New Dunkeys Vinyl Figures by CoolRain

Korean artist CoolRain is teaming up with MINDstyle once again, this time to release production versions of his popular Dunkeys figures. Inspired by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Dunkeys are monkeys who dunk sporting NBA game apparel. While I hate Michael Jordan (hey, The Blot’s a Lakers fan), I kinda dig these figures…much more so than the blind boxed NBA line CoolRain released through MINDstyle last year. At least these Dunkeys have some originality to them. My primary issue with these vinyl figures is the same issue I had with that NBA series; their hands, arms and bodies look too much like Michael Lau creations.

CoolRain's “Dunkeys 23” (the first picture above) is an 18” production figure with a limited edition run size of just 300 pieces and retails for $275. CoolRain's “Dunkeys Triple Threat” is a series of three Chicago Bulls inspired 5” Dunkeys, each sold separately. Dunkeys 23 “Pithecuse”, Dunkeys 91 “Simius”, and Dunkeys 3 “Mono” each have a limited edition run size of 500 pieces and retail for $40 each. All four figures are currently available for pre-order and officially go on sale at retails worldwide on September 29th.

Kobe Bryant 18" Vinyl Figure by CoolRain

PickYourShoes.com is teaming up with MINDstyle to release the first ever 18" NBA All Star vinyl figure by CoolRain! The PYS Exclusive Kobe Bryant Home Yellow Lakers Jersey Edition 18" vinyl figure has a limited edition run size of 300 pieces, includes an individually numbered collector’s card and comes packaged a special carrying case. This is the first large scale vinyl figure from MINDstyle’s new NBA All Star collection, and The Blot is pretty sure we’ll be seeing more of these very soon. In fact, MINDstyle is already hinting that we’ll be seeing 18” versions Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard relatively soon. Collectors can pick up one of these massive Kobe figures from the PickYourShoes.com online store for $299.99.

SDCC 2011 Exclusive CoolRain x MINDstyle NBA Playoffs Mini Figure Box Set

The Blot hasn’t covered these new blind boxed NBA mini figures by CoolRain because I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. Produced by MINDstyle, these NBA figures look like Michael Lau rip-offs without the creativity. What’s worse is most of them don’t even resemble the real life players they are based on and at least one of them has already changed teams! Although I can’t lie, picking up one of the Kobe Bryant figures has definitely crossed my mind a few times. But that’s got more to do with my blind Lakers devotion than my fondness for the toy.

To me, this San Diego Comic-Con 2011 Exclusive NBA Playoffs Box Set is a total cash grab. It is being marketed as a way to commemorate the dramatic 2011 NBA playoffs with a set that includes 5 of today's hottest superstars (Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Garnett and Amare Stoudemire). Except if they really wanted to commemorate the 2011 NBA Playoffs you’d think they would have included Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who was also in Series 1.

But what really annoys me about this set is that four of the five figures are just commons from MINDstyle’s NBA Mini Figure Series 1. The only new/rare figure is the “EXCLUSIVE” NBA MVP Derrick Rose in his home white Bulls jersey. That’s it…so for $100 you’re paying for the white jersey Derrick Rose and the Comic-Con exclusive box set packaging. As you all know The Blot’s all about SDCC exclusives, but at least make it worth collectors’ money and time. Or just say the White Bulls Jersey Derrick Rose is limited to 300 pieces and retails for $100. That’s really what collectors are paying for right?

For those of you heading to San Diego in a few weeks, you can pick up this NBA Playoffs box set from Action Figure Xpress at their SDCC booth #3345.