Tuesday-Toy-Review: Hermees by Gary Ham

QUICK TOY CATCHUP: "Hermees" is designed by Gary Ham, with an impressive wing span of 12" across. Hermees the vinyl toy has 8 points of articulation (head, snout, wings, hands, and feet), and is produced in an edition size of 200 pieces in this colorway.

Hermees has a SRP of US$45, and is currently distributed by DKE Toys, as well available directly via Gary's webstore @ http://www.superham.bigcartel.com (Don't gorget to ask Gary to sign you're figure!)


PACKAGING: First off, I need to mention that this figure is monster-big, and complete with it's packaging window-box? He is monster-huge! And for US$45 per figure (sans shipping), it's heck of a price for designer vinyl these days, IMHO. Might watch out for the shipping costs tho, huge box needed to be padded well and all. Luckily, the figure is not in the dreaded "heavy" category!

The graphic at the back of the box features three other colorways of Hermees, which either serves as a harbinger of toys to come, or just a plain tease from Mr. Ham. Regardless, it is an enticing tease that does not take away from the figure inside, which is housed on a plastic clear tray and tied secure with cable tie (not a huge welcome, but nevertheless necessary as this is a huge vinyl! (Yes, I said that already ;p).



FIGURE FORM: Having the vinyl figure clasped in hand, it is as big as it looks, with a decent heft, and frankly, not your usual designer toy with an "urban vibe" or kitschy-now look. This flying and traveling bat with gnarly teeth character is designed by Gary and can hardly be categorized in the usual modes. Pretty individualistic and unique, if you ask me.

More carnival-sight other than designer-draw, I would have actually liked more about Hermees, like a panel of sequential-drawings or even an insert-card (ado with drawings), but perhaps I know Gary draws well, hence my "wants". Hel, I enjoyed his Carrot Shake Jake (on sale here) ~ which I have yet to review (my bad) that actually did show graphic-doodles on the box ~ which I thoroughly enjoyed :)




PRODUCTION / PAIN APP: I might be looking too close into the figure, but the sculpt and finishing seems a tad like the figure might have been carved from "wood" (which is sweet as the Hermees form is first manifest as a wooden figures from Gary himself), and hence the paint app seems quite "charming" in this notion.

The paint apps for joints and edges are decent smooth and is not implied otherwise :)



ARTICULATION: And while the figure boasts 8 points of articulation, what seems the most obvious are the arm-sockets leading to the winged-arms, which actually pop off without a hitch. As stubborn as the joints seem to be, there are actually no grooves at the tips / ends to ensure they do not pop out erringly.

Little fuss, with the winged-arms delightfully swingablefor over 180-degress, as well prop up the figure from it's back. And Hermees seems to stand well, but I would watch out for the weight of his head tho.



CONCLUSION: This release was a tad surprise for me, compared with Gary's previous petite Carrot Shake Jake, as well as a delight as characters like this seem only to exist as customs, and not necessarily a production toy. You are heartiy recommended to procure the figure, for a heap slice of Americana drenched in subtle nostalgia as well a certain panache in character depiction that has originated not on licensed products, and instead is designed by an individual.

Tuesday-Toy-Review: Wet Suit Maria (Green Edition) from Erick Scarecrow x ESC Toy

QUICK TOY CATCHUP: The Wet Suit Maria Green Edition is a 6" tall vinyl toy designed by Erick Scarecrow and produced by ESC Toy, in a production run of 200 pieces in this colorway. This edition was billed as a New York ComicCon "Special" release in 2010, and I have this figure in my humble collection dude to the efforts of Justin Rudy of Dynomight NYC.

This is the first of three colorways currently released, alongside the Orange WSM Maguma and light-blue-suit WSM Buru Daiba.


PACKAGING: The one particular trait of all ESC Toy products, is the treatment of their packaging, involving swell eye-grabbing graphics, and an obvious effort in producing it. One perfect representation of this is their box for Wet Suit Maria from Erick ~ housed here in a full-print box with window display. No doubt a splendid box where it could easily be displayed at any angle, and the basic info of the product and company producing it, is displayable with no apologies. Good call, methinks.


ARTICULATION / PAINT APP: Packed secure within the box is a clamshell plastic-tray holding the figure with zero cable-ties (which is pretty cool), and out pops the figure! For all intents and purposes, this is a non-articulated vinyl statuette with surprisingly decent paint applications. The only exception with my particular piece, was the uneven paint between the hair-fringe and face area, smack dab right front. Other than that, I have zero additional gripes.

The back of the head features an "autograph" by Erick ~ although I have no idea if this is a norm for all the other figures, with images seen in the video alluding to the general consensus of said autograph. Nevertheless, am just naively happy to perhaps assume it to be otherwise LOL (Don't be judging me like that hahaha). And yes, it happens to be a standard touch for standard figures. Nice touch tho :p





PRODUCTION QUALITY / FORM: What I really like about this figure, is the lack of "production seams" visible especially at the head area, with the frog-headwear an adorable attribute to frame the signature cute face from Erick. And the most unique aspect of this sculpt, beyond the character design itself, is it's ability to stand alone on it's one leg! As well giving it a frozen-moment vibe, with the hand-claps sure to represent something

For sure this is not shelf-dive-proof, but once the figure stands, it stands well and thus gives Wet Suit Maria a special stance as seen in the animated video, which I felt somehow could be included with the figure.


CONCLUSION: The figure has since sold out via ESC Toy and the only possibility to score this cutie is via after-markets or toy retailers (go bug your fav for availability) that perhaps distribute DKE Toys (an unproven assumption from me). Price was pegged at US$55, which is a decent price for a designer vinyl figure, IMHO.

TOYSREVIL Covers Munny World Festival Indonesia 2010

In 2010, TOYSREVIL was invited to the inaugural Munny World Festival Indonesia by organizers and hosts Plastic Culture, where the weekend event saw a toy and art fueled excitement in Jakarta, featuring custom-Munnys, swell Indonesian-designed toys and even food-gorges and toy-hunts ~ and I was lucky to have the opportunity to soak it all in ...

By now, I have just about finished my blog-coverage of the event ~ which you can view in full by clicking HERE. A thought to digest: I was brought in as an "Invited Guest" for the event, to be a Guest Judge for the Custom Munny event, (as well hosted my own on-stage "Talk Show" LOL), and not specifically to blog about the event! But what I experienced NEEDED to be blogged about, and shared with the world, IMHO. Hope they opened your eyes, as they had mine.

"Mainan Itu Jahat" literally meant "Evil Toys" (close enough ;p) and I long to "spread my toy poison" to Jakarta again! *Muahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa*

ToyGod & Toy Godfather Custom Munnys by Win Satrya @ Munny World Festival Indonesia (Flashback 2010)

WHAT: I was in Jakarta last year in late-September, as a Special Invited Guest by Plastic Culture for Munny World Festival Indonesia. I did not manage to finish my coverage. There are loads more to be shared. This is one such post…


Spotted at the entrance display podiums of Munny World Festival Indonesia in 2010, were a duo if custom sculpted Munnys from the co-founder of Plastic Culture: Win Satrya. Ever the deft sculptor and designer, Win had fashioned two regular Munnys into the Indian-deity themed ToyGod, and the lush Toy Godfather, each with their own seats of power, as well fully printed and framed canvases, also by Win!




The accumulation of short sleepiness nights and judicious amounts of "Paper Clay Lado", both sculpts on Munny V4s are currently Not For Sale, and had actually originated from prints designed for P.C. and were created based on the imaginations of Win. Shown above is The Toy God, while "Sir Plastic Edmund" aka The Toy Godfather sits below with a stoogie burning a cotton-wool puff. (Someone get him his slippers, quick!)


[Full-screen viewing]

Who-Is-WIN: He has done a lot for himself and has contributed so much. As the creative director of World of Imaginations, the sky is the limit for Win. He calls himself an Imaginary Consultant. Branding, Imagineering (Imagine + Engineering), Theme Park Concepting are among the things that he does. Not only that, he is also the co-founder of Plastic Culture, Loubelle Shop, Monik Clothing, and DAMN! I Love Indonesia. [via]