"Candy Corn" Smorkin' Monger Jerome from Kozik x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink for NYCC

 

    Every year about this time I go candy corn stupid.  I'll get caught up in all the Halloween prep, buy a bag of candy corn, and be instantly reminded of why I'm supposed to remember to never buy candy corn.  I can ingest maybe four pieces before a wave of death nausea washes over me, rendering any remaining part of the day useless as I try to sleep it off.  Then I usually take the rest of the bag to work, because despite how evil this devil's candy is, I still can't just waste em.  And I'm usually mad at those people anyway, so it's a win-win.

    Did you know New York Comic Con is coming up?  Well it is suckas, as in next week, and of course I have to go.  I had been pretty good about not getting too excited for any exclusives, basically for the sake of my wallet.  But my accountant will be happy to know that this toy is as affordable as it is desirable, so now she can work harder on getting me that tax exempt charitable status instead of nagging me about nonsense.

   Jerome is the brain (freeze) child of Frank Kozik and is produced by Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink.  This four inch tall ice cream dude with a filthy habit is limited to only 50 pieces: 25 of which will be available at New York Comic Con, and 25 to be made available online October 13th at www.rotofugi.com.  For convention goers, you can find them at the Clutter Magazine booth for $19.95 each.  You should probably save me one just cause I won't make it to the con until Saturday.  Thanks in advance, boo boo.
    

Kozik x Kidrobot's Tribute to All Things Delicious

    I am usually against posting sneak peaks because they lack all of the important details you, my very intelligent and quite attractive readers, need to make an informed purchase.  Today, I make an exception for all things that are both delicious and made of chicken.  Never have I loved something that causes me so much intestinal distress as I love KFC.  Even though I haven't had it in years (for my own health and that of public restrooms in Southern New Jersey) I can still taste the Colonel's original recipe like I just housed an entire bucket of deep fried heaven.  And let us not forget those delicious biscuits that they never give you enough of.  Fill a bucket up with those too my friend, and let us feast like peasant kings!!!

    I've been following the developments of Frank Kozik's chicken man ever since he first posted up the beautiful 3D sculpts from Bigshot Toyworks, and now it looks like Kidrobot will be producing these suckers in the very near future.  Just look at these renders below and tell me with an honest heart that you don't want this:

    See, you couldn't do it cause then you'd be a liar, and liars don't get any chicken in my house!!!  Let's bring a familiar friend back to tell you just how I feel about this toy:

    Yes I do little otter buddy. Yes I do.  

A Rundown of Upcoming Kidrobot Releases

    Sometimes in this life you just need to cuddle something.  Sometimes you need to sit on the couch, watch your DVR'd episodes of Naked and Afraid and just snuggle up to something soft and warm.  Sometimes your cats get sick of you holding onto them like a fuzzy little therapy doll and will bite you repeatedly to get you to stop crying on their fur.  If this sounds like you than you are the perfect candidate to own these plush buggies from the hit game Best Fiends and Kidrobot.  Look at how adorable they are, just waiting for to pick them up and melt away the stress of the day.  As an added bonus their teeth seem to be made of felt, which last time I checked will not cause unwanted blood loss.  Best of all they're available right now for only $5.99 each at www.kidrobot.com.  

    I've really gotta get out and get a hair cut today.  I'm starting to look like a Sears catalog model from the '70's.  No not the underwear dudes, more like the husky section, which truth be told doesn't seem that flattering now that I'm reading it.  Maybe I'll actually run to the Hair Cuttery and sweat out some of this manliness.  

    I'm thinking I could pull of this sick Baby Huey fade.  You gotta admire someone hell bent on destroying our country who looks so ridiculous.  Maybe if he let his people have the internet one of his advisors could tell him that the old high and tight may work for Dolph Lundgren, but not so much on his pumpkin head.  Frank Kozik's depiction of this megalomaniac will be available starting this Friday, August 7th, from your favorite toy retailers.  Available in two different colors and priced at $65 each, you can easily afford to get em both and impose your own UN sanctions.   

    This is what I like to see.  Yes, of course I like to see Dunnys cause they're my jam and whatnot, but I like to see new artists get a shot at making awesome production pieces.  Way back in the past you couldn't have had all the Dunny artists in the same van at once because if something tragic happened that would be the end of the line.  It was a serious issue.  But the new regime at Kidrobot knows that there are talented folks all over this world who can bring it when it comes to designing a toy.  One of these new talents is Wuzone, who killed it with his debut 8 inch figure.  You can pick one up next Friday, August 14th wherever you like to buy your toys.  

The Christmas Dunny Has Returned Courtesy of Frank Kozik x Kidrobot

    I'm a sucker for a good theme.  Even though the food is usually terrible I love a good themed restaurant and have eaten at Planet Hollywood, The Hard Rock Cafe, and even the WWE joint when that was still a thing in Times Square, just to be able to see the decor.  How can you not love an excessive display of grandeur all made in an attempt to make you eat otherwise unpalatable food?  I had my own idea for a theme restaurant once, but it was all based on the employees.  I wanted everyone that worked there to constantly be involved in dramatic situations throughout their shifts.  One server would pretend to have a nervous breakdown, two more would get into a verbal altercation, maybe another would fake an amputation at the hand of a deli slicer.  I'm nosey and I figure lots of other people are too, and what better way to enjoy a good meal than have a bit craziness thrown in.  For some reason Gordon Ramsey won't return my calls looking for an investment.  

    What was the point of all that again?  Oh yeah, I love themes, and it broke my heart last year when Kidrobot didn't release a Christmas Dunny.  Ok, that might be over selling it, but I do look forward to them every year which is why I was excited to find out that Frank Kozik's little elf buddy you see there will be released in time for the holidays.  myplasticheart broke the news last night on Instagram and is now taking preorders for these, with more stores sure to be following suit.  Now if I can just convince them to release a Dunny for Leif Erikson Day.  

Smorkin' Monger Jerome from Frank Kozik x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink Available Now

    Me and ice cream aren't friends.  We used to be back in the day, but then something happened between ice cream and my digestive system and they have been enemies every since.  It's probably been 20 years or more since that cool, refreshing dairy treat has passed my lips, but I still remember it well.  If I try hard I can almost taste the sweet vanilla goodness of a soft serve cone, but then my stomach seems to get wind of my mental betrayal and starts rumbling in protest.  If the US and Cuba can put aside their differences you would think a bit of diplomacy would go a long way in healing this rift in my body, but I seem to be doomed to a life where ice cream is but a distant, delicious, memory.

    Frank Kozik debuted this giant sized Smorkin' Monger named Jerome at San Diego Comic Con, but now he is available to all of us unable to attend.  Produced by Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink, this 4 inch figure retails for only $15.95 and is available right this second at www.rotofugi.com 

My Top Ten Favorite SDCC Exclusive Thingys

    Yeah, sure, that's a tad bit dramatic, but seeing everyone's pictures from San Diego Comic Con makes me REEEEEEAAALLLLLLLLYYYYYYY wish I was there.  Thankfully New York Comic Con is coming up soon or else I would be losing it for real.  In the spirit of my depression let's take a look at my top 10 favorite exclusive things that are available to convention goers as we speak.  

    Despite our best efforts, Sharon and I still have space left on our walls at home.  We've determined that we hang our pictures "salon style" which they used to do back in the day, and it is a much better term than "a visual representation of mental illness style", which we had been using prior.  These three prints from Kidrobot and artists Brandt Peters, Frank Kozik, and Scott Tolleson would indeed take a place or prominence amongst our collection.  Pick em up during each artist's signings at Kidrobot's booth #5645.  

     That beauty to the right is the comic con exclusive Berry Chocolate Lady Dunny from Junko Mizuno x Kidrobot.  What words could I use to express my desire to have one?  Just look at it.  

    Thakfully, Frank Kozik's ice cream dude Jerome is merely debuting at comic con and will make its way online at some point afterwards from Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink, otherwise I might have had to hire myself a toy mule to procure one.  If you're there, get one at booth # 5248.  If you're not, practice the difficult art of being patient.  Trust me, I need all the practice I can get.  

    Shub Zeroth Misfortune Bags courtesy of Metacrypt and Brian Ewing's booth # 4503 should be on everyone's must-have lists.  Not only do you get a sweet sofubi monster toy, you get a bag to carry it in.  That's a convention blessing.  

    Super7 is straight killing it this year with their Skeletor's Lair pop up shop located in their San Diego retail store.  You can't go wrong with nostalgia presented in a fresh way, like this Chia Pet Moss Man.  Genius!  

    A soft vinyl Skeletor collaboration with Gargamel?  Sign me up, son.  I can't wait to see painted and marbled versions of this, which are gonna blow my mind/bank account wide open.  

     You know its true love when you find an amazing toy at a bargain of a price and that's exactly what Headspace from Luke Chueh and Munky King is.  And the best part is that there will be some available on their website at a later date, so stay the hell away from eBay cause all hope is not lost.  

    JJ Abrams did such a good job with the new Star Trek movies that I'm confident Star Wars is gonna be awesome.  I'm so confident, I would totally by this Black Series Storm Trooper without thinking twice.  

    I'll be more than happy to welcome this 20 inch hologram Darth Vader into my life.  

    Anything from Weta Workshop.  Seriously, have you seen pictures of their booth?  It's an event by itself.  Everything they do make me weep tears of joy.  

Frank Kozik x Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink Exclusive "Jerome" for SDCC

    I'm probably going to get hit for telling this story, but it makes me laugh every time I think of it, so a black eye might be worth it.  Don't say I've never bled for my art.

    We live a short drive from Wildwood, NJ , which is somewhat akin to purgatory by the sea.  See, people with kids a who are really afraid of germs go to Ocean City, while those of us that like to people watch and aren't concerned about catching a criminal record go to Wildwood.  Obviously the wife and I gravitate towards the latter, so every summer we get excited to almost get run over by the tram car and watch silly tourists have their food stolen by seagulls the size of golden retrievers.  Once while walking down the boardwalk my wife grabs me by the arm and has a concerned look plastered across her face.  I thought maybe she lost her wallet, or left her phone in the car, but I never could have expected what she told me:

"My mole fell off."

    After taking a moment to process what I just heard, she showed me a mark on her shoulder that had once housed the now absconded mole.  Evidently the strap of her purse had acted like a makeshift saw, cutting that sucker at the root and separating it from the rest of her body.  I knew I couldn't miss an opportunity this, as how many times will skin imperfections find themselves flying off my wife's epidermis?  I told her that I saw something drop from her shoulder but just thought it was a piece of lint from her tank top and it landed in a woman's ice cream as she passed by us.  

   The look on her face was a mix of horror and hilarity as I tried my best to convince her that some stranger was ingesting and oddly shaped and textured sprinkle even as we spoke.  I even pointed out the lady that was turning into an unwilling canibal courtesy of her frozen treat.  "I wonder if she's going to wake up tomorrow with a craving she can't explain to ingest every blemish she see." Sharon wasn't buying it and I ended up with a bruised arm for nothing but even now it still makes me laugh.  

    I don't think there are any moles hidden in Jerome's swirly little head, but he does like to smoke so you may find a stray ash or two.  Frank Kozik's ice cream bro will be making his debut at San Diego Comic Con courtesy of the folks that produced him, Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink.  But fear not those of you who crave nicotine-addicted dairy products, for there will be an online release to follow shortly after for those of us not at the convention.    

    

Kidrobot Returns To Conquer SDCC

   Last year, Kidrobot decided to skip San Diego Comic Con.  Maybe someone ate some bad takeout, or maybe they just couldn't find anywhere to park (I've heard that's a nightmare) but it doesn't really matter what the reason is, because this year they're storming the place like Ragnar and company stormed Paris.  Probably with more showers and less bleeding, but who can say for sure.  So hang onto your britches while I give you the rundown of everything I know about what's they have planned.  

   You see those prints up there?  Of course you do, it was one of those rhetorical questions and you actually didn't have to answer out loud, though I appreciate your enthusiasm/willingness to have your family think you're nuts.  The release of these three prints will coincide with Brandt Peters, Frank Kozik, and Scott Tolleson making appearances to hang out with you lucky convention goers.  There are less than 200 of each print, and they will be $25 each.  That is unless you're super dedicated and one of the first 50 people in line for each artist's signing, then you'll get one absolutely free.  That will leave some funds for you to get exactly two bottles of water from one of the food carts.  You know what, screw that, use it to buy toys.  You can always drink from one of the bathroom sinks.  

    If you're a Junko Mizuno fan and you haven't found a mule to get you that pretty little lady on the right, I would start calling friends ASAP.  Anyone and everyone will have the opportunity to own the original colorway of this 8 inch Dunny (on the left, sucka) but if you wanna taste of that Berry Chocolate flavor, you're gonna need to be at the convention or have a stand in willing to help you out.  She's a thing of beauty and from what I understand very limited.  $100 will get you one and trust me, that's a bargain when you see one for yourself in person.

    What time is it?  Well, it's quarter after three, I don't know why kids are always asking that.  You know you got a phone you little brat, so peel your eyelids off of Instagram for a second to check.  Oh, they're talking about the cartoon?  That's way less weird.  Finn and Jake want to do some adventuring all up in your house with these two exclusive releases.  Sure, you might already have these in their original color schemes, but I know the completest in you is ready to pull your very soul out of your ears to add these to your collection.  I feel you, I'm getting a little twitchy myself just by thinking of all the new Dunny releases, and I just want you to know I'm never gonna not encourage your obsessions.  toy obsessions anyway, not those one's involving Betty White ya freak.  Each figure is gonna sell for $49.99.

    I've already told you about these Mega Man exclusives but I'll be damned to be called anything other than thorough with this post.  They will be $49.99 each.  

    There's two things my wife is terrified of: slugs and ticks.  One time when we were digging for fossils in a creek (you didn't know I was so interesting did you?) I found a leech on a piece of wood.  I'd never actually seen a leech in person, so in my excitement I wanted to share it with the person I love.  After a few vague threats I chose to forget, she informed me how a leech was nothing more than a slug/tick hybrid and what on earth would make me think she wanted to see it.  It was a long drive to the Cheesecake Factory let me tell you.  

    If all slugs looked like the ones from Best Fiends I bet she'd be more receptive to their company.  The great thing about these too is that they will release online at Amazon and shop.bestfiends.com at the same time the release at comic con, so nobody will miss out.  If you're at the convention you will have a chance to win some prizes and meet the lead character artist for the game, Miguel Francisco.  This will happen on Saturday, July 11th from 9am-noon and this fancy screen print is one of the things you could walk away with:

    Those in attendance will also be able to take advantage of pre-releases for upcoming toys, including Frank Kozik's Baby Huey and Wuzone's debut 8 inch Dunny.  Here is the signing schedule for Kidrobot's booth # 5645, that way you can be the most prepared and stuff.

Thursday, July 9th

Junko Mizuno 1pm-3pm

Scott Tolleson 4pm-6pm

Friday, July 10th

Junko Mizuno 1pm-3pm

Frank Kozik 4pm-6pm

Saturday, July 11th

Brandt Peters 1pm-3pm

Chris 51 4pm-6pm

   

     

A Clockwork Carrot "Break In" Edition from Frank Kozik x Blackbook Toy

    When you're entering a life of crime you really have to put a lot of thought into a good disguise.  How many times do you see security footage on the news of people robbing banks that look like they were just hanging out at the mall?  They walk in wearing sunglasses and with their hoods up and they think they've got some invisibility cloak.  I get that you kind of stick out if you're wearing a Halloween mask in April, but a little bit of effort will go a long way towards not making you some big dude's girlfriend on cell block B.

    Lil Alex knows the benefit of not only shielding your identity but making a statement while doing it.  Tim Gunn would be proud at his ability to edit down his mask to the basics while maintaining a clear and concise fashion point of view.  The latest version of Kozik's naughty little bunny is available for preorder right now from the folks at Blackbook Toy.  And when you order from them you get a special limited edition button to snaz up that jean jacket of yours.

"Baby Huey" from Frank Kozik x Kidrobot to Debut at SDCC

    Being a sadistic dictator has never been more adorable!  Check out Frank Kozk's take on North Korea's supreme ruler with this itty bitty "Baby Huey" from Kidrobot.  Now we know what happened when Seth Rogen and James Franco made that movie about whacking this dude, so what do you think the retaliation will be when this plastic bed wetter makes his debut at San Diego Comic Con?  Do you think the North Koreans will invade Kidrobot's booth and buy them all up, preventing them from being obtained by the general public?  Will they release secret information about Frank, like how long he has been a subscriber to Cat Fancy magazine?  Are they gonna hack my website for posting this?  The world as we know it could change at the hands of a hilarious vinyl figure.  

   Now don't fret like this little guy if you aren't going to Comic Con, cause he will be available on a wider scale in stores and online starting August 6th.  At 8 inches tall and only $65, that's a lot of bang for your buck.  Hopefully not a literal bang from an angry North Korean army.  Viva la Revolucion!!!!!

    

Baby Huey Final 2 from KRVids on Vimeo.

Win a Joker Labbit from Frank Kozik x Kidrobot

    Sadly, Labbit Appreciation Week came to an end a few days ago, but you can still celebrate by winning this sweet 7 inch Joker Labbit from Frank Kozik and Kidrobot.  Log onto your Instagram account right now, do what the picture says, and you're entered to win.  I'm even gonna ship it to you for free, which is pretty awesome cause I'm notoriously cheap.  Why should I pay a doctor when Youtube is chock full of informative videos for all your surgical needs?  Hell, people survived the Civil War with less medical knowledge than we have access to today on our smart phones.  I got this.  

Worship the Little Fuzzy Bunny Overlords!!! A Review of the Cute and Crazy Labbits from Frank Kozik x Kidrobot

  I'm getting a little misty over here, as this is the last review I'll be posting for Labbit Appreciation Week.  Not to say that it's completely over because I am doing a giveaway for a Joker Labbit.  If you don't have an Instagram account yet, now would be the perfect time to get yourself one sucka cause you're gonna need it to enter.  And you should have one anyway cause there's crazy stuff going on there that you're missing out on.  Like cat pictures, and butt pictures. Cats on butts, butts near cats, even cat butts.  It's the perfect app!!!

   Our last review of this epic week will focus on the Cute and Crazy mini plush series.  These things are great, cause not only are they small and adorable and look like Freddie Mercury but they come packaged in window boxes.  That means you can pick the ones you want without playing the blind box gamble.

 

    Look at how freakin cute these are!!!  These are for when you need your plush Labbits, but the at-home models just aren't practical for your situation.  Portability in your snuggle critters is a key feature that these guys have loads of.  A bungee cord sprouting from their backs means you can hang em just about anywhere you need.  Let's see some examples from my own life:

No cop would dare give you a ticket with something so adorable hanging from your rearview mirror.  

So you severed your hand in a machine that costs more than you make in two years?  Give this little guy a squeeze and bring a smile back to your face!

There's no reason to panic when a Labbit with a mustache and shiny underwear is near.  Now take a deep breath and wash those shards of plastic from your eye!

     When Sharon and I were opening these dudes we caused a frenzy among our feline living companions which got me thinking.  If you were to remove the cord and stuff em with cat nip you'd have some perfect cat toys!  Kidrobot could invade a previously untapped market for designer toys by making ones specifically for your pet.  God knows someone needs to design a better cat condo, cause I just can't accept one of those in my life.  I know my cats would love one, but they make me sad to look at.  And I've tried, I really have, but I'll never get past how hideous they are.

Pick up a few now at www.kidrobot.com and wherever designer toys are sold.

Cue the Rocky Theme, Cause I'm Feeling Like a Champ Reviewing the Batman Labbit from Frank Kozik x Kidrobot

    We made it, folks!!!!  Originally the plan was to do five reviews in five days, but I think we should go bigger.  This is Labbit Appreciation Week after all, so I'm using the last bit of gas in my tank to do SIX reviews in SIX days!!!!  I know, it's pretty nuts.  This is like Evel Knievel jumping the Snake River, except I'm gonna land safely on the other side, thrust my fists in the air, and get my face on a commemorative plate.   And we're gonna do a giveaway on Instagram to celebrate all the fun we've had this week.  More about that later on though.

    Uh oh, it looks like Batman has pulled The Joker's card, and being that I've heard an N.W.A. song or two in my day, I know that means bad news for a certain clown.  This isn't Adam West's Batman folks; this is the gritty, unshaven vigilante that Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan made so popular.  The Dark Knight indeed!!

    This dude is the perfect companion piece to The Joker that I reviewed earlier in the week, and where the former shined with subtlety, the latter is killing it with tons of printed details.  Lots of black shadows and a fully stocked utility belt really bring the character to life.  Like The Joker there is no sculpting on this Labbit, which really serves to give it more of a comic book feel.  It also speaks to how great the art is that I don't miss the 3D aspects that we've come to expect in recent releases. Though he does come with a removable cloth cape, which after I took the photos I decided to put in a drawer because we have a cat that would see that as an appetizer.  He's already had to have a shirt sleeve removed from his gut, so his trustworthiness around any sort of fabric is less than none.  

With cape.

Naked.

    Do I love it?  Yes, yes I do.  I'm a sucker for anything Batman, but especially when it's presented in such a unique way.  It's the perfect marriage of a well-known license and a designer toy.
     

Na na na na na na na na na na na na bat butt.

   The caped crusader is available right now at www.kidrobot.com and wherever designer toys are sold.