Patrick Ma from Rocket World has released a few prints based on the original trio of Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo (IWG) members in their Astro Krieg outfits. While I'm digging the retro movie poster styled print (above), if you're a diehard fan of Titus, Affonso or Hannibal...you can pick up one of their individual character prints.
Hot Toys has revealed their 1/6th scale Predator collectible model from the movie Aliens vs Predator: Requiem. This full geared Predator features a newly developed Predator body with complex skin pattern and 22 points of articulation, a fabric net body suit with detailed armor. It also comes with:
Weapons:
Accessories:
Darrin Maxwell sent in the above video detailing his creation of his 2D and 3D Moody customs. These were created for the Don't Cry Over Spilt Vinyl show in Phoenix on May 16th.
Sideshow Collectibles has announced their lineup of 2008 San Diego Comic Con exclusives. Star Wars fans can get excited about the Aayla Secura 12" tall figure from Sideshow and the Shadow Guard VCD from Medicom. They will also have the Skeleton Jack Cosbaby from Hot Toys' Pirates of the Caribbean line, as well as the Iron Man Archive Set - Mark II.
Medicom, Disney and Sideshow have all teamed up again to bring us the Viking Mickey VCD (Vinyl Collectible Doll). Medicom - production; Disney - rights; Sideshow - distribution.
Look for this iteration of Mickey, dressed up in his Viking garb, to be released in the 3rd quarter of 2008. But it's currently up for pre-order through Sideshow.
Internationally acclaimed artist Nathan Jurevicius (creator of Scarygirl) will be exhibiting a series of original works and limited edition figures in Toronto at the Magic Pony gallery from May 15th through June 30th, 2008. The opening reception will be held on May 15th from 7PM until 10PM. And Nathan will be in attendance.
He will also be joining the folks at Magic Pony again on Saturday, May 24th, to sign artwork and figures and meet his collectors and fans. A series of limited edition Peleda figures, as well as a super-limited bronze (edition of 30) will be available at the show for purchase and signing.
Magic Pony: Concept Shop & Gallery
694 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1E7
(416) 861-1684
3DRetro has announced that collectors now have a chance at picking up the left over exclusives from the VTN show that ran this past weekend (May 4th).
Exclusives still available are:
If you were a Max Toy Club member...you would have recently received an email like this:
Hi Max Toy Club Members!
Today we offer an extremely limited set of 3, Dai Kaiju Card Monsters from ilanena! Based on vintage trading card illustrations form Japan, these cute but deadly mini vinyls come in Pink vinyl with Black and Metallic Gold paint. Each stands about 3-4 inches tall. Each features exclusive header card art by Mark Nagata. We have fewer than 25 sets for sale. First come, first served... when they are sold out thats it, folks!
If they don't sell out to the Toy Club members...you'll have a shot at picking one up.
Hot Toys has announced their lineup of Aliens vs. Predator Cosbaby figures. Each Cosbaby stands approximately 3" in height and features the following characters in baby form:
I'm just wondering why they didn't do this for Predator 2. Wouldn't YOU have picked up a Danny Glover figure?
The latest Zune Arts video podcast takes you behind-the-scenes with Parisian art director Yves Geleyn during the production of the next Zune Arts film Mother Like No Other. Inspired by Mother’s Day, the film showcases Yves’ innovative use of various fabric, textured papers and photographs to animate his story. The podcast features commentary from Yves where he walks the viewer through his ideas, tools, and inspiration behind Mother Like No Other (featured below). He explains that the style of the film reflects the story narrative, and features a cut-and-paste look and feel that is reminiscent of an elementary school art project that one might make for Mom. Yves also describes how the music in the film, which features LA-based duo The Bird and The Bee's track Come As You Were, helps drive the creative process.
There are just so many poop jokes one can make in reference to Jamungo's line of vinyl Sqwerts. Although, who wouldn't be interested in a line of Hershey Sqwerts?
Anyway...Jamungo announced two new designs from a pair of fairly well-known artists. Brian Morris (the skull face design) and MAD (named Slimeball) will be dropping soon. So keep your eyes peeled...whatever that means.
CWC International has announced a special exhibit featuring the work of Regina Heinlein and the Bilderklub artists at Ogilvy & Mather NY on May 8th from 5PM through 7PM.
Which Way is the Beach? will include a painted mural and other original artwork by Berlin illustrator Regina Heinlein, one of the newest artists to join the CWC International roster. Heavily influenced by nature and folk art, Regina frequently combines imagery of trees and women for work that is compelling both in its beauty and social statement.
A collection of prints by the acclaimed BILDERKLUB group of illustrators (bilderklub.de) will also be on exhibit.
Ogilvy & Mather
12th floor of the Worldwide Plaza
309 W 49th Street, NYC, NY
The I.W.G. Zipper Pull Series from Rocket World will measure about 1" tall. These itty-bitty figures will attach to any zipper pull, cell phone leash, backpack, messenger bag, etc. Now, you can carry and represent the human fighting I.W.G. everywhere you go.
The series includes the original three I.W.G. members (Titus, Affonso and Hannibal) with a total of 17 colorways and 2 mystery chase figures. The series will be blind boxed and include a few human skulls. (These are photos of early sculpts)
Dr. Bao and Spive (aka The NVC Crew) have released photos of their latest custom project: Mad Cow-Boy Disease. According to Bao, the custom Moody "design is very hard for a toy customizer to work with". But it doesn't look like they had any difficulty. A very cool custom.
Background
A small demon named Keek dreamt of one day becoming a true Devil. Lucifer eventually sent him to walk the Earth and create chaos and fear amongst all men. It quickly became clear that Man himself had already created far more chaos, fear and destruction than Keek could ever have caused on his own. Depressed and mortified by what he saw, knowing that his task had been taken from him before it began, Keek walked aimlessly into the darkening world, doomed to forever be…the saddest devil.
Toby Dutkiewicz created the character and story behind The Saddest Devil. And his Devils Head Productions (you might have heard of Devils Head Records) produced a vinyl figure of Keek aka The Saddest Devil.
Packaging
The Saddest Devil is packaged in an interlocking plastic tray, which is inside of a window-front box. The story of the character is print on the back panel. There is a minimal artwork on the box, with most of it looking like the flames of hell.
Remember those ol' 5&Dime paratrooper toys? You'd throw them up in the air and then run after them?
Well Rocket World is releasing our own I.W.G. version. Of course, their version is designer art toy quality and will float down on their chutes just like the original classics. Standing about 1.5" tall with high quality parachutes. There will be a total of 15 colorways between the three characters (Hannibal, Affonso and Titus), including 2 mystery chase figures.
This line will be blind boxed. And some of these Airborne Series will be available for FREE to attendees at SDCC 2008. Just be at the Rocket World Booth #4633 at the right times and one just may float down into your hands.
Cat Rabbit is a Hobart (Australia) based artist and toy designer who constantly creeps citizens out with her odd doll creations. Cat is often seen bleeding from the fingertips whilst looking at kittens in a pet store window.
Her hand-sewn creations can be seen at Ruban Rat Designer Toy Store and Gallery from May 9th until the 29th. The opening will take place on May 9th beginning at 7PM.
Ruban Rat designer toy store and gallery
423 King St
Newtown, Sydney
The Singapore Toy & Comic Convention is scheduled over 2 days - June 28th through 29th - at the Suntec International Exhibition & Convention Centre (Hall 603). The inaugural event will see a celebration of toys, comics, animation, gaming, design, licensing and Cosplay. Admission is free and the event is open to the public for both days.
Boasting up-to-date advancements and cutting-edge products in the various industries, the international flavor of the Singapore Toy & Comic Convention will make the event a major vehicle for setting the tone and shaping trends in pop-culture in this part of the world for years to come.
Background
Beans…they’re good for your heart…right? Well, Beantown Toys puts an interesting spin on the original Boston Baked Bean. Currently, the line has been released as individual Beans as well as Spoon Racers (a Bean on a spoon).
The line is the handiwork of toy designer Matt Doughty (also of Onell Design). So you might end up seeing some interactivity between these figures and the Glyos System series of mini figures.
Packaging
The individual Bean figures are all bagged with a header card. Each piece is packaged with a checklist of the characters in that series.
The Spoon Racers are carded (also with a checklist) and are secured in a plastic bubble.
Bif Bang Pow! has released photos of The Big Lebowski Series 2 stylized vinyl action figures. While the two characters are the same as Series 1, they are dressed in completely different getups.
The Dude - Hoodie is dressed in just that...his hoodie and pajama pants. He comes with a shoulder bag, cell phone and bowling ball.
And the Walter - Secret Mission figure is dressed in his Vietnam fatigues. He comes with the infamous briefcase as well as his own bowling ball.
Trick or Treat! Mezco Toyz has released the above photo of their upcoming Living Dead Dolls Series 16. Being a fan of Halloween (the holiday, not the film) this set will definitely get you in the spirit.
If you're in the Toronto area on May 8th, you'll want to make your way to the Magic Pony Contemporary Artshop and Gallery for the Oh No and Oh Oh figure release and signing with Gary Taxali. The event takes place on the 8th from 6PM through 9PM. You'll definitely want to check out these two new figures from Chump Toys.
Magic Pony
694 Queen
Street West (2 blocks west of Bathurst)
Toronto, ON
(416)
861-1684
Background
Rocket USA recently released Series 3 of Gus Fink’s Boogily Heads. The lineup consists of 6 new characters: Futoro, Skrap Bear, Mummoo, Pumpkin Billy, Scantron and Zuggs (in that order above).
The Boogily Heads line is based on Fink’s original foam sculptures, but they are produced as PVC figurines. I’m not exactly sure what “boogily” is, but I’m guessing it has something to do with the bobble head each figure has at the top of its’ body.
Packaging
Each figure is packaged within a small, rectangular box with a cutout in the front. That open section allows part of the inner plastic tray (and actual figure) to be seen. Each piece is packaged with a collectible mystery “mini comix” and poster. The poster is actually on the other side of the comic. And all of the packaging is covered with great artwork by Gus Fink.
Rocket World's Astro Krieg Mini Figures will have access to their very own Attack Kraft Flying Saucers. Designed specifically for combat, these are compact, fast and agile. They utilize the newest recycled-refuse fuel propulsion engines and are the armed with: 2 high cyclic rate, multiphasic ecodyne death ray laser cannons; real working retracting landing gear; 360 all-view bubble dome canopy; ray gun pistol holster; and human skull trophy carrier. Look for it to be available in 4 colorways. (This is a sculpt photo)
Jamungo has introduced what they're calling the Budscription. For a flat rate of $500, you'll get all of the following (3.75" figures): >
Amanda Visell's Underwater Carnivorous Giraffe will be released from the sea this Sunday at the Vinyl Toy Network show in Pasadena. A limited edition of 25 hand-painted pieces (paired with matching print), these monsters will be available for $300 at the DKE booth.
Amanda should be there to sign your purchase. And if you cant make it to the event but would like to be put on a waiting list in case there are any giraffes left over...just email her.
Shocker Toys has revealed the lineup for their Indie Spotlight Series 2. While most of the characters don't thrill me, I'm looking forward to seeing The Tick. I was a big fan of the cartoon...and even enjoyed the live action television show featuring Patrick Warburton (aka Puddy from Seinfeld) as the title character.
Upper Deck will be releasing two of the brightest NBA stars in their All-Star Vinyl line. This will be the second LeBron James design, if you don't count The LeBrons lineup. On the same day, May 7th, they will also release the first Kevin Durant ASV. Each players will be available in four different styles (roads, home, alternate and all black).
I like the LeBron pose and face sculpt better than the first one, however, I'm not getting the Durant figure. It doesn't look like him, the pose is pretty generic and what's with that cinched waistline?
Background
The world of DreaminGirl was imagined…or dreamt up, if you will…by Ru Sun. Back in 2006, the Brooklyn-based artist started up blackpeach with her partner Keith.
The first plush character released by blackpeach is known as gini-gini. Coming straight out of the DreamForest, the magical guinea pig is DreaminGirl’s favorite pet. Currently, the plush is available in four different colors (blue, pink, green and yellow).
Packaging
If you made it out to NY Comic Con, you would have been able to grab a special gini-gini package including a black drawstring bag and a mug.
While the mug is available for purchase, the first 25 gini-gini plushies sold via the blackpeach online shop will include a free drawstring bag. If you’re number 26, you will end up getting your plush in a plastic bag.
