figures

DCUC Wave14 should be hitting Walmart stores soon.  Collectors have high hopes that wave 14 will see distribution similar to what we got from Wave 10 and NOT like we saw with Wave 5.   ToyGuru aka Scott has often spoke publicly of his love of the character of Kamandi, the last boy on Earth, and [...]

We've seen the Medicom RAH 12-inch Ghost Rider pictures and pictures of the Hasbro 1:6 Ghost Rider Flame Cycle in the last post, now let's put the two together i.e. Rider on his bike :)


In this instance, Medicom's smaller size body works well to fit onto the Hasbro 1:6 Flame Cycle as both rider and bike looks like they belong together.



The Ghost Rider is a human who can transform into a being with a flaming skull and supernatural powers. The motorcycles he rides can travel faster than conventional motorcycles and can perform such seemingly impossible feats such as riding up a vertical surface, across the surface of water and leaping across great distances that normal motorcycles could not match. [source: wiki]


I like this shot as you can see how all the flames go in the same direction. Also the bike doesn't look like it is sitting on the floor like in the pictures of Hot Toys version. In Hot Toys Ghost Rider and Bike preview pictures, the Ghost Rider figure seems a little oversized and big on his bike which looks too small for him. The bike seems to be sitting on the floor in most of the shots with Ghost Rider on it because of the weight of the rider and his legs seem to be sticking out too much.


Girl in Alley: "Well, I'll never forget him, that's for sure. He was tall, broad shoulders, and thin, really thin, like bony. He had this rad chopper, it was all flames and stuff. Oh, and his face was a skull and it was on fire."




Nice effect of the flames



Penance Stare - When in close combat, the Ghost Rider locks eyes with his victim and makes him or her feel every pain that that individual has ever inflicted on anyone else innocent in their lifetime. Its effects are similar to the soul searing effect of hellfire.


"Look into my eyes. "

Living in San Diego has it's perks, the weather, San Diego Comic-Con, friends and family, but we really don't have to much of an art scene... more specifically a vinyl toy art scene, so the majority of us migrate north to Los Angeles to get our fix. Recently I had the opportunity to help curate a show up in LA with Jonathan Ma of Kuso Vinyl which was held at the new Toy Art Gallery, needless to say the name explains it all, and owner/collector Gino Joukar has had a vision to help broaden the awareness of what we all love and respect as art, and opening this gallery was only a matter of time for him. But what does it contain, and why did he do this? We sat down with Gino and asked all these questions, we even shot some video to give you all a small taste of what this gallery contains! So please hit the jump for the interview that is chock full of pictures and details about this amazing place!

1. Hey Gino, tell us a little about yourself, where you come from and why/how did you start the Toy Art Gallery aka TAG?
The idea began as the Art Toy Museum, to be located in San Francisco. But the economy being the way it is, I decided to stick a little closer to home and house my collection in a nice showroom.of choice are toys and most galleries don't focus on this medium at all, so we decided to fill the void and got TAG started from humble beginnings. Then the idea grow in to the Toy Art Gallery, since there are so many great artists that we love but we never get to see them in shows, because there medium; especially when it came to serious kaiju figures.

2. So that being said, tell me about the intent of TAG.
Basically put, our intent is to feature and showcase some of the top artists designing toys and establish figurative art toys a legitimate class of collectible art. We'll be specializing in high end toys like life size figures, bronze sculptures and one of a kind custom toys.

3. You have such a melting pot, a who's who of the art/designer toy field, what is the deciding factor (if any) to be part of this collection?
Well most important thing is that I must like and enjoy the piece, since I'll be looking at it for a long time to come, then it has to be innovative, cutting edge, and totally unique; basically be an original.

4. Do you have any plans for events or shows, maybe open houses, and when do you plan on opening the doors to the public?
Well we've been open to the public since beginning of the year and we've got plans to have shows here every month from here on forward, so our patrons have a lot of great shows to look forward to for the rest of 2010 and beyond.

5. Do you just have production pieces, or are you hip to the whole custom toy creation scene?
Yes I started collecting production pieces but now a days I shy away from them and focus more on the custom figures, since they're more unique and original, and to me, more valuable.

6. Tell me about some of, I guess who you consider your hallmark artists that you are going to be representing.
Well one of the artists that I'm real excited and proud of representing is Carlos Enriquez Gonzalez out of Venezuela, and then we're also thrilled to be working with artists like Blamo, Bob Conge, Cris Rose, Mark Nagata, Emilio Garcia, Francesco De Molfetta, Gabriels, and Blobpus just to name a few.

7. So the collection that we are seeing in the pictures... is this the full extent, or are you holding back, how much more is behind the scenes?
Well what you see in the pictures is just a portion of my collection, I keep a lot of my favorite pieces at home. It's a work in progress and I'm getting more and more of my collection on display for everyone to enjoy.

8. Now is the whole gallery on sale or do you have pieces in this collection that you plan on never letting go?
Oh for sure, I've got some pieces that I'll never part from, but I like helping people with their collections and I don't mind giving up on a piece if I know that it's going to a good home.

9. Knowing that you are based out of the Los Angeles area, how do you plan on servicing the global market?
Well, we're about to unveil a major online presence and we already serve clients nationally and internationally. We're very familiar with the global market and have a great partnership with Fedex that allows us to guarantee delivery anywhere in the world in only 2-5 days; so clients from around the world will easily be serviced through our website.

10. With all of the art/figures you have procured, does TAG have plans on making their own figure/piece, maybe some ATC (Art Toy Collectibles) like bronze, resin, fiberglass?
We decided a while back to start producing our own high end figures, since we could not find that many in the marketplace. So we've got a lot of great top secret projects in the works and we're thrilled about debuting our first few production figures at the Red Carpet Kaiju show. Our production brand, TAG TOYS, will be producing figures in bronze, ceramic, fiberglass, precious metals and stones, as well as other innovative methods to take our figures to the next level.

11. Turning this back onto you... are you a collector, what collections do you personally have?
Yes I've always been a collector ever since I was a kid starting out with stamps, coins, and now I'm also in to collecting bikes, pens, pins, and other memorabilia.

12. What is your most prized possession in your own personal collection now?
Hum, I've got lots of prized possessions, but some of them would have to be my Ducati Desmosedici RR motorcycle, the original painting that I've got by Michael Hussar, and the original "500 Year Old Companion" custom figure by Frank Kozik; these are some of my top prized possessions in my collection.

13. What is your "Holy Grail" the one piece that you do not have but, want so badly!
Oh gosh again there is so many great pieces that I love to own but the Holy Grail piece for me would be the life size Grin by Ron English & Garageworks industries, I'm still kicking myself for not buying it when it first came out.

14. Give us some juicy info that won't get you in trouble, but will make our mouths drop wide open.
Well I'm real fortunate to know a lot of great artists and we've got lots of great shows and releases ahead in 2011. We've got plans on doing a group show for the Mark Ryden YHWH figures, as well as one for the Jumping Brain figure by Emilio Garcia, and hopefully for Jermaine Rogers Squire; which is one of my all time favorite figures out there.

As far as production figures are concerned, I can't divulge to much about our future releases, what I can tell you is that mouths would drop wide once they see some of the figures we're working on and we'll be releasing some in 2010 & others will follow in 2011 and trust me they're all amazing; hope you understand!
Thanks so much for your time to answer all of these questions Gino, and thank you the continued awareness that you are putting forth show that these are not just toys, but art!

Yudi Andhika aka The Yellow Dino is an artist hailing from Indonesia, and has been invited to join the mass of talented artists to participate in the upcoming custom Jouwe show at ArtyFarty Gallery in Germany this October, and above we are getting a peek at his amazing custom as this is still a work in progress, we can already tell it's gonna be amazing!

Sikenomics just added some new posters to his webstore from the recent Fire/Water gulf clean-up benefit event! This includes posters by Matt Hawkins, Daniel "Lucid" Bartle and Phil "Sikenomics" Shafer which are available in a combo 3 pack or individually... the best part is that 10% of profits go to the Sierra Club to help clean up the Gulf coast. These posters measure 11" x 17" and are printed on 110lb semi-gloss stock. Head on over HERE now and pick em' up!

We teased you earlier this week HERE, and now all has been revealed for Erick Scarecrow's latest and greatest figure titled Little Axe "Snow Forest" edition. This colorway is limited to 30pcs worldwide and is a Vince Toy Studio & Shop Taiwan exclusive. Each 6" handpainted resin figure is signed, numbered, packed by artist and comes with a lightweight removable axe accessory. This is a great looking figure and the pictures make this piece look deceivingly big, and seeing that it's only 6" tall, the amount of detail smashed into such a small package is amazing, and will be an awesome addition into any collection!

Here is the story:"Previously, an obnoxious wolf had lost one of his paws by the chop of a little girl's axe. His pride was hurt and he decided to trade some of his valuable fur for a weapon with a local blacksmith. Time had passed and snow blanketed the forest. The wolf practiced with his weapon everyday. One afternoon, the wolf spotted another little girl dressed in white trying to chop wood. Flashbacks of his last encounter with a little girl drove him into a rage. As he leaped aiming to cut her in two, her twin sister dropped from above and beheaded him. A trap set up by the Snow Forest Twins to grow their collection of wolf heads."

Audrey Kawasaki is set to release her fantastic "Migawari" print this Saturday, September 4th via her website HERE. This giclee print is on a smooth cotton rag paper and measures 15"x19" on a 16"x20" sheet, and you have the choice of having it framed with a dimension of 21.25" x 25.25". This is a signed and numbered edition of 200 pieces priced at $200 unframed, and $450 framed. These will be posted up at 1:00pm PST and in order to purchase you must be registered and signed-on at the time of the sale... if you have not yet done so, please register by making an account.

Kidrobot has just launched a two-week garage sale and they are unloading some awesome vinyl at 50% off! The massive liquidation includes: Fatcap Series 2, Adult Swim, Monger Menthols, Heroes of Burgertown, Peecol, Zoomies, and Monger Filter Kings! Now all of the deals are for full cases only, but at prices this low, why not buy a case! The sale is until September 19th or until all items sell out, so head on over HERE now and buy something!

[PRESS] The Designer Collection Series continues as Toy2R puts its final pieces into place to present a collection based on the purest style of art, Black and White. Following the success of Series 6, Toy2R has worked for the past three months soliciting designs from across the globe, to create the newest Designer Series, PURE.

PURE will explore the depth and detail that makes Black and White artwork so compelling and exquisite. The collection features designs from JonPaul Kaiser, PO!, Andrea Mauro, Sandra Chevalley, Paul Shih, Minasmoke, Owen DeWitt, MattyBoomBatty, Chuckboy, Candy Ng, Gabriela Domeisen and Bishop203.
Scheduled for release in early 2011, this blind box assortment will include randomly packed designs and rare chase mystery figures as well as a few surprises that will be revealed closer to the release. Each Qee will include the patented keychain attachment allowing you to take this incredible artwork with you everywhere.

Above are some of the one off custom figures that are from Bob Conge of Plaseebo for the upcoming Red Carpet Kaiju Show opening this Saturday, September 4th at Toy Art Gallery. Bob really does a fantastic job of not only creating these amazing monstrosities, but he also does one stellar job bringing them to life with his photography! His submissions for the show include a cool two-headed "Planet 51 Night Gamer", one of his rad custom monster tanks he is calling "War Masquerades As Innocence", and my favorite from the bunch is his turtle shelled "Garumega" figure! Keep in mind that all of these have the patented Plaseebo light up LED system inside them so no matter where they are, they will look stunning!

64Colors just released a very cool custom Marshall titled "Good Wood Marshall no.3", which is a cute little 3.5" hand painted vinyl figure... and is looking for a new home. Pick this up HERE for only $125... a steal if you ask me!

Artist and SS.com loyal reader BRiZL submitted a shirt design a while back for a contest that was put on by Intruder, who is a London based independent music company! The votes were tallied and low and behold BRiZL's design won, so now you can pick up his shirt titled "Play With Me" for only $19... so head on over HERE now an support one of your own fellow artists!

Vannen Watches has a handful of the new Ragnar "Pepper" watch in stock and they're available right now at vannenwatches.com. "Pepper" retails for $70 and is limited to only 100 pieces worldwide. Each watch also comes with packaging signed and numbered by the artist. These will surely go fast, so hurry up and grab one before they're gone.

The Designer Collection Series continues as Toy2R puts its final pieces into place to present a collection based on the purest style of art, Black and White. Following the success of Series 6, Toy2R has worked for the past three months soliciting designs from across the globe, to create the newest Designer Series, PURE. PURE [...]

DJ Lance Rock 3-inch Dunny

Get your sillies out with this 3-inch Dunny of Kidrobot’s pal DJ Lance Rock! from Yo Gabba Gabba!  The number one DJ in Gabba Land brings the beats with his boom box and trademark tall furry hat into Kidrobot stores, kidrobot.com and select retailers for $9.95 US (£9.00 UK; 10€ Europe).

Buy now!

Lard Lad

The massive mascot of Homer Simpson’s favorite donut emporium, Lard Lad is 6-inches of donut hoarding vinyl. Get a heaping helping at Kidrobot stores, kidrobot.com and select retailers for $39.95 US (£36.00 UK; 40€ Europe).

Buy now!

Today is exactly one month to the day that we received the terrible, tragic news of  the passing of my friend Eddie Wires.   Today it is our honor at AFi to be able to reprint the tribute that Eddie’s best friend Bill "Billy" Mancuso wrote after Eddie’s passing.   Some of you will remember Bill, [...]

September 2, 2010

“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” - Muhammad Ali

The media showed up in force for the Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito press conference this past Tuesday in Beverly Hills. The press tour moves on to Dallas today and New York on Friday. Boxing fans will find out on Saturday November 13 when Pac- Man meets Margarito at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the vacant WBC super welterweight world title and a chance at history going for a record 8 titles. Top Rank is promoting the championship.

Nicolas Cage who played Johnny Blaze in the 2007 superhero film "Ghost Rider" rode a Buell motorcycle for Blaze's stunt cycle and a heavily customized hardtail chopper named "Grace" which transformed into the "Hell Cycle". The Hell Cycle's wheels, made of pure flames in the comics, were changed to solid tires covered in flames in order to give the motorcycle more weight onscreen.



Medicom did not include the "Hell Cycle" for their Ghost Rider 12-inch figure (see previous blog entry) but that wasn't a big issue as Hasbro had released a 1:6 scale Flame Cycle at around the same time. Ghost Rider's 1:6 scale bike is from the Hasbro's Ultimate Ghost Rider and Flame Cycle Boxed Set. The deal was made all the more sweeter when the retail shops did a clearance sale after many of the stock were just not moving. The kids here don't have a thing for 12-inch figures, only the adults do Ha! Ha!


For a plastic looking toy from Hasbro (or "Has-been" as many collectors call it), this wasn't too bad, especially at the much lower price I finally bought it for :) Totally ditch the plastic Hasbro 12-inch Ghost Rider (no use for it at all) and kept the bike for Medicom Ghost Rider to ride on.


This Hasbro Ultimate Flame Cycle has sufficient details and sculpting for use as Ghost Rider's ride


It even has the flames coming out of the right places





What's next? Medicom 1:6 Ghost Rider takes a ride on this baby in the next post.

As part of this series, Alex Pardee's "Zerofriends" retail location will open it's doors from September 1st - November 1st, 2010. Much like the location which popped up in New York City this last winter, the San Francisco Zerofriends location will feature the entire Zerofriends catalog of twisted apparel designs, prints and toys - along with some surprises to the tune of artist signings, exclusive product releases and unique events. Alex will be holding a grand opening celebration for the store on Saturday, September 4th from 2:00PM - 4:00PM where he'll be "hanging, signing, and making bad puns live in person."

ZEROFRIENDS STORE LOCATION:
September 1st - November 1st, 2010
248 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CAOpen Daily from 12-7PM

So a new picture dropped last night on the latest addition to the Popbot world created by Ashley Wood and produced by his company 3A. Baka the latest TK (Tomorrow King) will be available next week, Sept. 9, at 6 pm pacific time at bambaland. This newest TK figure will come with two swords and many new grenades attached to him as well. The swords are collected to a battery backpack. This figure is priced at $120. There will also be a 3AA version of Baka that will come with a new Bot Head. For those that are not familiar some of the original TK's came with bot heads and have been a fan favorite ever since. This new Bot Head however will be a all new sculpt. This time it is a Mortis Bot Head.
The Mortis in the Popbot world were once sex slave robots that became aware and after many upgrades rose up against humankind to take over the universe. No word yet on what the final look will be for this new Mortis Bot head. The price for the 3AA special edition will be $150 before the 3AA discount. Both figures are in 1:6 scale measuring 12 in. and are fully articulated. As always more news and pictures once they become available.