Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Seen at Toy Fair: Kidrobot



    Toy Fair is a weird experience for a website such as ours.  Most of it is filled with stuff for kids and doesn't really cater to the adult collector.  In the days leading up to it we get bombarded with emails from different companies wanting to show us the latest in technology for entertaining toddlers, which if they'd ever seen what we write about they wouldn't want us anywhere near them.  But Toy Fair can still be insightful and a good time for those of us that collect designer toys and my favorite booth to visit every year is the one manned by Kidrobot.

    Unlike past years where everything was a surprise when I got there, I had some ideas about what they would be showcasing because of the various teasers that have popped up on Instagram.  Lest you think that diminished my excitement level at all, because two toys in particular had planted their images in my head and I just had to see them in person.  


    Gaze upon the glory that is the collaboration between Franks: Kozik x Frazetta.  I feel like these two vinyl titans should come with their own fog machine and Norwegian black metal band.  These were the prototypes on display and we should be expecting at least one of them to be available this Summer.  I already have a space ready.


   Now for something a bit more on the precious side.  These vinyl renditions of Horrible Adorables felt sculptures are going to be must-own figures for me.  Not only will they look great in any toy collection, but they look like they could be used as accent pieces in some fancy home decor magazine shoot.  


   I believe these will be sold in window boxes so you can pick the ones you want, which is obviously all of them.  



    Jason Freeny is a man of curiosity, which is mainly focused on the inner workings of some of the world's most beloved characters.  Soon you'll be able to own this anatomical representation of Bugs Bunny and marvel at all the bits and pieces that make him tick.  I've got a cabinet of curiosities just begging for a bit of humor, and this would look lovely next to the electro shock machine.

(By the way, all of these toys were expertly produced by Klim and his team at Bigshot Toyworks, who are on point when it comes to making cool stuff.)



    Ok, if you don't own a really nice table top display case yet, let me give you a great excuse to buy one.  This Dunny Chess set from Otto Bjornik is truly a work of art and when you're not busy owning your friends in the classic game you're going to want to make sure it has a place of distinction in your house.  You will be able to buy the pieces in packs of two or you could just skip all that and get an entire set.  Either way, the figures come with squares that form the game board and buying them will probably impress your mom with how much culture you have.  


   Of course these are not all the new things Kidrobot had on display, these just happen to be my favorites.  There's new stuff coming from The Simpsons, Street Fighter, TMNT and more Labbits and Dunnys than you can shake a stick at.  Have you actually ever seen anyone shake a stick at a group of things?  That whole saying would be way more effective if you saw people doing that.  


    See more pictures at www.facebook.com/TheToyViking 



Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Toy Fair 2016 Photos Are Up




   
    Want to see all the newest stuff that's coming out from your favorite brands?  Head on over to www.facebook.com/TheToyViking to see our photos from this year's Toy Fair.  

Flat Bonnie Wants You to "Adopt a Plush - Save a Bunny" This Easter




    What the hell is wrong with people that they think giving a kid a live animal as a present is a good idea?  Kids are little terror demons sent to punish us, yet every year at Easter parents have the notion that it would be so cute to get them a rabbit to take care of.  The only way that could be a reasonable thing to do is if the rabbit is virtual and lives in an app on their phone, because God bless you if you can get a kid to pay attention to anything else.  There should be a law, but there won't be because of the Illuminati and stuff, so we're just gonna have to put an end to this practice ourselves.

    Rally behind the army that is Flat Bonnie, who is spearheading this campaign for reasonableness by encouraging people to adopt a plush critter for their kids rather than a real one this Easter.  For a mere $23 you not only can have one of her awesome creations, but a portion of the proceeds will be donated to helping animal organizations.  That's like doing good twice, which is a month's worth for me.  




     Now by all means if you're a responsible adult who can afford to take good care of an animal then you should give some lucky little fuzzies a forever home.  Open your hearts, but use your head.  

Friday, February 12, 2016

Skull Head Butt's "Oozi-X" from Kaiju Monster



   You wanna make the world's shortest horror film?  I'm gonna write the story here in this post, all you've gotta do is actually film it.  Let's set the scene:

     A man in wife are in bed together.  She is fast asleep, while he is in and out of consciousness. 

     He opens his eyes, and sees the vague impression of the three above figures in the dark shadows against the wall of their room. Thinking he is in the middle of a dream he closes his and tries to fall back asleep.  

     He opens his eyes once again and now they are closer, surrounding the bed and intently staring at him.  He is allowed a mere gasp before they descend on him.

     The next morning the wife rolls over in bed to awaken her husband and instead of finding him that side of the bed is covered in slime.

                             (This is the point where you applaud and give me an Oscar.)

    This dude from Skull Head Butt ( I love that name) is kinda freaky but thankfully they don't ooze all over the place like they toy they're paying homage to.  I've got enough things leaking around the house without the toys doing it too.  

    These suckers are blind bagged and there's three different colors you could end up with.  Here's how you can get in on the lottery to win the chance to purchase one:

Those interested in bagging the figure are going to need to fire over their name, Instagram name (if you have one), country, shipping address, phone number and PayPal address to kaijumonstergallery@gmail.com before close on Thursday, February 18th… Good luck to all who enter!"




Thursday, February 11, 2016

Milkboy x Kenth Toy Works Team up for Nadsat Boy Vinyl Toys and T-Shirts



    If you're going to pay tribute to a cinematic masterpiece, A Clockwork Orange is not a bad one to pick.  And it sure beats making vinyl toys based on Deliverance, which I haven't brought myself to watch but am well aware that I do not want to own any collectibles from a film that is famous for a scene involving the phrase "squeal like a pig."  It doesn't speak to my authentic personal brand.

    Kenth Toy Works and Milkboy have teamed up for a sofubi homage to the ultra violence with Nadsat Boy.  This is no little action figure either, as they stand 12 inches tall and are featured in original white and Milkboy pink.  But lest you think they stopped at just making a killer figure, because they also made t-shirts as well, cause you can't have your shelves looking good while you look like a bum, no can you?






      Now here's how you get your hands on this stuff no matter where you live in the world:


Pre-order is available for customers in Japan at MILKBOY Online Shop [http://shop.milk-inc.com/?pid=96348205]  

For Overseas Customers: Please send Email to [toys@milkboy.net] for orders. Sorry, we accept Paypal only.



Strawberry Cream Pie Guy from Super7 Wants to Make Your Valentine's Day A Little Sweeter



    There's a little town in Pennsylvania know as Centralia, where for decades a fire in their coal mines has burned underneath the city.  With a nearly endless supply of fuel the fire has rendered the area uninhabitable save for a few people that remain; and upon their death the state will take over the land and prevent anyone from ever entering again.  This perfectly describes my wife's metabolism.  

    She loves sweets but if they ever attempt to put an ounce of fat on her boy her metabolism turns into King Theoden (look it up, punk) and proclaims "you have no power here."  It's quite impressive and has shocked more than one diner waitress.  

    If your significant other has a sweet tooth but you want to get them something that will last longer than an episode Jerry Springer, how about this Strawberry Pie Guy from Super7.  It's a permanent reminder of their love for all things sugar and its just down right adorable.  He's gonna be available starting this Sunday, February 14th, at noon pacific time for only $25.  Maybe you should get a real pie too, just to tide them over until the figure has the chance to arrive to your house.  






Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Harley Quinn as Seen In Arkham Knight from Prime 1 Studio x Sideshow Collectibles


    This is one purrty statue.  I'd be scared to death to own it though, because I know as soon as I unbox it one of my cats is gonna scratch an itch against it and send it crashing to the floor.  And that's just what could happen while I'm watching them.  There's always the distinct possibility that I turn my back only to have them do some resculpting with their teeth.  I'm kind of willing to risk it though because this Harley Quinn is one of the best I've ever seen.  Prime 1 Studio and Sideshow Collectibles have outdone themselves with the world's most adorable sociopath.  Priced at $929, you can see why having my furry little children anywhere near it would make me especially nervous.  But it's also a great excuse to make a baller, uber secure display case that in and of itself is a conversation piece.  Is it too hipster to dig a moat in your living room?

    Preorder this beauty right now from http://www.sideshowtoy.com and it will come with those exclusive Batman and Joker dolls you see.  Medieval means of protection not included.