Master Race Screen Print by Olly Moss

Following up Wednesday’s post on the new Eric Tan print "The Final Battle," I wanted to highlight the new Olly Moss print “Master Race,” also from The Greatest Moments in Sports History poster show presented by Gallery1988 and OMG Posters! I love this print for a number of different reasons, but most of all I love its symbolism. The subject of “Master Race” is the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany and Jesse Owens’ gold medal run in front of Hitler. There are very few sporting events (or events in general) that get me as excited as this moment in history, and I thought Olly did a great job translating that onto paper in his own unique style.


“Master Race” by Olly Moss is an 18” x 24” screen print and is limited to just 100 pieces. The show opened last night, and the rumor is Gallery1988 has already stopped accepting all phone and internet orders for this print. The Blot’s not sure if the print is now sold out or if online/phone sales will start up again today, but either way “Master Race” retails for $40 each.

MINDstyle x Disney Toy Story Alien Invasion Custom Toy Exhibit

It looks like MINDstyle has finally decided what its next Disney platform is going to be, and it’s the Alien from Pixar’s Toy Story! The Blot knows next to nothing about this release, but we did get this cryptic message off the MINDstyle blog: “An invasion of aliens from around the world…by a very select group of creative minds unleashing their interpretations!”


I’m guessing this means we’ll be seeing a second traveling art exhibit featuring some sick hand painted Alien customs by top artists from around the world…or I could be totally off base. I’m not sure Alien is the character I would have chosen to follow up the hugely popular Stitch figures, but it does correspond nicely with the re-release of Toy Story 1 & 2 and the upcoming release of Toy Story 3. Then again, I never would have thought releasing Stitch as a platform toy would have been a smart idea either, so what do I know! According to the picture above, these Alien vinyl figures will be unveiled to the world sometime in May or June of 2010. More details to come as they become available.

Medicom x Disney Alice In Wonderland Cheshire Cat 400% Be@rbrick

We’re just a few days away from the world premiere of Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland! This live action Disney film has been getting very mixed reviews, but nothing can stop me from seeing this movie. Even Burton and Johnny Depp’s worst collaborations are still entertaining. To commemorate the film’s release, Medicom Toy is releasing a 400% Be@rbrick of everyone’s favorite AIW character, the Cheshire Cat! This detailed figure also goes nicely with the Japanese toy company’s Alice In Wonderland 100% Kubrick & Be@rbrick set currently in stores.


The Medicom x Disney Alice In Wonderland Cheshire Cat 400% Be@rbrick retails for around $70 and is available right now! I’m not sure where you can purchase this figure though, as most 400% Be@rbricks, even if they’re not Japan exclusives, have proven to be hard to track down.

Threadless - New Super Mario Bros. Themed T-Shirt “Boom Box”

Threadless just keeps on producing cool Super Mario Bros. inspired t-shirts. This week they released “Boom Box,” which features a Bob-omb holding a boom box over his head ala Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything.

Boom Box by Alex Solis

Now some might ask how does The Blot know this design isn’t just a play on the term “boom box” and is in fact a Super Mario Bros. tie-in? While the bomb in the middle could be a generic character, the symbols on the boom box give it away…if you look closely you’ll see classic Super Mario Bros. magic item icons like the Invincibility Star, Super Mushrooms and a Super Leaf all over the Bob-omb’s boom box.

You can purchase “Boom Box” at Threadless.com for $18. The shirt comes in both guys and girls styles, sizes S-2XL.

The Final Battle (Tyson vs. Douglas) Screen Print by Eric Tan

From March 4–26, 2010, Gallery1988 LA and OMG Posters! will be hosting an awesome new art exhibit entitled The Greatest Moments in Sports History (A Poster Show). Featuring some of the world’s top screen print artists, The Greatest Moments in Sports History gave these talented artists an opportunity to pick their favorite sports moments and transform them into art. Currently, only a few of the prints for this show have been unveiled, and my favorite one so far is "The Final Battle," a Manga inspired boxing print featuring “Iron” Mike Tyson vs. James “Buster” Douglas by Eric Tan.


Tan explained the reason he chose this moment in sports history his blog:

If you follow boxing, or sports in general, you're well aware of the shocker that took place in the heavyweight division 20 years ago. “Iron” Mike Tyson was as close to a sure bet as we had ever seen in the ring. He was an undefeated and indestructible superhero who would annihilate everyone who stood in his path. NO ONE gave his opponent, James “Buster” Douglas an ounce of hope that fateful night in Tokyo. When something impossible happens in front of your eyes, it's something you'll remember forever. Mike Tyson's defeat changed not only the landscape of the division, but the rest of his life as well. That's why I decided to capture this historic event for my contribution to Gallery1988’s "The Greatest Moments in Sports History."

The Manga look was influenced by the fight taking place in Tokyo. I was definitely inspired by video games like Street Fighter when it came to the action. I highlighted their trademark moves (a la Ryu's Fireball or Guile's Sonic Boom) with Tyson's uppercut and Douglas' jab.

Eric Tan’s "The Final Battle" screen print is a 24" x 36" signed and numbered 3 color screen print, is limited to just 100 pieces and retails for $70 each.

MINDstyle x Disney Figaro 5 Inch Stitch Vinyl Figure Sneak Peek

It looks like MINDstyle is already planning additional Stitches of classic Disney characters past its 3” Stitch Mini Figure Series 1. In fact, the designer toy company is now working on 5” versions of their already in production 3” Disney Stitches. The Blot doesn’t know much about MINDstyle’s plans for its Stitch platform, but from the looks of the photo below, we’ll be seeing 5 inch Figaro Stitches sometime soon.


To be honest, I’m a little surprised MINDstyle is making one, much less two, Figaro vinyl figures. Is Pinocchio’s black and white kitten really that popular!?! More details to come as they become available…

9 100% Be@rbrick

The Blot has a confession to make, I still haven’t seen the animated movie 9 yet. While it looks like a movie I’d really enjoy, I’ve been slow to watch either of the “9” movies from last summer, 9 and District 9. With that being said, I’m still pretty intrigued by Medicom’s upcoming 9 100% Be@rbrick.


While it’s not the most visually stunning Be@rbrick design I’ve ever seen, the figure’s eyes and zipper make it an unmistakable homage to the film. Plus, I always think it’s always impressive when a figure is able to convey a tie-in to a specific character with such minimal features. The 9 100% Be@rbrick is limited to 3,000 pieces and will be released sometime in March 2010.

Barneyism of the Week - Pharma Girls

Ted, throughout time there has always been one
cutting edge profession to which
hot girls like Tiffany have flocked.

Should I walk you through the history?

“I’m going to explicitly say no.” - Ted

It all started 2.5 million years ago.

Man was a hunter,
so the hottest profession of the day…gather:
Homo-erectus indeed!

As man mastered technology,
the hottest profession of the day evolved:
I’m pretty sure it’s a hernia, can you check again?

And then man took to the skies,
and so hot women put on high heels
and become stewardesses:
I am in the upright and locked position.

And then man said,
“Life is hard, I should start taking lots of prescription drugs.”
And so hot girls rolled into doctor’s offices
looking sexy enough to render the very erection pills
they peddled ironically redundant.

So now, pharma girls are today’s hottest profession.
_________________________________

Dude, ditch Tiffany and join the Barnacle
in the Pharma Girl free for all.

Side effects may include: loss of clothing,
rug burns, shortness of breath and
soar abdominals the next morning.

What in the world is up is up!

- Barney Stinson

"Hooked"

How I Met Your Mother

Johnny Cupcakes Artist Series 1 by Danny Jones / YASLY

Johnny Cupcakes just released its very first line of Artist Series t-shirts. These exclusive designs have been specially crafted by Danny Jones / YASLY for Johnny Cupcakes’ Artist Series 1 tees. YASLY is known for cultivating old world techniques into tangible expressions of thought, and the Johnny Cupcakes Artist Series 1 turned out pretty cool.


The Blot is really looking forward to finding out who the next guest artist will be in JC’s Artist Series. It’s always cool to see other artists’ take on JC’s classic logo and signature design elements. Available online and in-stores, the Johnny Cupcakes Artist Series 1 by Danny Jones / YASLY is sure to sell out quickly. Be sure to snag these pieces of wearable art before they’re gone!


Artist Series 1 consists of two designs, “Optical” and “Haus”, both designed by Danny Jones / YASLY. The Optical t-shirt by YASLY retails for $39.99 and can be purchased in guys and girls tees in sizes S–3XL. The Haus t-shirt by YASLY also retails for $39.99 and can be purchased in guys and girls tees in sizes S–3XL.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - Ecuador

After a two week break for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Anthony Bourdain and No Reservations is back! This week Tony travels to Ecuador, which literally translates to "Republic of the Equator." Ecuador is 1,200 miles of beautiful coastline and is well-known for its unique stews and soups. Tony starts his adventure visiting with Santiago Rosero and his band Ro*Cola Bacalao at El Pobre Diablo in Quito. A night out isn't complete without street food, so after some drinks Tony and Santiago head out to find some cheap indigenous eats. The menu includes roast pork, chitlins, guatito (a tripe stew) and cheese empanadas.


Next, Tony heads to Esquina de la Ronda for some calf fetus soup and bull penis stew. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? The Blot can’t wait to watch Tony eat these two, and these dishes aren't even the most bizarre thing Tony tries in Ecuador! Bourdain then visits Picanteria el Hueco to try a dish that dates back to pre-Columbian times: guinea pig. Yes, you read that right. Check out the sneak peek video clip from tonight’s episode and see Tony chow down on the popular pet:



Tony then visits La Ruta del Sol ("The Route of the Sun"), a strip of beaches with sleepy, seaside towns, where he gets his fill of fish, ceviche (with ketchup), and of course stews and soups. The best meal of the entire trip, according to Tony, is at La Calderada in Puerto Lopez, which features stews made with peanut sauce and soups with stock from octopus (and blended beer and bread) on the menu. To round out his visit to Ecuador, Bourdain also visits the commercial capital of Ecuador and a Day of the Dead crab feast.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations airs Monday nights at 10/9c on the Travel Channel.