TOYSREVIL's Top Ten Must-Have Custom Toys at San Diego Comic Con 2011
Just what are "Custom Toys"? In the art toy world, it is essentially an existing "art toy" figure repainted over by artist/s (other than the original designer of the figure), to create yet another "character" (We term character" because there exists essentially "eyes" and possibly "mouths" :p). But then again there are instances where they are from the originator of the toy-form. As well there are instances where folks add-to, or take away from the original toy-form, with the resultant figurine termed a "custom toy".
More often than not, the value of such a toy rests in not just in the notion which they act as three-dimensional "canvas" for the artist painting on them, they are severely limited in quantities, most times being a one-of-a-kind custom! "Aesthetically"? Well, that depends on individual tastes, doesn't it?
So what custom toys folks and fans should look out for at San Diego Comic Con (www) this year? Whether you are a old-hand with specific-tastes, or a new inductee to the world of "art toys" - TOYSREVIL attempts to bring you thru a selection of artists and their work, which you need to have in your collection!
Disclaimer: Sorry folks, most times the prices are not mentioned specifically for the items - you'll just have to find out for yourselves on the Con-floor!
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #1: Custom Dunys by Bil Betso
WHY: Custom Dunnys by Bil Betso that boggles the eyes - featuring his signature Betso-eyes and discerning palette, look for these intensely rich-hued Dunnys (looks to be 7-inchers too) at the Dragatomi booth #4935. [MORE]
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #2: Customs by Mr Munk
WHY: New York-based customizer Mr Munk will be lugging along a virtual array of custom-paints along with him (he does not necessarily have a booth tho) with custom prices ranging from US$30 to US$150 - the spraycanhead-Qees look awesomely cute, don't they? [MORE] One-of-one hand-paints, folks interested to linkup with, or who likes his work, or just wants to look up close - are to email llartwkx [at] yahoo.com. Tell'em TOYSREVIL sent ya!
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #3: Custom Androids by Scribe
WHY: Possibly titled the "Sketchbook Series" - peep these exquisitely monotone-sketched custom-Androids from Donald "Scribe" Ross are slated for a release with Cardboard Spaceship at SDCC booth #5032. Now this is what we call "full of character"! Neither final quantities nor prices are mentioned, but hell, they look cool! [MORE
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #4: Custom Hi-DEFs by Keith Poon
WHY: Keith Poon aka Keithing will be debuting a variety of customs at SDCC - which includes his "Driftwood Series" - but the ones which caught my undivided attention, where these series of four custom-painted Hi-DEF figures (originally designed by KaNO) with the theme being Star Wars Clonetroopers! Look for them at ToyQube booth #4934 (Price undetermined - wish they had their own blasters too tho!).
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #5: Custom Androids by Scott Tolleson
WHY: 17 custom-pieces in total will make up the "2.0" series of custom Androids by Scott Tolleson. Priced at US$100 each, they are available via Scott's SDCC booth #4836. And rather than just straight-up wicked paints, each Android will also served as "blind box containers", with prizes randomly hidden within the Androids (yes, you need to pop open their tops!). These prizes will include random sketches, vouchers for toys, etc. These will be sold on a first come first serve basis. [MORE]
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #6: Gasmask Dunny by Drilone
WHY: This exceptional looking 8" Gasmask Dunny is an enlarged version of Drilone's recent 3" Gasmask Dunny design released by Kidrobot. And while price is currently unavailable - do look for it at the Dragatomi booth #4935 - and as well click on this slideshow to see what else he will have on display and sales.
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #7 Custom Labbit by Jeremiah Ketner
WHY: The above Mer-Bunnie from Jeremiah Ketner aka Smallandround is so utterly adorable and delicious looking, isn't it? Featurng splendid paintwork - do look for it at the Dragatomi booth #4935 - and check out THIS post for more images of customs to expect for SDCC.
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #8: Munny Customs by Grimsheep
WHY: Comicbook-fans of "Alpha Flight" from the early run of Marvel comics will be familiar with these characters. Featuring a Munny and a Mini-Munny, look for "The Guardian" and Puck" at the Dragatomi booth #4935, as painted crisply by Owen DeWitt aka Grimsheep. Gosh I wish he could do the rest of the team - hell, I think he should do the whole Marvel Universe!
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #9: Grhouls by Lamour Supreme
WHY: Limited to only 10 pieces, these hand-painted custom Grhouls from Lamour Supreme would most probably be made available at Onell Design booth #4937 - especially when Lamour will be helming the booth on Saturday July 23rd from 12pm to 2pm. No price mentioned, but they look hella-devilishly-awesome and needs to be scored by YOU! [MORE]
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #10: Custom Captain America Androids by Gary Ham
WHY: This is a year for custom-Androids, it seems, and as well a perfect time for Captain America! Artist Gary Ham has a lockdown on the good Captain painted on these Androids, with each including a detachable shield! Only 5 x Androids has been painted and will be available at SDCC Booth #4836! [MORE].
UPDATE: So what's this about "Garry Potter" then? WANT!
More often than not, the value of such a toy rests in not just in the notion which they act as three-dimensional "canvas" for the artist painting on them, they are severely limited in quantities, most times being a one-of-a-kind custom! "Aesthetically"? Well, that depends on individual tastes, doesn't it?
So what custom toys folks and fans should look out for at San Diego Comic Con (www) this year? Whether you are a old-hand with specific-tastes, or a new inductee to the world of "art toys" - TOYSREVIL attempts to bring you thru a selection of artists and their work, which you need to have in your collection!
Disclaimer: Sorry folks, most times the prices are not mentioned specifically for the items - you'll just have to find out for yourselves on the Con-floor!
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #1: Custom Dunys by Bil Betso
WHY: Custom Dunnys by Bil Betso that boggles the eyes - featuring his signature Betso-eyes and discerning palette, look for these intensely rich-hued Dunnys (looks to be 7-inchers too) at the Dragatomi booth #4935. [MORE]
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #2: Customs by Mr Munk
WHY: New York-based customizer Mr Munk will be lugging along a virtual array of custom-paints along with him (he does not necessarily have a booth tho) with custom prices ranging from US$30 to US$150 - the spraycanhead-Qees look awesomely cute, don't they? [MORE] One-of-one hand-paints, folks interested to linkup with, or who likes his work, or just wants to look up close - are to email llartwkx [at] yahoo.com. Tell'em TOYSREVIL sent ya!
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #3: Custom Androids by Scribe
WHY: Possibly titled the "Sketchbook Series" - peep these exquisitely monotone-sketched custom-Androids from Donald "Scribe" Ross are slated for a release with Cardboard Spaceship at SDCC booth #5032. Now this is what we call "full of character"! Neither final quantities nor prices are mentioned, but hell, they look cool! [MORE
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #4: Custom Hi-DEFs by Keith Poon
WHY: Keith Poon aka Keithing will be debuting a variety of customs at SDCC - which includes his "Driftwood Series" - but the ones which caught my undivided attention, where these series of four custom-painted Hi-DEF figures (originally designed by KaNO) with the theme being Star Wars Clonetroopers! Look for them at ToyQube booth #4934 (Price undetermined - wish they had their own blasters too tho!).
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #5: Custom Androids by Scott Tolleson
WHY: 17 custom-pieces in total will make up the "2.0" series of custom Androids by Scott Tolleson. Priced at US$100 each, they are available via Scott's SDCC booth #4836. And rather than just straight-up wicked paints, each Android will also served as "blind box containers", with prizes randomly hidden within the Androids (yes, you need to pop open their tops!). These prizes will include random sketches, vouchers for toys, etc. These will be sold on a first come first serve basis. [MORE]
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #6: Gasmask Dunny by Drilone
WHY: This exceptional looking 8" Gasmask Dunny is an enlarged version of Drilone's recent 3" Gasmask Dunny design released by Kidrobot. And while price is currently unavailable - do look for it at the Dragatomi booth #4935 - and as well click on this slideshow to see what else he will have on display and sales.
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #7 Custom Labbit by Jeremiah Ketner
WHY: The above Mer-Bunnie from Jeremiah Ketner aka Smallandround is so utterly adorable and delicious looking, isn't it? Featurng splendid paintwork - do look for it at the Dragatomi booth #4935 - and check out THIS post for more images of customs to expect for SDCC.
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #8: Munny Customs by Grimsheep
WHY: Comicbook-fans of "Alpha Flight" from the early run of Marvel comics will be familiar with these characters. Featuring a Munny and a Mini-Munny, look for "The Guardian" and Puck" at the Dragatomi booth #4935, as painted crisply by Owen DeWitt aka Grimsheep. Gosh I wish he could do the rest of the team - hell, I think he should do the whole Marvel Universe!
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #9: Grhouls by Lamour Supreme
WHY: Limited to only 10 pieces, these hand-painted custom Grhouls from Lamour Supreme would most probably be made available at Onell Design booth #4937 - especially when Lamour will be helming the booth on Saturday July 23rd from 12pm to 2pm. No price mentioned, but they look hella-devilishly-awesome and needs to be scored by YOU! [MORE]
CUSTOM TOYS YOU NEED TO HAVE @ SDCC #10: Custom Captain America Androids by Gary Ham
WHY: This is a year for custom-Androids, it seems, and as well a perfect time for Captain America! Artist Gary Ham has a lockdown on the good Captain painted on these Androids, with each including a detachable shield! Only 5 x Androids has been painted and will be available at SDCC Booth #4836! [MORE].
UPDATE: So what's this about "Garry Potter" then? WANT!
