TOYSREVIL's Top Ten Art-Toy Must-Haves at SDCC 2011 (Above $50 each)

C'mon, folks who dwell not within the art toy culture would think us mentally-wobbly for plonking over huge sums of hard-earned money for "pieces of plastic"! But for folks who relish the manifestation of character design would understand the allure of these "toys" beyond the financial price-tag. And while we had previously attempted to pick Top-10 Art Toys below 50-bucks, here's instead a list featuring TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVES - Each costing over US$50 per item!


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #1: Bunny Ride, Go from Brandi Milne

WHY: Bunny Ride, Go" by Brandi Milne - US$90 limited to 100pcs. Having her artwork manifest unto an actual three-dimensional figure, is a delight. This is a prime example of "art" meets "toy", and as well Brandi's first vinyl figure!

The 7-inch long toy will be available at the October Toys/Toy Break #Booth 4838, and as well an exclusive print will also be available during the release (shown in the screengrab posted above). Brandi will also be signing at the booth on Saturday at 1:00pm PST.


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #2: King Of Rock Labbit by Frank Kozik

WHY: And while I've been an admirer but never gag for a Labbit, this silver-surfaced x black colored 10-incher Labbit from Frank Kozik, is frankly pretty darn cool - marrying the musical-aesthetics of the classic KISS rock-band and the art toy spirit, this vinyl-bunny is limited to 100-pieces and priced at US$100 per. Look for it at Kozik's booth #4734. [MORE]


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #3: TROUBLE BOYS [FLY] from BrandT PETERS x FERG

WHY: Project Squadt is a vinyl figure series created by Ferg and produced by the famed threezero - with a military-esque theme based on characters with differing gas-mask-designs. The "Trouble Boys" (sub)-series sees a collaboration with artist Brandt Peters and the result is a focus on classic Depression-era "mobsters" -this time focusing on the "masks" as an excellent-looking (half) "skull"!

This particular Trouble Boy sees a radical update on the timeline and brings the character to modern times of the urban streets, sporting his trainers and removable sKangol hat! Pretty Fly for a Toy-Guy, huh? Limited to 100 pieces, this 6" vinyl toy is a Rotofugi-exclusive and is priced at US$110 - available via booth #4736.


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #4: GID BLUEBERRY KURO From Camilla D'Errico

WHY: A vinyl figure manifested from a comicbook creation, is to me a concept that warms my heart. Adapted from her very own TanPopo comicbook, comes "KURO" by Camilla D'Errico. And for this year's SDCC, a Blueberry Version will be released, with this particular figure glow-in-the-dark, in BLUE!

The 6-inch tall blue-glow vinyl figure is priced at US$59.99, and available via booth #4723. One of the pert-est bums in toy-history, I reckon!


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #5: BIG MUSCAMOOT from Chris Ryniak

WHY: Out of the trio of Lake Monsters-releases coming from Rotofugi x Squibbles Ink, the one which grabbed at my toy-desires the most, was the "Electric Watermelon" edition of the Chris Ryniak's Big Muscamoot figure - featuring fluorescent yellow and green paint on black vinyl paint job. Quite invigorating, actually! You want to toy-cuddle a creature from the murky-depths of Americana-lore? This is the critter to do it too muahahahaha

While quantities are unrevealed, the price tag is US$75 per -available via booth #4763. [MORE]


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #6: MOUSE MURPHY ON AN AIRPLANE from Ron English

WHY: The "Red Baron Version" is the SDCC-Exclusive version available at the Toy Tokyo Booth #5437, while the "Stealth Version" (insert-pic) is a ZacPac Edition (launched at Ron English's "Popaganda" art show in Japan not too long ago). And while the choice between either was harder than I expected (of course I'll take them both muahahahaha) - I would have the say the Red one if the final choice (similar with my blog-color red too, huh?).

A popular pop culture icon with a gas-mask riding a bi-plane, designed by a subversive artist and made in Japan? Truly a cross-cultural toy, IMHO! Standing 6.5" tall and limited to 100pcs, the initial price for the Stealth version was 9,975YEN (approx US$123).


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #7: GREASEBAT (Super Clear Edition) from Jeffrey Lamm

WHY: A vinyl figure deigned by Jeffrey Lamm, Greasebat first made it's 2-D appearance as a monster in gig-posters. And after a series of colorway editions, comes this Super Clear Version of the 7" tall REAL FIGHTING GREASEBAT - cast in super clear vinyl and includes a full color transparent "guts" insert. Crossing over the limbo-border of "modern kaiju" skirting the edge of "art toy", this edition is a truly Must-Have for toy-lovers. [MORE]

Available on Friday July 22 (specifically between 5pm-7pm) @ Global Figure Symposium All-Stars Onell Design Booth #4937 via the toy-producers Monster Worshop, price for this slice of coolness is US$75 per (Quantity is undetermined tho).


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #8: FAHRENHEIT SPIKI CELSIUS from Rotobox x Nakanari

WHY: The "Celsius" figure-form and story-concept is created by Rotobox Vinyl Anatomica from The Philippines, and "Fahrenheit" is the nemesis of Celsius. Numerous editions of either figure has been released before, and as well seen in Rotyobox's self-produced comics. Sharing a similar body-build - which I adore - this particular edition sees the art toy action figure being remade into a "Spiki" ninja-version from fellow label-artist; Nakanari from MaiHiro. [MORE].

Fahrenheit Spiki stands 7 inches tall and is limited to 200pcs - with a SRP of US$65 - available via KusoVinyl's booth #605. (The figure set comes with 4 swords, a blackboard, and a mini comic).


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #9: MONGOLION from Lamour Supreme

WHY: I have been a silent toy-fan of Lamour Supreme's MONGOLION since it's inception by Super7 not too many years ago. And this particular PINK edition, is strangely alluring, and ironically hued against it's intensely visceral visage-sculpt, doesn't it? "Irony" in the realm of "art toys", is 'Gold', IMHO. [MORE]

While quantity is undetermined, price is US$65 per.


TOP TEN ART-TOYS MUST-HAVE #10: ZOMBIE ROBBER from MAD

WHY: One of the caveats for making these lists, was that I was to choose one toy per artist per brand - but with this particular ZOMBIE ROBBER 8" Dunny SDCC-Edition, we have the second Kidrobot-produced figure in this list. But you know what? This design rocks, so I wouldn't have it any other way! Designed by Jeremy Madl aka MAD, this is an embiggened version of his recently released 3" Dunny - but clad in robber-stripes, rather than biker-leathers. [MORE]. And who doesn't love a long dreaded pink toy-tongue? LOL

Limited to 1,500 pieces and priced at US$75 per. Jeremy will also be signing at the Kidrobot booth #4313 on Saturday July 23rd (12pm-2pm).