Saturday, March 15, 2008

New Releases

Kidrobot is coming out with some cool stuff in April. Looks like it could be an expensive month for me.

First up, a blind box set of Adul Swim figures. 18 characters plus two chases in the set. Even though I'm not a fan of the show, one figure I'll definitely want to have is Assy McGee. Other characters include Moral Oral, Robot Chicken, Metalocalypse, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The set will be released on April 17.




One week later, on April 24, Patricio Oliver gives us his 8" Zombie Pet Dunny. Transluscent blue in the light, this figure glows when the lights go out.



Both of these items will defintely find their way into my collection.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

When Worlds Collide



Paris Hilton and Benji Madden share a moment at Kidrobot LA:
Paris: So, what, they're plastic?!?

Benji: No...vinyl.
Paris: . . .
Paris: . . .
Paris: . . .
Paris: That's not hot!

So, apparently Good Charlotte's Benji Madden is a vinyl fan. It's only natural he'd want to share his hobby with his girlfriend. But when that girlfriend is Paris Hilton...? Come to think of it, it makes sense for Benji to be down with the vinyl. After all, vinyl toys...plastic girlfriend.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Skullman

My westcoast friend and fellow vinyl enthusiast Puppetbrain continues to gain streetcred as a top notch customizer with his latest triumph - 2nd runner up in the Balzac Skullman custom contest.

For those not in the know (and that would have included me until I did some research), Balzac is a popular Japanese horropunk band, similar to the American band The Misfits. Over the years, the band has developed a selection of band-themed toys and figures, one of which is the Skullman figure. Prototype figures were sent to participants in December '07, and the winning entries were annouced on February 14. Here's a shot of the prototype figure as well as Puppet's finished entry:






You can go here to see pictures of all of the entries, as well as read the awesome comments on Puppet's piece by the judges. As a customizer, you've got to love having the word "masterpiece" used in connection with your work.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Kidninja - Blood splattered version



I just read on the Vinyl Pulse site that this Friday at 12:00 pm PST (3:00 pm my time), Joe Ledbetter will sell a total of 50 kidninja figures with "blood splatters" at his eBay store. There will be 25 of each color way, and all of the figures will be signed by Huck.

At $50 a piece, I'll have to think about whether or not I'll try to get any more of these. I've already purchased two. Besides, if I get bogged down at work I might not be able to get online before they're all sold out (just like Joe's Bummer figure last week).

Cartoon Madness 3: Toyland



There's an interesting new art exhibit set to premiere at the Alcove Gallery here in town. It's called Cartoon Madness 3: Toyland, and it looks to be something worth checking out:
30 plus artists bring toys back to life...a event based on the ongoing memories and fascination with toys and childhood imagery. Expect to see some of the brain children from Cartoon Network and Adult Swimmers, along with a healthy repast of the country's best illustrators and painters. This show not only will launch you into the future but will take you down the retros of retrograde.

I'd check out the show just to see what the Cartoon Network and Adult Swim folks come up with. Also, I was fortunate enough to meet the curator of the Alcove Gallery at ACE; his name is Chris Warner and he's actually a fan of vinyl toys. He's interested in showcasing vinyl art toys in the gallery, as well as getting together with local enthusiasts to customize figures, prmote the hobby, and maybe even develop some new product. This is definitely someone I'd like to get to know better.

The exhibit will be held on Friday, March 7. Click here for more information.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Joe Ledbetter's Tiger



Here's my next acquisition - Joe Ledbetter's 8-inch Dunny, "Tiger". No word on the size of the production run, but there will be a blind chase edition. Priced at $39.95, Tiger will be in stores on March 20.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Huck Gee's Kidninja



As expected, I picked up two of the kidninja figures today - one white, one grey. I have to admit, they are pretty sweet! When (if) I ever part with them, it'll be tough to let them go.

Monday, February 11, 2008

ACE: Custom Mini Munnys

One of the biggest sellers at the booth was the new Mini Munny. A lot of people bought one just because they were cute, others because they wanted to try their hand at customizing one. The Con held a custom Munny contest, with several of the attending artists trying their hand at creating new works of art.


Derrick with Urban Medium customizing his Munny


Derrick's finished piece.


"Killer" by Ethan Van Sciver


Munny Mobile by Francesco Fracavalli


"Lobo" by Kevin Stokes


"Hero Bear" by Mike Kunkle

Don Cook's cousin customizing her Munny

Saturday, February 9, 2008

ACE: Sket-One

Blue Monday was lucky enough to host Sket-One for the release of his new Ripple figure. In between panels and other functions, Sket signed Ripples, sketched and greeted his fans.

Sket was a great guy, genuinely appreciative of the support he received from his fans. Even though we were happy to be a part of the launch of his latest figure, Sket thanked us for promoting his appearance and helping to make the launch a success. Definitely a class act.




Sket meeting his fans



Sign those figures


Some of Sket's merchandise


Another satisfied fan!



Ripples on parade!

Atlanta Comics Expo

As I mentioned in previous posts, a couple of friends and I were going to have a booth at the Atlanta Comics Expo. For three days, the "Blue Monday" crew had a great time selling vinyl items to a very eager and appreciative crowd. I'm happy to say the response to our booth was overwhelming. It's pretty obvious that Atlanta needs a vinyl store. Hopefully, Blue Monday will be able to fill that need.




The Blue Monday booth



More vinyly goodness



Jeffrey rockin' a sale



Shannon being...Shannon.



Happy customers!



A Stormtrooper and his latest purchase.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

The Vivisect Playset

STRANGEco's latest release, The Vivisect Playset, hits the stores tomorrow. I actually had a chance to buy a case of these at wholesale, but passed. To be honest, I wasn't that familiar with them, hadn't seen any of the figures, and didn't realize how cool they would be. Now that I'm better educated, I'm kicking myself because these figures look sweet. Vinyl Pulse has a good article on the set, complete with pictures:
There are fifteen different figures in the blind-boxed Vivisect Playset series: Stella & 'Roo by Pete Gronquist (+ gold/pink SE) Baby-Eating Crocodile by Amanda Visell (+ tan SE) Scurvy Nevil by Greg 'Craola' Simkins (+silver/pink SE) Ledkins by Joe Ledbetter & Greg Simkins, Slugworth by Thomas Han (+GID SE) Clean One by Anthony Ausgang (+ purple/green SE) Mugs Bunny by Luke Chueh (+ sawtooth and three eye SE) and King of the Deadbeets by Joe Ledbetter.
Fortunately for me, we'll be selling the Vivisect figures at the Blue Monday booth at ACE this weekend. I'm sure I'll pick up a few.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Huck Gee Kidninja Figure

The next item on my "To Buy" list is the new Kidninja 8" by Huck Gee. Kidrobot will release the figure on February 14. There will be two colors - white and grey - with each color having a run of 1,000 pieces.




Sweetness!

Star Wars Mighty Muggs

I was at a Wal-Mart during my lunch hour today, picking up some stuff for the ACE convention this weekend. I strolled through the toy section to see if they had any of the Marvel Super Hero Squad figures I was missing when I noticed something new.

Star Wars Mighty Mugg by Hasbro. And they were vinyl! I know I don't get out enough, as I had no idea these were coming out. I snagged about ten boxes, thinking they may make good items to sell at ACE (or online). I have some Vaders, some Mauls, a Han Solo, A Chewie, a couple of Boba Fetts, and some Stormtroopers. Pretty cool figures! I like the shape too - I may pick up some to customize.

I went online after I got back to the office and did some research. Hasbro's releasing a Marvel series as well. Those are definitely on my list!


Monday, February 4, 2008

ACE Update: Sket One

Holy Shit.

That's all I can manage to say, with news this big. As I mentioned in my last post, the Blue Monday team will be manning a booth at this year's ACE Convention here in Atlanta. There's already a ton of vinyl-related events scheduled, but this bit of news is HUGE:

Sket One's new Ripple figure will be released during ACE at the Blue Monday booth!!! Limited to only 500 pieces, the OG Vanilla figure will be selling for $44.99, and Sket will be on hand to sign.

This is freaking huge, people.

Like I said before, mark your calendars.

Friday, January 25, 2008

ACE 2008 Is A Go!

Happy New Year! I'm pleased to say that I'm getting 2008 off to a great start! Once again, the Blue Monday team will be manning a booth at this year's ACE Convention in February (this time for sure). The table's been bought, the merchandise is being bought, and plans are being made. Not only will we be there, but Urban Medium will have a booth as well, as will Sket One! Even better, Kidrobot will be on hand to host a custom Munny auction to benefit Reading is Fundamental.

This could very well be the year that vinyl takes hold in Atlanta.

Mark your calendars for ACE - February 8 - 10, 2008.