today's princes, tomorrow's kings: a teaser for 3a toys' next release
After the pre-order launch of Bramble Deep Powder Edition (still available via Bambalandstore) - the next 1/6-scaled figure to come from the mind of Ashley Wood and 3A Toys is a #10004 "Tomorrow King"-figure, from his Popbot Universe - first mentioned here and sneaked-at here (profile shown next to a DP-Bramble) and is also the 4th figure to be released by 3A.
The TKs or Tomorrow Kings are a Special Ops group featured in the Popbot-comics, and their motto was "Today's Princes are Tomorrow's Kings" [headsup by TRE-reader KinglyDecay / first featured in Sept].Ash mentions on the Bambablog: "I'm kinda inclined to think this is our coolest fig yet, it(s) comes with something very cool, and there are a few variations to drive you mad. More info soon!"
My bet's on a 1/6th-scaled severed mecha head - as per the above illustration, to go with the baby-faced sword-wielding robot-killer dressed in chic-urban chillout threads (and if the box-set comes with a 1:1-scaled version of the figure's tee? *scherweet*) - *You heard it here first! (*Pure speculation, of coz) As for "a few variations" - dudes, start saving your $$$, coz it will be well worth it, IMHO.
Personally, I reckon with this (or even subsequent releases) figure, Ashley Wood may yet fill a void (or at least bridge the gap) separating designer collectibles and 1/6th-scale toys, with possibly early-Michael Lau / Gardeners aesthetics (anyone noticed the felt hair in Nom?) mixed-up with samurai-coolness with a heap-helping of mechas and zombies. Or am I seeing too much into this? YOU tell me :)
Man Ashley is doing a great job with his new toy art pieces. I for one am hooked with everything he is putting out and I can't wait to get my hands on this Tomorrows Kings figure!
ReplyDeleteKeep them coming Ash!!
Rock On bud!
DragonDavy1
You're right that these figures are sitting in a gap between the two markets. I'm hoping that they will invigorate the 1/6 comic-based action figure market and get more artists having figures created with their own aesthetics in mind (a Paul Pope figure, for example, would be most, most awesome were it available). That's what's fresh - these figures look like Ashley's designs and not like someone 'realistic' interpretation of them.
ReplyDeleteWith luck Ashley will push other people ThreeA's way.
As for this upcoming figure, it's looking good. If it's on par with Les Mort then it will be very awesome indeed :)
This pumps me up, especially how much stuff Ash keeps churning out. I've been a fan of his since Popbot Issue #1 came out years ago. These figures are like finding gold!
ReplyDeleteIm finding it a bit hard to articulate my full feelings (becoz i suck as a wordsmith) but it's like Ash and 3A are on the cusp of "aesthetic coolness" which a whole lot of comicbook-property (which unfortunately translates to "mass market") is missing that slight "edge" that pushes them over to the "stylish" side, rather than a toy-adaptation of for economic-sakes ...
ReplyDeletelike, imagine a Sandman / Morpheus figure (from Vertigo) given the 3A-touch (straddling straight-up urban designer and accessible toy-play) rather than a mockery that dcdirect has produced ...
im not sure if im saying it well, but if there's a Paul Pope 1/6th-scale figure to be done (as suggested by Kev) then i'd rather it be by 3A than any other rotocast outfits.
but then again, my allegience to the 1/6th-genre is very biased :p
im not sure if im making sense, but what the hey right? lol
I hear what you guys are saying!
ReplyDeleteI missed a few releases and I'm punching myself in the face for it. I will not go to e-bay to buy them so I guess I'm assed out!:(
I do have the NYCC Bloody Bertie and the SDCC Bertie and they are awesome, and love them bots.
I wish I had gotten a NOM de PLUME and I still need a Dirty Rat Bertie!!:(
I'm saving for this Tomorrows Kings figure and I hope they have plans to release some Zombies.
My Berties going crazy because they want to bash some Zombie skulls.hahahaha
The Merc Bramble is another hotness bot to look out for! Man I'm going to be broke!! What what, I'm broke now.lol
Ashley Wood all the way for 2009 and on and on! :)
DragonDavy1
@TRE: You're articulating great, and are 100% right, things like a P Craig Russell style Sandman, or maybe even a Jack Kirby style Captain America (complete with hyper creases in his trousers), would move the 1/6 market from mass market dullness to a more stylish arena.
ReplyDelete3A, and How2Work, have proven that they can do this with the Berties, Brambles, Noms and Les Mort, so having them continue their relationship with Ashley, but also carry it on with other artists, would be the way forward from the current situation.
It would build a third market (which essentially exists already with Ashley Wood's figures, not to mention Medicom's Tokyo Tribe series) - one that sits between the mass market figures and those crafted purely by figure designers (Kenny Wong, Winson Ma, Paul Leung, Jason Siu etc.).
I, for one, would fully endorse this market as I have the other two :)
thanks Kev! :)
ReplyDeletelemme share with you guys a little something that I've started writing (but perhaps might never be finished, as most of my self-written articles are wrought to become :p) in vague reference to my particular biasness and penchant towards 1/6th:
"I was there when Eric So was at the end of his Due-G phase. I missed Michael Lau's Tom*Kids by that much (By then, his Gardeners were too far gone). I was there when folks like Jason Siu and Brothersfree tempted and teased me with their crossover art toy aesthetics with 1/6th articulation and myriad real-world accessories in scale (which by virtue were non-military, appealed to me immensely). Hot Toys had always been in the thick of it, guilty by association by virtue of their bodies, which were used hard and fast by HK-designers.
But somehow, the art toy 1/6 bottomed out pretty quickly. 1/6th-devotees would baulk at the prices of the designer-1/6, while hardcore art toy-enthusiasts found not the 1/6-scale appealing enough to plonk down the cash, if not for their dedication to particular artists.
And I was left stranded, reaching neither shores, and in a lot of ways, am still wallowing in genre-limbo til this day, waiting for "an answer" ... and Ashley Wood's 1/6th creations have shown me the light amidst the shadows. And I crave for more."