ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected » action figures

Doctor Tongue’s Extreme Makeover

Collin David — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:30 +0000

Lately, the zombie news seems almost as infinite and expansive as the inevitable zombie hordes themselves. Not only does Sideshow continue with their ‘The Dead’ line, and Mezco and Peril Unlimited also have their own zombie collection - but Amok Time’s Doctor Tongue might just be the skeeviest of them all.

Forget about the jiggly intestines of Mezco for a moment - this 7″ figure from George Romero’s Day of the Dead has a jiggly, jawless tongue. As seen in this production shot, the original head sculpt with ‘real’ hair has been scrapped for sculpted hair, as the original ‘real’ hair didn’t look ‘right’ - whatever ‘right’ might be for zombie hair, which I can only presume is a very nebulous definition, and ninth or tenth on the list of zombie priorities, after ‘eat brains’, ‘my leg’s almost fallen off, hindering my ability to eat brains’ and ‘walk slowly towards eating more brains’. Nevertheless, Amok Time has changed their Doctor Tongue design, and the resulting figure is a fan favorite, 7″ tall, $18 zombie.

Zombie Priest Enjoys Confession and Brains

Collin David — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:00:43 +0000

Just when you thought that Sideshow Toys couldn’t get any darker than their Mall Santa Zombie figure from their ‘The Dead’ line, they use Black Friday to hit us with a full-on Zombie Priest, showing that there are no limits to their delightful depravity. Now, if they give us a Zombie Rabbi, we have the beginnings of a hilarious joke.

Sideshow’s ‘Harbinger’ was an immediate buy for me, as I’m swept up into the waxing and waning zombie craze. For $75, the 12″ figure comes with a bible and rosary beads, and the exclusive version comes with a raven perched atop an eviscerated hand. He’ll make an excellent addition to the zombie Babysitter, Street Prophet, Soldier and the other creeps that Sideshow has already made. I admit - after I saw this, I immediately went out and bought Ash Wood’s ‘Les Mort 13‘ figure, because I imagine they’ll be really interesting companion pieces. Subject 2221 : The Harbinger should ship in the winter of 2009.

Adam Hughes’ Exhibitionist Black Queen

Collin David — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:00:39 +0000

Here’s one to explain to the missus.

Sideshow Toys has an ongoing series of 16″ tall comiquettes which explore the most powerful females of the Marvel Universe, as envisioned by Adam Hughes. The thing about Adam Hughes is that in his Universe, everyone has gigantic breasts and no one really bothers covering them up. It’s everything that keeps comics from being taken seriously, and it’s everything that keeps a certain audience of fans coming back for more. DC Comics produced a line of a dozen mini-busts based entirely around Hughes’ art and the obvious ‘bust’ pun that’s irrevocably entangled with female comic characters. But I digress.

Hughes’ sexually overcharged Black Queen actually surprised me. Fully decked out in S&M gear the likes of which we haven’t seen since McFarlane’s Twisted Fairy Tales, whip and all, the Black Queen follows previous 1/5th-ish scale figures of White Queen, Black Cat and Rogue, all selling in the $150 range for 16″ of sexy polystone. Beyond the questionable content, Sideshow’s stuff is always beautifully made, and this one is scheduled to ship in Spring of 2009. The Sideshow Exclusive version will include a bonus print of Hughes’ original artwork.

Some potential ways to explain this to your girlfriend :

The Dark Phoenix Saga was an amazing comic event. (She won’t know any better - it’s comics and it wasn’t about shoes or cooking!)
It’s an homage to the recently deceased Dave Cockrum.
It’s a companion piece to Sideshow’s White Queen comiquette.
It’ll surely increase in value so I can buy you that fancy wedding ring.
It’s an icon of female empowerment. Like Rosie the Riveter… but with enormous boobs. Of power.

You’re welcome.

Rock Band Figures Do Not, In Fact, Rock

Collin David — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:14 +0000

As a Rock Band and figural toy devotee, I was intrigued by the idea that my customizable Rock Band character could be made into a three dimensional figure though an on-demand process, via Harmonix and the Rock Band website. Made-to-order figures surely represent a whole new frontier in customizable, creative toys. What could be cooler than a mini-replica of myself staring at me while I sleep? I mean, one that I didn’t have to feed and buy school supplies for.

While the idea is still an interesting one, the results seem to be troubling, according to the 9 pages of complaints on the Harmonix forums. Using a 3D printer and a computer model, Z Corp will print out your own unique creation, using a predetermined library of costumes and poses. Unfortunately, our current technological abilities are still limited to grainy, slightly ambiguous products made of fragile plaster when using rapid prototyping, and these prototypes are almost always meant to be sanded, smoothed and refined before they even come close to representing a final product.

Not to be outdone by McFarlane’s Guitar Hero action figures, Harmonix is still selling these $75 customized (but static) figures as Rock Band Bandmate action figures. If you’re daring and have an extra $100 to burn for a uniquely designed figure, swing on by the Rock Band website for full instructions - but proceed with trepidation.

Yao Ming, Transform and Roll Out!

Collin David — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:00:44 +0000

You wouldn’t think that basketball super-humungo Yao Ming could ever fit into a basketball, nor would the humorless ultrahuman ever subject himself to such tomfoolery. Nevertheless, not much unlike that confounded spherical Darth Vader-to-Death Star Transformer that owns my soul, Yao Ming can now transform into a basketball.

As spied over on the ‘Hoop China‘ bulletin board (via WebACG, which I can’t make sense of, via something else), this Yao Ming transformer may or may not be authorized or associated with Reebok, may or may not be a custom of some kind, and the translated comments beneath it may or may not be hilariously mistranslated by Google.

“Optimus Prime? Go cry to you!”
“Landlord really strong.”

Either way, the weird culture icon is getting his own robot mode, and it makes me wonder what iconic object I’d turn into, should I have to choose a robot mode. I hope it’s a steak.

Ashley Wood’s Tomorrow Kings Available Soon

Sunny Chanel — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:00:28 +0000

Order Tomorrow Kings today! Okay, well, not today. You can pre-order these bad boys, the new creations by Ashley Wood on December 3rd at 9AM (Eastern Standard Time). This new figure set is called Tomorrow King – “Today’s Princes, Tomorrow’s Kings” and are based on Ashley Woods Popbot comic series. They are very detailed figures with shoes, gloves, saddle bags, swords, and of course, severed heads.

Ashley released some info on how the ordering of these will work: Sets of three will come in a special box containing 3 different TK’s, and 3 severed botheads. Yes the variants will be in some sets. Cost $300 shipped. (75 editions of this set) Single blind box TK with severed head (5 possible variants) $120 shipped. (100 of each standard variant 20 of each variant). Got it? Good. You better set your alarm clock ‘cos you know these figures are going to go f-a-s-t! They will be for sale on Ashley’s Bambalandstore here.

Max Toy Co and Rotofugi Mizaru-1 Space Troopers

Jeremy Brautman — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:00:19 +0000

The previously blogged Mizaru-1 Space Troopers are getting ready to deploy. Mark Nagata designed the ape head for the newest Toygraph figure, and as such, gets a special red vinyl with GID head version (below) for Max Toy Co. Chicago’s Rotofugi will carry a darker, chainsaw-wielding colorway (above). Although the Max Toy Co. version will first be offered to Fan Club members (and only be made available to the general public if there are any leftovers on Friday) this is at least a good shot for US Space Trooper fans to get their hands on one of the most fiended-for and hard-to-access toys of this genre.

Mickeymouse Prime, Transform and Roll Out!

Collin David — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:00:47 +0000

From the e’er burgeoning collection of strange figures that transform and subvert Mickey Mouse (and other Disney characters which were once jealously guarded and litigated over) comes another Transformers crossover - this time, the heroic Autobot Optimus Prime and the heroic rodent Mickey.

While hinted at before, Takara / Tomy have revealed the first full-color shots of the fully transformable toy, which will apparently include a smaller Mickey figure to drive the mecha around - because I know that if I designed a giant mecha, I’d really like it to look as similar to me as possible. Nothing spells battle-ready like glasses and a prematurely receding hairline.

Big Bad Toy Store’s listing implies that there will be a black & white colorway also, and when this strange crossover reaches the states, it should retail in the vicinity of $50. Meanwhile, I’m locked in a 6-month long battle to the death with my Darth-Vader-to-Death-Star Transformer, which is locked in this hellish purgatory of not really falling comfortably into either form. I’ll beat you yet, Hobbled Vader and / or Hastily Constructed Death Star. Trans-Mickey should be far less difficult.

Onell Gives You A Pile Of Junk

Collin David — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:00:32 +0000

From deep within the Glyos system, Onell Design is collecting the detritus that drifts through their spaceways, bagging it up, and sending it to you. Pushing the idea of their detachable, customizable figures even further, they now offer bags of randomized (though marginally imperfect) body parts, guaranteed to comprise at least 3 alien creatures in full - and at less than half the price of a regular figure! $10 isn’t much to pay for a sack of spare parts.

So, if you don’t mind your Pheydens with a purple arm and a green head, and I know that I don’t, swing on by Onell’s Junk Shop, pick up some newly-reduced Crayboths, and if you’re lucky, the Warp Zone will be open and reveal a secret figure for purchase too.

My Name Vaguely Resembles Bruce

Collin David — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:00:38 +0000

By now, you probably know that cult icon Bruce Campbell will soon be starring in a comedy adventure in which he plays a version of himself, though you might not realize that he’ll also be appearing as himself in 12″ action figure form, from Dark Horse. And you still might not realize it after seeing this picture of the figure.

While I don’t think that Dark Horse has made many (or any) ventures in the delicate world of the 1/6th scale figure, this ’scanned directly from Bruce Campbell’s actual giant head’ is a very interesting vision of Mr. Campbell, which might be a vision of pure masculine power when it finally arrives in April of 2009. For now, it’s clear why companies like Mezco vocally shun scanning likenesses instead of sculpting them. This Bruce-ish Campbell comes with a wide variety of accessories that will surely make sense once the movie is released, and will set you back about $50. Of course, the old Sideshow Ash is only about $30 at auction, so choose carefully in your quest for hot Bruce action.

The Hottest Hellboy Yet From Hot Toys

Collin David — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:32:31 +0000

Could there there honestly such a thing as too many Hellboys? I conjecture that such circumstances would be impossible, and Hot Toys would seem to agree with me, pushing me deeper into a world in which I’ll awake one day to discover that I exist in a world comprised entirely of tiny, red Ron Perlman heads.

Even though Sideshow Toys once produced an excellent 1/6th scale Hellboy (as well as an ‘Ultimate’ edition, accessorized to bejesus and back), the 12″ scale geniuses Hot Toys will be releasing their own Hellboy and Abe Sapien sometime next year, based on the barely-altered appearance of the characters in HBII. The two preview images show promises of details that Sideshow didn’t even include, so don’t make a liar of me, preview images!

I’ve never purchased a Hot Toys product, but consider me sent over the edge. All I need is a Jeffrey Tambor / Agent Manning figure and I’m pretty much done with this life.

The Shocking Geoff Beckett Interview

Collin David — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:00:58 +0000

The story of Shocker Toys is a complicated one. It begins with Geoff Beckett - a guy with an idea for a toy, and it progresses through almost six years of trials, controversy, licensing messes, and almost more than anything else, a boisterous personality.

Before any other action figure company had really started connecting with the adult collectors as they do now, Beckett began detailing every phase of the creation of his toys, from the seed of an idea, through sections in-progress sculpts, all the way through to final production. It’s been a very long process, with what promises to be their truly breakthrough toy line, ‘Indie Spotlight’, being stuck in production hell for over two years. During this long gestation period, shelf dates have arrived and passed many times, but the perseverance of Beckett… perseveres.

He’ll be the first person to leap into a prolonged internet fist fight to defend his almost-creations - an unusual role for a company CEO to play, and one that’s made him fairly controversial in the mainstream action figure world. At the core of it all still exists the same ideals that I think reside in most of us - the desire to be toymakers.

Geoff dropped me a line to show off some of his new action figure sculpts, a unique blend of plastics designed to maximize both sculpt and articulation in his upcoming Indie Spotlight series, which will feature small press darlings Shadowhawk, Scud the Disposable Assassin, Katchoo from Strangers in Paradise, David Mack’s Kabuki, and my personal favorite, Sam Kieth’s The Maxx. Each figure will come with a Pink fairy or an Isz from The Maxx, and a Mr. Gone mail-away figure isn’t too far behind that.

We sat down and talked.

ToyCyte : So, for the readers who might not be familiar with your work, who are you and what do you do?

Geoff Beckett : I am Geoff Beckett, CEO of Shocker Toys LLP, makers of the Shockini, Indie Spotlight and other collectible toy lines.

ToyCyte : How did you enter the toy-making business? What inspired you to become a producer instead of just a consumer?

GB : I was always a collector of toys and had many as a kid. I [was playing] a few games of Pokemon with my younger brother and thought I could make a card game myself based on mini robots. I set out to do a trading card game - but the market was too saturated at the time. So, I took the card game characters and decided to make a toy line. I met a regular on Raving Toy Maniac (which was a big mistake) who said he was a sculptor. I gave him a few grand and the idea for our shoulder fighting robot card game characters. Needless to say, I learned as I promoted the toys that our money was taken and I was out of luck. This made some of the media and collectors not so happy with us to say the least.

So, I decided to go it myself. I picked up some clay and sculpted the robots into small 3 1/4″ figures and came up with the name ‘Shockinis’ (Shocker Toys + Minis = Shockinis). I made casts myself, showed them off, got feedback, made them better, and found a factory. ‘I’ became ‘we’ as Lance [Buttiglieri] joined the fold and we became ‘Shocker Toys LLP’ with our first real product : the Shockinis.

ToyCyte : How did you make the original casts? Was it a factory thing, or a kitchen-table thing?

GB : It was a backroom office thing…. I used Smooth-On, [a] great company in Jersey where I was at the time, and sat down and made a bunch of copies and hand painted the robots. During feedback, a collector said we should leave them blank, as we’d shown a blank one as well, which gave birth to the customizable Shockinis. Later, we sent hand casts to the factory and they made real casts through 3-D.

ToyCyte : I’ve customized a few myself, actually, and they really lend themselves to it, even with their small dimensions. So, how do you go from customizable mini-figures to Indie comics heroes?

GB : Well, as with toys I have always been a huge comic book fan too and used to draw and design them as a kid. So when I saw that something was missing between Marvel Legends and DC Universe figures. I thought up the original idea for Indie Spotlight.

ToyCyte : Now, there were some scuffles with ToyBiz over that. since you were both going for similar licenses and lines.

GB : Yes. as I had mentioned, we came up with the original idea and gathered the original licenses. We had the licenses first, as well as the idea, and our confidential e-mail was leaked to [ToyBiz] by an artist who owns a comic company we were pitching to. Next thing we knew, our licenses that were signed under non-exclusive [terms] were with that other toy company.

ToyCyte : So, since then, ToyBiz folded, turned into Marvel Toys, released two lines of their figures, and kinda disappeared. What’s happened with your line in that time?

GB : We had to just take a time out. I called the president of [ToyBiz] and told him my thoughts, as well as the press. We picked a new line up and started on sculpting. We had a few bad runs with that and finally got a new 3-D arm of Shocker Toys in Singapore and a new factory as well. We have, however, released two Indie Spotlight products during the down time - a Scud statue and mini Maxx vinyl.

ToyCyte : And these Indie guys are going to come out in December, yes? Because if they don’t, the nerds are going to find you and remove your organs, it would seem.

GB : That is correct - the line is set to ship in December. Diamond Comics will be stocking [local comic shops], Big Bad Toy Store and Toys ‘R’ Us. Oh, and yes, we have made sure this is it - we would like to keep our organs. We could always throw them our interns.

ToyCyte : Tell me - why do you think it is that there’s so much ire over the words ‘Shocker Toys’? The phrase has even been banned from some forums.

GB : Some people can’t handle that we don’t take to trolls abusing us. I can’t exactly say - but I can say it happened after the defunct Shoulder Action Figures were promoted. We should have kept that quiet, but you learn from your mistakes. We know that this line is great and so will the true toy fans. Some people just have a serious vendetta against us and have gone so far as to make fake websites to smear us, fake Wiki accounts to remove the mention [of Shocker Toys] there, and fake accounts on our forums to hack or vandalize it. It is all a bit childish if you ask me, and news sites who have been [negative towards] our name really need to set an example. If you let trolls run free, it will cause much chaos, and as journalists they should step above that low level.

ToyCyte : It’s rare to see a to company use the idea of ‘radical transparency’ as you have, where you reveal every step of the process. Do you think that this has caused impatience and contributed to the controversy? The average action figure collector isn’t usually privy to the process as they might be with the designer toy creators.

GB : Could be, but what we get back is less backlash when releasing the product, and we learn a great deal more. Without showing The Maxx early we wouldn’t have been able to correct his look, or fix the joint layout - which is something new on Indie Spotlight. I have also noticed that since we began [this] taboo tradition many other companies have followed the lead.

ToyCyte : The new sculpts that you’ve just revealed do seem like an improvement in the joints, absolutely!

GB : Yes we wanted to do a bit different from the ol’ ball and ball [laughs]. We tried to make a new set up, and it will only improve as the series continues.

ToyCyte : Are there any licenses that you’ve secured that you can tell us about, or would that only generate trouble so early on?

GB : We have picked up Sushi Pack, Madballs, My Pet Monster and a few others - we can’t say for what though. We have a new huge toy line planned for Toy Fair 2009.

ToyCyte : What’s your favorite toy? What do you actively collect?

GB : Marvel Legends and [Mighty] Muggs - but I will be collecting Indie Spotlight now… shameless plug.

ToyCyte : These are the toys that inspire you?

GB : All my life toys have inspired me. Some were corny, some were crappy, some were great, but all were toys!

ToyCyte : How do you feel about some day creating a line of original characters, or an ‘urban vinyl’ styled customizable form?

GB : I feel that day is around the corner. As a traditional collector, I have learned to like all toys, and urban vinyl has become part of my collections. Also, we did create the Electrobytes, which are an original robot toy line and were incorporated into the Shockinis.

ToyCyte : And Gwar? People call you ‘Gwarff’ for a reason!

GB : We would like to see it in our 5″ designer vinyl line. As far as ‘Gwarff’ - there is a different story behind that. A net troll (with a family no less) decided to start following us around and sling crap every chance he could. He was told to cease with his comments. So, to get around the ramifications of calling me by my name, he used Gwarff to tip-toe around us. Others who try to cut us off at the knees have also adopted this name. Some of these people are respected news site owners, and other toy industry people. It is a real shame to see this behavior in a collector world where toys should be the focus of talk, not slinging mud into a toy company’s eyes to ruin their image. That gentleman who first called us Gwarff, by the way, was sent free Shockinis for all of his kids before he went postal on us.

ToyCyte : Action figure collectors are a fickle people, I like to think that designer toy collectors are a far more mellow, balanced people.

GB : True, but this industry could accomplish much more by kicking out the trolls and giving a company a chance and proper feedback. If you have a toy company who can make a good toy line with their ear to your floor, you tell them what you would like to see. You don’t tell them they suck.

ToyCyte : How large is your company at this point?

GB : We have The main Shocker Toys people in Jersey, and a few in New York City were we would like to open our new offices. We also have our design team in Singapore. Our GFX designers are th3rdworld.com.

ToyCyte : If NOTHING else, you’ve managed to generate a huge amount of buzz around these Indie guys. No publicity is bad publicity. Everyone is going to want to see them firsthand. People are going to inevitably criticize, no matter what. Are you going to get in there and do the ol’ Fightin’ Geoff, or are you going to let it all slide?

GB : I agree with you there - the naysayers and non-supportive toy news sites caused all of the buzz. We are just going to do what we set out to do : put out great toys, whether it be Dethklok vinyl figures, Indie Spotlight, New Shockinis, other Spotlight categories or our new 5″ vinyl line.

I have been pretty quiet as of late because I knew what was happening on the inside. And once Indie Spotlight Series One hits, I don’t think there will be any need to fight, as the fans will back up how great they are. For some of these haters, it is a sickness and I would say to them “get help”, because the figures have now been seen and they are coming out regardless of what they say. They alone cannot stop us no matter how sneaky they try to be. We will make great toys and we will make new innovative breakthroughs for the industry because it is the industry I have come to love.

The Golden Age Flash Walks Slowly Into Your Collection

Collin David — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:00:49 +0000

I’m having a ‘Flash’ kind of day, so the announcement of DC Comics’ 1940 incarnation of The Flash in 1/6th scale tickles my tendons. DC Direct has already made a vast variety of their characters in this glorious scale, including 2 Batmen, the modern Flash, Catwoman, Aquaman, Batgirl and my favorite, Bizarro - but the original Flash is the very first Golden Age hero that their large scale line addresses.

This Flash probably has earned my affection with his resemblance to a black and white movie serial hero, impractical speed-hat and all. That thing’s a hindrance, man, but I suppose it’s the price we pay for an art deco fetish. This Flash isn’t known for his accessories, but his hat will be chrome-plated, and the lack of additional accouterments won’t stop him from costing $100, but it also won’t stop me from bringing him home.

Go Hero’s Flash Gordon Makes Progress

Collin David — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:00:03 +0000

If it’s not too obvious by now, I have a deep affection for very old science fiction, so when Go Hero recently revealed the full head sculpt and die cast weapons of their upcoming Flash Gordon figure, I was already sold. I’m not talking about that 1980s Queen noise - I’m talking about 1935 Buster Crabbe, sweatshirt-with-a-lightning-bolt-on-it stuff, back when rayguns were the height of masculine future-tech and Jean Rogers’ huge eyes cold seduce the bejesus out of the Pope.

Go Hero’s Flash Gordon, due out in the spring of 2009 and retailing for $145, has been revealed to come with no less than two ray guns, a metal sword and a mini model rocketship. Their work-in-progress Buster Crabbe head sculpt is a work of pure art, and the prototype for the final figure is uncanny. I’m very excited to get this 1/6th scale spaceman next to his Buck Rogers counterpart (also played by Mr. Crabbe) for some kind of crazy space display.

Go Nuts for This Limited Edition Darth Vader Figure

Sunny Chanel — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:30:07 +0000

When I think of nutcrackers, I think of Sugar Plum Fairies, hard shelled walnuts and typical Christmas emphemera. But this limited edition Steinbach Star Wars Darth Vader Nutcracker, well, that changed all that.

Looking more like a large scale action figure than a contraption to shell nuts, this piece was made by the world-renowned go-to nutcraker gods, Steinabach of Germany. Steinbach of Germany knows their way around a nutcracker: they’ve been making them for over a hundred and twenty five years.

This wacky contraption is handcrafted from “select European hardwoods”. The figure is 18 ½ inches tall and has a vinyl cape and Darth’s classic black helmet. This piece is a limited edition in one of their Star Wars series. And if you think that a nutcracker would be a nice cheap Christmas present for that Star Wars love in your life, think again. This high end nutcracker, yes nutcracker, will put you back $359.95.

SkekSil Whines His Way Into Your Wallet

Collin David — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:00:13 +0000

I spent most of my formative creative years inspecting every corner of Brian Froud’s ‘The World of the Dark Crystal’ and subsequently twisting my brains around the film, so it has a unique place carved out in my psyche - right alongside Galaxy High and Pee Wee’s Playhouse. This month, NECA will launch their line of Dark Crystal figures, beginning with the most evil of all of the Skeksis, skekSil the Chamberlain.

At six inches tall and ridiculously ornamented in true Froud style, I’m excited to see how these animal-like forms translate into action figures, being relatively ambiguous in the film itself to allow for puppeteering. Still, no one but Henson is capable of creating such a solid, immersive world of dark fantasy - and this will make a great companion to NECA’s ongoing series of Labyrinth and David Bowie’s Crotch action figures, also culled from a similar Henson-and-Froud-created universe. Just don’t keep them with your Muppets. Leave them their crotchless innocence.

Here’s hoping for an army of Landstriders, those crazy gem-bats, a gathering of urRu, a pile of half-dead Gelflings, and a giant superdeluxe light-up urSkek to bring it all back around.

Pre-Teens Build Mechas at Robot Galaxy

Collin David — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:00:22 +0000

Think of it as a ‘Build-a-Bear Workshop’ with lasers instead of asphyxiating cuddling or the word ‘wuv’.

At three locations in New York and New Jersey (including the mighty Times Square Toys ‘R’ Us), Robot Galaxy shops have opened, allowing robo-thusiasts to assemble their own unique mechas out of a large pool of parts from a dozen different robots. Not only are the plastic parts durable (as one would expect from a $40+ robot), but the robots include programmable voice functions, motorized parts, launching missiles and LEDs. It’s hard to argue with mechas that have interchangeable parts and internet connectivity. And a drill hand. I wish I had an optional drill hand.

The aesthetic of the pre-built robots spans a wide visual berth, from Rescue Heroes to Crystar to Cylon, so creating amalgamations of these robots could be either wondrous or disastrous, but undoubtedly a neat experience. Putting the ‘designer’ into the hands of pre-teen kids is a good start towards something even better.

The Mistress of the Dork

Collin David — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:00:10 +0000

I have nerd-crushes on just about every quirky semi-celebrity from Tina Fey to that redhead from Mythbusters, but it’s time to come clean : I have a secret crush on Elvira. She might be twice my age and possibly undead, but I simply cannot resist a pale, dark-haired woman. Especially one who likes really bad horror flicks - and now she’s a giant figure from Tonner.

Since Amok Time’s 12″ Elvira figure hasn’t materialized since last year’s announcement at Toy Fair, we can go five inches better better and fulfill our Elvira-related desires with Tonner Dolls‘ 17″ designer figure of her, released exclusively during Tonner’s recent Halloween celebration and sale. Tonner is the very essence of ‘designer’ in the doll world, specializing in supersized figural fashion dolls donning fashions designed by the company’s founder, Robert Tonner. Having recently expanded into designing DC superhero dolls (with a touch of Marvel), Tonner is gaining some visibility in the world of comic nerds who can look past the fact that under that retro Batman suit, you’ve basically got a very effete looking doll on display.

Elvira, however, is usually pretty great any way you look at her. Limited to only 300 figures, almost sold out, and never to be re-released in any variant forms, the articulated figure retails for $175, and walks that always entertaining line between class and pop culture. It’s worth browsing through the Tonner site for a deeper look at a whole range of original products and a very unique perspective pop-related collectibles.

Villains, Rayguns and More Contests from Go Hero

Collin David — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:40 +0000

In order to give their upcoming Buck Rogers toys and replicas the arrival that they deserve, Go Hero is sponsoring three concurrent creative contests across our grand ole Web. I’m a total sucker for any contest that wants me to make wacky stuff, so I’m all atwitter.

Over at One Sixth Warriors, Go Hero wants us to customize a 12″ space villain from the future, be it in the Buck Rogers aesthetic or otherwise. If the forum members over at OSW don’t rend you a new one, you might just win the stellar $175 Buck Rogers figure. So, customizers, get our your sewing needles and sonic screwdrivers - and no digital renderings allowed! This has to be hardcore, oldschool and concrete, and you have until early January.

And over at Toys R Evil, the mission is rayguns. Make your own fancy raygun out of - well, whatever you want. Lunchmeats, the bones of dead relatives, calculators and other such materials are all welcomed. I’ve been sketching out rayguns for about a year, so you can obviously try to compete against me, but only if you enjoy being humiliated. The raygun should be roughly 1:1 scale, and again, it has to be a real nonfunctional raygun, as drawings and 3D renderings are for wusses.

And for all you designers who restrain themselves to two dimensions, keep an eye on Vinyl Pulse, who will soon list the details for an ‘In The Future’ art contest with undisclosed prizes, which will undoubtedly be Buck related.

Barack Obama Dragon In Dream 1/6-Scale Action Figure

Jeremy Brautman — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:15:56 +0000

I guess it’s like apples and oranges, but when you compare the Hero Builders Sarah Palin 12-inch action figure that got so much press to DiD (Dragon in Dream) Corp’s 12-inch Barack Obama action figure that hasn’t gotten so much press yet, you are rendered kind of speechless. I don’t collect 1/6 scale action figures and I enjoy a certain degree of abstraction in my designer vinyl toys, but come on, look at this: the likeness to our next U.S. president is unreal. The level of detail is crazy. The DiD Corp specializes in realistic hair and clothing. For $69.99 USD shipped you get the action figure, an American flag, a stool and some gesticulating hands to change out. I’m a bit unclear whether you also get a change of heads (with different facial expressions) or if each figure is sold separately.

The DiD Corporation was established in 2003 and has has produced four lines of figure series including 12” Military Figures, 12” Fashion Figures,12” Movie Figures and 12” X-Games/Sports Figures. DiD’s pursuit of high quality and diversification of products and parts results in sought-after figures with realistic, lifelike accuracy.

You Got Alien in my Predator

Collin David — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:35:18 +0000

I don’t really want to think about the organs, motions and fleshy rendings that had to take place in order to create the PredAlien, but there’s no doubt that Sideshow Collectibles had to ponder every gory detail in making their own. I’ve never been completely sold on the whole Alien and Predator thing, but I’m always up for a good monster, and the PredAlien is just as valid as any Dracu-Mummy or Wolfenstein.

The PredAlien maquette stands at 14.5″ tall, just a little shorter than the Hot Toys version of the same creature, which was a little different in appearance and also hovered around the $200 price point. Incidentally, this PredAlien demonstrates the creature’s appearance during earlier conceptual stages - which is a proclivity that Sideshow had showcased before with their X3 Beast maquette. Not too many companies make that bold move of creating epic replicas of ‘things that weren’t good enough for the film but we think are neat anyhow’. Fortunately, Sideshow is pretty spot on, and neatness doth ensue.

Mezco Unleashes The Wolfman (and His Medallion)

Collin David — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:36:04 +0000

In anticipation of 2009’s ‘Wolfman’ cinematic re-debut, Long Island’s Mezco Toyz has revealed an image of their movie-based 7″ Wolfman, complete with ‘hygiene is overrated’ Zach Galifianakis hair and Benicio Del Toro’s already vaguely animal face. There’s a reason he played a character named ‘Duke the Dog-Faced Boy’.

The classic-monster inspired figure is scheduled to include various lycanthropic accessories, as well as an unspecified number and variety of variants. Knowing Mezco as I do, I wouldn’t rule out a mid-transformation Wolfman, a bloody variant or a large, freaked out, stylized Wolfman.

Exclusively revealed here on ToyCyte for the first time is the Wolfman Medallion replica. It’ll be life-sized, cast in actual metal, and includes the pictured metal chain for complete wearability. I’m a sucker for props and prop replicas, so Sideshow Toys, anytime you want to send over a Hellboy 2 Samaritan, I’ll be waiting at the door. Mezco’s Wolfman Medallion is sculpted on both sides with mystical images which may or may not imbue the wearer with uncontrollable urges and hirsutism.

Also on the top secret Mezco front, recent conversations with Mike Drake have revealed two strange morsels of information : they’re planning on creating figures from two more properties in the coming year. One of them is a children’s book that hasn’t had figures in over 20 years, and one of them is a video game franchise that has never had figures before. Start your conjecture.

Mighty Muggs, Transform and Roll Out!

Collin David — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:00:15 +0000

Hasbro’s interesting foray into the ‘designer toy’ world has now absorbed an array of Autobots and Decepticons. Defying and redefining the very core values of what is appealing about robots, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Soundwave and Bumblebee are getting the chunky, chubby Mighty Muggs treatment. No, they don’t transform, and no, they’re not all sexy and jagged as warring alien space robots (or Callista Flockheart) are meant to be - but they do manage to combine two very essential elements of things that we all know and love, like a fedora made of bacon.

At 6 inches tall, they have a fair amount of heft and presence, and given Hasbro’s solid history with pumping out wave after wave of new characters in their Muggs properties, robo-fans can be assured of at least a dozen more of these odd amalgamations. They’ve already mashed Transformers in with cutesy PVC figures, Star Wars and Marvel Comics. Next stop : My Little Primacron.

Hauke Scheer Hand-Paints Surreal Resin Monsters

Collin David — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:48:50 +0000

I really don’t know what’s going on over in Germany, but I have concrete evidence that it involves robotic seahorse soldiers, pigs on stilts, and a homoerotic dog bounty hunter named ‘Dick Satisfaction’. I’m a little queasy, really. But mostly with fascination. And a little barechested man-dog.

Artist Hauke Scheer began customizing his own original action figures, and eventually moved into modeling them in 3D and ordering one-off resin prototypes from China, which he’d then hand-paint and use as display figures at shows and for potential customers - and they’re exceptionally bizarre. His unique collection displays an intense fetish for all things nipple (as bounty hunter Dick Satisfaction somehow launches hand grenades from his, after stretching them out a foot or two), but a majority of his figures are very kaiju-friendly, clearly showing a fondness for surreal monsters and robot-suited abominations. His work is definitely worth taking a good look at - and if we beg him hard enough, we may someday have our very own Calamor figures.

Build an Army on the Cheap with Onell Designs Crayboths

Collin David — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:25 +0000

Much to the delight of my darker, ‘gonna build a crab army to rule the world’ desires, Onell Designs has just dropped the price of their crab-like Crayboth 2-packs. Now, instead of paying $8 for 2 various Crayboth colorways, they’re a mere $6 - and some of them even glow in the dark. As Onell has demonstrated in their blog, the Crayboth’s primary strength is in huge numbers.

Some kind of portmanteau of “CRAb” and “whY BOTHer with anything else ’cause crabs are awesome”, the Crayboth can also intermix parts with the main line of Onell’s Excellis and Pheyden figures, extending their height and reach from their usual 1″ frame. You might even recall a ‘Parasitic’ version of the Sky Deviler figure filled with these guys, though I can almost guarantee that inviting a large quantity into you house will only infect you with awesome.

Jin Saotome Customizes for a Cause

Collin David — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:00:44 +0000

The outstandingly popular action figure customizer who goes by the name of Jin Saotome has listed a modified McFarlane Toys ‘Halo 3 Elite’ figure on eBay. And it’s pink. Not the official McFarlane Halo trooper in pink armor - this guy is a monster in pink, which changes everything.

Saotome’s customs, usually modified and improved versions of existing figures, often sell for huge bucks - and this time, he’s graciously donating 100% of the proceeds from this auction to the American Breast Cancer Foundation - Saotome’s popularity ensures that the proceeds from this auction are increasing every hour. While you’re there, check out the awesome Candlejack action figure, from the short-lived ball of genius that was Freakazoid, or the ass-kicking Lion-O on his website.

A Hot Suckadelic Injection for Your Monday

Sunny Chanel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:15:32 +0000

What does your Monday need? An injection of some seductive Suckadelic action. New to the distribution scene (but familiar to auction followers and ToyCyte readers) are some sweet pieces of Suck Lord magic:

First you can get bit by the red hot fire of the Afrodisiac: Scorpio. This female figure is part of the “blacklight series” and is limited to just fifty pieces. The retail on this babe is $35. The pieces that look almost like Little People possessed by Satan is the Suckadelic “More Stupid Adventures”-branded Necromancer Suckpeg. It’s part of the Basic Series and is limited to just forty pieces, numbered and priced at about $30. Also available is the Sucklord 669: Gay Empire Edition which features a custom paint job “by the evil Sucklord himself.” This edition is limited to just fifty pieces, numbered and goes for $37.50. For more info on Suckadelic, check out his site here and while you’re spending some time on the web, check out the amazing commercial he did for his previously released Sucklord 600 Vinyl Figure here.

Still No Sign Of Cloverfield

Collin David — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:34 +0000

Remember Cloverfield? You know, that movie that we all wished was about some kinda crazy Cthulhu attack but ended up being about 2 hours too long? Well, it has an action figure - it’s just not out yet. Way to hit the Cloverfield buzz at its peak, Hasbro.

The Cloverfield action figure debuted about a year ago around Toy Fair, and despite the gigantic mystery surrounding the appearance of the Cloverfield monster which drove the film buzz to a fever pitch, the first official images that we actually saw of said city-crushing monster were in action figure form. A big, goofy $100 action figure that still hasn’t been released. Godzilla fans never got the real good hit of kaiju goodness that was promised, despite a relatively successful theatrical run.

Recently, Hasbro erroneously sent out e-mails to collectors who’d ordered the Cloverfield behemoth a year ago, stating that their orders would be canceled, inferring that the no-longer-profitable monster would not make it into final production. After conferring with Hasbro, it’s been confirmed that the 14″ tall Cloverfield monster will, in fact, arrive in December. So, quell the rumor mill - you’re getting your disappointing monster after all.

The Gorilla’s Got a Bomb!

Collin David — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:01:23 +0000

There’s something about a gorilla action figure that I just can’t get enough of - Monkeyman, Gorilla Grodd, Ultrahumanite, King Kong, and now, Raymundo Toys’ ‘Mecha Gorilla’ joints the simian ranks.

Hailing from Toho’s 1967 film ‘Kingukongu no gyakushu‘, ‘Mecha Gorilla’ is more commonly known by ‘Mecha Kong’ or ‘Mechani-Kong’, though Raymundo eschews these clear titles for some reason, possibly related to copyright issues. The kaiju Gorilla comes in two forms - one with a bomb belt and a closed mouth, and one belt-less Gorilla with an opened mouth. These seem to only be sold as pairs, running about $110 bucks from Big Bag Toy Store, and limited to ONLY 250 pairs. BBTS reveals the sculpted prototypes, but the final figures will be an accurate metallic silver.

And am I wrong, or does that head look REALLY freakin’ familiar?

Interested parties can also get an actual mini-replica of that head with Palisades Toys’ old Muppet Labs playset.

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