Lost Planet 2 Action Figures by Kotobukiya

When I first saw this picture the other night, I didn't know or care where it came from, all I knew is that I would be buying it (as long as it wasn't a kit). So when I realized that it was a highly detailed action figure by Kotobukya for the upcoming Lost Planet 2 video game, I got all giddy like school girl. I friggin love Walkers. Especially personal walker suits like this one.



Now this one, i'm not so crazy about and didn't purchase. I think if it wasn't white, I might have given it a chance, but for whatever reason, i'm not feeling the color and the nutty no-head design.





You can pre-order both on sale for around 3,350 yen at Ami Ami. Due out in May when the Lost Planet 2 game is released.





Now for a new trailer for Lost Planet 2. I'm getting pretty fucking psyched up for this game based on these trailers. All I have to say is that if the actual game play is half as sick as what we see here, we have a surefire winner.

Video Games | Lost Planet 2 | Episodes IV & V Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

The scale of this game is amazing. The monsters are HUGE. Couple this with co-op squad play with multiple vehicles? sheeeeiiiiiittttt....forgettaboutit

Bring Back the Robot Funk: Sofubi Nekosaur has Arrived!!

Look out! Bringing back the Robot Funk is Incubot Productions with the newly arrived Sofubi Nekosaur. Designed by Alen Yen of ToyBoxDX fame and sculpted and produced by Kiyoka Ikeda of Gargamel. Mine just arrived so pictures in a bit but check out the nice photogs by Travis Ho. Order yours above for about $80 and it includes a sick insert.





here is the crazy insert. You can choose to have it sent flat or professionally installed into your Nekosaur...!



Of course our main man Dead Presidents is painting the crazy custom Nekosaurs.

Mishka NYC Presents GOBLIN: A Print Series by Jon Vermilyea

I met Jon at The Alternative Press Expo last year and purchased his book. It's really cool and I usually don't buy "art" books. Everytime I see his art, it reminds me of lemonade and sweetarts. His upcoming show at Mishka NYC featuring prints of Goblins looks pretty interesting. Wish I could be there

VINYL & CO. Worldwide Movie Trailer by Jac & Johan

VINYL & CO. WORLDWIDE TRAILER By Jac & Johan from jac & johan on Vimeo.

Thanks to Bert and Jeremy for the heads up on yet another movie on these crazy vinyl toys. What I like about this one is that it seems like the lines are blurring between Eastern and Western vinyl toys as evidenced by footage from Gargamel. SF locals such as our own Brian Flynn of Super7 in front of his wall of toys plus Jim Crawford of Strangeco and of course, the omnipotent Frank Kozik are represented well. Between this and Jesse Hernandez's new Vinyl Addiction cable show, it does seem like designer toys are going more mainstream.

Speaking of which, when will we see Toy Punks Vol.2? C'mon Justin, chop! chop!

The Best Interview In the World: Tatsuhiko "Ryu" Akashi, CEO Medicom

Brace yourself... you are about to read The Best Interview ever conducted. It's an interview of Tatsuhiko "Ryu" Akashi, CEO of Medicom Toys. It was conducted by the fashion blog The Selby. It's brilliant in it's brevity and creative questions. Here it is in it's entirety:



Here is the transcript:
Q: Hi Ryu-san, Could you design a cell phone for my bearbrick?
Q: What inspires you to do your many artist collaboration?
A: They have what I don't have
Q: Who are you top 6 favorite cartoon characters from when you were a kid?
A: 1. Mickey Mouse 2. Demonking 3. Doraemon 4. Eagle Talon 5. Ultraman 6. Masked Rider
Q: Could you disign a Statue of Liberty Bearbrick?
Q: What 4 new materials or techniques would you like to try that you have never done in making Bearbricks?
A: 1. Tofu 2. Potato 3. Rice 4. Air
Q: Could you design a Max Headroom inspired Bearbrick?

My thoughts? Ryu-san never answers when he is asked to make another stupid Bearbrick. I think the question about experimenting with Bearbricks was misunderstood as what do you want for lunch? The Max Headroom reference not only showed what an old fart the interviewer is, but also his continued lack in creativity for a new Bearbrick. Not even a single reference to KAWS. wow.

But great pictures and captivating interview. Thank you!

Upper Playground 50% Off Sale Jan 21-31

Check it out, our favorite local streetware outfit Upper Playground is having a sick, sick 50% Off Everything Sale going on right now until January 31st. Now is the time to buy all that crazy Usugrow SHINGANIST clothing, books and prints!!! Hell Yeah!





I just picked up this EL MAC x RETNA shirt



With every order, a T-Shirt is delivered to the Haiti Relief Effort.

MVH Valentines Day Monster Head Release

Haven't quite figured out what you're gonna get your sweetie for Valentine's Day? The irrepresible LASH has the perfect gift: Mutant Vinyl Hardcore Resin Monster Head in clear Sweetheart Red. You can't go wrong!! This is actually one of my favorite colorways.

Just a little more info for tomorrows Valentines Day Monster Head release. The MVH Monster Head will go live for sale tomorrow 1/28/2010 at 9:00 PM EASTERN time. Again, the price for this particular run will be $35.00 shipped in the US and $40.00 outside. The heads are painted with subtle black spray with gold detail and pink and red doll eyes, check them out !

Buy yours at MVH Online Shop

The Art of Kris Kuksi: Master of Leftover Toy Parts

I've seen the art of Kris Kuksi before, but was reminded of his awesomeness by GERMS and CCPfan. Some of his work gives me flashes of HR Giger but the more interesting pieces to me are his vehicle collabortions such as his Church Tanks. I can't think of a better mash-up. The final combination of Church and State in a convenient, mobile enforcement platform...! I would love to see the Vatican roll like a hundred of these bad boys down to the Middle East.

His first solo show just ended at Joshua Liner Gallery in New York. BUT..... he's coming to the ShootingGallery in SF for a show in April...!

Bio from www.kuksi.com

Born March 2, 1973, in Springfield Missouri and growing up in neighboring Kansas, Kris spent his youth in rural seclusion and isolation along with a blue-collar, working mother, two much-older brothers and an absent father. Open country, sparse trees, and alcoholic stepfather, perhaps paved the way for an individual saturated in imagination and introversion. His fascination with the unusual lent to his macabre art later in life. The grotesque to him, as it seemed, was beautiful. Reaching adulthood his art blossomed and created a breakthrough of personal freedom from the negative environment experienced during his youth. He soon discovered his distaste for the typical American life and pop culture, feeling that he has always belonged to the ‘Old World’. Yet, Kris’ work is about a new wilderness, refined and elevated, visualized as a cultivation emerging from the corrupt and demoralized fall of modern-day society. A place were new beginnings, new wars, new philosophies, and new endings exist.



In personal reflection, he feels that in the world today much of mankind is oftentimes frivolous and fragile, being driven primarily by greed and materialism. He hopes that his art exposes the fallacies of Man, unveiling a new level of awareness to the viewer. His work has received several awards and prizes and has been featured in over 100 exhibitions in galleries and museums worldwide including the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Kris’ art can also be seen in a number of international art magazines, book covers and theatrical posters. Kris’ art is featured in both public and private collections in the United States, Europe, and Australia that include individuals such as Mark Parker (Nike CEO), Kay Alden (three time Emmy award winning writer for Young and the Restless & Bold and the Beautiful), Fred Durst (musician, and film director), and Chris Weitz (movie director The Golden Compass & American Pie).

I would love to see Kris' studio where he stores all these thousands of toy parts. must be pretty crazy.













ok, a jet on top of a tank? how bad ass is that?