Thursday, July 9, 2009

FunKo's Fantastic Four Preview 4


Human Torch w/ Box Art

Top Chef Masters - Week 4 Magic Chef's


Week four of Top Chef Masters brings together distinguished chefs Anita Lo (Annisa), Douglas Rodriguez (Alma de Cuba), John Besh (Restaurant August) and Mark Peel (Campanile). The Masters find their hands tied in the Quickfire Challenge as they must cook an egg with one hand tied behind their back (All-Stars Challenge, Season Three of Top Chef), and then must create culinary magic to awe their high-profile guests which include Neil Patrick Harris. One chef moves on to the Champions Round.


Anita, Quickfire
Soft scrambled egg & shitake mushrooms with
truffle oil & oyster sauce





Anita, "Illusion"
Braised dailcon with kombu caviar
& steak tartare sauce


WINNER Week 4 - Anita Lo

10,000 for
SHARE - Cancer Support


Check back here on Thursday's after the new episodes ..
BRAVO Wednesday nights @ 10 pm

TOP CHEF MASTERS

Honorable Mention

Douglas "Spectacle"
Duck Four Ways
* Oyster ceviche with duck broth
* Empanada with foie gras & figs
* Duck breast with butternut squash
* Duck soup with young coconut

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Funko Collection UPDATE !!


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RINGO !!

Happy 69th Birthday
RINGO STARR!



Artwork by Patrick Owsley
http://powsley.blogspot.com/

SDCC Exclusive - Esc Toys ( Erick Scarecrow )



Zenescope Update - Wizard World Philly 2009 Collector Coverage


Special thanx to Victoria for writing a great article. She gives a great perspective from a collector/fan's point of view. She does some great interviews also.

Here is her article on http://comicnews.info/




This year’s show was my seventh year attending the Wizard World Philly convention and it was an amazing experience! Held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, the three day event (June 19th-21st) had more guests than ever before. With a variety in comics, films, television and video games it seemed as if there was something for everyone.

Comic heavy weights such as guest of honor Garth Ennis, DC Comics Dan DiDio and artist Billy Tan were in attendance as well as actors Ray Park, Emma Caulfield, Doug Jones, Ted Raimi and Edward James Olmos. The Autograph alley had a steady flow of traffic on Friday and was nearly impossible to navigate Saturday. This year also marked the first time Wizard combined with the VG Xpo and offered tournaments and other fun activities for gamers. And what would a convention be without cosplayers? Some amazing and talented individuals showcased their best comic themed costumes (my personal favorites were Harley Quinn and Superman).

I attended the convention as Calie Liddle, Zenescope’s main character in their Wonderland series. This was the first time I have worn the outfit to a con since winning the Girl of the Month title back in January and the company loved it. I got to catch up with President and Vice President Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco, writer Raven Gregory, artist Eric Basaldua and colorist Nei Ruffino. A big fan girl moment for me was when I was invited behind their booth to hang out and even got to play with a prototype of a Cheshire Cat plush doll. There was a bit of confusion when fans thought I was one of the official models but many of them were sweet, requested pictures of me and even asked for autographs.

Among my most memorable moments was meeting artist Billy Tucci who upon laying eyes on me said:

“Hey, I drew you!” We had a nice long chat and I got several hugs from him and we exchanged information. Bob Wayne, Vice President of Sales for DC Comics was kind enough to grant me an interview after the DC panel on Saturday and I ran into him several times though out the event. He introduced me to their Vice President, the ever popular Dan DiDio. Meeting Star Trek: The Next Generation actress Marina Sirtus was a childhood dream but I went into overdrive when talking to actor Doug Jones. Pan’s Labyrinth is my favorite movie and Doug and I a wonderful conversation about his career and process with making the film. He was very gracious, kind and gave me the biggest hug and proclaimed:

“Look at you! You’re so adorable I could eat you up!” I made many contacts with artists, writers and actors and you can be sure to expect several upcoming exclusive interviews on ComicNews.Info!

Shopping is always fun at conventions and aside from purchasing comics I also stopped by the Tonner booth where I bought the lovely Poison Ivy doll. My boyfriend then escorted me back and purchased the stunning Harley Quinn doll for me.

I attended three panels; Zenescope’s writer’s panel on Friday featuring Raven Gregory and Ralph Tedesco, DC Nation Saturday afternoon with Dan DiDio, Bob Wayne, Rags Morales, and Shane Davis and Wonderland: the Director’s Cut with Eric Basaldua, Raven Gregory and Nei Ruffino. Saturday night I attended Zenescope’s after party as a VIP and decided to skip the con all together Sunday as I normally do every year (a combination of wanting to spend Father’s Day with my dad and exhaustion). The following day I discovered I am featured on Philly’s local CBS station for my cosplay.

This year was the first time Wizard issued wrist bands instead of badges. My friends and I all purchased three day passes and wondered how we would keep our wrist bands on for the next few days. They decided not to remove theirs while I took a different approach; cutting it off then reassembling it with scotch tape (hey it worked and I didn’t want to risk soiling it in the shower).

Wizard World Philly 2010 will take place June 11th-13th. To see all of my photos from the convention, visit my flickr album:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/26071005@N00/sets/72157620369420661/

Victoria
http://www.cosplaygirl.webs.com
victoria.comicnewsinfo@yahoo.com




Monday, July 6, 2009

SD Comic Con '09 - Awesome Exclusives


SD Comic Con 2009 - 2 Weeks AWAY !!









Sunday, July 5, 2009

Foodie Post - July 4th Weekend BBQ




















SD Comic Con '09 - Peanuts Exclusives






ZeneGirl of the Month - Amanda


Please give conrats to - Amanda
The 7th Zenescope Girl of the Month

for 2009 - July




IMPORTANT! PLEASE DOWNLOAD,
SIGN & MAIL THE MODEL RELEASE FORM TO BE ELIGIBLE:


Girl of the Month Release Form


Zenescope Entertainment is known for their beautiful, brainy and butt-kicking female characters, so it's only natural for us to hold our first ever Girl of the Month Contest. One winner will be chosen each month to represent the Zenescope website as the Zenescope Girl of the Month 2009 and all you need to do to enter is email us a picture of just you along with a brief bio that includes your favorite Zenescope title and issue and any other fun facts about yourself that you want us to know to info@zenescope.com and make sure the pic includes a Zenescope theme! Whether it's you wearing a Zenescope T-shirt, holding a Zenescope comic or dressed as your favorite Zenescope character, just get a photo to us for your chance to win.
One winner will be chosen each month and that winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to COMIC-CENTRAL.COM online store as well as a Zenescope Gift Pack.
And to make things even more interesting, at the end of 2009, fans will vote to select one of the 12 monthly winners who will take the GRAND PRIZE: a 3 day, 2 night trip to COMIC CON International 2010 in San Diego courtesy of Zenescope Entertainment. The grand prize winner will also make an appearance at the Zenescope booth to sign autographs and to hang with the Zene-crew.
So get your photos to us right away and have your chance to be a 2009 Zenescope Girl!

*You MUST be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the U.S. or Canada to enter this contest. All specific contest details, prizes and prize details to be determined by Zenescope and/or contest sponsors in their sole discretion.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Funko Collection UPDATE !!


Black & White Meal Magic Guy

Thursday, July 2, 2009

VInyl LOVE - Dr Bomb in da houze !!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Funko Update - NEW RAT FINK


Surf Fink


Orange CHASE

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

SDCC Exclusive - O*NO Sushi ( by Andrew Bell )






For quite awhile now, Andrew Bell has suffered from an empty stomach as he drew creatures surrounded by scrumptious food over and over. Now, his cravings have spilled over into his newest toy – the oh-so clever O-No Sushi based on his ‘Never Look Back’ print series. A Bento set like no other, Chef Bell’s course includes a nervous limb-challenged squid figure with articulated arms/legs (well… stumps), two sets of interchangeable eyes, a bowl of tentacles and a slice of tentacle sushi.

Limited to 150 sets, the blue edition will be available at SDCC in both the Dumbrella (#1335/1337) and DKE Toys booths (#4732). The standard red edition will be available shortly after the ‘con from your favorite retailer.

We’ve been excited about these for awhile – one of Mr. Bell’s best figures in recent memory. It offers not just an isolated character but a quirky, humorous experience/world that will be immediately familiar to most. Though, we’re still super partial towards Groob – remember him ?

Bossy Bear - Just Bossy Lemony Fresh




If you’ve David Horvath’s Bossy Bear series, Toy2R is going to make your summer with four separate releases spread across TTF and SDCC. First, TTF will see the debut of the new 5” Just Bossy Bear assortment (assuming this means blind-boxed) featuring all Bossy Bear, all the time – different colorways and expressions. Next up, the Lemony Fresh Special Edition Bossy Bear and Friends (previously referred to as ‘yellow' edition)of Bossy Bear, Turtle, and Crocadoca (300 each, numbered).

Finally, the newest member of the BB family, Crocadoca will be available in two extremely limited two tone GID editions each featuring five figures (eds. of 50). For TTF there’s the GID Primary edition and for SDCC there’s the GID DIY edition (unpainted). See pics after the jump – don’t let the product names on the fliers confuse you – apparently they were changed at some point.





JIM KOCH - ART EXHIBIT

UPPER PLAYGROUND
FIFTY/24 SEA Gallery
4730 University Way NE
SEATTLE, WA

Presents: Friday - July, 17th 2009
An Exhibit with Artist - Jim Koch
Opening reception 5 - 10
New Custom toys, Illustrations and Paintings
- with Skate board release.
Featuring - DJ SWERVWON

www.upperplayground.com
www.jimkoch.com




Monday, June 29, 2009

Nodniks - Rat Fink Preview



12 Questions with Brian from Funko

1. Thought I’d start by asking some personal questions - Besides your work, what are the things you do for enjoyment, relaxation, and Fun???

Golf, attempting to work out, and family stuff like going to my daughters gymnastics and ballet classes.

2. How many hours a day do you work and has there ever been a day when you wished that you could be doing something else?

I work a lot..Much more than my family prefers, but they understand. The travel is extensive as well. As far as being at Funko..only golf tempts me to get out of the office.

3. What are you looking forward to doing in your life (other than funko related)?

Retiring in Maui, while I surf and play golf every day....

4. What does your wife think about your collection and owning a toy company?

She's not much into toys..my daughter is...Both love Funko though.

5. Now onto the Funko questions - What single piece been the biggest seller for Funko? Which are close to the top?

Darth Vader is #1, then Iron Man, then Yoda, Boba.....

6. Funko Force, Nodniks and the USB Drives are poised to put Funko on a whole new level. Where do you see these lines taking the company as a whole?

They provide us a new avenue or new customer to potentially sell our product to. This helps in theory, to grow our company. The electronics especially can bring us to new stores who would not normally carry toys or Funko products.


7. Why you physically have to go to China?

To find new factories, to check on our factory, look at new potential products lines..I go about 3-4 times per year.

What do you like to eat when you’re down there?

not much! Ugggh..I bring beef jerky and starve to death mostly.

8. Big Headz looked cool, but it seems that Funko Force replaced them, and that's not a bad thing at all. What about the lost product lines? the Star Wars Wind Ups? The Seinfeld line? The Operation Guy?

The big headz cost too much to produce versus the perceived value of the toy. Windups are the same issue. Burger King put a line of Star Wars windups out they were quite good, and gave them away...Seinfeld is still a looong and slow process, but I have hope. Operation guy was a Becker thing with Hasbro that never got off the ground due to licensing issues.

9. Have licenses with big-name companies such as Lucasfilms and Marvel made it easier to negotiation smaller licenses and have they made the Funko name more recognizable in the toy market?

Yes..absolutely. Star Wars opened the door to Wal Mart, Target and TRU..and in turn opened more licensing opportunities.

10. Any chance we might see our favorite cereal monsters get the Funko Force vinyl treatment? USB Drives? Maybe regular wobblers metallic or otherwise?

maybe..we will see the initial sales to evaluate.

11. How much does Funatic suggestion play into licenses and variations that we see?

We certainly take views into the overall evaluation process. And of course Funatics idea do make a big splash come Comic Con time.

12. Can you give us any scoop on new lines/Franchises coming out for Funko? At least to keep us satisfied until Funday?

We'll the secret has been leaked a bit, but we are doing a HUGE Music line of Nodniks, Funko Force(Non bobbles) and Wobblers of Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Bob Marley. Really cool stuff and the likenesses are super cool but Funko-ized of course. And keep an eye out for Bruce Lee and Che Guevara!
______________________________________________________________________________________

A big thanks to Brian for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions! Take it from me, there are some awesome top secret things on the way that will make you poo your pants! Stock up on Depends or a comparable store bought brand NOW!

Hopefully this will keep everyone satisfied until Comic Con and Funday!'

-swobobafett