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

   

     

You Want Dunnys? Check Out All of These Available for Preorder Right Now

    My head is literally ready to explode with all of the amazing Dunnys that Kidrobot is coming out with this year.  If this is what the future of this company looks like then we are in for many years of toys I desperately need.  You've got a healthy mixture of well known vinyl artists, some that are completely new to the vinyl world, and fan favorite designs that made the jump from 3 inch figures to 8 inch.  Let's get started so you can see where your money is going this year.  

    Sket-One self-produced a pretty killer version of this Sketratcha Dunny some time back and now it's getting a proper vinyl release as a 3 inch figure.  There's gonna be a chase version as well, which I'm not gonna spoil for you in case you haven't seen it.  $14.99 will get you one.  

    I can't say enough good things about doubleparlour.  Admittedly, I was a bit late to their appreciation party, but I'm trying to make up for lost time.  I'm in love with everything they do and this Dunny is no exception.  This 3 inch toy is on my must have list and at only $14.99, I won't feel guilty about it either.  

    Ever wondered what a certain famous mouse looked like when he went home, removed his kid friendly exterior, and exposed what was really lurking underneath?  Yeah, me neither, but I have no problem believing that behind that smile lies a creature that feasts on equal parts cash and children's souls.  A balanced diet is important after all.  Ron English and his sinister friend are making the jump from the Apocalypse blind box series to a full 8 inch production figure.  For $74.99 you can have him stare at you as you plan your next trip to the happiest place on earth.

    And people think that no one listens to their pleas?  Well, when your demands aren't ridiculous, this can be the result.  Scott Tolleson's Lotus Dragon was next to impossible to get as part of the Evolved Dunny series, so thankfully its 8 inch counterpart will be much simpler to obtain.  All you need is $99.99 and a bit of patience and you could have this delivered to your door in the Fall.  Go ahead and add this to my must have list.   

    This one has a special place in my heart, because I was able to not only hold the prototype in my hand, but take a picture of it that circulated pretty quickly around the internet.  I felt like a proud father.  Not only did Junko Mizuno's design make the jump from 3 inch to 8 inch, but they added some elements to it as well.  The thing is stunning in person and I've been waiting patiently to be able to get one since I first saw it in February.  

       This is what I like to see.  Someone working their butt of painting figure after figure, honing their craft, and then getting rewarded with their own production toy.  It's happened before but I feel it's going to happen a lot more now that the stable of artists Kidrobot is pulling from is pretty much endless.  Maybe I'll get my own Dunny?  I gotta make a phone call.

     Wuzone seems inspired by everyone's favorite pathologically lying puppet, but put enough of a spin on it to make it feel fresh.  I know what you're thinking, you're thinking: "How will I possibly afford all this?"  For one, don't worry, just stop paying those annoying student loans.  Secondly, this dude is priced at only $59.99.  It's like a throwback price!!!

    Sweet mother of plastic what is this you have bestowed upon me?  J*RYU has just changed everything you thought a Dunny could be.  Not only is it not character driven, but the design, and sculpting, and the detail.  I think I just got the vapors.  And to top it all off it pretty much demands to be the centerpiece of your collection as it stands a whopping 20 inches high.  Forget buying a new shelf, you're gonna need an alter for this.  Now she ain't cheap at $449.99, but I can guarantee you it's worth every penny you have to steal.  

    Each one of these, and The 13 Dunny series from Brandt Peters that I've previously written about, are all available for preorder right now from your favorite designer toy stores.  No more sweating on release day, no more pounding the refresh key on your laptop, or frantically driving from store to store, or pacts with dark forces trying to secure the one's you need.  This is a glorious time to be a collector.  

New Releases from doubleparlour Happening Tomorrow

    The work of doubleparlour is many things.  It can in the space of a few moments be the cutest thing you ever saw to being somewhat unnerving.  I'm a bit late to the party when it comes to appreciating their figures, but what I've come to love best about them is that they're never boring.   No matter how you feel, you will feel something and that's important to me when you're talking about designer toys.  If you haven't been able to add any of their pieces to your collection you'll get an opportunity tomorrow at noon pacific time when all of these go live at http://doubleparlour.myshopify.com/.  Take a look at what they'll have to offer and bookmark the page so you don't miss out.  

Kookie No Good from Scott Tolleson x DeKorner Releases Today!

    You'd look kinda bummed too if people wanted to crack your head open for a little piece of paper with a fortune on it.  But cheer up little guy, because it's Chinese New Year and people want to celebrate with you.  Scott Tolleson and DeKorner teamed up for this exclusive sofubi figure.  Limited to only 20 pieces, this edition will be on sale today, January 31st, at 10am Pacific time for $35.  Pick one up for yourself at http://dekorner.bigcartel.com/.  

3DRetro Exclusives for Designer Con

    If the lights happen to go out at Designer Con, signaling the fact that North Korea has finally invaded us, then the 3DRetro booth will be the safest place to run to, as their whole booth is gonna glow like Three Mile Island.

    First up, we have the special glowy MoonSHINE Edition of Scott Tolleson's Bitta Critta.  Little known fact about me:  I'm not actually from New Jersey, I just live here now.  I actually grew up in Virginia, and whenever anyone learns that they all want to know a.) do I watch those moonshine shows on tv and b.) can I help them make some.  The answer to both of those questions is surprisingly no, though the second one does sound exciting.  I could be the Walter White of New Jersey party juice.  The figure will be $50, while hiring me to build you a still will be substantially more as soon as I Google how to do it.  

  Get all this and more at booth #104. (That was meant to be sung, like a jingle)

    Also something that may come as a shock to you is that I don't have any good stories involving bats or human skulls.  I do get a kick out of the giant fruit bats at the Philadelphia Zoo, as they look like foxes with wings.  That is cute and also horrifying at the same time, because what if foxes learned how to fly?  And then the coyotes would learn, and the wolves, and we would be getting dive bombed by predatory mammals on a daily basis.  And you think getting pooped on by a bird is bad, a wolf poop dropped from high enough could probably give you a concussion.  

    This is of course Strife and Sire from Nathan Hamill.  These two guys glow too and are also $50.  I'm detecting a distinct theme here.  Nathan will also have prints available that he collaborated on with Pronto Pixel for $30 that are ready to snazz up your living space.  

Outsmart Originals at NYCC

    Did you ever notice that it's cool to put designs on shirts but not on pants?  Like, if you have pants with a design on it you are pretty much a deviant who listens to Insane Clown Posse and has a low credit score.  Think about it, when was the last time you saw anyone who didn't look like a drunken mugshot wearing pants with a design up the leg?  We have made it unacceptable in our society to express your artistic desires on your dungarees and I'm ok with that.  If Project Runway has taught me anything it's that you gotta edit.  Less is more.  Your jeans are the pallet cleanser between your t-shirt and your sneakers, a brief reprieve of visual assault from those that are checking out your hot bod.

    Outsmart Originals doesn't make artists series pants thankfully, or they would be in trouble.  They stick to tees and have a load of them coming to New York Comic Con.  MCA has collaborated with some of his artist bros to transform his Evil Ape character.  Lamour Supreme, Sergio Mancini, Scott Tolleson, Oliver Hibert, and Evoker are all putting their spin on the iconic little dude.  And Outsmart will also have a shirt from Frank Kozik that features a Day of The Dead kitty!!!!!!I haven't even seen it yet but I'll probably buy it anyway, cause that's how I roll son.  

    Can't make it to New York next month?  You can preorder them all right now at http://outsmartoriginals.storenvy.com/.

Dunny Evolved Launch Party at Kidrobot New York

    Kidrobot is releasing a new series of Dunnys during New York Comic Con and are having a little get together to celebrate.  You see that little flyer up there?  It has a lot of information.  Most of it is of some importance, but the RSVP info is probably what you should focus on right now.  And by focus on it I mean you should email that person and tell em you wanna go.  Cause if you don't you may be spending that chilly October night standing outside of Kidrobot New York while all the cool people are in there getting drunk and buying toys.  You'll have your face pressed up against the window, looking a bit mental and wishing you could be inside having fun.  So RSVP ya bum!  On a side note I will be driving back to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey while this party is happening because someone has to feed my cats, so I will need to live vicariously through you.  Don't let me down.  

3DRetro SDCC Exclusives Now Available Online

    You know you wanted all of these toys.  You know you almost shorted out your laptop from drooling at everyone's pictures from San Diego Comic Con.  Drool no more my friends, as these exclusive toys can be yours without having to experience the smell of nerds packed together like sardines.  It's a unique funk let me tell you.  And who likes waiting in line for hours and hours just to spend money?  It's like "Here, let me be as uncomfortable as possible for a long period of time for the privilege of having my wallet emptied."  I'm still mad that I couldn't go.

    3DRetro had some of the best exclusives and thankfully they had some left overs.  Take a peak and if you like what you see you can visit www.3dretro.com and pick some up.  

More SDCC Releases from 3DRetro

I think I'm gonna have a nervous breakdown if Comic Con isn't over soon.  I literally can't keep up with all the cool stuff coming out.  I also am not sleeping much while trying to plan my future in crime to be able to afford all of this on the secondary market.  

    Frank Kozik and 3DRetro are sharing a booth, so it's convenient that they should have an exclusive together.  Only 50 of his Clockwork Carrot figure got the glow in the dark treatment and $140 in American currency will get you one.  You bring pesos, you get laughed at.

    You can begin your own Octopup breeding business with this four pack from Nathan Hamill.  Ok, you can't really breed them because they're plastic, but that warped little mind of yours will probably try anyway.  A mere $40 will get you all of them in this exclusive set.  

    This guy will come in handy when you're crying yourself to sleep on the plane because you realize all your stuff got repossessed while you were away.  Scott Tolleson and Luke Chueh combined forces to make you your new favorite snuggle buddy.  Go on, tell him all your feelings.  After you cough up the $40 though, cause nobody is gonna buy it after you cry all over him.  

Find these and many more at booth #5051.

A Plethora of Deadbeets from Toy Art Gallery

    These Deadbeet toys are ridiculously popular, much more so than the actual food item they're based on.  I don't think I've ever eaten a beet before.  In fact, being that they aren't made from red meat or artificial flavors, I can pretty much guarantee it.  Here's my philosophy on eating well:  who cares.  All the vitamins in the world won't stop you from getting hit by a bus or getting mauled by a pack of coyotes.  So eat snacks for meals and enjoy yourself.

    This guy is pretty cool though.  Nebulon5 painted up 10 of these glow in the dark veggies for Toy Art Gallery and they go on sale tomorrow (July 3rd) for $125 each.  

    You can also pick up a ton of Deadbeets that were customized by various artists from around the world.  They were featured in a show this past weekend and are now available on the Toy Art Gallery website.  

Custom Deadbeet Show at Toy Art Gallery Tonight!

    Cancel your necromancy club meeting for tonight!  But only if you live in Los Angeles or within driving distance, cause Toy Art Gallery has a custom show tonight featuring Scott Tolleson's Deadbeet figure.  A bazillion artists took this weird little dude and made him their own and you can see the results first hand and even buy one if you fancy it.  The opening reception is from 7-10 Pacific time and you never know who might be there hanging out with their work.  

Bitta Critta from Scott Tolleson x 3D Retro for SDCC

    My wife used to go to Las Vegas every year for a manager's conference for her job and the pictures that she would send me were amazing.  The best however, was of a man dressed up as Winnie the Pooh, passed out on the sidewalk with a bottle of booze in his hand/paw.  But wait, thats not the end of it.  There was also a little girl standing next to him in tears because she thought Pooh was dead.  OH MY GOD it was the funniest thing I've ever seen!  I was a bit horrified that anyone would let their small child near a filthy costumed character that needed to be in detox, but once I got past that the hilarity resumed.  It could have only been more funny if he ended up biting her with his Pooh Bear mouth.

    On a side note, it turns out this guy is kinda well known, as this picture will prove:

Back to the task at hand.  Bitta Critta is a costumed character that also likes to get his drink on.  Or as I like to say, his draaaaaaaaaaaaank.  That makes it sound like more of a good time.  Go on, try it, I'll wait.

     Scott Tolleson thunk him up, 3D Retro manufactured him in their vinyl toy uterus (or China), and VOILA! another San Diego Comic Con release.  $50 will get you one at booth #5051.  

A Little Stranger Shows You How A Plush Toy Is Made

    I've always been fascinated to learn how things are made.  I don't really care what it is either, I just want to see it start from raw materials and then make its way to a finish product.  I love huge machinery that was built for one simple little job.  While this guy doesn't involve any mechanical monstrosities to bring him to life, it is still fascinating to see how he went from a mere drawing to a cuddly, 3 dimensional toy.

    A Little Stranger prototyped Bartholomew Punchyface based on the work of Scott Tolleson and Luke Chueh.  I wouldn't have had the faintest idea how to do this, and probably would have just glued a bunch of random stuff together, gotten frustrated, and taken a nap.  Thankfully for you, no one asks me to make plushies.  See the entire process with tons of images at http://www.alittlestranger.com/wordpress/.