Kidrobot has released a sneak peek of the new set of mini Dunnys from Uglydoll creator David Horvath. Unlike the first set, these will be sold individually (and not as a packaged set). Much like the last set of Horvath Dunnys...the mini set and the large Dunny will be released with an interrelated story. The large 8-inch Dunny will be the Eggdrop Dunny (pictured below). So look for the whole story to be released in October.
Also, be on the lookout for the Dunny designed by Sun-Min - it's in the 2-Faced Dunny Set 2.
I.W.G. minis!! We've been waiting for these figures for a long time (or maybe it just feels like a long time). And it appears that our wait is almost over. In time for Halloween, we should all be able to get our hands on the new line of Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo mini figures.
All of Series 1 will be represented. Every 3-inch figure includes the same weapon as their larger counterpart - as well as a skull and crossbones that is damaged according to the type of weapon the figure has. Be on the lookout for this very cool set from Rocket World.
This post has absolutely nothing to do with toys...but since it is a blog...I thought you might enjoy hearing about what YOU can pick up at your local Target store. So, I was shopping with my wife this past weekend and came across the big Halloween display in Target - a little early, but still great for the kid in all of us. I happened upon the Jones Soda Halloween section - Jones Soda and Target have some sort of exclusive agreement.
As most readers realize…I really enjoy Rocket World’s Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo (I.W.G.). The line of figures received my award for the Best Toy Line of 2004 with their initial release of animal characters. Since then, Rocket World (otherwise known as Patrick Ma) has added onto their very popular – and successful – I.W.G. line with a number of new characters. Also, look for the mini figures to be released later this year…and we are anxiously waiting for the Astral Overseers (the extraterrestrial friends of the I.W.G.) to be revealed.
So we all should know the basic premise behind this line. The Astral Overseers infected the members of the I.W.G. with a virus that has allowed them the ability to communicate and form a cohesive group. This group has set out to end poaching and the destruction of the environment.
The 3rd set of 3 I.W.G. figures was released at Comic Con. This included Irra the Owl, Desmond the Dolphin and Astrid the Jaguar. There were also 2 exclusive I.W.G. figures – one through Rocket World and one through STRANGEco. Taharka the Black Rhino was made available through Rocket World and sold out promptly. Huey the Black Panther was sold through STRANGEco – I was able to snag one of them.
The Pony Project is getting together several of today's leading female artists to customize some big 'ol "little ponies". The opening reception is not until later next month, but we will keep you updated as we get closer.
A big Muchos Gracias to Shawnimal (aka Shawn Smith) for designing the current Plastic and Plush banner. I love his artwork as well as his plush and soon to be vinylized toys.
Also, hopefully you checked out NESS's (and yes...it has to be capitalized) banner - displayed last week. It showed all of his super-cool Circus Punk designs.
So who's banner is next?? Well it could be you!! Click here to find out how to submit your design.
"To
beat the man you've got to be the man. Whether you like it or not,
learn, and love it, because it's the best thing going today"
The In-Crowd Wrestling Federation was set up by Daphne Pentonville
(a.k.a. Lord Humungous), with a mandate to bring back the educational
aspects of the grappling arts. The
ICWF was a breakaway from the National Union of Greco-Roman Supply
Teachers (NUGST) formerly known as the Union of Re-Amalgamated
Grappling Instructional Teachers (URAGIT). Objections to URAGIT's
Marxist philosophies, both within the classroom and in the wrestling
ring, provoked terrible in-fighting amongst the Union's various
factions and eventually led to a main breakaway group and the formation
of the Social Democratic-led NUGST.
Only 1 week until Andrew Bell shows off all of "The Creatures in (His) Head" at Wootini. I'll be there covering the events and taking some snapshots to let you all (or how they say it down here in NC...y'all) catch a glimpse of what occurred.
And speaking of glimpses...here's your chance to check out some of Andrew's customized Groobs. He's going to displaying them (and subsequently selling them) at the show. Good luck getting your hands on one of them!
First 4 Figures is proud to announce a partnership with Transformer World 2005 for an art contest like no other! Starting from today, contestants have one month (October 1, 2005) to submit an original picture of a SD Transformer, in either 2D or 3D form. The grand prize winner will have their entry immortalised into an actual statue which will go into development as soon as the winner has been decided. The winner will be decided by public vote.
Here are the rules for the contest:
Entries to be submitted to TFW2005 before October 1, 2005
Unfortunately, sometimes in the designer toy market, a new company will be slightly overlooked. Case in point: Chump Toys. Chump Toys is a very small company just trying to start out…and they have put out a truly amazing first figure. It’s by far and away one of my favorite releases of 2005. Jason Amendolara (the designer and producer) has chosen a great piece of artwork to base a toy on.
The Toy Monkey, Chump’s first delve into the vinyl world, is your prototypical art piece. It was taken from the artwork of Gary Taxali (if you haven’t seen his rustic approach…you need to check it out) and transformed into an 8-inch tall vinyl toy. Now, there are no moving pieces or points of articulation. It’s really just a 3-D representation of a work of art.
There is a removable fez, and the monkey looks good with it on or off (I prefer leaving it on). The fez is not connected in any special fashion. It simply sits atop of the Toy Monkey’s head.
There are 2 different versions of this figure. The first is the Original Toy Monkey – the blue version you have probably seen around. The second is the Whitney Toy Monkey – a greenish-tan version that was created exclusively for the Whitney Museum in New York. The original figure is limited to 500 while the exclusive is limited to 200.
The original Toy Monkey is selling for anywhere between $60-70 around the internet. You can email the folks at Chump Toys to inquire about a signed version they are advertising for $80. Also, if you check out the Whitney Museum store, they have their exclusive version for sale at $85.
So let’s talk about why I feel this is a very cool, as well as underrated toy. (At only 500 units…I really would have expected it to sell out by now) The packaging is a basic cardboard box that has been designed with Gary Taxali’s artwork. So if you enjoy his art...you’ll definitely like the box. There’s always a lot going on in his artwork – with several different layers, as well.
As you can tell, the toy itself is somewhat basic. But it is such an amazing representation of the piece of art it was based on. A lot of the time, figures are based on an artist’s painting…and then don’t convey the same look or mood. You truly feel sorry for this little toy monkey.
No complaints as far as paint applications or sculpting. All around fine job. Let’s just hope that Chump Toys and Gary Taxali continue to release quality vinyl figures such as this.
