Skull BBB ~ Skull Bee Brain Balzac Edit: added quote from a 2006 Japanese 'street fashion magazine' / blog entry describing an early release.
WELL DONE @C E ! I honestly didn’t think I’d get an answer for this after all this time, let alone in the same day I asked! I’m impressed. Do you have a link or transcription to the article the quote is from? I’m just kinda curious if it reveals any more info about the Balzac/Secretbase relationship. Thank you!
@hellopike I do know that both Balzac, as a band, and Hiddy are from Osaka. So it might’ve been Hiddy approaching then about making toys after BxH had put out a couple. And Hirosuke from Balzac designed the Skull Man mascot, though I’m not sure if he also designed the toys SB produced.
Well I wrote this blog entry a few years back.... "Medicom’s Oka Narue contributed a great piece to issue 12 of Super 7 magazine back in 2006. He writes about the first toys he did for Balzac; Monster and Vampire. The figures were originally going to be released by Zaap!, but BxH ended up producing them, albeit under Oka’s moniker Pass-guard. The original figures were designed by Hideaki (H8Graphix). Six hundred and sixty six of each figure were made."
@Bounch You know what? I think I have that issue of Super7 Magazine somewhere. I haven’t looked through them in years. I’m gonna have to give myself a refresher on that one! I do know H8Graphix had designed ‘em, though. He’s done quite a few designs for Medicom and Pass - Guard!
All still available for download in PDF format from the Super7 website. Very cool they did that ... http://super7hq.com/editorials
Including the awful Medicom x SB King Skull Bee and King Skull Brain. Hands down the two least favourite SB-releases IMO, save for all the licensed crap.
@The Moog Totally forgot they did this, as well! Definitely very cool and accessible. Though I’m a sucker for tangible items in these cases. @C E I actually really like the Skull Bee. I have the black version and enjoy it quite a bit. I grew up in South Phoenix and was influenced a lot by hip hop and Chicano culture, so the exaggerated graffiti - esque influences I find in a lot of his designs resonate with me. But I will agree that the King Skull Brain is pretty bad.
I got this for my mom last year or the year before. She likes Coca-Cola. This was an update pic from her showing he's doing alright.
Two great Cure/Secretbase crossovers. That DBM is such a good one. And there’s like 3-4 versions. Splatter, and jewel eyes I believe. and that Bee. I’ve gotta track one down at some point. The skeleton guts is too good!
Ow that I’ve gathered my composure, are the guys soft vinyl, or resin, or...? I’d assume soft vinyl, as if would be the easiest to get inside the bee, but you never know.
Same guts as used in the Cure Boogie men . . . Would assume vinyl but not going to take ‘em out just to satisfy your curiosity!
