"You alllllllright, homie" - a tribute to those who stand out in the scene

I was inspired to create this thread when @hellointerloper started talking about sofubi artists who do it right when the scene seems to be flooded with artists coming out of nowhere trying to make a quick buck.

For me, the dude who does right time and time again is Aaron Moreno, aka Retroband.

Before he entered the sofubi world, he was most well known for his resin, doing cool little bootleg toys around cult horror like Halloween 3, C.H.U.D, Critters, etc. His first entry into sofubi was MEATS, a monstrously big bastard that often came with cool little articles of clothing, like a dirty butcher's apron to go with his bloody meat cleaver. As MEATS blew up, Aaron never forgot his roots, creating a joint resin project with lesser known artists to do more affordable ($25-30) toys through the Deadly Delivery brand. Indie art like this works best when artists create a positive feedback loop allowing their success to get additional eyes on other talented artists who may not have the same audience.

Aaron has also been super supportive of fan run toy shows, sending pieces all over the world. Having run a toy show here in Atlanta, I can tell you that some artists are...not quite as supportive of the toy show scene as you would hope. Sending toys for an art show is to some extent risky (some view it as mailing little plastic bars of gold to a stranger), but Aaron's charity to support the scene has been great all around.

But of course, art ain't charity, only charity is charity. For that, Aaron has done auctions to fundraise for Hurricane Harvey relief (some Blank MEATS on eBay), the ACLU (resin "Dump Trumps" with our current piece of shit President as, well, a piece of shit), and others. As a collector, I absolutely loved the opportunity to give an organization I believe in money to get a really cool toy.

The term "hype beast" floats around this place pretty regularly. If I was to define the term, I'd say it's a clinical separation where fans elevate the artists above them giving the artist a false sense of superiority. Aaron often goes out of his way to make sure this doesn't happen, like creating a Retroband "fan club". The cost of entry? Mail him a t-shirt, 20 bucks, and he makes you a bootleg MEATS t-shirt which if worn to conventions he attends gets you a nifty little exclusive trinket like a MEATS head keychain.

I've been a fan of Aaron since I first saw his resin bootleg toys (still ISO a Mr. Pickles!). I met him and saw a test pull of MEATS at MondoCon in 2014 where I talked toys with him and Dan from Unbox Industries for a good hour.

So with that being said, Aaron from Retroband? You alllllllright, homie.

 

Ruh roh! Sounds like a thread of needy ass-kissing and smoke-blowing . . . like Instagram without the pretty pictures!

 

His toy is nice but again overhype and overpricing kind of kills the collecting aspect of his work.

I would honestly like to see if he can branch out into other things besides horror with his soft vinyl pieces. Maybe something actually kaiju related.

 

@Anti Social Andy
You alllllllright, homie

 

Retroband isn't my sort of thing, but I have to respect the fact that he at least started somewhere small. Sick of these turds who burst onto the scene with their $300 cockmonster, demanding the same respect that someone who worked their ass off for years would deserve.

I will always applaud Yamomark for keeping pricing reasonable and affordable. I can buy a full sized toy for 1/4th of the price of these new bullshit rotting zombie penis toys... and damn, so much GID. I love it.

 

I am starting a GoFundMe page to create my very own sofubi rotting zombie penis. It's going to be amazing.

There will be marbled zombie penii, pink and purple zombie penii, basically any zombie penis color/size configuration imaginable for you to choose from. The world is your oyster (or in this case, rotting zombie penis).

It will also have 6 points of articulation, ball joints and all detachable. So your zombie penis can have a soft-on or full on rigor mortis style zombie erection. Whatever the occasion calls for. And it will also break into many discrete pieces like any good zombie penis should.

Thanks for your support! So excited about this project!!!!

 

Its MANDATORY that you have to release a magical unicorn penis that transorms into a vagina at some point down the line!

 

@Michael Beverage is alllllllright!

I've never-ever met him but I can tell that he seems like a super-cool guy who's super into toys and monsters and all the super-cool shit that anyone who's anyone has been into forever and super-supportive of the whole toy scene with zero desire to make any money whatsoever. He seems just super-happy to survive on all the positive energy he receives from the whole community that live to throw scented rose petals at his feet. I'm super-sure his project will be awesomeness incarnate and he'll give them away for free to anyone that blows him or just says super-nice things about him . . . . because that's the super-cool kinda guy I'd like to think @Michael Beverage is and I soooooo want to have his babies! *heart emoji*

 

I’m in love with Charlie but I’m pretty sure he already knows. If he doesn’t don’t tell him. I might still have a chance just got to win him over more. Chimmychazz for life.

 

Who's the tallest skullbrainer?

 

What if we all post our heights... and it turns out every single one of us is 5'10"??

DON'T DO IT
PLEASE I DON'T WANNA KNOW
I'M FREAKIN OUT MAN
IT'S ALL A SIMULATION

 

I'm 6'2 but I think @lurker has me beat

 

I might win shortest, I'm 5'4". My specialties are squeezing into tight spaces, like between cars when jackasses park too close, and finding things people drop on the floor.

 

I’m 5’10”

 

I am taller than a MEATS monster non-kaiju zombie thing.

 

Do you mean our dingle dangles?

 

Well, okay... at least your name's not MichaAAIIIEEEEEEE!!!!

 

I'm 5'1, being 5'10 would be fantastic!!!

 

If we're done talking about how tall we are ......I don't mind putting some positive energy out there in the form of compliments.

Bwana Spoons. Super kind and keeps his toys affordable while staying true to his own imagination.

Galaxy People. Brian is a solid dude that has a refined sense of style and creates affordable toys that aren't impossible to obtain.

Josh H. Another genuinely kind person with a dedication to his own style and art. Has done a lot of thankless work behind the scenes.

Black Drove. Griz and Bo have been killin' it with Black Drove while simultaneously working on their own creative endeavors and I just think they deserve some props.

MVH. Rich has impressed me again and again with his generosity, dedication to the community, and creativity. Death's Vault is an incredible venue and meeting fellow collectors and artists has been an extreme pleasure. A place like that comes along once in a lifetime. Rich has really created something special with Death's Vault.

I can go on and on...Bog Squad. Rampage Toys. Science Patrol. Kenth Toy Works. Paul Kaiju. Grody Shogun. Lulubell.

Also, there's a Thank You thread that doesn't get enough attention. So if you've got love for a creator or just want to throw some good vibes out there...please do.

 

I have to echo what @coma21 said... I am pretty great

 

Sounds like Napoleon Complex! . . . I'm guessing 5'2" even with the cuban heels!

 

Kinda have to agree, this literally is a “Thank You” thread, renamed.

I would not meet the requirements for the normal 5’10 standards. I’m kinda short for a storm trooper :/

 

I'm 5'7 and feisty as all hell! Height ain't shit!