Special Coverage
The UNKL booth had a number of new products, which they were making available daily. The largest of them - Mak.Po - is one we have been eagerly awaiting. They also had a new lineup of HazMaPo, as well as various SUG and UlliGUS vinyls.
UNKL's much-anticipated MaK.Po will release at their San Diego Comic Con booth in late July 2008.
A nod to Kow Yokoyama's esteemed Maschinen Krieger figures, UNKL had the opportunity to present their idea for MaK.Po to Yokoyama in mid-2006. With Yokoyama's blessing, MaK.Po was created. Two years later, after dozens of production challenges, MaK.Po is now good to go. The ten-inch interpretation of Yokoyama's figures is the UNKL-ized version of the ultimate superhuman fighting suit. All MaK.Po figures come complete with a three-inch HazMaPo (the smallest Haz yet), interchangeable arms, rocket propelled grenade launcher, rocket pack, propeller and cushy velvet interior.
The piece will be limited to a run of 400 green and only 100 orange figures. We haven't found out if all or maybe one of the colorways will be made available at SDCC. But it's nice to see a release date for what is definitely be UNKL's best project to date.
UNKL has announced that their first ever fan designed UniPo series has been released. With 4 designs from artists around the globe, the winners were chosen right around a year ago. The four lucky designers are: Peter Creten (Belgium), Tummie Design (Netherlands), Scott Rench (Chicago, USA) and Rultron (Spain).
UNKL teamed up with Boardeli Longboards to design two styles of their 44-inch longboards. Each design is limited to a run of four total pieces. They will go on sale March 1 on Boardeli's website. And if you pick up the Playing Card board, you will get a set of UNKL's UniPoker figures.
UNKL has released their newest line of UniPo vinyl figures. UniPo Series 5: The Speed Demons consists of three racers and one angry lawman. (They are all the same size)
Derek from UNKL Brand was awestruck after attending a NASCAR race in Texas...so inspired that he decided to create a line of racing inspired UniPo's. The Speed Demons line of 4 figures includes their very own law abiding friend. Look for them to drop in February 2008.
UNKL Brand has revealed 2 new colorways for their popular SUG line of vinyl figure. The Defcon Version 2 should be available this April 1st...and I"m not foolin' you.
When you're thinking about Christmas presents, this is probably much better than being enrolled in the fruit of the month club. UNKL decided to set up their Ipecac Recordings line as a monthly subscription. So you can sign up for the entire line ($100) and then be surprised once a month when you receive the UniPo figure as well as a "show poster"
UNKLbrand has teamed up with Adio Footwear to bring shoe and toy fanatics 1,000 pairs of UNKL-designed Adio Limited Projects Drayton SL shoes. Each pair will be distributed worldwide, and packaged with their very-own Adio + UNKL UniPo figure.
I only thought that ipecac was that lovely syrup used in YouTube videos to induce vomiting and play practical jokes on your friends. Apparently, there is also and independent record label called Ipecac Recordings run by former Faith No More frontman Mike Patton. (I think Epic would crack my top 25 list of favorite songs)
So...UNKL teamed up with Ipecac Recordings to create a line of UniPos that will be released monthly over the span of one year (2008). Each figure will be released individually with a run of 500 pieces per design. The designs above are in order of release with the Ipecac Recordings UniPo released in January and the Peeping Tom released in December.
UNKL has announced two additions to their UniPo line. You might recognize the design from UniPo Series 4. It was apparently so popular, that they've launched a Skeleton Series. The pink colorway is limited to 200 pieces and will be exclusively through UNKL's website, while the silver version will be available at retailers and limited to a run of 500 pieces.
UNKL was showing off their new Wilco UniPo Set at Comic Con. The six piece set depicts all of the members of the Alt.Country band. Collectors also got a chance to pick up the SDCC Exclusive HazMaPo as well as the new Carbon Series. And to round out the new releases were two new SUG and Ulligus combos: Urban Recovery and Search & Rescue.
2007 SDCC coverage sponsored by Max Toy Co
UNKL will end up kicking off their fall lines this coming October with the release of their UniPoker set. UNKL is combining playing card characters with their popular UniPo line of miniature vinyl figures. The Joker, Jack, Queen and King will be randomly packed inside collectible tin box (alongside a set of actual playing cards). Look for them to retail for around $25 each.
UNKL's newest SUG and Ulligus figures will make their debut at this year's San Diego Comic Con. It's been about two years since we first saw the introduction of the first SUGs at Comic Con 2005, and it will be the very first time that the public gets to peek at the completed Ulligus figure.
The yellow SDCC colorway is called the Urban Recovery Series and is limited to 40 pieces each. The orange colorway is called the Search & Rescue Series with a run of 250 pieces.
Well, we knew about the Wilco UniPo 6-pack, but UNKL has now released a schedule with all of their exclusives. I'm not sure if I like the whole "release a different exclusive every day" thing, but it assures you that everything doesn't sell out preview night. For someone who isn't going to the show every day, I guess they need to pick and choose.
Here's the schedule:
Thursday July 26th - Wilco UniPo 6-pack (200 sets)
Friday July 27 - Urban Recovery SUG & Ulligus (40 pieces)
Search & Rescue SUG & Ulligus (250 pieces)
Saturday July 28 - Debut of HazMaPo Carbon Series (250 of each)
SDCC '07 Exclusive HazMaPo (40 pieces)
UNKL's UniPo-By-You Contest netted over four hundred entries (from 18 different countries). They sifted through the entries until they were blue in the face. The folks at UNKL couldn't just pick one, so they chose four. The winning entries are being called "The Fan Series". These little buggers, designed by four immensely talented UNKL fans - Peter Creten, Chatal Knook, Scott Rench and Raul Villares - will hit stores in late 2007.
UNKL will be showing off some new products, prints, and custom toys at Hecklewood on Saturday, May 19th. Come thirsty as they'll have Pabst for those of age.
UNKL Brand has announced that their 2" tall UniPo figures (Series 3 and 4) are now available. There are also a limited number of 6"-ers available through their webstore.
Well...it might be a little early to be looking ahead to San Diego Comic Con...but UNKL has released an image of one of their exclusive sets. Being a fan of Jeff Tweedy's work since he led Uncle Tupelo, it's great to hear that he is a fan of designer toys. Apparently, he likes himself some UNKL products. They discussed doing a set of 6 figures representing Wilco's band members...and voila! The 2" tall UniPo figures will be packaged as a six pack set.
You could get 30 seconds of fame...plus $500 for filming your most creative JunPo movie. UNKL is asking for you to mail in a DVD explaining the "JunPo way". The first place winner will get a nice paycheck, while the top 3 will receive a special showing on their website.
If you're at NY Comic con this weekend, you'll want to check out UNKL's newest figure...available at the Toy Tokyo booth. It's the only shot you have of picking up Kow Yokoyama's 12" tall HazMaPo. There are only 250 of these green and silver figures available, so they will most likely sell out at the show.
Do your thing: create art for a UniPo anyway you’d like and send it to UNKL by either email or snail mail. They’ll pick their favorite from the submissions and do a production run of them. You’ll get a case (20) of them to enjoy and UNKL will get to spread your UniPo all over the world.
Go to: www.unklbrand.com/unipocontest for a downloadable pdf
Email to: derek@unklbrand.com
Snail mail to:
UNKL - UniPo Contest
1631 NW Thurman St. Ste 150
Portland, OR 97209
Can you help save TinPo??
Derek Welch and Jason Bacon, from UNKL Brand, have been asked to chat about the wide world of design and vinyl toys at an upcoming Core77 Offsite event.
Hosted by Portland's own design gurus, Katsu Tanaka and Michael DiTullo, the event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6 to 9 pm at Someday Lounge. The guys will chat about the cast of UNKL characters, the world of vinyl toys and about their design firm, Big-Giant. And there's an open bar. No kidding.
Offsite
Thursday Feb 8, 2007 from 6 - 9 PM
Someday Lounge
125 NW 5th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
503-248-1030
UNKL has teamed up with Kow Yokoyama, whose artwork inspired the amazing HazMaPo figure above. "With some silhouettes of Kow’s Maschinen Krieger figures and vessels we created a “Kamo” to map onto our core character – the HazMaPo." At 12" in height, this giant figure will first be available at Toy Tokyo's New York Comic Con Booth...that's February 23rd.
You have a few months to get set for a little taste of Halloween. This Spring, UNKL will be releasing the latest series of mischevious four 2" tall UniPo figures. Series 4 is entitled Fright Night (for obvious reasons). At this rate...UNKL might release 20 series in 2007.
UNKLBrand has introduced the latest line of UniPo figures (Series 3) - well before their eventual Winter 2007 release. The 2" tall line of 4 figures takes on the look of spacemen dressed up in their space-like suits. These should be a hit when they are releaed...remember to add them to your holiday list for next year.
UNKL Brand is blowing up the much sought after HazMaPo line...to 300% of the normal size. Launching on January 1st, these HazMaPo figures will be 12" in height. The 'Peligro' model - shown above - is the first of many super-sized figures.
For the graphics, we went back to our roots – the hazardous signage we love so much. Warning labels (in Spanish and English) wrap the entire body of HazMaPo while the starry eye watches all. It’s a big statement for people who want to make a point.
Tinpo just keeps getting bigger...literally! The folks at UNKL Labs decided to make slight modifications to their prized gerbil DNA and this was the result: Big ol’ tinpos!
At 6" in height, these tinpo figures are 300% the size of the normal tinpo you might just have sitting on your shelf. They won't be released until December 1st (less than a week away) and would make great stocking stuffers depending on how large your stockings are. It appears that UNKL is going big with a number of their lines...gotta like that!
UNKL Brand has launched the 2nd line of their uber-popular UniPo series. Series 2 includes 4 figures that are 2" in height (the same as series numero uno) and run about $8 a piece. Oh! Plus UNKL has released a 6" UniPo figure (300% the normal size). The larger figure is limited to only 100 pieces, priced at $39.99 and has a slightly different color scheme. (Thanks to Jeff Bell for pointing that out!)
Background
One of the newest, and coolest, product lines from UNKL Brand is the known as JunPo. The initial wave contains 3 rotocast vinyl figures that stand around 6” in height.
The JunPo came out of the shadows just after the turn of the millennium confirming the presence and vowing to continue to protect the human race from the very thing that threatens its existence – greed. These self proclaimed public servants have always been made up of working class laborers with little stake in the world around them. Throughout time they have hidden within unremarkable lives while secretly performing remarkable services that our privileged leaders refused to do or acknowledge. As a result, the JunPo utilize highly specialized skills and an impressive knowledge base bout the world’s strategic locations and government organizations.
Currently, only 3 members have come forward as spokesmen for the organization: AXL (blue), TRAN (green) and RAJ (orange). Axl specializes in deep sea search, rescue and recovery. Tran concentrates his focus on urban chemical warfare. And Raj is the mole of the group, searching and exploring underground.
UNKLbrand is set it release Series 1 of UniPo figures next month. Two weeks later...Series 2 will be hitting store shelves. I'm sure these 2" tall figures will be just as popular as past UNKL figures. Also, look out for UniPo's 6" limited edition big brother.
