, but add to that the casino was owned by a former United States president and you have a scenario no Hollywood movie would dare dream up. And while I won’t ever type the former president’s name, Johnny Rotten did spend his time in between songs referring to his last name as “Dump” over and over again. It was a random act of defiance from a man who had not much left to rebel against, and who oddly enough would become a supporter of Dump during his embarrassing time as our commander in chief. Any of the normal antics you would expect at a show of this type was heavily frowned upon by the casino security, as they expected the crowd to be as well behaved as the bejeweled-sweater wearing seniors feeding their retirement money into slot machines. You can guess how well that worked out. 

      While I certainly didn’t see them in their prime, it was cool to see a group that has had such a huge impact on not only music but popular culture. Came in point, this brand new tenth anniversary edition of T-Con. The ToyCon UK mascot is decked out in a design by Tru:Tek inspired by the seminal “Nevermind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” album. He’ll be available during the convention, happening on April 29th and 30th in London, and any leftovers will be on their website afterwards. Check out the floor plan below for everyone who is exhibiting this weekend.