MondoCon 2015 Tickets On Sale Now!

After just one year in existence, Austin’s MondoCon has quickly become one of The Blot’s favorite pop culture extravaganzas and I didn’t even attend the convention last year. That changes when I head to Austin on October 3rd-4th to cover this amazing collection of artists from around the globe. Produced by Mondo and held at The Marchesa Hall and Theater in Austin, Texas, MondoCon brings together unique guests from a variety of areas to celebrate film, music, art, and toys with the world’s finest artists, designers, toy creators, directors, composers and more. Tickets are currently on sale here, with single day tickets just $45, while 2 day weekend passes are $90.

In addition to the 50+ exhibitors, the second annual MondoCon will offer unique and diverse panels, screenings and event programming. This year, the convention will be taking advantage of additional exhibitor and event space in the neighboring Holiday Inn Midtown Conference Center. The convention will feature a huge vinyl record pop up shop with Mondo and Death Waltz Recording Co. presenting the premiere destination for indie soundtrack labels, and tons of amazing panels on topics such Mondo, the Vacvvm artist collective, movie soundtracks, designer art toys and more!

Initial Artists/Exhibitors List for MondoCon 2015: Florian Bertmer, Light in the Attic Records, Hi-Def Ninja, Kevin Tong, Dave Rapoza, Mike Saputo, N.C. Winters, Stan and Vince, William Stout, Unbox Industries, Matthew Woodson, Martin Ansin, Oliver Barrett, Richey Beckett, Andy Belanger, Burlesque of North America, Scott C, Becky Cloonan, Daniel Danger, Draplin Design Co., The Dude Designs, Jason Edmiston, Brian Ewing, Francesco Francavilla, Ken Garduno, JJ Harrison, Tom Haubrick, Jock, Rob Jones, Landland, Middle of Beyond, Mike Mitchell, Olly Moss, Ciro Nieli, Randy Ortiz, Phantom City Creative, Gary Pullin, JC Richard, Rockin’ Jelly Bean, Arik Roper, Todd Slater, Static Medium, Ken Taylor, Matt Taylor, The Vacvvm, Waxwork Records, Bernie Wrightson and WBYK.

SDCC 15 Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Original Comic Book Edition Mini Figure 4 Pack by The Loyal Subjects

If you missed out on any of The Loyal Subjects’ awesome San Diego Comic-Con 2015 exclusives, you’re in luck! Entertainment Earth has just post all of The Loyal Subjects’ Transformers, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exclusive vinyl figures for sale here and at retail prices. This includes the radical TMNT Original Comic Book Edition Action Vinyl Figure 4 Pack, which includes Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in their classic red masks and different shades of green turtle skin.

Each TMNT 3” Action Vinyls figure features 9 points of articulation, strong ball joints and character specific accessories. The San Diego Comic-Con 2015 Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Original Comic Book Edition Mini Figure 4 Pack is limited to 1,000 sets, comes packaged in a full color window box, and will retail for $59.99 here.

No Strings On Me 8” Dunny by WuzOne x Kidrobot

Kidrobot will be releasing its newest 8” production Dunny next week, and it’s the Pinocchio inspired “No Strings On Me” Dunny by WuzOne! Based on a previously released 3” custom Dunny, the name of this design comes from the lyrics of the classic Disney song “I've Got No Strings” that appeared in the iconic 1940 animated film Pinocchio. For those of you unfamiliar with the Spanish artist, WuzOne draws inspiration from graffiti, typography and cartoons. He has developed an identifiable style known for clean lines, bright colors and high contrast.

The No Strings on Me 8” Dunny by WuzOne, his first production piece from Kidrobot, will go on sale next Friday, August 14th, at Kidrobot.com, both Kidrobot retail locations and select retailers worldwide for $60.

Fantastic Four International Movie Posters

If you can’t tell, The Blot is not very excited about 20th Century Fox’s upcoming live action Fantastic Four film that opens this weekend here in the US. I have a strong hunch it’s going to be terrible and do equally as bad at the box office. Seriously, is anyone excited about seeing this film!?! So far, the only good thing I’ve seen of Fantastic Four are these international theatrical one sheet movie posters.

The unofficial troubles behind the scenes got so bad that director Josh Trank is no longer directing an upcoming Star Wars film (or so the rumors say). All of this adds up to one disaster of a film. It sounds like we can all forgot any hopes you may have of an X-Men/Fantastic Four movie crossover. If the film does as bad as I expect 20th Century Fox may finally abandon its license rights to the franchise and let them revert to Marvel. Then again, that might just be my wishful thinking!

Fantastic Four hits US theaters this Friday, August 7, 2015.

Creature from the Black Lagoon Screen Print by Stan & Vince

Later today, Mondo will be releasing this incredible movie poster for Creature from the Black Lagoon Screen Print by Stan and Vince. Here's what Stan and Vince had to say about the both the film and the design of their screen print: “When Mondo asked us to work on a poster for Creature from the Black Lagoon, we didn’t hesitate for a second! The Creature!!! One of the most beautiful, iconic Universal classic monsters...along with the Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, The Metaluna Mutant and a few others. There aren't very many in the club! We watched an anaglyph version of the film on French television in 1982 when we were 13-years-old. The experience was such a big moment for each of us and still remains in our minds with the same emotion and nostalgia.

Over sixty years after the release of the movie, we didn’t want to play on the mystery by representing just a part of the Creature. On the contrary, we imagined this poster on the walls of fans like ourselves able to contemplate and examine this amazing monster each day. Additionally, the idea of his arm rising out of the frame was included as a tribute to one of the first 3D films in cinema history.”

Creature from the Black Lagoon by Stan and Vince is a 24”x36” hand numbered screen print. The Standard Edition is limited to 375 pieces and will retail for $50, while the Black and White Variant is limited to 200 pieces and will retail for $75. Both versions will go on sale at a random time today, Thursday, August 6th, at the Mondo online store.

Masters of the Universe “Battle Cat Hunting Trophy” Wall Sculpture by Super7

Straight from the San Diego Comic-Con 2015 “Skeletor’s Lair” Masters of the Universe Pop-Up Shop to you comes the life-sized Battle Cat Hunting Trophy Wall Sculpture by Super7! This authentically detailed fiberglass trophy is the perfect addition to the den of any maniacal Lord of Destruction wanting to impress and intimidate their guests, or simply bask in the glory of their own evil power. Plus, with a limited edition run size of just 10 pieces this is one of the rarest officially licensed He-Man collectibles ever produced!

The officially licensed Masters of the Universe “Battle Cat Hunting Trophy” was crafted by Los Angeles based art fabrication shop Pretty in Plastic from high-quality painted fiberglass, mounted on a 31” tall x 22” wide wooden plaque, and measures a whopping 22” deep from the tip of the nose to the wall. Battle Cat can be displayed with or without his signature helmet, making it the ultimate centerpiece to any Masters of the Universe collection. Diehard He-Man fans can purchase this unparalleled collectible at the Super7 online store for $8,500 each.

SDCC 15 Exclusive Mighty Morphin Power Rangers “Crystal Edition” Green Ranger Mini Figure by The Loyal Subjects

If you missed out on any of The Loyal Subjects’ awesome San Diego Comic-Con 2015 exclusives, you’re in luck! Entertainment Earth has just post all of The Loyal Subjects’ Transformers, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exclusive vinyl figures for sale and at retail prices. This includes the fantastic looking MMPR “Crystal Edition” Green Ranger 3” mini figure!

Made of translucent green vinyl and packaged on a full color blister card, the San Diego Comic-Con 2015 Exclusive “Crystal Edition” Green Ranger is limited to 1,250 pieces and will retail for just $15.99 here. Each Mighty Morphin Power Rangers figure features 10 points of articulation (including abdomen), removable helmets, strong ball joints and multiple accessories.

The Muppets Teaser Television Posters

Although The Blot isn’t sold on the format of ABC’s upcoming live action The Muppets television show, I’m beyond thrilled our favorite merry band of puppets are finally returning to primetime. It’s hard to believe it’s been decades since Kermit and company last had a show on network television. There was a big press junket for the show yesterday, with the biggest news being the show will feature a newly single Kermit and Miss Piggy. Kind of an odd choice, right!?!

The Blot is loving this set of The Muppets television posters ABC has released, but it begs the question what other Muppets will be featured on the show other than the core four. While obviously characters such as Animal, Scooter, Rowlf and the Swedish Chef will make appearances, but I’m dying to know what other Muppets will be showing up on a weekly basis. Like will Walter be making the big transition from movies to TV? All I know is Sweetums better be showing up!

The Muppets, co-created by Bill Prady and Bob Kushell, will air on Tuesday nights this fall on ABC.

Star Wars “Empire Version” Boba Fett Super Shogun Figure by Super7 x Funko

The Blot almost woke up my sleeping kids last night when I freaking squealed like a little girl after randomly visiting Super7’s online store and noticing they’d posted the all new Star Wars “Empire Version” Boba Fett Super Shogun vinyl figure!!! I’ve been waiting years for this figure to finally be released to the general public and it happened this week. Thank you Super7 and Funko, who have teamed up to release this perfect mash-up of Star Wars and Jumbo Machinder toys (marketed in the US as Shogun Warriors).

The Star Wars “Empire Version” Boba Fett Super Shogun features a color scheme based on the character’s appearance in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and stands a whopping 24” tall! Each figure includes all of the features that you’d expect from an authentic Jumbo: free rotating wheels on the bottom of his feet, spring-loaded missile firing jetpack and wrist launcher, and comes with metallic foil stickers. Utilizing the same techniques implemented by Japanese toy manufacturers in the 1970s, this Star Wars Super Shogun is constructed from durable, blow-molded polyethylene with a painted vinyl helmet. I cannot wait to get my hands on this release!

Collectors can order this amazing Boba Fett Super Shogun now (yes, it’s actually in stock!) at Entertainment Earth for $199.99 here

Fugitive Toys Exclusive Arrow “Island Scarred” Oliver Queen Pop! Vinyl Figure by Funko

Fugitive Toys is teaming up with Funko to release its second exclusive Arrow Pop! of the summer! Based on the hit The CW x DC Comics television show Arrow, the “Island Scarred” Oliver Queen features all of the character’s random scars and tattoos he accumulated while stranded on the mysterious island. The Blot is seriously loving this Green Arrow colorway!

While not scheduled to ship until later this month (August 2015), collectors can pre-order the Arrow “Island Scarred” Oliver Queen Pop! Television vinyl figure exclusively at the Fugitive Toys online store for $19.99.