Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Sunday, May 8, 2016
SUCKLORD vs TOKYO
Sucklord, the bootleg toy "super villain", made his way into Tokyo during the Spring of 2016 and gave me and my friend, Kurodon, the opportunity to tag along and film his exploits. So it is now my pleasure to present to you the TOKYO TOY BASTARD EXCLUSIVE mini-documentary, SUCKLORD vs TOKYO, following Sucklord's first adventure and gallery show in Japan.
| TOKYO TOY BASTARD filming SUCKLORD vs TOKYO |
WATCH SUCKLORD vs TOKYO BELOW
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Tuesday, August 25, 2015
THESE BOOTLEGS ARE KILLER...
Peter Goral is the creative genius behind Killer Bootlegs, an independent bootleg toy operation based in Rockford, Illinois. His 're-imaginings' of classic toy lines often combine various body parts and accessories from a wide variety of vintage action figures, which are molded and then cast in resin. But these aren't just simply cheap rip-offs... they are highly refined pieces of art.
Vividly painted and oozing with nostalgia, the creations of Killer Bootlegs are extremely eye-catching, expertly crafted and ultra wicked.
Upon discovering some of these gems, I had to find out more about the man behind their conception. Fortunately, I recently had the opportunity to ask Peter of Killer Bootlegs some questions...
What were your favorite toys and cartoons growing up?
My favorite toys as a child were GI Joe and Star Wars action figures. But, I played with anything 3.75" and could be mixed into play with my GI Joe and Star Wars figures. I really liked the odd knockoff figures made by companies Lanard and Remco. But, if I had to pick a favorite, it'd be Storm Shadow V2 (1988). My favorite cartoons were, GI Joe, Thundercats, He-Man, X-Men, and Scooby Doo.
Which action figure series made the biggest impact on your childhood?
GI Joe: A Real American Hero and Star Wars POTF 2. It's all their fault!
When did you you decided to start making your own custom action figures?
I decided to start making my own figures back in the fall of 2009. At the time, I was working a 1st shift job and my wife worked on 2nd shift. I would get off work and have a ton of time on my hands and be home alone most of the night. At first, they were just one-off kitbashed figures that were held together with Super Sculpy and super glue. I didn't get into the molding and casting aspect for maybe a year or two later.
Did you find the processes of molding and casting difficult to learn?
I have to admit, it was a lot of trial and error. There really weren't any instructional videos online at the time. I didn't have customer reviews or anyone with past experience to tell me which products worked best for what I was attempting to do. It was difficult, but eventually I got a handle on what needed to be done and figured out what little tricks make the difference in the end.
What was the first action figure that you created?
The first action figure that I created was called, Shifty Megatron. He was a one-off kitbash made with a vintage Star Wars Ewok lower body and Boba Fett torso, GI Joe Talking Battle Commander Overkill head and I think Jurassic Park Velociraptor arms. I repainted him a few times, before he was eventually mounted on a screen printed cardback, framed, and shipped to Australia where he now resides in a private collection.
Can you describe the process you go through?
I generally start with molding some of the action figure parts that I will use as my base to work off of. I have found that working with a resin casting is much easier than the actual part itself. I sculpt, cut, sand, and glue parts from other, toys, castings, and sometimes really random pieces of plastic together to achieve the desired look and feel of a vintage action figure. I make multiple molds, depending on the size of the run to speed up the casting process. Most times, I'm casting several hundred individual parts, which all need to have the vents/pour spouts trimmed off, be sanded/cleaned/polished, and then ultimately everything is painted. I like to have a blank canvas to start with when it comes to the paint application, so I cast everything in bright white resin. I apply washes, rubs, airbrush parts, and then hand paint all the details.
Which action figure(s) are you the most proud of making?
I'm proud of everything I have made. But, some of my figures that instantly come to mind are...
Frankenfett
Phantom Starkiller
Draco Knuckleduster
Czarface
Ewoking Dead
and Star Warhol.
What are you cooking up now?
I've got quite a few things left up my sleeve for the second half of 2015. You guys will just have to wait and see..
Do you have any tips for aspiring action figure bootleggers and toy creators?
Focus and have fun. They are only toys...
Thursday, June 18, 2015
TOY CATS SHOWCASE IS THE PLACE
One of my favorite places to visit in Tokyo is a little hidden gem of a toy shop called TOY CATS SHOWCASE. Located conveniently near Kichijoji Station right behind Yodobashi Camera, TOY CATS is easily the 'holy grail' of toy shops for collectors of Henshin Cyborg and Microman. They also specialize in Star Wars toys, 'gashapon' (vending machine toys) and various dealer showcases.
A collector himself, Yuichi Ishii the shop's owner, is one of the most genuinely friendly toy shop owners you will find in Tokyo. His passion for his own toy collection is extremely evident, beaming from his smiling face into your very soul. It was this passion that converted me from a strictly 'sofubi' and Star Wars collector, into a Microman and Henshin Cyborg fanatic.
Thanks Ishii-san ;D
Recently I visited TOY CATS and interviewed Ishii-san about his shop. I also asked him to show off some of his prized possessions. Many of the toys that he presents in the video are most likely unknown to the layman... but you can bet your ass that they are not easy to find ...or cheap.
For more info visit the OFFICIAL TOY CATS FACEBOOK PAGE.
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Friday, June 12, 2015
THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH STAR CASE (UPDATED)
Just a few minutes walking distance from where I used to work in Tokyo, stands a Star Wars collector's wet dream... STAR CASE.
| ( Chillin' in front of STAR CASE on my lunch break ) |
I could spend a couple of hours writing about how awesome it is, show off the rarest vintage Japanese Star Wars toys and such - but instead I found an excellent video by a guy named Jason Ho, who did an excellent job filming the shop and interviewing it's owner, Yuu Katagiri, a few years ago. Check it out!
Initially I had planned to interview Katagiri-san after the Episode 7 came out to get his thoughts on Disney taking over Star Wars and how it's effected the amount of customers that come into Star Case. But once again another fellow beat me to it. Oh well, saves me a lot of time and effort ;)
Also check out STAR CASE's line of bootleg
"sofubi" Star Wars toys, 'SPACE CONVOY':
...may the force be with you...
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