Coraline Nike Dunk High Sneakers

This is definitely one movie tie-in The Blot never expected to see. Earlier this month Neil Gaiman, author of the Coraline novel, announced the impending release of limited edition Coraline x Nike Dunk sneakers. (link) The Coraline Nike Dunk sneakers feature prominently the story’s trademark black buttons, what looks to be hand stitching along its seams and glow in the dark soles. But if you want to add a pair of the Coraline Nike Dunks to your sneaker collection, the odds are against you. These cool shoes are limited to just 1,000 pairs and you can only get your hands on a pair by winning them directly from Coraline.com.


If you click here you can head to the official Coraline website to find out more about the Coraline Nike Dunk sneaker contest. According to the stop animation movie’s website, there will be a secret password given after the film’s end credits that you can then enter online for a chance to win the coveted Coraline Dunks. No word yet on when fans can start entering the secret password, but I would assume it will start the same day the movie debuts in theaters, February 6, 2009.


So, make sure you go see Coraline in two weeks on opening weekend and don’t forget to stay through its end credits for a chance at winning some very cool Coraline apparel! Here’s hoping they made a few pairs in larger sizes so maybe The Blot can get his hands on a size 14.

Travel Channel’s Man v. Food

The Blot doesn’t know when the Travel Channel became the new (and decisively better) Food Network, but they’re doing a great job of it! Joining Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern comes their newest food oriented travel show Man v. Food hosted by television newcomer Adam Richman.


In this new series, Richman sets out to travel the country in search of the best places to do some serious indulging. Adam begins his quest to find the best traditional food the nation can serve up and after hunting down the can't-miss flavors that make up each region's unique culinary history, he takes on the city's toughest food challenge. Man v. Food’s first season takes us to cities both big and small, with stops in cities such as Amarillo, TX, Memphis, TN, Columbus, OH, New Orleans, New York City and LA.


The show debuted last December, but I had never heard of it until this past week when I caught a few repeats including an episode that featured Richman traveling to a city that I hold dear, Austin, TX. The show is really entertaining, but definitely not for the faint at heart. Adam partakes in some seriously hardcore food challenges including the Atomic hot wings challenge at Pittsburgh, PA’s Quaker Steak & Lube, the disgusting ultimate burger challenge at Boston, MA’s Eagles Deli and the Carnivore Pizza Challenge at Atlanta, GA’s Big Pie in the Sky.

Man v. Food airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on the Travel Channel.

Kidrobot x Stones Throw Quasimoto Vinyl Figure

The Blot cannot believe that this long rumored figure is finally being produced! As you all may remember, it was the Kidrobot x Stones Throw Madvillain vinyl figure (released back in January 2007) that originally got me into the designer vinyl scene. Since that time it had been heavily rumored that a Kidrobot x Stones Throw Quasimoto would be following it, but after two years I had basically given up hope. Then yesterday Stones Throw announced that not only was the figure in production, but it would be hitting store shelves next month! (link) Needless to say The Blot is all kinds of excited.


Quasimoto (a.k.a Lord Quas) is the alter ego of California hip-hop producer/rapper Madlib, who has released two albums under the guise of this fictional high pitched hip-hop artist. Coincidently, Madlib is also one half of the hip-hop duo (along with MF DOOM) that makes up Madvillain, the fictional rapper the first Kidrobot x Stones Throw vinyl collaboration was based on. The Quasimoto vinyl figure is based on the drawings of Jeff Jank, but the “character we know today was first drawn by DJ Design (credited as Keith Beats) for Quasimoto’s ‘Microphone Mathematics’ single. (link) To find out more about the history of Lord Quas check out this great article here.


Each 8 inch Quasimoto vinyl figure comes with a brick and spliff “cigarette” accessories, and will be produced in two different colorways, yellow and blue. Both colorways will be produced in equal quantities and retail for $49.95 each. The figure will be released on February 19, 2009, but a limited number of the Quasimoto 8” vinyl figures are available right now for pre-sale at Stones Throw's online store. You can pre-order the yellow Kidrobot x Stones Throw Quasimoto vinyl figure here and the blue Kidrobot x Stones Throw Quasimoto vinyl figure here.