KidNeutron & KidRoyale Kidrobot Mascot Vinyl Figures

Wow, The Blot can’t help but feel partially to blame for these two abysmal new Kidrobot mascot vinyl figure releases. I’ve been complaining as much as anyone the past few years about the price of Kidrobot’s figures as their quality continues to decline. That isn’t to say there haven’t been some amazing designs released; I just can’t stand how sloppy the production has been. So finally Kidrobot listened to its fans’ complaints and is releasing two reasonably priced 8” figures…and yet where are the designs!?!

I should have known these figures were going to be underwhelming when I heard there was no artist attached with the release. And surprisingly, these two don’t seem to be numbered as part of the Kidrobot Mascot series or have a run sized announced. So what does that say? Does it mean these are open edition figures meant for Urban Outfitters and other large chain retailers? Maybe, but I really hope not. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case…you know it’s only a matter of time before they start releasing 8” “limited edition” figures at Urban Outfitters.

It’s sad because Kidrobot is supposed to be the torchbearer in this industry and I honestly hold them to a higher standard.  But this seems to be a step in the wrong direction, especially when you consider how far its Mascot line has come. While I would have no problem with these if they were some of the first Mascots released back in 2004, but even those put these to shame! Can these even been considered designer art toys anymore? There are so many talented creators out there who would do incredible work with this platform, but instead Kidrobot decides to release this? I just don’t get it. To say The Blot is disappointed would be a huge understatement. And this after 5 extremely solid Kidrobot Mascot figures over the past 2 years. I would seriously love the opportunity to manage this line for KR because they are just wasting a perfectly good toy right now.

KidNeutron is boldly going where some ‘bots have gone before..the black, white and cyan Kidrobot steps out of his space pants and into your collection. Sleek and graphic with ray gun in hand, this KidNeutron is out to make permanent mischief. KidRoyale is mischievous in black with fresh cyan kicks and trusty graff accessory in tow. This ‘bot reps a dark getup to creep through your neighborhood and tag undetected. Both KidNeutron and KidRoyale Kidrobot Mascot Vinyl Figures go on sale Thursday, February 23rd at Kidrobot stores, Kidrobot.com and select retailers worldwide for just $29.95 each.

Leatherface Pop! Movies Vinyl Figure

Funko recently announced that its next Pop! Movies vinyl figure would be Leatherface, the star of the cult classic horror movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre! The Blot’s not all that into horror movies, but I know lots of collectors will be excited about the release of this legendary killer. You know, it’s really amazing how Funko can turn even the most sadistic of characters into cute and chunky vinyl figures. I think it says a lot about Funko is doing with their Pop! toy line.

Each 3.75” Leatherface vinyl figure features one point of articulation, comes packaged in a full color displayable window box packaging, and will retail for $9.99.

The Dark Knight Rises Wacky Wobbler Bobble Heads by Funko

The leaks of new toys for this summer’s The Dark Knight Rises just keep on coming! Check out these awesome The Dark Knight Rises Wacky Wobbler bobble heads by Funko featuring Batman and Bane. I’m a little surprised there’s no matching Catwoman, but maybe we’re better off without a reminder of Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Selena Kyle. This is the third Catwoman to appear in a live action movie in the past 20 years and for some reason they refuse to give her an appropriate costume.

The Dark Knight Rises Wacky Wobbler bobble heads will retail for around $12-15 each and should hit stores sometime soon.

Threadless Game of Thrones T-Shirt “Adopt A Dire Wolf”

HBO released the first teaser trailer for Game of Thrones Season 2 this week, and The Blot is using all of my willpower not to watch it. After GoT’s amazing first season, I’m attempting to go into Season 2 as unspoiled as possible. Not sure how long that will hold up, but I’m going to do my best. I also need to find a friend with HBO that will let me come watch every Sunday (Yes, I'm looking at you!). Before Season 2 starts on April 1st, head over to Threadless and pick up this adorable “Adopt A Dire Wolf” featuring everyone’s favorite Game of Thrones pet, Jon Snow’s Ghost.

Adopt A Dire Wolf by Sean A. Husbands

The Game of Thrones t-shirt “Adopt A Dire Wolf” comes printed on a silver t-shirt and is currently available for purchase at Threadless.com for $20. The shirt comes in both guys and girls styles, sizes S-2XL.

Comic Book Edition The Avengers Mini Mighty Muggs 2 Packs

Later this month Hasbro will be releasing a line of The Avengers Mini Mighty Muggs 2 packs, featuring Captain America vs. The Red Skull, the Hulk vs. Abomination, Iron Man vs. Iron Monger and Thor vs. Loki. Unlike yesterday’s The Avengers Movie Mini Mighty Muggs, these Hero vs. Villain 2 packs featuring each character’s look from the Marvel comic books.

When Hasbro first announced these 2 packs at SDCC 2012 (originally seen here), The Blot was pretty excited for them. What isn’t there to be excited about, it was Hasbro’s first Mighty Muggs release at retail since 2010’s Iron Man 2 wave. But now that that initial excitement has worn off, I’m a little disappointed that we’re just getting more of the same. In the past year Hasbro has released 2 waves of Marvel Mini Mighty Muggs, and each wave has included Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and the Hulk. Do we really need the same four characters over and over? Even the most diehard of Mighty Muggs fans can’t want three versions of The Avengers’ core members. At least we’re getting Hawkeye and Nick Furry I guess…

Comic Book Edition The Avengers Mini Mighty Muggs 2 Packs will hit store shelves later this month and retail for around $16-18 per pack.

Tim Doyle’s “Unreal Estate” Solo Art Show

Last night marked the opening of “Unreal Estate,” Tim Doyle’s very first solo art show at Spoke Art’s San Francisco location! In "Unreal Estate," the Austin artist explores locations found throughout popular culture in a variety of limited edition, hand printed screen prints and original art. What a great freaking idea! I love Doyle’s work, and from the few prints I’ve seen Tim did a fantastic job with this series of prints.

From The Simpsons' Moe's Tavern and the Springfield Kwik-E-Mart, to Arrested Development's Bluth Banana Stand and the diner from Seinfeld, Doyle's realistic and illustrative reinterpretations of television's most iconic places is a captivating voyage. For this new body of work, Tim has moved away from his usually big bold colors and comic-book line quality to create a more illustrative style, with muted tones and colors that reflect a mood or time of day. He attempts to preserve and honor the non-physical spaces found in this show with the same care and intention given to iconic real world locations. This series is one artist's intensely personal journey through a world which is universal to us all!

Any and all of Tim Doyle’s remaining prints, original inks and wood/glow-in-the-dark variants from the “Unreal Estate” art show will be released today, Friday, February 3rd via the Spoke Art online store at approximately 3pm PST. Get your F5 keys ready!!!

“Every Man Is My Enemy” Art Book by Skinner

Skinner’s brand new art book Every Man Is My Enemy will be released upon the world in just a few short hours and The Blot can’t wait!!! This 8.5”x11” hardcover book is a whopping 172 pages and features 250 illustrations and photos of the Sacramento artists’ crazy and vibrant art. I love how the Skinnman seamlessly merges all of the best parts of dungeons and dragons, heavy metal music and ‘80s pop culture into an art style that is uniquely his own. This is definitely one art book you won’t want to miss!

The Every Man Is My Enemy art book by Skinner goes on sale today, Friday, February 3rd, at the ZeroFriends Oakland store and the ZeroFriends online store. Each copy comes hand signed by Skinner, and the first 300 purchases will include a free 8”x10” signed and numbered giclee print. Skinner will also be appearing and signing his new book at Zerofriends this Saturday, February 4th, from 2-3pm. Be there or be square!

Kozik's Choice Cuts Labbit Signing & Release Party at Lindy & Grundy Butcher Shop

Next Thursday, February 9th, Kidrobot is holding what I think is one of the coolest release parties ever! To celebrate the release of its Choice Cuts 10” Labbit, Kidrobot will be hosting a very special Frank Kozik signing at the Lindy & Grundy butcher shop. Could there be a better place to celebrate the release of the Choice Cuts Labbit than a butcher shop!?! Lindy & Grundy will also be getting into the act by making special “Choice Cuts” sausage for the event, which will be available for purchase that evening.

Choice Cuts is a 10 inch guide on how to chop, slice and dice your Labbit into the tastiest pieces possible. He even comes with a matte white bone perfect for grandma Labbit’s stock recipe! The USLA has labeled this hog a perfect F for Fantastic – the best grade a Labbit could get. The Choice Cuts 10” Labbit by Frank Kozik goes on sale this Thursday, February 9th, at Kidrobot stores, Kidrobot.com and select retailers worldwide for $80 each.

“I’m a Bad Apple” Group Custom Show by Bad Applez Inc.

The creative minds behind Bad Applez Inc., OsiRisORion and NeMo, have put together an exciting online group show entitled “I’m a Bad Apple.” They selected over 30 artists to customize those little plastic apples you find at a craft store, and told the artists to do whatever they want with these common craft store items. From the few teaser images The Blot’s seen so far, these custom apples are going to be sick!

“I’m a Bad Apple” will go live this Valentine’s Day, February 14th, on the Bad Applez Inc. website. Head over there next Tuesday, and click on the “I’m a Bad Apple” gallery page where you’ll be able to see pictures of each piece from all 30 artists involved. Every custom apple from the show will also be available for purchase from the Bad Applez Inc. online store. So if you see a piece you like, definitely pick it up! As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

The Dark Knight Rises Pop! Vinyl Figures

Last week The Blot heard some rumblings about a line of The Dark Knight Rises Pop! Heroes vinyl figures from Funko. I assumed they were probably true, but yesterday it was confirmed when photos of all three The Dark Knight Rises Pop! vinyl figures hit the internet after their debut at Toy Fair! Check out these awesome Batman, Bane and Catwoman Pop! vinyl figures featuring their looks from the upcoming live action movie.

Based on the surefire summer blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises, this new batch of Pop! Heroes vinyl figures are pretty sweet. While I still prefer all three characters’ looks in the DC comic books over Nolan’s interpretations, Funko did a great job turning these gritty characters into cute chunky toys. Does this mean we might see Heath Ledger’s version of The Joker from The Dark Knight in Pop! form sometime soon? I sure hope so!

Each 3.75” The Dark Knight Rises Pop! vinyl figure features 1 point of articulation, comes packaged in a full color displayable window box and will retail for $9.99.

The Avengers Movie Mini Mighty Muggs Series 1

The Blot was shocked to learn that not only will Hasbro be releasing a line of The Avengers Movie Mini Mighty Muggs, but they’ll be sold individually and not in 2-packs. The Avengers Mini Muggs Series 1 includes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye and Nick Fury. While The Blot prefers standard sized Mighty Muggs, I have to say these turned out pretty nice. And at least we got two, never before released characters in this wave. However, I am still holding out hope a comic book edition Hawkeye Mighty Mugg will be released at some point.

Each 3” The Avengers Movie Mini Mighty Mugg features 3 points of articulation and comes packaged individually in a full colored displayable window box. All 6 figures will hit stores later this month, but in the meantime you can pre-order the entire first series from EntertainmentEarth.com for $42.99 here.

Vishnu Paramata (The Boss) Resin Figure by We Kill You!

Meet Vishnu Paramata, the newest resin figure from We Kill You! The Blot hasn’t had the opportunity to blog about many of WKY’s releases, but this toy was just too awesome not to write about. Vishnu Paramata is actually a mini 3” version of WKY's "The Boss", but this version features The Boss’ hands behind his back hiding a weapon! Not only that, but each figure includes 2 interchangeable weapons. I especially like the fact that you can customize this mini figure to hold all kinds of weapon and different kinds of accessories.

The “A Mystical Timezone” Vishnu Paramata colorway has a limited edition run size of 20 pieces, and is handcast in clear orange resin with purple and blue spray and painted eyes. Each figure comes packaged in a bag with a signed and numbered header card by WKY. Pick one up today for $40 at the We Kill You! online store.

Super7 - Fiery Tornado Honoo by Leecifer

If you’ve never bought one of Leecifer’s Honoo vinyl figures before, The Blot highly recommends you check out this beautiful new colorway from Super7. In my honest opinion, this the best Honoo released to date. The marbled red and orange vinyl makes Honoo the flame look like real fire.

Born from a spark of mischief and ignited by curiosity, the Fiery Tornado Honoo scorches everything in its path. Will you have the power to tame this wildfire for your collection? Leecifer's Honoo is cast in marbled red and orange vinyl with yellow, purple, white and blue sprays. Pick one up this Thursday, February 2nd, at noon PST at the Super7 online store for $35 each.

Kitsune Custom 8” Dunny by Huck Gee

Huck Gee’s newest custom figure was released yesterday and it is truly amazing. Meet Kitsune, the Seven Tailed Geisha…the Masked Beauty…the lover…the mirrored trickster. Protected by Kabuki, the Masked Ronin, her reflection of anger and retribution incarnate. Each Kitsune custom 8 inch Dunny comes signed and numbered by Huck, and includes all of the accessories show here. 10 figures were created in all, each retailing for $750 each. Anyone interested in picking one up should email sales@huckgee.com ASAP to find out about availability and make payment arrangements.

“Cover The Cap” FatCap Artist Proof Sets by Sket One

Last night Sket One released what is sure to be one of the hottest Artist Proof Sets around! Sket is selling the artist proofs of his standard LA Edition “Cover The Cap” FatCap and the North America Exclusive Case Incentive Gold “Cover The Cap” FatCap from Kidrobot's FatCap Series 3 for a very special AP set. Each 3 inch FatCap comes signed and numbered by the artist and comes packaged in a custom 4”x4” signed and numbered paint can holder that doubles as a killer display pieces. Sket also threw in three of his popular tag stickers to complete the set.

Only 20 “Cover The Cap” FatCap AP Sets by Sket One were created and according to his online store half of the sets have already been purchased. So head over to Sket One’s online store today and pick up this beautiful set for $125 while you still can!