Introducing "Unruly Industries" = Designer Toys from Sideshow Collectibles
Sideshow Collectibles has for the past 25 years (since 1994, known as "Sideshow Toys" then) had a continued focus on licensed releases with high-end statues, and 1/6th-scaled hobby (with which I had been more familiar with) ... and currently the exclusive distributor of Hot Toys collectible figures in the United States ... and they have since added "Designer Vinyls" to their repertoire! Introducing "Unruly Industries" = Designer Toys by Sideshow!
They have collaborated with a variety of artists (some familiar to TOYSREVIL-blog too) to produce a lineup of limited-edition designer art toys - including lowbrow-themed and interpretations of licensed characters/brands; "that will redefine the rules of collectible pop culture." (sideshow.com/unruly-industries / Insta @unrulyind). Beyond the video clip above, here's what we are looking at now, with a few since listed for pre-orders too!
"From the minds of Jesse Hernandez, Pseudo5, Tony Riff, and T Wei comes the first pieces in the Unruly Industries Artist Series line of Designer Toys! Check-out Mictlan ‘Unruly Variant‘, Stairway to Hell…o, I See Colours, and Gone Fishin’ today!" (www.sideshow.com)
(Above) Mictlan 'Unruly Variant' by Jesse Hernandez (IG @urbanaztec) is in a limited edition of 750pcs, each priced at US$100 (Pre-order here) with an estimated arrival of May 2019 - Jul 2019. We have previously seen various incarnations/colorways released of this 6-inch tall PVC/Vinyl (with Kuso Vinyl since early 2010, no doubt licensed for which has lapsed :p), so this could be a nice continuation or entry point for collectors, casual or otherwise, IMHO.
(Above) "Stairway to Hell...o" by Pseudo5 is limited to 500pcs, each available to pre-order here for US$115 each 6-inch tall PVC/Vinyl figure, with an estimate arrival of July 2019 - Sep 2019. Also listed in the product description is MunkyKing (Sculpt) and Emily Barr (Paint).
(Above) "I See Colours" by Tony Riff also features MunkyKing (Sculpt) and Emily Barr (Paint) behind the scenes, with this 6.5-inch tall PVC/Vinyl figure in a run go 750pcs, available to pre-order here for US$115 (Est. Arrival: Jun 2019 - Aug 2019)
"Gone Fishin'" by Wellington, New Zealand-based T. Wei (IG @tw.ei) is in a run of only 500pcs, each priced at US$125. Sized at 4.5" tall, pre-orderable here, with an pst. arrival of Jun 2019 - Aug 2019. The description also lists Brenton Henriques (Sculpt) and Chie Izuma (Paint).
I was first introduced to T.Wei's art-made-colelctible with his porcelain "PUGIFE" made with Mighty Jaxx back in 2015.
"Sideshow’s brand new Unruly Industries Kaiju Designer Toy Collection is ready to attack your heart and maybe tickle your funny bone! These ravenous creatures include Crabthulu: Terror of the Deep!, Invasion of the BeheMOTH!, and Wrath of Wormzilla! from the mind of artist Mike ‘@poopbird’ Groves!" (www.sideshow.com)
"All you favorite beasties and ghouls that go bump in the night have been re-imagined in Sideshow’s Unruly Industries Monsters Designer Toy line! The creatures in this bunch include Bat Brain, Spare Parts, Fish Fish and Fur Ball by artist Ian MacDonald!" (www.sideshow.com)
"Sideshow’s Unruly Industries Marvel Designer Toy line will be new and whimsical takes on beloved comic characters! Artists Joe Dellegatta and Tracy Tubera (IG @tracytubera) bring their unique and fun twist on The Mad Titan, T’Challa, Wade Wilson, Miles Morales in the first wave of Marvel Unruly pieces!" (www.sideshow.com)
And the first character up for pre-orders here is "The Mad Titan" from Joe DellaGatta. Priced at US$150 (with currently no determined quantity listed), this 7-inch tall PVC/Vinyl figure has an estimated arrival of May 2019 - Jul 2019.
Featuring Sculpt by Nathan Mansfield, and paint by Scott Zillner, the ape-like Thanos might have a harder time to snap his Infinity-Gauntleted fingers while posed, innit? Heh.
"Sideshow’s Unruly Industries DC Comics inspired line will launch with the sugar skull inspired Batman™, The Joker™, and Harley Quinn Designer Toys by artist Jose Pulido" (www.sideshow.com). Check out the follow pics, specs and purchase links.
"Batman Calavera" is priced at US$125 per 8.5" tall PVC/Vinyl figure (Limited Edition: TBD). Pre-order (Est. Arrival: Aug 2019 - Oct 2019).
"The Joker Calavera" is priced at US$125 per 7.87" tall PVC/Vinyl figure (Limited Edition: TBD). Pre-order (Est. Arrival: Aug 2019 - Oct 2019).
"Harley Quinn Calavera" is priced at US$125 per 7.5" tall PVC/Vinyl figure (Limited Edition: TBD). Pre-order (Est. Arrival: Aug 2019 - Oct 2019).
All figures feature sculpting by Matt Black, with paintwork by Emily Barr, and were designed by Jose Pulido.
And while recent "trend" in collectibles toys (both U.S.-based and in Asia) are "retailers" turning "producers", with recruiting artists and their character designs into making vinyl toys direct, it is as interesting to see dedicated toy-brands / toy-producers continue the battle to secure consumers dollars and attention, alongside brands like Kidrobot (the closest mirror - which includes production and retail/distribution), and even Unbox Industries and Hot Toys, in the realm of licensed property releases, IMHO. Mighty Jaxx comes to mind too, with their mix of licensed and "appropriated" imagery.
But the only other rationale for folks to be able to keep up with the cost of said copyrighted releases, is the ability of brands to keep coat low(er) with resources and larger quantity, hence allowing collectors to turn away from non-licensed bootlegs, IMHO. In this regard, I'd also be very interested in the quality and make of these figures too. With the scene veering/having veered towards online purchases, I miss the days/opportunity to see the item, or even hold it in hand, before purchasing ... but perhaps I am but the few left behind in the toy-rush LOL
TOYSREVIL features both indie/original designs (which we conveniently label as "lowbrow") and the mass licensed recognisable character brands (ie: "Marvel", "DC" et al), so this umbrella brand encapsulating both strains, is as interesting and intriguing to see their survival into the future.
I have no news regarding retailers offering these figures (*or maybe there will be "retailer-exclusives"?), and have only direct links to purchase/pre-orders to Sideshow, who as well offers up a Payment Plan too, so that's another plus-point for cash-strapped collectors, perhaps? "Lethal-combo" as far as I am concerned ... "TOYS ARE EVIL", remember? And the line-up here look deliciously "evil", indeed! If not "extreme", but comfortably "edgy", methinks :)
Cheers
Andy TOYSREVIL
