ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected

East3 Puts His Mark on Kidrobot

Hawaii-based aerosol artist, East3 presents Mugsy, his premier vinyl for Kidrobot. The 8-inch figure ($39.95) rocks a removable visor, 3 spray cans, 2 markers, articulated arms and an expected release date of May 1st. East 3 was born in San Francisco and raised in Honolulu where he began painting at the age of 14. His first [...]

The Return of 2.5” DIY Qee

SKWAK’s Latest Vinyl Takes The Mono Out of Monochromatic

I was going to append the titular “Toys We Want” to this post, but thought it might make the title too long. That doesn’t change the fact that I want this 12″ $100 vinyl beauty. Here’s what I know now that I didn’t know an hour ago: Last year at SDCC, Buenos Aires artist Juliana [...]

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army - series 1

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army will be one of the blockbusters, and you can anticipate a lot of high-quality merchandise. Mezco Toys is now accepting pre-orders for the Hellboy 2: Series 1 action figures. The set of six figures include Liz Sherman, Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Wink, Prince Nuada, and Johann. The Series 1 set is [...]

Vinyl Toy Network preview: Cameron Tiede

We’re getting closer to the Vinyl Toy Network, and here is another glimpse at what we can expect. Cameron Tiede will be at the Pretty in Plastic booth, and he will also be available for a signing. VTN attendees will get a better look at his latest project, “Melvin.” Via email, he said he’ll show [...]

Obey the Domo!

Originally from Japan, Domo is a cuddly creature with sharp teeth. Starting in June, Dark Horse will offer officially-licensed Domo merchandise. Retailers like TFAW.com are now accepting pre-orders for the Domo 8″ flocked vinyl figure. The Domo figure will come in classic brown, royal blue, fuchsia, and white. I confess that I was a little concerned [...]

New York Soopa Show Draws Talent

If you didn’t get a chance to check out the custom Soopas at the Concrete Jungle in New York, no sweat! You still have an opportunity to buy one of through the Esc-Toy shop. Can’t afford the $950 for Doktor A’s design? Do some window shopping with the Soopa Flickr page. Check out these [...]

Skyway: A Dear & Departed Disneyland Papercraft

From the era of the E Tickets, comes memories of bygone Disneyland rides like Monstanto, the People Mover and Country Bear Jamboree. One cherished, albeit terrifying for any visitor with vertigo, was Skyway to Tomorrowland (which was a D ticket item for those of you keeping track at home). The Skyway, which shuttled riders above [...]

GTA IV Asks For More Munny

If you needed any more proof that GTA IV wins the “Best Game Ever Having Not Actually Played It Yet” category, here you go. Rockstar commissioned Scave (AKA Winston Acosta) to give his godly touch to a custom Munny based on the main character Niko Bellic. The Munny comes with a custom made [...]

Botcon Rolls Out New Transformers!

Who knew that Ohio would give us anything other than The Indians and Bone Thugs n’ Harmony. This past weekend was Botcon ‘08 in Cincinnati featuring the latest and greatest info on everything in the Transformers Universe. It’s a good thing you saved yourself the trip since we’ve got all the toy highlights here. [...]

McFarlane Toys Re-Spawn In Egypt

Not one to ever let up, McFarlane Toys are gearing up for series 33 Spawn: Age of Pharaohs with a great new website. Check out the 6 new figures including images, a bio, and even a virtual tour of the cracks and crevices of each creature. If you’re really ready to geek out, [...]

Tim Tsui: The Da Minci Code

Tim Tsui is one of the pioneers of the urban vinyl toy movement. Da Minci is Bling’s brother who’s a bodyguard and part-time wrestler. Now that we know who everyone is, let’s find out where they are: unfortunately nowhere near my house. However, if you’re in Paris, check out the Artoyz Shop/Gallery to [...]

Which One Doesn’t Belong: American Idol, McDonalds and DEVO?

Artist Mark Mothersbaugh and his bandmates, DEVO, have already been given the toy treatment once (by NECA, see above left). But when it comes to an unauthorized trademark infringement by American Idol and McDonalds, DEVO are “through being cool.” Via Clubdevo.com: McDonald’s fast food restaurants are offering a series of American Idol TV show themed toys [...]

Charles Stephan Puts the Sty Back in Style

Holland’s renowned pig artist, Charles Stephan, Korea’s high-end, ball-jointed Elfdoll and China’s platform proprietors, Toy2r, are doing a collab of international implications with the forthcoming line of Alice Cherry Blossom Qees. “Global Alice” will drop in a variety of skin tones, a normal Qee body and a specially designed pig’s head. Stay tuned for availability. Related [...]

BEYOND TOYS: Moopf Does Moleskines

Moopf is the design business name for UK artist, Gareth Lancaster who does digital cartoons and abstract acrylic illustration. Moleskine is an Italian brand of notebook favored by journalists and hipsters the world over. The unofficial Moopf/Moleskine mashup is a great boon for doodlers and writers alike. In his blog, Moopf confesses: “I’m a bit [...]

Papercraft: Make Your Own Omotchama

Yeah, who needs a robot made of steel and metal when you can have your own made of paper and glue. Highwaychile has created this papercraft of the beloved robot Omotchama from the anime series Yatterman that was wildly popular in seventies Japan. Omotchama, who is shaped like a large dice, was know for [...]

Vinyl Toy Network Preview: Sket One

Vinyl Toy Network is only six days away, and we’re getting ready for the new releases. Sket One started as a graffiti artist, and now he is one of the big names in the vinyl toy business. He will be releasing his Buckeye Rot in two versions: full color and special 3D Retro version (pictured [...]

Blythe Dolls Take Over New York!

Transport yourself to a magical land via the Galley Hanahou in New York city. The Japanese avant-garde art collective ALFORT’s newest installation there stars everyone’s favorite eye changing icon, Blythe. ALFORT, which formed in 2005, always utilizes Blythe dolls as their inspiration and primary medium. This time they have used oodles of Blythe dolls in [...]

Brobee Dunny: Custom and One of Kind…Wah!

I have some mad love for Yo Gabba Gabba. So it comes as no surprise that I scour their websites and blogs to get all the hottest news about my Brobee, Plex, Foofa, Muno, and Toodee. Recently, I happened upon this great pic of a one of a kind custom Brobee Dunny that the crazy [...]

Peter Gronquist: The Revolution will be Fabulous

The mixed media artist Peter Gronquist, creator of the Stella and Roo characters for the Vivisect Playset, states that the “Revolution Will be Fabulous”, well it will be at his “Weapons of Mass Designer Show” opening this Saturday at Los Angeles’s 1988 Gallery. The Bay Area artist has taken a variety of guns and weaponry [...]