Jul 28, 2009 0
SDCCC – Final Thoughts
Here’s a final word from our panelists:
MAD: Aight. here we go… – Favorite toy releases of SDCC Gonna have to give it up to Deph, Shane, and Mr. Bell… oh and I’m pretty stoked on how my SKIN Deep Yeti came out 
*shameless plug… – Favorite Booth at SDCC: Dumbrella/ Creatures in my head. All the vinyl toy co’s kicks ass, but Mr. Bell’s be schleppin his stuff cross country for as many years as I’ve known him. Never gets any props cause he set’s it up on the opposite side of the con from the toys. For this continuos effort year after year he gets my “Fav” pick. **That and he said he’d give me a free Sushi figure… not really but Andrew if yer reading…. – Least favorite toy release Wait toys got released? I thought it was just an excuse to get drunk and dress up like superheroes… I need to pay more attention. – Better or worse than previous years? Looked like it was full on SDCC. From the pics its hard to tell how crazy it was, but just from being there for the last 12+ years… I’m pretty sure it was insane. – Will you be going next year? Probably… unless that Shane Jessup guy goes. – Parting comments Thanks to the VP east crew putting this whole deal on! Thanks to the Strangekiss crew for pulling off the first ever virtual signing at SDCC and to all the friends (SCRIBE, Mrs. Ross, JLED, Jessee Hernandez, Dril, Spankystokes, Toybreak) for stopping by and listening to me ramble. Shane Jessup is actually a nice guy its his beard that’s not very friendly. And WTFunks is a beotch who wears tight pants. I’M OUT!!
Saki: Final Thoughts, uh, I think there are too many to keep track of. My favorite toy release: it’s between both Big Sal and Amanda Visell’s labbit. Wait, I also loved Mindstyle’s Box Set, Mr. Shane Jessup’s dunnys and O-No Sushi!!! Least favorite toy release: Umm, I think I was too caught up on what I wanted to pay attention to what I didn’t– so I forgot already. Oh well. Better or worse than previous years: Since I haven’t been to the previous ones, I’m not sure, but my twitter was non-stop with the partying and Kaiju battles. Dusto Bunny gave me nightmares. About next year: I’ve already started the “get-saki-to-SDCC-fund.” Hopefully nothing stops me from attending next year’s madness and getting to hang out with loads of great industry people and artists. At last, I’m somewhat grateful its over, I couldn’t deal with SDCC being thrown in my face since Wednesday. Looking forward to next year.
JB:
Favorite toy releases of SDCC
I’m going to go with Andrew Bell’s O-No Sushi. I like having seen this character before in 2D art. I like that this is a tragic toy. I like that this toy is packaged in a predicament. This figure was my one mule request. I hope he hooked me up. I’ve already seen it in twitpics and on blogs. I think a lot of people were on the same page with this one. Congrats, Andrew!
Honorable mentions: David Choe’s Choegal (Wombat edition), Super7’s 3-pack by Bwana Spoons, Le Merde and Josh Herbolsheimer and…those GID Ice-Bat action figures.
Favorite Booth at SDCC
I wasn’t there, but I bet a good time was had with more pencil fighting emceed’ by Bwana Spoons at the Grass Hut booth.
Least favorite toy release
The theft of Chris Ryniak’s custom Stitch from the MINDstyle booth! Whoever “released” it, return it! MINDstyle is taking it out on fans with new strict rules about their booth. And proceeds from the piece were going to go to charity. In other words, to the person who took it: you’re a douche.
Runner up: “That looks like bootleg Barbie clothes from the 99-cent store on fat Dilbert.” – My fiancee, regarding Bill the Yeti
Better or worse than previous years?
Hard to say, but I had more “must have toys” on my list last year.
Will you be going next year?
I’m not even sure where I’ll be tomorrow…
Parting comments
Thanks VPE for inviting me onto this panel. Also to everyone who ‘tweeted’ from SDCC (SpankyStokes, Dragatomi, Dril, Steve Talkowski and Jhonen Vasquez): thanks, it’s almost like I was there. (The only difference besides location is that you have lots of toys, and I still have my rent money.)
TRE:
Disclaimer: Decisions were based on online images – some flattering, some not.
Favorite toy releases of SDCC
Big Sal (for it’s awesome imagery), Lucky Dunny (for it’s sweet glossy blackness like Vietnamese lacquer-ware lol) – but it would be unfair of me to choose, as toys would be something I’d rather see (and touch) up close and personal :p
Favorite Booth at SDCC
Personally it was the custom 1/6 Storm Troopers at Sideshow (but becoz Im a 1/6-scale lurvin’hoe).
If it has to be vinyl art toys? it would have to be Super7’s – with their slew of swell toyness (or gawk-worthy collectibles than “play-toys”), followed closely behind by DKE Toys (for it’s sheer variety). But then again, I’ve not seen them all, and only via the comforts of my computer at home, thousands of miles away from the action.
Least favorite toy release
I cant decide, there were too numerous for comfort.
Better or worse than previous years?
Am somehow not as jazzed as I remember last year’s to be. Or perhaps there are not enough surprises to “WOW”. Or maybe I should spend less time blogging about them, and need to stop and smell the vinylness
Will you be going next year?
My yearly wish remains unanswered ~ *man-sigh* ~ perhaps 2010 would be kinder to me
Parting comments
Cheers to VPEast for the invite and consideration – which got me to have a peek at loads of vinyl toys perhaps not covered by other online locales.
Sket: All n all was a great SDCC what i am noticing is the quality and the packaging and everything else is getting better and better from all which is great to see each and every designer toy company taking positive steps forward, favorites toys were Deph’s fatcap and Shanes Lucky Cat 8″ and of course Andrew Bell’s O-No Sushi amazing really LOVE this piece! SDCC looked fun, but don’t miss the 4pm smell or the overwhealming debt i feel when i return! Thanks for VPE for letting me spew!
MPH:
Favorite toy releases of SDCC
Some of my muletastic acquisitions include Big Sal, Black Fortune Dunny, Gargamel Biskup and Yoskay buttons. I also enjoyed the O-No Sushi and that Travis Louie sculpt.
Favorite Booth at SDCC
It’s really hard to pick out favorites from all the way on the other side of the country but the DKE had a little bit of everything.
Least favorite toy release
Another hard choice. I think we all came to a consensus on the Bill Yeti character but for me the worse “release” was the stolen Chris Ryniak Stitch custom. You suck guy/gal.
Better or worse than previous years?
I was there last year so I can only assume that this year was on par which is actually better than I thought in this crappy economy.
Will you be going next year?
If we ever decide to set up shop there then I’m there (but I say that every year).
Parting comments
Thank you VPEast for giving us a platform to speak freely and openly about toys. That kind of honestly is really hard to come by these days.
Grim:
Favorite toy releases
My pick would have to be Andrew Bell’s O-No. It gets props for jumping from 2D to 3D perfectly. O-No made a great print but it’s even better as a toy.
Favorite Booth
From what I saw from the VPeast control room, It would be Toyqube. Nice and simple, just perfect for highlighting great looking customs.
Least favorite toy release
The Godfather Horse Head. No way to be nice about it.. it’s just ugly.
Better or worse than previous years?
Previous years had better release but this year was pretty solid.
Will you be going next year?
I love the toys and artist but hate the crowds and lines. So i say 50/50.
Parting comments
Overall SDCC was good but not great. It was missing that “mind blowing amazing toy” that is a must, for me at least. I did have a blast joining in on the panel. Many thanks to VPEast for the invite. Until next year, I am out.
JohnBot:
Favorite Toy Releases
My favorite was probably the Black Lucky Dunny by Shane Jessup. I actually liked the black glossy finish over the dull gold finish of the original. The bronze koibito was a nice one also.
Favorite Booth
I liked the Mindstyle booth. It was a fun way to display all the Stitch customs and it was just something different than what other booths had. The Munky King booth was like a fortress, it didn’t seem all too inviting though.
Least Favorite Toy Release
The Luke Chueh decapitated bunny resin head. At a price of $150 and a run of 250 for something that small and 150 piece more than the possessed head, it’s highway robbery. And speaking of highway robbery, that Visell/Kozik labbit is too, $55 for a 5 inch labbit??
Better Or Worse Than Previous Years?
Releases were on the downside this year, better in previous years, but you can’t really ask for more in the economy that we have now. People were still buying, but you can only put out so much with the uncertainty.
Will You Be Going Next Year?
It is most likely my last. It’s been 3 years in a row for me, and it is getting tiring. But you know, never say never.
Parting Comments
It was overall a fun time. I think I enjoyed everything outside of the art/vinyl area more. But it was still a great time running around getting sketches, saying hi to everyone on the west coast and blending in with everyone, like a ninja.
