We first saw PHU!'s original character-form "REBEL PILOT" in Color, and the second edition in Clear Resin (by Dodgrr) ~ which launched at TOYSREVIL's STGCC Booth in 2009. Now get ready for "Version 3" ~ with this TOYSREVIL-exclusive first peek at a 7 inch tall Rebel Pilot from My Tummy Toys! Seen here is a very initial sculpt from Dira ~ Am always excited to see the beginnings of a new toy! CLICK THRU for more. And do stay tuned for further developments!
Alex Zavaleta (of Super7 hosts a rip-roar SDCC-video. Folks should do well to remember his face (and voice) next time when you pound the convention aisles. And someone give Alex a show of his own, please. It would rock. Well... sorta? tre.
Amateur filmmaker Jake-"http://www.youtube.com/user/Boldsoliloquy" preposes a similarity between Christopher Nolan's INCEPTION (currently showing in cinemas and a critic's rave), and 2006's PAPRIKA anime directed by Satoshi Kon [wiki]. And while I have yet to watch Inception (soon darnnit, as soon as I can pry myself away from my blog) and thus am unable to weigh-in responsibly on the notion, I dare say I had thoroughly enjoyed Paprika (having seen in on DVD the first time barely a year ago or so) and would highly recommend a watch if you have not. CLICK THRU for yet another Paprika/Inception comparison-video (along with OG-trailers for both movies).
TRE-SAYS: Far be it the notion of an "original idea" still exists in this day and age, what I'd rather have believe, is that good ideas exists still in humanity, regardless where, when and who they are / have been. But then again, I've had my fair share of anguish over being ripped too many a times to count ... and perhaps that be "our" problem? Ironically (in my warped mindscape), this notion of parallels are about movies both dealing with matters of the "mind".
The launch of Carbon4's CARBONATED Vol 2.1 @ Orchard Central, Singapore [event blogged] on Friday night July 30th saw an impressive showcase of art installations from local urban artists ANTZ, Sheryo and ZERO ~ featuring giant robots, "Pyramid Guardians" and smoke-huffing Wu Kong beasts taking over the ground level of the shopping center's foyer, as well as Level 2 and Level 4!
Tis one thing to see snaps of work-in-progress online, but wholly another experience to see them in person up-close! It was personally a real treat for me to see their works in 3D, and I could not feel more proud of these local heroes! Along with the displays was the launch of Carbon4's new series of tees which featured designs from them, available at the launch. Chill vibe, awesome artwork to tease and tintilate, new friends and reconnecting with old friends = a swell Friday night to be had!
CLICK THRU for slideshowed-snaps of the event, which also saw the artists perform "Live" painting. Do drop by Orchard Central to see the works in person!
[13 x images of random Launch Event pics @ Orchard Central in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
[22 x images of ANTZ Installation on Level 1 in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
While a giant "Foo-Dog"-like Wu Kong construct bellowed smoke (via a built-in smoke-machine, nothing devious or unhealthy here), it's smaller adorable beast-brethren completed the set of 3 figures. Not to forget, do not miss out on another set of 3 x figures up on the second floor of the shopping center ~ all of which were hand-painted by their creator, ANTZ! Last heard, offers have been made for them during the launch party ... will update you folks if indeed the figures are / will be made available for interested parties.
[4 x images of ANTZ Installation on Level 2 in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
[7 x images of SHERYO's "Pyramid Guardians" on Level 2 in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
Also situated on Level 2 is a cluster of "Pyramid Guardians" hand-painted by Sheryo. But seems one of the flock managed to run off and joined in the festivities with ANTZ's Wu Kong and Zero's robot downstairs on the ground floor, greeting folks as they came in to Orchard Central! Well, at least one little girl had fun with the "baby" Guardian :)
[10 x images of ZERO Robot Installation on Level 1 in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
For CARBONATED Vol 2.1, Zero had created not one, but 2 giant "robot" figures! The dude standing stoic on the ground floor stands 7 feet tall, while it's larger mecha-compatriot "took a break" on Level 4 (near the glass elevators). Do take notice of it's "beating heart" thumping away on the construct's chasis. Truly awesome to see a larger-than-life robot in Singapore!
[10 x images of ZERO Installation on Level 4 in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
With the static displays sitting solid, the trio of artists performed "Live" painting on the sides of the seating booth (from Carbon4), each in their own style. ANTZ's Wu Kong character made an appearance in stark white over the black base, while Zero delved deep into dark-noir with a black-on-black artwork. Sheryo infused her character with the quirk and whimsy that which is her signature style. Apologies tho, all I have are back-shots of the artists (I never did feel comfortable getting into their face / intruding in their space ~ to snap pics while they work LOL).
[17 x images of "Live Painting @ CARBONATED in slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
Shown below are the selection of newly launched tees by Carbon4 featuring designs from the artists. As well Black+white posters were also made to folks attending the event. Well done all around folks!
[6 x images of Carbon4's New Tee Collection slideshow above / Peep Full-Screen]
One of the key imagery for Zack Snyder's SUCKER PUNCH (besides the femme fatales, 'natch) which caught non-filmgeeks' eye-balls, was the "mecha-walker" with the pink-Bunny drawing on it's front chasis. On display in marquette-form at the Gentle Giant booth in Comic-Con (Shown-left, with artist Alex Pardee who designed it! Remember "Bunnywith"?), as well as premiering online via the official movie website ~ the vision of a heavily armed mechanoid-robot was further heightened when we saw it in action in the post-SDCC released official trailer, rocketing off into the sky to engage in ariel-combat with enemy bi-planes. *Sweet*
io9.com has an utterly enlightening interview with director Zack Snyder about the movie, which includes a reply from Debbie Snyder (producer of "Sucker Punch") with regards to the "significance" of the existence of the "Mecha-Bunny". This is an except:
Debbie Snyder: "But also there's a significance in the bunny. A lot of things play in the different levels of reality. We tried to use pieces because, think about it, when you dream a lot of times it might not be a total picture and if you're stressed out about something you get pieces and little hints of things and that's what we wanted to do. So, the bunny is Baby Doll's sister's toy that's on her bed, and there's something tragic that happens to her. I think it's very haunting."
And there you have it! CLICK THRU for more snaps and screengrabs of the Mecha-Bunny (who really needs an official name, or maybe the bunny-toy IS named in the movie actual tho...).
[Seen @ SDCC 2010 at the Gentle Giant booth / All pics via CoolToyReview]
[Screengrabs from the official trailer / Posted HERE] [Above illustration by Alex Pardee / First posted HERE]
We have seen Alex Pardee's artwork for Zack Snyder's SUCKER PUNCH [tagged] gracing promos ~ now CLICK THRU for a peek at character illustrations by Alex featuring the all-female main cast of the movie (courtesy of io9.com) ~ which were also launched at SDCC as posters and on tees! (I-want-I-want-I-want-ALL-dagnabbit).
[Seriously, if folks wanna do a Sucker Punch Comicbook / Graphic Novel, better not be leaving out Alex Pardee on art-duties ~ just sayin' ...]
Artist Becky Dreistadt will be launching a gallery show @ Switcheroo on Saturday July 31st ~ featuring Becky's retrolicious imagery harkening back to thee childhood storybooks (harkening waaaay back for me, you young whipper-snappers, you), along with collaborations with Amanda Visell and Michelle Valigura (for which you can CLICK THRU for sneak-peekie previews of!). Do RSVP via the Facebook event-page, and hope on over to Switcheroo @ 543 B South Raymond, Pasadena, California ~ for a delightful walk down memory re-imaginations :)
[Collaboration WIP painting with Amanda Visell] [Sneaks fabulously-tweeted by Amanda Visell]
Amanda Visell is releasing not one, or two, but FOUR of her "What-Did-I-Eat-Ephunt" ~ all ready to be stacked and gawked at. CLICK THRU for a closer look and product-info. Amanda-adds: "This monster is based off of a limited edition wood sculpture I made a while ago and my second self produced vinyl. Each vinyl figure comes with a baby elephant and 3 delicious plug ins. Buy 'em all n mix n match! This is a figure you can actually kind of play with, just dont eat anything. Thats his job!"
Festivities begin with a Release Party at the Switcheroo Workshop on Saturday August 14th (7-11 pm) ~ where a limited number of resin plug ins for the event and a handful for online buys will be made available (FYI: They'll be up on the Switcheroo webshop same night).
Switcheroo Workshop 543 b south raymond pasadena ca 91105
(Above): Big City is limited to 500 pieces with a SRP of US$70 (Above): Natural Habitat is limited to 200 pieces (more info to come...) (Above): Jamboree(coming soon / ??? pieces!) (Above): Warrior (Switcheroo Exclusive) Limited to 100 pieces / SRP US$80 Stackable Fun!
[Photogrpahy by Brian McCarty / Featured in "Art-Toys" book ~ Reviewed HERE]
It's bladed-weapons and mecha-kung-fu versus blaster-bullets and superior mobile-military when the theatre of operations at myplasticheart NYC opens up for the toy custom-showdown of ages, spanning two continents, but sharing the singular lurve for the toy culture ~ Witness the oncoming onslaught of ChAPTER ONE: THE CONFRONTATION ~ featuring the Iron Monks of Rohby, and the Rebel Militia from Singapore's own; PHU!
CLICK THRU for a preview of the custom-Munny forces armed and ready for battle this July 30th from 6-9pm (New York time). Chapter One : The Confrontation exhibits thru August 15th 2010.
IRON MONKS vs REBEL MILITIA
Let The Battle Commence! Who Will Emerge Victorious?
The folks at Carbon-Fibre Media has a 1/6th-scaled bust of President Obama (sculpted by Grey) available via their online shop ~ priced at US$199 per (shipping is free). In addition, if buyers use this discount code (ARGORESIN) they will get 10% off ANY collectible in the Carbon-Fibre store (this also includes the Apollo and Val-Mar busts (which will be available very soon). CLICK THRU to have more peeps at the sculpt (which the image-name is "Renegade" = *Cool*).
Medicom Toy has lined-up a sweet selection of TRON related figures in huge way, but not in terms of the size of the toys. Based on both the classic TRON and it's upcoming "sequel" Tron: Legacy ~ CLICK THRU for snaps and details of the KUBRICK & BE@RBRICK sets (all of which have an October 2010 release), including that SDCC-Exclusive TRON BE@RBRICK!
Remember this BE@RBRICK I had blogged about earlier, which was a San Diego Comic Con-Exclusive item? (And one of the very few on my Want-List). This particular edition is limited to 1,500 pcs worldwide, and courtesy of Blister.jp (who has it on order for 2400 YEN / approx US$28), we get to see the blister-packaging. Did any one of you folks score one at Comic-Con?
A little nod to the classic 80's TRON with the "TRON - Kubrick Set", featuring the "original" Tron & Sark! Price is 2,940 YEN (approx US$34).
"THE GAME HAS CHANGED"
KUBRICK SAM & BE@RBRICK SAM'S LIGHTCYCLE 2-piece set Priced at 2,940 YEN (approx US$34) (Yes, the BE@RBRICK is "supposed" to be the "Light Cycle") KUBRICK CLU & BE@RBRICK CLU'S LIGHTCYCLE 2-piece set Priced at 2,940 YEN (approx US$34)
