There you are!

I'm all for giving newcomers a chance, but to go straight into marketing your own brand with a $160 price tag is a bit insulting to all the greats who live and breathe toys. It seems like this person just jumped on the "ugly vinyl" bandwagon, looked at the prices established artists ask for, and slapped the price tag on there.
Got to start small and work your way up. That's at least my thoughts on it.

I think the Time - Gore and Trollborg would appeal to me if they were painted with a little more intentional sense. I can say that I do like the size of 'em, but they really are kinda "bleh" in these photos. I'm always open to eating a slice of humble pie when seeing a toy in person, which happens often. And I honestly am curious to see a couple in hand.

I talked to one of the designers and my understanding is he has worked with some major well-respected vinyl artists that are beloved on here. I have no idea if it is true or to what level, so take that for what it is.

But I do admit, the price was a bit high for these. They should have been more like $125. Unfortunately I think one-off = more money to a lot of artists. Hell, I had someone ping me for a $350 dollar toy I thought was marked up like crazy, then I found out sticker price was $300 for a 7" one-off.



I took a few quick photos in case people were curious. The original photos really provide no sense of depth, honestly. I doubt this will change anyone's mind, but why not!

Keep in mind I am not a photographer like some of you very talented people are. I make due with what I got, which is an iPhone.

Hmm. Seeing it in good lighting, I appreciate the texture of that Trollborg sculpt a little more. I might actually end liking one, given the right paint. Thank you for the photos!

someone should just send one to Robert for closer inspection! I'd hate to see him drop ANY $ for one of these without getting the full experience of seeing one in person.

just looking out for you Rob!

No problem, man!

Yeah, the Trollborg has a better paint job with a lot of variety in the red. I do admit, the bootie feet are actually kind of dumb. If these things are horrific monsters, I doubt they wear Doc Marten's they picked up at the mall.

I'll see if I can get a glow picture tonight!

They look even jankier in those outdoor pics.

Just because youve worked with big name artists doesnt mean your in the same league.

I don't understand what people like about these "chewed-out'' style sculpts. They seem to get more and more popular lately.

Different strokes for different folks.

I don't understand why people are so vocal about their negativity here. I don't see a big value in telling someone what they like sucks.

So is there a value in praising it?

You can't post something and expect people to not comment on it, whether its good or bad.

You're new . . . stick around and you'll realise!

I'm not telling you what you like sucks. I'm only wondering what people see in these sort of toys.

It's not like that, dude. If people here think something sucks, it's only 'cause that's their opinion. Not because you like it. It's not at all personal, just a lot of outspokenness.

That's actually the least shitty part.

I usually avoid commenting at all when I dislike something- there's plenty that's positive to focus on in this scene- but I had to say something about these, and I really should have fleshed my comment out more from the start. Zach Taylor's 2D work is very imaginative and enjoyable, but these toys are neither. To me, they just come off as the straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back link in a recent chain of releases that look like the first- oh, maybe the third, let's be charitable- thing a person ever sculpted, put right into vinyl. It grows wearisome. People need to check themselves before they wreck a bunch of the non-renewable petrochemical resource that is this medium, not to mention production time that could be spent making toys that, y'know... perhaps a little more thought went into. Masterful creators like Buta, Elegab and Amapro make it seem easy to produce likable "crude" sculpts... but evidence abounds that such sculpting is actually a finely calibrated and skillful undertaking. As for the "bootleg" aesthetic (SO HOT RIGHT NOW), no self-respecting Hong Kong toy bootlegging firm would have put out sculpts like this... they wouldn't have passed QA. And, given some examples from history, that's saying something.

Plus, these doubled the insult with atrocious paint apps which seem to indicate first-time (oh, maybe third-time, let's be charitable) use of an airbrush (I mean, seriously: that blue/green/black Time-Gore... what in the actual fuckity fuck). All served up at $160/pop, on a bed of steamed motion graphics.

Oh, and kid_miracleman, welcome to skullbrain! Thank you for being a part of it. I am not being facetious at all when I say that. Don't take things personal, use only NESTEROFF brand skin-thickening cream (available wherever finer creams and liniments are sold), read up, know yer history, search function is your friend.. always check the Wanted section before selling.... ah, what are the other usuals, pals?

In any case, your mileage may vary.

I'm tired to see these kind of sculptures. Lots of them came out in recent years. I use the denomination sculpture because I don't see these as toys.
I don't want to play them out, take pictures and elaborate a scene in my head. They don't spark any lights, they don't project feelings, stimulate creativity.
Mishka Bootleg was a fun idea at the time it came out, a scene around it is maybe too much.

Surprise another hidden face ass! Sorry couldn't help myself.

I found something more depressing and worst than this...
http://urbanvinyldaily.com/?s=Kearjun&submit=Search

$185 for a custom of this pos toy?! Are fucking kidding...

^^Yup, those certainly are even more depressing . And the worst part is, they've sold two already!

Christ my eyes are burning out of my fucking face! Yeah these are shit, sorry. They just are poorly conceived from start to finish.

First they are trying way too hard to be a mish mash of ET, Real Head, and that Monkey with the helmet. I think your influences should be more understated and not so obviously copied. If people want a toy like that they're going to get the original. Thankfully you did not do the two headed thing- wait I hope that wasn't the follow up toy was it?

I know I know we're all dicks here pissing in your cornflakes, but it's just that so many people come here sign up, tell us how excited they are to have found this place and the cool japanese toys. Then within a few months they're hocking their poorly conceived toy designed for mass appeal here when they just don't get it yet, nor have taken the time to "get it". This is not an easy crowd to sell to, and truthfully not every idea needs to be made. It just makes people wary of the motivations new people have for signing up.

Whatever happened to people drawing their concepts out, maybe putting out feelers to see if there is any interest in making it into a toy- instead of instantly having a toy made. I just don't get it.

All of this garbage should be resin. Its what resin toys and the resin scene is for. Not the sofubi scene. Between these inexperienced people being granted access to factories and western vinyl customizers destroying vinyl with horrible paint.... Ugh i just dunno. Theres so much out there thats not being posted here and for good reason cuz they know we will bash the fuck out of it! On some level id rather see garbage sculpts with bad paint than these kids destroying real toys with their "talent"

Would love to paint a set! These were so rad in person. Looking forward to them at DCON.

I like the one with the helmet, they all look to be straight out of a Comic/Graphic Novel.

FYI... the helmet dude is "Death Race 2000" inspired.