toys

Mikee’s Mail Day: Ichibanboshi Monkey Man

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So here we are again with another package of awesome to share. Let me tell you all a totally honest fact about me. I impulse buy, like a lot. In fact, I tend to do it so much that I end up with tons of really weird stuff. This toy is a prime example of when grabbing something on impulse is an awesome idea.

The Ichibanboshi Monkey Man is wicked awesome. That really is all there is to say about it. I mean we are talking about a monkey in cut off shorts and a motorcycle helmet that reminds you of Evel Knievel. You see something like that and either think that its unnecessary or silly. Or you feel this deep urge from within you to own many of them in different colors and put them on your shelves in your home. I need more monkeys in my empty life. Especially if they look like they know how to enjoy a quality motorcycle. That’s the kind of monkey I can hang at home with and listen to Baroness. These are the moments that make life worth living people.

So I say to you be impulsive try out an odd toy or two. You could find yourself sitting with your new best friend in your lamp any time you take that gamble.

Until next time, live that 24/7 Toy Life!

Mikee’s Mail Day: Age of X Minimates!

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OK, so this mail day we are taking a break from our regularly scheduled kaiju/sofubi rants to talk about my first love: comics.

I have been reading comics religiously since I was five. In that time, I have acquired many favorite characters, among them the X-Men. I can’t get enough of them, lately! That said, I try not to collect standard-size action figures, due in major part to space, but my love of comic characters and toys can’t be tossed aside that easily. Thankfully, Minimates exist.

Created by Art Asylum, Minimates are like the western version of Kubricks. A step up in size and complexity from LEGO characters, their simple-yet-dynamic design makes for insane customizability. Admittedly I bought this Age of X set to take this version of Rogue and make it look like her current incarnation in Uncanny Avengers.

Minimates are a toy I find myself continually collecting and coming back to. Admittedly, I’ve been walking around Stranger Factory trying to figure out how I can make a Shield Helicarrier playset that is in perfect scale to my Minimates for about a year now. A boy can dream…

Until next time, live that 24/7 Toy Life!

 

Kathie’s Travelling Calliope: A Quick Jaunt in the City of Love

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Hanging with her pal Mr. Tentaclees at CP HQ in Albuquerque, NM.

When KO first posted this a few weeks ago on Instagram (@circusposterus), citing the Calliope handpaint was “just for fun”, I wondered if we’d ever see the little lady again. Well, it appears Kathie has found herself a new travel buddy: similar to the travelling toy photos so many of us have seen (Podgypanda’s Baman and S Fisher Williams’ Milque Toast are personal faves), Calliope’s passport is already impressive with CP’s recent tour in Paris as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres.

Shaking off the jet lag with Ms. Elemental at their villa in Paris.

With Baby Tattooville, Haunted and DesignerCon just around the corner, the rest of 2012 will be hoppin’ for the Circus. Let’s see if our little pink jet-setter makes any cameos!

Taking in the sights at the Musée des Arts Forains (Museum of Fairground Art).

Calliope Jackalope: An Anatomy, Pt. II

Previously on Calliope Jackalope, An Anatomy: Calliope is rendered in 3D and from that a prototype is made for the factory to map out the mold process. We head there now for some mold-makin’, waxin’ action!

Like Stingy Jack, the Calliope prototype was taken to Obitsu to determine how many metal molds the figure will require. Given her complexity, she, too, would require five to cover her multiple parts: head, body, legs, hat, ears and tail.

The figure is re-cast in wax and the metal molds are made. From that, we get our first test:

And from there, the header card art is submitted by Brandt and Kathie and voila! Our first packaged Calliope!

[via the Tomeno blog]

Countdown to the Carnival – Finale: Kathie & Brandt’s Batboy & Mortimer

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Debuting tomorrow evening as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres are two exciting new vinyl figures from Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters in partnership with Artoyz Paris! For the first time ever, Kathie’s Batboy makes his debut in 3D form following years of collector demand. Measuring roughly 6 inches and flanked by two bird companions, this masked mischief maker is finally ready for his grand entrance.

Following closely behind is familiar face Mortimer, from Brandt Peters. Popularized by his Carnies blind box series two years ago, Mortimer the Mortician returns at twice the size, wielding an unforgiving straight razor and potent bottle o’ Toxico. Watch your back…

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens tomorrow through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France. The exhibition marks CP’s first group exhibition on European soil and features a collection of new two- and three-dimensional works from Kathie OlivasBrandt PetersTravis LouieChris RyniakAmanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu.

Countdown to the Carnival: Grieving Greeter from KO & BP

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The opening of Le Carnaval des Spectres is just around the corner as we speed along into Day 5, spotlighting Grieving Greeter, the newest production run of this sculpt since Kathie’s Sweet & Sorrow solo exhibition in July 2011.

Sporting a slate grey cloak and candy corn-ish nose, this moody beauty is a natural addition to any Halloween display and would look seriously menacing if encircled by candles. Eeep!

Like the Purple edition before him, the Grieving Greeter is a run of 30 pieces and will retail for $250. Five will be on exhibit — watch the Sideshow for a chance to snag the leftovers!

Countdown to the Carnival: KO & BP’s Blue Mist Kuma

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This figure is so gorgeous you have see it to believe it and anyone who’s been fortunate to nab one early can attest that this is one impressive chunk of resin.

Kathie and Brandt’s Blue Mist Kuma makes its official debut as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres, but lucky for us, at a full edition of 66 pieces (five will be at the show), many of us will have the opportunity to add one of these aquamarine beauties to our shelves. And with that embedded GID Lucky Skull, you’ll be enjoying him in both darkness and light. Blue Mist retails for $300.

Mikee’s Mail Day: Monster Kolor!!

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Well another week has passed over here at Stranger Factory, and admittedly, it was a little slow for me mail-wise. That said, I did get one package I feel like geeking out over:

This week’s mail day is brought to us by the amazing, unstoppable beast known as Monster Kolor! Monster Kolor is a company that lives to make the best paint they can for toy customizing, be it vinyl, resin, PVC … whatever your little twisted heart desires. Recently I picked up some Monster Kolor for my airbrush gun so I could do a little recreational custom work. I’m getting the hand sharp for some projects in the works and have to be able to do “gruesome” just right! Don’t think it’s all airbrush though; they also carry brush and aerosol paints to help give your creature just the right finish or feel.

When it came in Brandt and Kathie made me promise not to sit in the house and spray it. Also they said I have to wear a mask while I do it from now on … safety first kids!

Until next time, live that 24/7 Toy Life!

Stingy Jack, An Anatomy: An Afterword by Brandt Peters

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After years of designing characters and toys brands for Slap-Happy!,The Serv-O-Matics, Dead Bunny, The Carnies, Big Sal, and other odds and ends with almost every toy company out there, I went back to the drawing board to really consider what I was trying to accomplish and say with my characters. The public only gets to see the final result in the stores or online, but each of the above projects were months and years of my time developing and it takes a lot out of me. In order to stoke and keep the creative fire going strong, I had to reach even deeper and closer to mine and my creations’ raison d’etre.

Following a month or so of scribbling, note taking, researching, talking to my colleagues and friends, reading the industry – I reached in and figured exactly what my inspirations are, who I am and precisely what I want to leave, as far as a mark on the planet and this toy world. Stingy Jack is the first project (of many in development) that hits closest to home. I guess as a growing artist, my tastes change, I get more honest with myself, I hone in closer and closer to what makes me tick and Vintage Halloween has always thrilled me… just as much as all of my other toy subject matter: Ancient Aliens (Big Sal), Coney Island and Depression era ephemera (most of my toy designs to date).

Read More »Stingy Jack, An Anatomy: An Afterword by Brandt Peters

Countdown to the Carnival: Teodoru Badiu x CP’s “Dark Wippo”

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Barrelling right along with our Carnival countdown, Day 3 brings a long awaited treat: Dark Wippo from Teodoru Badiu and Circus Posterus. Yes, the wait is finally over: this colorway will debut at Le Carnaval des Spectres next week! Conceived by Teo and produced/painted by the CP gang, Dark Wippo is 4- to 5-inches of solid resin (the weight will surprise you), and an edition of 30 pieces. Five will be on hand at the exhibition, with the rest releasing later (eyes on the forum … you know the drill!). This undeniable cuteness retails for $135.