Gregory snapped some great pics on the Toycon floor. Here are combined highlights of days 1 and 2. Tomorrow we will feature reporting and pictures of several more exhibitors and any new releases (the smart money is on two more vinyl gardeners). Enjoy....
CRAZYSMILES
Michael Lau continues revisiting his gardener roots. Two new vinyl impressions of his 12" "101 gardeners" were released today: 038 "YOUNG MISS" and 043 "YOUNG SQUARE".
YOUNG MISS appears to be a, well, young version of yesterday's gardener 02 MISS. The has an untamed afro-like mane in contrast to MISS's neat pigtails, but shares the red face and earring. No extra hands, though. As a matter of fact, she has no hands at all as her sweat shirt is sculpted as if the sleeves are too long for her arms, obscuring any details beneath.
YOUNG SQUARE does come with the same extra five pairs of hands as did the two gardeners released on Friday. He also has a black chain bracelet, and wears cargo pants and a black T-shirt with Chinese characters. Finally, he has a big, square head complete with sculpted ears and freckles.
JASON SIU
HK Toycon veteran Jason Siu has appeared at previous shows in conjunction with other HK producers such as Hot Toys and Free Force, but exhibited this time around solo. He was showing "Spearhead," a follow up to his "Play02" speaker-figure of August '02. Although obviously musically influenced, Jason explained that the name related to the design of the figure rather than the Oakland-based recording group. White and orange versions were available, limited to 50 and 100 pieces respectively, and both were sold out by the end of day 2!
IT RANGERS
IT Rangers returned to Toycon with their most complete line-up yet. The enormously popular CI Boys were offered in four new treatments, including a Toycon exclusive version of the forthcoming Mini Destroyer (sized to fit the standard 2" series), and a boxed set of "Santa Series" CI Boys designed by Paul Hau.
The Boys were joined by two new blind box mini series: La La Friends and Stereotype. 10 thoroughly cute La La characters will appeal to younger collectors or those offended by the CI Boys' anger and anuses. As if to prove that they haven't gone soft, IT Rangers third mini assortment, Stereotype, is a PVC study in sado-masochism. This first series is aptly named "Be My Slave" and features bear-like critters outfitted in bondage gear. Look closely and you will notice that they are anatomically correct - sort of.
DA TEAM BRONX
Tim Tsui showed the latest edition to his DaTeamBronx series, "DA APE." The hip-hop style, spray-can toting primate is available in two main variants: Japan in black jersey and HK in white. There is also a special black and white colorway that is packaged with each version in a 1:8 ratio. All three feature a faux diamond-studded ring, metal necklace and are packaged in a canvas bag with velcro closure.
Tim shared his booth with friend and designer, Alice Chan, who exhibited work from her HK comic, Asteria. Postcard/calander sets were for sale, but the figure of the Asteria protagonist, Dreamy, was for display only. T-shirts are likely to be available in 2004.
COMIX BOX
Toycon organizer, Comix Box, displayed prototypes of forthcoming SAFS crossovers with Japan's Hobby Base. The Machinen Kreiger licensor is working with several Hong Kong designers to produce an artist series of their popular armor-suit mini figures.
New members of Ming Cheung's Ghostie Family series premiered at the Comix Box booth. A one-year anniversary re-issue of Ghostie comes complete with two creepy accomplices and is limited to 500 pieces. Two new sets were available for pre-order: Bowie & Bullie and Archbabie & Arbie. All three sets feature the Ghostie Family trademark flocking.
TOY2R
Toy2R continues their expanding Qee universe. Notable were designs by Tim Biskup, Jaime Haydon and Japanese label Comme Ca Du Mode.
CREATIVE PLACE
December 03 marks Creative Place's entry into the Toycon as a full-fledged booth exhibitor. The geometrical-solids-headed 12" figures seen in a display case this past August have been re-worked into 5" maquette statue format. The 10K series features 9 characters loosely based on figures from Greek mythology and placed into a fictionalized contemporary world check the back-story at www.creativeplace.com.hk. A full set of ivory-colored figures was available, and came complete with a metal storage and transport case. Very nicely executed and limited to only 10 sets. Color versions were available for pre-order in sets of two characters each.
ADFUNTURE'S MONKEY SHOW
AdFunture Workshop used their Toycon booth as a launch pad for their touring Monkey Show. The production house sent their Dave Silva-designed Fling figure far and wide for treatment and modification by artists and designers from nine different countries. The results range from simple re-paint to complete reconstruction. A good exercise in introducing the toy figure as a means of artistic expression to artists unfamiliar with designer toys. Adfunture plans to bring the exhibit to Shanghai in February, and hopefully to North America and Europe later in the year.
Adfunture also displayed a prototype of "Skeeter," the first figure in a forthcoming Hillbilly series designed by American, Jim Koch. It is due to be released in April. Additional plans include a 6-piece capsule series by UK designer, Jon Bergerman, as well as some non-toy merchandise.
