Yesterday, at Toy Fair in New York, Mattel unveiled quite a bit of new MOTUC stuff.  Some of it was insanely exciting, some of it was, frankly, cringe-worthy (and that’s saying a lot when you’re talking MOTU!). The reveal that impressed me the most was the new Whiplash figure that they showed, complete with alt 200x-accurate head.  Additionally, Count Marzo will finally be getting his first action figure likeness, as well as a super cool new MOTUC She-Ra with both 80’s toy accurate and cartoon accurate heads.  It was also announced that Keldor will be a “bonus” quarterly figure that will essentially be an variant of Skeletor in much the same way that Battle Armor He-Man was a variant of He-Man.  A really big suprise, however, was that there will be an official release of Gygor, the giant yellow ape figure that never made it off of the drawing board of the original line.

Additionally, this sweet rotocasted giant Tytus figure will see reloease this year as another bonus figure.  The intertubes are abuzz with controversey over the fact that he’s not going to be quite as large as the vintage version of the figure.  But, what can you do?  All in all a pretty cool re-design.  Also, at Tytus’s feet, you can see pieces from what will be a bonus “Weapons Pack” that will feature additional weapons and accessories for your figures in alternate colors.

And then there’s this thing.  It was announced that one of the MOTUC exclusives for SDCC this year will be this tow pack, featuring Skeletor (with a missing tooth) and Mo-Larr, the Eternian Dentist.  Whatever.  I’m all for poking fun at MOTU, but I always felt that the Robot chicken Mo-Larr sketch was honestly pretty lame.  Here it is, in case you’ve never seen it:

Direct Youtube Link

Also worth noting is that Mattel unveiled a second DCUC vs. MOTUC 2 pack that will feature Skeletor vs. Lex Luthor.  The comic-style recolor of Skeletor is pretty cool, but in general, the whole thing is pretty “meh” for me.  It will, however, get MOTUC on the shelves of Toys R Us.  So, I suppose that’s cool.

All images stolen from the good people at ASM, check out all of their MOTUC Toy Fair pics here.

For all sorts of good info on yesterday’s reveals, check out this thread at He-Man.org.

Our friends over @ GameStop have announced yet another cool pre-order exclusive deal, this time for the much-anticipated “God of War III“.

By ordering the game in advance, you’ll receive a sweet poster signed by game concept artist Andy Park, and this very cool Phantom of Chaos skin.

I am a big fan of the G.O.W. games, and as mentioned before, I really dig the in-game-pre-order exclusive movement that GameStop has helped champion. You know you’re going to buy the g.d. game anyway, you might as well get something free for it.

God of War III drops March, 16th.

Pre-order your copy of God of War III from GameStop here.

Click image for full size version.

Last weekend was Japan’s Super Festival 50, an event which brought us all sorts of limited edition/ lottery only kaiju/ vinyl pieces that most of us will probably never get our hands on.  Of all of these releases, I feel like the collaborations that RxH did with various other artists/ companies really stold the show.  I’ve expressed in the past my enthusiasm for the Chaos Beast sculpt by RealxHead, and this was a really cool chance to see what other artists could do with the piece.

Again, these were released in very limited runs (maybe 20 or less) and typically sold in a lottery.  They are by, from left to right, RealxHead, Shef, Itokin Park, Skulltoys, and Ichiban Boshi.

Image stolen from Datadub’s flickr.

The opening of the Toy Karma II show at Rotofugi last night was beyond amazing.  From the outstanding exclusives to the art in the show itself, everyone involved knocked it out of the proverbial park.  Congratulations to Rotofugi, Mark Nagata, and all of the artists who contributed to Toy Karma II on a job well done.

It was great to see everyone last night and it was also cool to meet many of you in person for the first time!  Here are a few pics from the show:

Through their Toy Karma blog, Rotofugi has just announced 2 more Exclusive toys for their Toy Karma II show this weekend.

Glow in the Dark Shuttlegon by Elegab

And The TK2moot Big Muscamoot

From Rotofugi:

And last, but not least here’s the Big Muscamoot, TK2moot Version,  by Chris Ryniak for The Lake Monsters. For those of you that didn’t know…The Lake Monsters is one of our projects (Squibbles Ink + Rotofugi). Pretty much ever since we did Toy Karma the first time we’ve wanted to start making some of our own monsters. I’m glad to say that we’re doing it and, I think, doing some pretty cool stuff. Huge kudos to Chris Ryniak for providing a big chunk of the inspiration and talent to get this project rolling.

And….there are actually a couple more figures in the works for the Lake Monsters…if you look closely at a couple of the exhibit pieces in TK2 you might even get a hint at what is to come!

Awesomeness.

For all of the details on Toy Karma II and the Opening Reception Saturday evening, check out the official blog here.

Check out this amazing piece by our friend, Steve Seeley, for this weekend’s upcoming Toy Karma II show @ Rotofugi.  Up to this point, we’ve been previewing a lot of toy exclusives and customs that will be part of the show.  It’s important to note, however, that much like Steve’s piece, there will also be all sorts of art that is thematically inspired by Japanese toys.

The opening for Toy Karma II is this Saturday, September 5th at Rotofugi, 7-10 pm. Nerd City will be there.

For more info, please check out the official blog here.

For more of Steve’s work, check out his site here.

Perhaps the single awesomest Kaiju/toy event to come to Chicago since, well, Toy Karma I is about to hit Rotofugi on September 5th.  Toy Karma II will feature a mind blowing lineup of artists who are all producing custom toys or other pieced of art with a classic Japanese toy theme.

Click through for artist and exclusives list. (more…)

Our friends from Shocker Toys are headed to Wizard World Chicago (or Chicago Comic Con, or whatever I’m supposed to call it), and they’re bringing a whole bunch of cool stuff with them!  Not only will they their Indie Spotlight line for sale, but also a few of their past con exclusives.  This is also your chance to pick up that Dr. Rockzo Mallow.  Keep your fingers crossed that they have that Zen prototype that they were showing @ SDCC there, as well.

While looking over the list of exclusives for Wizard World Chicago recently, I happened upon these four pieces from Astonishing Toys.  These figures are from a new line that they’re producing called The Forsaken Dynasty.  I’m loving the retro MOTU styling on these and will keep you up to date on this line as it develops.

For now, check out the Astonishing Toys web site here or the official Forsaken Dynasty site here.

If you’re going to attend Wizard World Chicago, please be sure to visit Astonishing Toys at Booth 1229 to pick up your own set of these awesome figures.

Announced at todays “The Next Generation of Marvel Video Games” panel, Marvel showed off three concept images of Wolverine, Iron Man and Captain America (Steve Rogers version) as costumes for Sackboy in Little Big Planet. There was no confirmed release date or pricing of these, or even if these will be they only costumes (I expect at least a Spider Man one) but they are really cool looking for now and once again these are PS3 exclusives. Thanks to Kotaku for the pictures.

Our main man Suckadelic is all over San Diego Comic Con, yo!

Exclusives “Frankie Goes to Hyperspace” and “The Green Gremlin”.

Custom Mighty Mugg on display @ the Lucasfilm Pavilion.

Mezco Mez-its custom (It’s pot.)

Get all the details on how to get your Suck on @ SDCC here.

The intertubes is abuzz with chatter of SDCC.  That’s nice.

However, I recently realized that I missed a brilliant gem of news amid the piles of San Diego exclusives lists, complementary cocktail party info, and red carpet-esque celebrity-filled panels.  The Four Horsemen have made one of their Seventh Kingdom variants, D’zwirra, the bengal tiger, a Wizard World Chicago Exclusive!  How sweet is that?  She’s limited to a qty of 250 and is available at the con.  If anyone wants one and will not be able to make it to Wizard World, drop me an e-mail and I’ll try to grab one for you.

For more info on D’zwirra, click here.

For more info on WWC, click here.

Ok, back to obsessing about San Diego…

From Shockertoys.com:

Shocker Toys returns to San Diego Comic-Con Booth #3849 with five, count ‘em, five, exclusives, the return of an old favorite and one can’t miss party.

Tribune’s Dick Tracy will make his first appearance as a hyper-articulated 6 inch action figure in creator Chester Gould’s black and white comic strip style.  The World’s Most Famous Detective will be available in two limited run action figures.  The B&W standard version with suit and pistol, limited to 500 pieces, will be available on-site and at the Shocker Toys online store.  The B&W variant figure, limited to 250 pieces, with Tracy in his iconic trench coat with Tommy gun, will be available only at Comic-Con with a purchase ticket given out at the show opening every day of the show.

Shocker Toys’ booth will also highlight their new articulated designer line, Mallows, with three exclusives:  A Mallow version of the CCI Guy (the SDCC Logo) (250 pcs), The Phantom with yellow/black trunks (500 pcs) and Dethklok’s favorite rock and roll clown, Dr. Rockzo (500 pcs). On hand will also be DIY blank Mallows to design your own as well as custom contests and Artist custom Mallows showcased featuring some artist such as Phetus, Mad Hatter Creative and more.

If Dr. Rockzo isn’t enough for fans of Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse, Shocker Toys will also be featuring a 500 piece re-release of the now legendary Dethklok set that took San Diego by storm in 2008.

Shocker Toys will also help kick off the Con in style with a Friday night Mallows release party at BONDI across from the convention center in the Gaslamp, more info at http://www.thebondi.comThere will be custom Artist Mallows, giveaways and great music. Right before the party, Shocker Toys will be hosting a panel in room 4 on Friday July 24th,  6:30-7:30.  Stop by for news, info and special giveaways.

Booth #3849 will feature contests, giveaways, feedback and new products. Also, meet Shocker Toys CEO Geoff Beckett, who will be answering questions about upcoming figures for Mallows, Indie Spotlight Series 2 and 3 and more.  Be sure to mark it on your list of booths to visit.

In addition to the Comic-Con exclusives, updates to the Indie Spotlight line will be on display at the booth.  This includes Series 2 in the final development stages, lineup and preliminary development for Series 3, and for the first time since Wizard Philly, Indie Spotlight Series 1 is back in stock.  Look for the full lineup available at the booth.

Stores and Press are urged to contact Shocker Toys at info@shockertoys.com for more info about wholesale specials on-site and interview opportunities.

About Shocker Toys, LLP.

New Jersey based Shocker Toys, LLP current roster includes Indie Spotlight 6” scale independent comic book action figures, Who Wants to be a Superhero figures, 3” Shockinis, Metalocalypse figures and Mallows.  For more product and licensing information visit the company’s website http://www.shockertoys.com

I have yet to see one of these Mallows in person, but they look really cool.  And, if you were going to choose a character with which to launch your new designer platform toy, you can’t do much better than Dr. Rockzo!

Direct Youtube Link

Man, I wish I was going to SDCC.  Yesterday, Rotofugi revealed their official plans for the con:

Welcome to the Rotofugi Somewhat Infrequent Update SPECIAL PRE-San Diego Comic Con 2009 Edition!

If you were with us last time you learned that we’re getting ready to embark on an epic roadtrip….to San Diego Comic Con!

In just a few short hours we’ll be hopping in the car and heading south by southwest with the eventual goal of getting to San Diego in time to set up at Booth 4930.

We’ll be eating tasty road food, listening to lots of audio books (Neal Stephenson’s Anathema was my choice) and most importantly…Twittering. Just follow us @rotofugi to keep up with our progress and maybe get a chance to win a little something here and there (think trivia).

Now…on to the good stuff…here’s some of signings and the stuff we’ll have for sale once we get there….

Saturday 12 Noon-1:45PM

Chris Ryniak Signing and Special Release

The Lake Monsters Big Muscamoot
Fire on the Water Version

What was originally meant to be the very first Lake Monster is now a reality! A little bit of trouble with the first batch of vinyl we received delayed this release but we’ve re-grouped, got new vinyl and won’t ever trust that factory with glue again. Orange vinyl with red, orange and yellow sprays. FIRE.

$60

A small number of pieces will be available AFTER SDCC via lottery. We’ll announce details later. Thanks!

Saturday 2-4PM

Ohm Signing and Special Release

Pure Tcho! Captain Biceps by Muttpop

Tcho! figure design Ohm will be on hand to sign and doodle on a blank version of his Captain Biceps design (not shown…it’s the cool robot one!). Limited to just 50 pieces!

$15

Sunday 12 Noon

Special SDCC / Wonder Festival Summer Dual Release

The Lake Monsters Big Muscamoot
Booskamoot Tribute Version

This tribute to one of our favorite Japanese pop culture characters is a dual release at SDCC as well as at Wonder Festival in Japan. Orange base vinyl with ivory, brown and yellow sprays and a fine misting of silver paint to give a rad pearlescent finish.

$60 at SDCC - Limit One
¥5900 at Wonder Festival

A small number of pieces will be available AFTER SDCC via lottery. We’ll announce details later. Thanks!

Available All Days

Handmade Pocket Devil by Shawnimals Debut Release

A new pocket plush, handmade by the fine Shawnimal folk makes it’s debut…with special SDCC Tag!

$15

Available All Days

The Lake Monsters Big Muscamoot Discount Factory Reject Unpainted Figures

These are the not-so-perfect pieces of vinyl our factory sent us (the reason the Fire on the Water Release was delayed). Some have ill-fitting arms, some have glue drips, some just aren’t right….so we’re selling them off cheap! Mostly they look pretty darn good, they just weren’t good enough to be made into final releases (we’re picky). DIY anyone?

$30 each

Available All Days

Rotofugi Toy Nerd 09 T-Shirts

Chances are that if you’re reading this…and will be attending SDCC, then this is the shirt for you. Be proud of what you are in this 100% Cotton Tee! We are! Sizes Small through XXL.

$16 each

Other Stuff

We’ll also have a good supply of Ninjatown Micro Plush, Marshall Series 1 and Tear Drips Series 1 on hand plus a couple Inked Pulp letter press prints and some neato buttons to pique your interest. So, if you’re going to be at SDCC stop on by Booth 4930 and say hi!

Super 7 is going to be bringing a cray-zay amount of exclusives to SDCC this year, including work by some of Nerd City’s favorite artists:

From Super 7:

Jade Mongolion by L’amore Supreme

Designed by L’amour Supreme and sculpted by Como Liquid for the Sankes of Infinity Line of charaters, Jade Mongolion may just be what the Terracotta Warriors have been protecting for centuries. Cast in a slithery translucent green vinyl mixed with opaque green vinyl, before hand brushed and painted, this figure is just as precious and complex as its namesake. Be careful crossing borders with this figure because nobody is going to believe it is made out of vinyl.

Available all days. $65 ea.

From Super 7:

P.G.I.D Mummy Boy by Brian Flynn

Super7’s mascot is back again, although I am not sure he remembers why. Still looking for his lost arm, he will be searching Old Town all night looking for any clues. Cast in a newly developed (and exclusive) Super7 vinyl, Mummy Boy is solid pink vinyl that glows green in the dark. Day or night, this latest Mummy Boy will haunt your dreams day or night.

Available all days. $50 ea.

From Super 7:

Glitter Ooze Bat by Chanman

Another first in technical production, Chanmen’s slippery sludge monster, Ooze-Bat, is back. This Snakes of Infinity series kaiju is made in clear vinyl filled to the max with as much metallic silver glitter as we could fit inside the figure. Disco may be dead, but Ooze-Bat has risen again.

Available all days. $50 ea.

From Super 7:

Green Gorilla Biscuits from their debut 7″ cover

“Better watch out, better be scared!” Seminal hardcore and straight-edge band Gorilla Biscuits teams up with Super7 once again for the final release of the figure based on their debut 7″ cover. A tribute to the 12″ G.I. Joe figures of the 1970’s, heavily collected by Civ as well as many of the early Revelation records staff, the figure is cast in army green vinyl and comes packaged in a wooden footlocker with wraparound art of the Gorilla up to his elbows in urban warfare.

Available all days. $65 ea.

From Super 7:

G.I.D Franken(Berry) Fighter by Brian Flynn

One of the longest running collaborations out there, the Super7 x Secret Base Frankenfighter is back for this year’s con. A tribute to the the colorway of classic monster cereal madman Franenberry but twisted with a special glow-in-the-dark vinyl that shows up bright blue in the dark, this Frankenfighter is a must have for all classic kaiju collectors.

Available all days. $65 ea.

From Super 7:

Citrus Steven the Bat by Bwana Spoons

Back again for the first time, Bwana Spoons’ first figure and Super7 classic toy has finally returned! Ready for his encore, Softcrusher’s resident drummer and jelly bagel addict, Steven the Bat has just flown in for summer, and brings with him the colors of the season.

Available all days. $25 ea.

From Super 7:

Big Sal by Kathy Olivas and Brandt Peters

Having two creators, Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters, makes Big Sal one of the more eccentric members of Monster Family. Donning straightjacket and space helmet Big Sal is just as likely to have escaped from the asylum as the mother ship. Cast in clear blue vinyl with faded white spray and candy cane tentacles Big Sal is terminally attractive.

Available on Thursday at 3pm,
until sold out. $25 ea.

From Super 7:

Vampire Bat by Josh Herbolsheimer

From beneath the soil, the seed of terror is growing, and the Vampire Rose is born! The first minion of a hostile Earth stalks among the living, destined to reclaim the planet from those who would plunder and pollute it. Be not fooled by the appearance of this cute little sprout, for he is surely a harbinger of doom to come.

Available only in the white unpainted set at the Monster Family signing on Saturday.
(prototype shown.)

From Super 7:

Magenta Massacare Hollis by LeMerde

If you don’t know about Zeu by now, I feel sorry for you. The enigmatic leader of Zeu (the greatest rock band in the world) and former tennis pro Hollis Price knows how to make a racket with or without his racquet. Now is your chance to get to know Hollis better.

Available all days. $25 ea.

From Super 7:

G.I.D Milton by Brian Flynn

The latest spirit to arrive from Ghost Land, Milton is the first of the candy characters set to arrive later this year. Milton materializes in one of Super7’s signature colorways, a glow-in-the-dark vinyl with blue and red spray. The first painted release of Milton, stop by for your taster of this sweet little surprise.

Available all days. $15 ea.

From Super 7:

Red Devil Lucha Bear by Itokin Park

Itokin Park makes some of the most unique vinyl figures today. With his signature style, Itokin Park has managed to make his mark in both resin and vinyl, creating several incredibly popular characters. His first figure made by his own toy company, Lucha Bear, the Red Devil version is various tones of red on a clear based vinyl filled with red and silver glitter and custom designed paper inserts.

Available Friday at noon until sold out. $65 ea.

From Super 7:

Skulletor Dokurocks by Skull Toys

Japanese manufacturer Takeuchi-Yu and Skull Toys are back with a great rendition of his classic Dokurocks mini figure. Colored up in the signature Super7 Skulletor colorway, this blue and yellow mini sized marvel is not to be missed.

Available all days. $45 ea.

All in all this is a really impressive lineup!  I really really like that jade version of the Mongolion.  And I’m also interested in Brian Flynn’s new Milton sculpt.  SDCC should be pretty rad for kaiju collectors.

To get all of the details of Super 7’s SDCC plans, go here.