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Playing Zelda video games is all well and good but what if you could live out a real-life Zelda experience? You’re going to get your chance now that Nintendo has partnered with SCRAP […]
Playing Zelda video games is all well and good but what if you could live out a real-life Zelda experience? You’re going to get your chance now that Nintendo has partnered with SCRAP […]
The day after the election, I received a message from a frenemy I’ve known since junior high. He has kept close tabs on me and my career, always presenting himself as “devil’s advocate” or “the rational voice of the other side of the argument.” Basically, he’s a book smart troll I didn’t block because of the insidious effects of nostalgia. His message was one line:
“What good is all that science fiction stuff, now that we’ve won?”
‘We’ve won.’ Wow. All of these little historical puzzle pieces fell into place and created a contemporary picture of the man — and my role in his development. He was a racist knife and I was the whetstone he used to sharpen his beliefs. In hindsight, I knew our values were in opposition. I knew he was bigot-esque. Also, I think I was under the profoundly false notion that I could have stopped him from slipping into where he inevitably ended up. His question really shook me.
His question was valid. A demonstrated racist, xenophobic, misogynist with zero government experience was going to be our president. All three branches of government were in unholy alignment. Race and culture-based hate crimes not only became more prevalent—just one day after the election—but were validated by how the electoral college voted. It was a damn good question — a question that sank me into a very deep sadness for a good twenty minutes.
I collected my thoughts and replied with:
“It is everything. It will be how we resist. Our world is in a Roddenberry Moment and you’ve already lost.”
At the time, I had no idea what the hell I meant. It just sounded badass. I knew the answer was in me, or else I wouldn’t have typed those words. After four coffees and a good cry, it came.
We are in our collective Roddenberry Moment.
1966, the year Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek debuted was a very tumultuous year. People were protesting the Vietnam War, a war that was unpopular and years away from ending. The KKK burned NAACP leader Vernon Dahmer’s home killing him and injuring his wife. The Black Panther Party for Self Defense was founded. On the second day of the March Against Fear, James Aubrey Norvell shot James Meredith. The only reason Meredith survived was because the 16-gauge shotgun was loaded with birdshot. It is also important to remind you of Malcolm X’s assassination the previous year. This is only a very minute snapshot of what was happening at the time. But on September 8 of that year, Gene Roddenberry, The Great Bird of the Galaxy, asked some questions:
What if race and species became, mostly, irrelevant and we formed coalitions to explore the stars? What if an entire organization was formed that didn’t celebrate diversity as some kind of holiday, but accepted the reality of it and made it the societal default? What if art and science and culture were given equal weight in this society? What if exploration replaced colonization?
And his influence has been felt for fifty years.
Roddenberry gave us aspirational science fiction on television. We had visual representation of functional diversity. We also had those words that resonated with so many people, despite the split infinitive and its dubious origin:
“To Boldly Go…” This is precisely where we are. Will we succumb to the very real hate and despair coupled with the manufactured hate and despair the media is feeding us? Or do we boldly go? Do we sit back and react, or do we respond with art, with inter and intra-cultural/religious/gender/sexuality/political dialogue?
Science- and speculative fiction are made for moments like this. Whether it is the visionary fiction inspired Octavia E. Butler, the multiple forms of resistance presented in Nalo Hopkinson’s Midnight Robber, the contortions immigrants must perform laid out in Susan Palwick’s The Necessary Beggar, or Andrew Vachss directing Batman to confront child sex trafficking in the novel, Batman: The Ultimate Evil — what makes all of this vital is that we get off the computer, out of our heads, and we take real world action. While we are all parts of various fandoms, we use fiction to enact real world change.
But change is a tough slog. Resistance to oppression is exhausting and dangerous. It is safer to just keep our heads down and not become a target of people or institutions. But on the other side of the hate and fear and uncertainty lies something glorious. Even in the Trek universe, humanity almost wiped itself out before becoming more enlightened.
A note: In all iterations of Star Trek, the missions were about exploration or peacekeeping. But all Starfleet ships had weaponry; every away team brought phasers, Voyager was as much a ship of exploration as it was a combat vessel. TNG, DS9, and Voyager all had a Klingon or half-Klingon on staff, just in case things got hairy. We can all be great and well-meaning people, but we also have to keep ourselves, and others, safe.
We may be too immature a species for space to be our final frontier. But we are facing a new frontier, a frontier that is as frightening as it is laden with hopeful possibility. We just have to act. And the first action any one of us can take is to ask questions.
Ask yourself, and those around you, these simple questions: Does our world have to be like this? If so, why? If not, how do I (we) make change? What is the future I want for me and mine? How can I help to make it happen?
Roddenberry asked similar question. In fact, he provided the blueprint for the questions. That impulse is just as relevant today as it was on September 8, 1966.
For the 2nd straight year, The Nerd Element will be attending DesignerCon (November 19th and 20th in Pasadena, California). For those that aren’t aware, “DesignerCon is an annual art and design convention that smashes together collectible toys and designer goods with urban, underground and pop art! DCon is over 90,000 sq. ft. and features over 350 vendors, art & custom shows, live demonstrations, and much more!”
Last year when we attended, we saw lots of great artists (and even interviewed one which you can see here)
So far this year we know of exclusives from Super7, DKE Toys, and KidRobot (all which are regular vendors at San Diego Comic-Con. All information and pictures on their exclusives courtesy of their press releases.
We will begin with the exclusives that DKE Toys (Booth #812) have announced so far.
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Super Metal Mario by iBreak Toys
Lisa Rae Hansen (UK) aka iBreak Toys has made a follow up version to her previously sold out edition of Super Metal Mario. Now in traditional colors, this hand cast and hand painted 3.5″ carded figure should go quickly. 3.5″tall in clamshell packaging for easy removal. $65 tax included.
Bio: I’m Lisa Rae Hansen and I make character driven art. My formal training is in Jewelry and Silversmithing and my heart lies in the world of Art Toys. I grew up in the 80’s playing with Star Wars toys, Masters of the Universe and not a Barbie doll in sight! I spent my time drawing and making whenever I wasn’t climbing trees or riding my bike. Fascinated by movies like the Dark Crystal, Beetlejuice, Star Wars these childhood influences have informed my desire to create other worldly characters. I have grown up but never grown out of toys! I sculpt, cast and paint to produce one off and limited edition figures, custom art toys and paintings.
ibreaktoys.com
Instagram : @ibreaktoys
Twitter : @ibreaktoys
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/lisarae.hansen1
Facebook Page : I Break Toys
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Star Weird: SpiderTrooper by Topz Toy
Our buddy Thawan Khiowpiam from Thailand is on a roll. The SpiderTrooper is now available in a 3.75″ scale hand cast resin figure based on the previous larger scale figurine. Now carded and at $40 these shouldn’t last long. Numbered edition of 30
Thawan Khiowpiam is a Thailand based artist and graphic designer who has been making custom art figures under the name Topztoy (Topztoy.storenvy.com) since 2013. in 2014 he organized the “Toy-want-you” art toys exhibition in Bangkok
(http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2014/05/toy-want-you-hoo-design-art-gallery-may.html?m=1) He also created the Facebook community group “Art Toys Thailand” https://goo.gl/ygQlpd and administers https://www.facebook.com/ArttoyTHmeet & https://www.facebook.com/ATTspotlight
ATM#1: Art toys Thailand Meeting#1″ in Bangkok, Thailand (07/19/2016)
https://mobile.facebook.com/ArttoyTHmeet/albums/1781932582040335/
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Fatsotrooper by Bombermat Toys
Bombermat Toys aka Matias Bomber was a groundbreaker in the Argentinian resin toys field. Producing since 2011 and now one of the few resin slingers from the end of the world, he attacks again with another Fat Shit Wars figure to follow up Lard Vader and Boba Fatt. The Fatsotrooper is 3.75 ” tall and we don’t know how wide!!! Edition of 25. Hand cast and painted carded figure.
Instagram @bombermattoys
http://bombermattoys.tumblr.com
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Big League Chewy by Dead Greedy
Dead Greedy just can’t stop. Check out our googly eyed furry friend disguising himself as chewing gum. Part Wacky Package, part kitschy nonsense.
What more do you want for $30 tax incl. Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded figure. Edition of 20
Dead Greedy is a pop surrealist from Dallas, Texas.
His designer toys/bootleg action figures are a mash-up of ’80s and ’90s nostalgia with a message of anti-commercialism. His work is greatly influenced by Star Wars, The $uper $ucklord and pop art.
Website: www.deadgreedy.com
Facebook: Dead Greedy
Twitter: @Jeremy_Bourquin
Instagram: @deadgreedy
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Mandalorian Turtles by Has No Talent Bootlegs
Now 2 of your favorite turtles are bounty hunters? You get two hand cast 3.75″ figures on one card. Edition of 20. $80 tax included.
Instagram @hasnotalent
http://stores.ebay.com/HAS-NO-TALENT-BOOTLEGS
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The Demons Within by DLL Customs
Derrick Lauglaug aka DLL Customs has created an edition of 10 multi-color hand cast resin statues especially for DCon. At 8″ tall each piece is a unique piece of art. Signed and numbered edition of 10. $45 tax included.
DLL Customs has been pushing the boundaries of the resin designer toy art world since starting up monthly releases in late 2013. Using innovative ideas and concepts, combined with a wide variety of themes, DLL continues to think outside the box and deliver unique art products to resin connoisseurs everywhere.
Instagram – @dllcustoms
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General Geddon by Credenda Studios
Back by popular demand Credenda Studios aka Beau Greener has brought back the General. $60 tax included. Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded figure Signed and numbered edition of 20
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Shits Whack by Broke1
Broke1 aka Broken Pidgeon aka Brody aka Brandon Kreps (jeeez this guy has a lot of names) has put forth his masterpiece for the masses to see at DCon 2016. This $40 hand cast and painted figure comes in a clamshell with art work front and back by AWOL One. Signed and numbered edition of 20. Why will you travel to show and buy this one you ask? Because SHITS WHACK yo!!!
https://www.facebook.com/Brokenpigeon/
https://brokenpigeon.bigcartel.com/
Instagram: @BROKE1
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Droid Force – D5T-R0 by Moc Toys
After a long hiatus Moc Toys has returned to the fold with our favorite protocol droid ready for battle. Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded figure. Signed and numbered edition of 25. $65 tax included.
Instagram @moctoys
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Omniscient Machinist by Green Plastic Tunnels
Green Plastic Tunnels is back with another release especially for DCon. The Omniscient Machinist stands at 3.75″ tall and is hand cast in a multi colored cascade of resin. Affordably priced at $30 tax incl. Hand cast. Edition of 20
Instagram @greenplastictunnels
greenplastictunnels.bigcartel.com
Bio: I am a 35 year old artist and elementary school art teacher based out of Baltimore MD. Inspirations for artwork range from arbitrary yet eye catching color palettes and forms found in commonplace structures and generic graphic design.
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Brat Fink by by Manny X Romero – Iconoclast Toys
Manny X Romero has sold out every figure edition he has ever made. This one looks to be right on the mark as well. Brat Fink embodies our favorite 50s hot rod icon. $75 tax included. Hand cast and painted 3″ carded Signed and numbered edition of 40
Instagram @artisdead
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Poquito’s Playhouse: Poquito y Pterrio by Janky Toys 
In the grand Mexican bootleg tradition of Robert Cop and Spader-Man, Janky Toys is proud to announce his latest toy line, Poquito’s Playhouse. Why, you may ask? Why the fuck not!!! What are you some sort of bigoted politician? $45 tax included. Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded figure. Signed and numbered edition of 20.
Instagram @jankytoys
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Next up we have Super7 (who recently announced they would be taking over the ReAction line from Funko). We’ve covered Super7 before (here and here), and we can’t wait to see their selections at DesignerCon. They will be at Booth #305.
Some of what they will be bringing to DesignerCon include their first offering of new Masters of the Universe products with a variety of new made-to-order pre-sale products that will ship in early 2017. We have been revealing details about each of these new products leading up to the pre-sale launch. Today we would like you to meet the Vintage Toy Edition Japanese vinyls and the Temple of Darkness Sorceress 3.75″ retro ReAction figure!
The Worst – Graveyard Shift Set will be in Pasadena! Our diabolical gang of Robot Reaper, X-2 (The Unknown), Snake Tut, Gas Phantom, Black Falcon, and Batula are back, this time in their new Graveyard Shift variants! Meet them up close and personal in advance HERE!
Super7 will also be bringing a mysterious 15th Anniversary Lucky Bag!
Next up our are friends at KidRobot (who we have covered quite a bit here). Their presence this year at booth #518 starts with providing the con with a 200 piece giveaway of the Horrible Adorable Series by Jordan Elise and Chris Lees (who will also be at their booth Saturday morning signing their pieces.) Also at their booth will be J*RYU (with a live painting in anticipation for a new piece releasing in late winter/early spring), James Groman who will properly showcase their upcoming Madballs product, and of course signings by Frank Kozik at their booth will also be happening.
In addition to all the exclusives covered above, there are many more we didn’t mention, which you can see and read about here http://www.designercon.com/exclusives/.
Stay tuned for more coverage before (and after) DesignerCon here!