If there's such a thing as vaporware in toys...I feel that Shocker Toys' Indie Spotlight Series 2 would definitely qualify. Actually, Shocker is fairly notorious for delays and unreleased collectibles. Ask the folks who are still waiting for the Indie Spotlight Series 2 figures that they pre-ordered in 2008.

What's that? They're no longer Shocker Toys. The company has changed its name to GBJR Toys (for owner Geoff Beckett Jr) and tried to distance itself from Shocker Toys - even though they own the Shocker domain name and all of their licenses and the same person is in charge of the company. Now they've taken to crowdsourcing to get that good old Indie Spotlight Series 2 finally finished and shipped out to you. (Although I'm not sure if that includes those people who paid for them 4 years ago) And they're going to ship out pieces produced by Shocker Toys...even though they're not affiliated with them. Get it?!!

Here's the thing. This is the third go-round at crowdsourcing. The first ended in an unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign. The second was booted from IndieGoGo (apparently some folks complained about Beckett being a scam artist). And now this one is running at the ever famous GoFundMe. 

The goal for the fund raising is $20,000 and GBJR Toys is almost there! $16,916.00 as of writing this. But then you look at the actual donations. $16,485.00 has come from "Offline Donations". So $431.00 was actually sourced via the site. I'm not saying the number is inflated, but an "Offline Donation" would be a good way to overstate the success of a project.

So why am I writing about this? Well I keep getting email updates about the project and I just can't support it. I don't want to see more people lose their money. There's no word of whether the folks who paid and have been waiting for these figures for 4 years will ever see them (unless they re-order them). With the name now changed to GBJR Toys, they've apparently claimed all of Shocker Toys assets...but none of their debts.

**BTW - just Google "Geoff Beckett Scam" for plenty of additional reading. And I'm still waiting for Shocker Toys to send items for a giveaway that I was going to run in 2008 in exchange for advertising on Plastic and Plush.**

Shocker Toys has announced that The Tick and Mucus Tick action figures are currently in stock (who said they were vaporware?). They'll run $24 and $27 respectively (including shipping). Shocker has also given collectors a sneak preview of an upcoming Indie Spotlight figure - comic hero, Madman. Madman will come in an Indie Spotlight 2-pack with Captain Action.

Shocker Toys will be attending the International Toy Fair this weekend, and one of the figure lines they'll be showing off is the Mallows. These 5” tall marshmallow themed designer figures feature up to 10 points of articulation and up to 7 interchangeable parts.

While we've seen some of these licenses, they've added a few new ones...including Madballs, My Pet Monster, Sushi Pack, Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, Fullmetal Alchemist:Brotherhood, Soul Eater, Johnny Test, Monster in my Pocket and more. There will also be a girls only line called Go-Girlz and a featured artist designer series (in addition to the already released blanks).

Shocker Toys is showing off the first design from their Sushi Pack Mallows lineup.The Wasabi Pow figure is our favorite Mallows design we've seen so far. It definitely has that designer figure personality. Not sure when it'll be released, but it's on my purchase list.

We have photos of the SDCC Exclusive Mallows from Shocker Toys. If you're wondering why they are called Mallows...you might want to check out their marshmallow shaped noggin. These are the new designer toy line that's been introduced by the folks at Shocker Toys.

The trio of exclusives include The Phantom, Dr. Rockso (Metalocalypse) and the SDCC Art Mallow. The Phantom and Dr. Rockso are limited to 500 pieces, while the SDCC Art figure is limited to 250. Out of the three, I think I like the SDCC Art figure the most. It'll be a great little momento to commemorate another Comic Con.

Shocker Toys has announced their lineup of San Diego Comic Con exclusives for their booth - #3849.

• Dick Tracy - B&W Suit (6" tall) - 500 pieces
• Dick Tracy - B&W Trenchcoat (6" tall) - 250 pieces (Must get a ticket from booth)
• Dethklok Re-release box set (All 5 band members of Dethklok as vinyl figures) - 500pcs
• Dethklok Dr. Rockso Designer Mallow - 500 pieces
• Phantom Designer Mallow - 500 pieces
• SDCC Art Designer Mallow - 250 pieces

Hmm...I'm interested in seeing what this Mallow figure is all about. It looks somewhat similar to Shocker's Shockini in that it has the block figure look. But does the world need more block figure lines? Discuss.

Shocker Toys will be offering exclusive Black and White Dick Tracy action figures at this year's San Diego Comic Con. This is a first for Dick Tracy to appear as hyper-articulated action figures in creator Chester Gould's black and white comic strip style.

The world’s most famous detective will be available in two limited run color variants. Both will be available on-site at San Diego Comic Con, with the standard issue B&W version also available to non-attendees at Shocker Toys Online Store. The B&W variant figure, which features the detective in his trench coat with a Tommy gun will ONLY be available on-site.