Hello and welcome to the first BATCH of DKE Toys SDCC 2017 CON STUFF! We will be announcing a few items a day for the next several days as San Diego Comic Con quickly approaches.
Today we present hand made figures by UK artist RYCA!
Bio: Ryan Callanan a.k.a RYCA has long since been one of the most sought after artists at artrepublic. He burst onto the scene back in 2006 with his Star Wars inspired print, Reservoir Troopers (red) that sold out at in astonishingly quick time. In May of the same year thieves broke into the gallery and stole the same piece, believing it to be a Banksy. The artist told us at the time that he was quite chuffed with the mistake. He graduated from art school in 2002 and was inspired to create his first print, Ona Islam after visiting the acclaimed London exhibition of Banksy works, ‘Santa’s Ghetto’ in 2006. Other sources of inspiration include cult classics, the Star Wars franchise, Pop Art, and the Renaissance. uDrawing inspiration for his career as a 3D sign writer, RYCA incorporates a wide use of materials including resin and glass into his sculptural pieces. With his in-depth knowledge of materials and craftsmanship he is currently working on new projects with hip-hop song lyrics alongside numerous public commissions. RYCA made headlines when he realized his ‘Acid Cup’, a handcrafted replicate of the World Cup trophy, to coincide with the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Big Beat DJ and Brighton hero Fatboy Slim loved RYCA’s sculpture so much he took one on tour with him as he played a host of huge gigs around the country. He has exhibited worldwide and enjoyed a number of highly successful solo shows, also collaborating with a number of well respected artists including Ben Eine, David Walker and Stik.
UK based street artist RYCA is one of the more prolific artists in the resin game. We never shy away from political statements with what we carry and this is no exception. One of the most powerful pieces we have had.
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded figure. Signed and numbered edition of 30. $55 tax included.
Our third and final entry from RYCA is a blinged out take on the 6″ vintage Kenner toy. A whole lot of resin for $80. Signed and numbered edition of 25. Hand cast and hand painted. RYCA also silk screens and die cuts his own card backs as well as make his own blisters.
Wampapi has real 23.5kt gold leaf and a Swarovski crystal!
Designer Con is just a few days away! Come see DKE Toys in booth #812 for SO MANY BOOTLEG TOYS!! It’s gonna be a fun event! Plus our buddy The Super Sucklord is right next to our booth doing his thing! This is Batch #3 of 3 batches. If you didn’t receive the Batch #1 or #2 I am happy to send along at your request.
Empress Hillary The follow up to the Sold Out Darth Trump, Timebandits x Special Ed Toys bring you Empress Hillary. A horrible candidate mashed up with the most evil character in the universe. Maybe the evil you know is better than the evil you don’t? I guess we wait and see… Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded figure. Signed and numbered edition of 25. $85 tax included.
“From bootleg toys to terrible “art” of dubious quality, there is no type of “artistic” medium I won’t shamelessly exploit in my mission to bring a little bit of terribleness into collector’s homes far and wide!”
Darth Trump Gold Edition After a 35 minute sell out of the first edition at NYCC this year, Timebandits x Special Ed Toys decided to make another version. This time in all GOLD befitting a KING!!! What was once a funny mashup of a buffoonish reality TV star and the ultimate symbol of evil in the galaxy is now just a pretty fucking painful reminder that we are all doomed. Doesn’t seem funny anymore but they will sell just as quickly. Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded figure. Signed and numbered edition of 25. $85 tax included.
“From bootleg toys to terrible “art” of dubious quality, there is no type of “artistic” medium I won’t shamelessly exploit in my mission to bring a little bit of terribleness into collector’s homes far and wide!”
The Severed Limbs: Luke Protester What do you get when you mash up Janky Toys’ Severed Limbs with Special Ed Toys’ Protest figures? That’s right… The Severed Limbs: Luke Protester. They decided to go green on this figure and make it with 90% less figure. Why? Because they care. Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded figure. Signed and numbered edition of 50. $30 tax included.
“From bootleg toys to terrible “art” of dubious quality, there is no type of “artistic” medium I won’t shamelessly exploit in my mission to bring a little bit of terribleness into collector’s homes far and wide!”
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
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.
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
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.
Designer Con is just a few days away! Come see DKE Toys in booth #812 for SO MANY BOOTLEG TOYS!! It’s gonna be a fun event! Plus our buddy The Super Sucklord is right next to our booth doing his thing! This is Batch #1 of what should only be 2 batches. November 19 and 20 at the Pasadena Convention Center. A one day pass is only $10. Two day is $15. Such a deal. DKE Toys does about 4 conventions a year in which artists from all over the world create limited artist edition figures. Each piece is generally made out of hand poured resin and many are hand painted on custom printed (and sometimes hand drawn) card backs. Sometimes as many as 20 different artists participate in a given show. Many have commented that the DKE booth at these various shows look like a small art exhibition. While these figures are generally referred to as “bootlegs” they are far from pirated versions of mass marketed toys. Each of these artists use transformative properties in their work to communicate ideas that are often political, parody, or commentary about the pop culture world we live in. Also please do not be confused by the word “toy”. These are works of art!!! Do not give to a child to play with. They will break, get ruined, and hurt your children physically and emotionally. DKE also acquires other limited edition figures from artists that are not exclusives so please stop by to see any unannounced specials. Should pieces be left over after the show please email any wants or desires to dketoys@gmail.com and we will do the best we can to accommodate requests. We are always adding images to our Flickr, including unannounced Con Stuff! =====================================================================
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 ====================================================================
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/ Topztoy.storenvy.com facebook.com/topztoy facebook.com/topz.kp instagram.com/topztoy =====================================================================
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 @bombemattoys http://bombermattoys.tumblr.com =====================================================================
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 =====================================================================
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 ====================================================================
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. @dllcustoms – Instagram dllcustoms.storenvy.com =====================================================================
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 www.CredendaStudios.net Instagram.com/CredendaStudios =====================================================================
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 =====================================================================
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
Thanks to Cannonball for this awesome write up on the DKE Toys booth at NYCC! Tons of pics and a really thoughtful blogpost about what is happening in The Weird World of Bootleg Art and Toys!
COMPLEXCON runs this coming weekend in Long Beach, California November 5th and 6th and DKE Toys will be in Booth #J11 with a slew of Con Stuff!
DKE Toys does about 4 conventions a year in which artists from all over the world create limited artist edition figures. Each piece is generally made out of hand poured resin and many are hand painted on custom printed (and sometimes hand drawn) card backs. Sometimes as many as 20 different artists participate in a given show. Many have commented that the DKE booth at these various shows look like a small art exhibition. While these figures are generally referred to as “bootlegs” they are far from pirated versions of mass marketed toys. Each of these artists use transformative properties in their work to communicate ideas that are often political, parody, or commentary about the pop culture world we live in. Also please do not be confused by the word “toy”. These are works of art!!! Do not give to a child to play with. They will break, get ruined, and hurt your children physically and emotionally. DKE also acquires other limited edition figures from artists that are not exclusives so please stop by to see any unannounced specials. Should pieces be left over after the show please email any wants or desires to dketoys@gmail.com and we will do the best we can to accommodate requests. We are always adding images to our Flickr, including unannounced Con Stuff!
Colombian based street artist Crisp has honored us with a customized 3.75” scale figure on a hand stenciled card back. Each card front has a 5 layered stencil with another stencil on the back. Signed and numbered edition of 50. At $75 is a steal…
Crisp is an Australian street artist currently based in Bogota, Colombia. He has been participating in art shows and the vibrant urban art scene and festivals since 2009. Crisp’s work deals with the aesthetics of both the natural and socio-political world. He predominately uses the stencil technique and medium to convey his vision on the streets of the world. His use of street sculpture and masks adds another dimension and depth to his works in the street. You can find his street art in many cities across the world including Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Mexico City, Winnipeg, Sydney, London, Santa Marta, San Jose, Aruba and of course his adopted home of Bogota, Colombia.
He believes street art is an important uncensored pathway to highlight important issues and current affairs in a world where mass media is sponsored and controlled by politics, corporations and profit driven elements. He enjoys juxtaposing pop culture icons with real life concepts to highlight the irony of modern society and culture. He actively participates and donates his work to numerous foundations and social projects to enrich other people’s lives through art. Art can impact people’s lives not just for individual viewers but through co-operation, education and social change.
Crisp recently was a finalist for the 2016 Stencil Art prize which is currently being exhibited as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival. Being an Australian a personal highlight for Crisp in 2015 was being invited by the Australian Ambassador in Colombia, to paint a large internal mural in the new Australian Consulate Office building in Bogota. In 2015, Crisp was one of a number of specifically selected artists including Sheppard Fairy, Retina, and Mr Brainwash, that were invited to donate works for the annual Kaleidoscope Gala ball in Los Angeles, which was hosted by Goldie Hawn and Halle Berry to raise funds for a local children’s hospital.
His ongoing artwork covers a variety of mediums and a range of techniques – stencils, stickers, paste-ups, masks, street sculptures, large and small murals and works on canvas. Through urban mediums he addresses relevant socio-political aspects of the world as well as purely personal aesthetic expression. Crisp counts himself lucky to be able to practice his art as well as assist others, both things about which he feels extremely passionate.
Here is the latest edition of artist Mark Todd’s first ever toy and first ever sculpture, a take on our furry friend. His original was molded and then cast in resin and hand painted by Mark as well. The card back is comprised of 2 riso graph prints on front and back for that very indie zine feel. 3.75″ scale carded figure. Only 30 made and each is signed and numbered. $55 tax included.
Like many kids raised in the 70’s, Mark was influenced at an early age by Star Wars and comic books. Unlike many kids, he grew up just a few miles from the Vegas strip, it’s neon and glitz looming over the city. He graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and currently lives and works in the Los Angeles area with his wife, artist Esther Pearl Watson, their daughter Lili and Mr. Pickles, a lovely French Bulldog.
Some of Mark’s clients include: Cartoon Network + Houghton Mifflin Books + Getty Publications + Clearasil + Rolling Stone + Dangerbird Records + Blue Q + MTA + New York Times + Country Music Television + Entertainment Weekly + Outside Magazine + Los Angeles Times + Euro RSCG + Wieden and Kennedy + Spot Design + Coca-Cola + Fuse TV + Mtv + Travel and Leisure + Fantagraphics Books + Bark Magazine + Business Week + McSweeney’s + PC World + Texas Monthly + GQ + Nickelodeon
Mark’s awards: American Illustration + Communication Arts + Society of Illustrators NY + Art Directors Club + Type Directors Club
Topztoy from Thailand has come up with an edition of 20 of our favorite bounty hunter encased in a cassette tape? Maybe this technology is better than a good old carbon freeze? This large hunk of hand poured resin is approx 3.75″ tall and comes carded with resealable blister. Maybe you can get it to play in your tape deck. $40 tax inc
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
With a team of international designers, the team will debut its first ever toy to be released at ComplexCon 2016 in Long Beach this November. You’ll have your chance to get your very own hand painted and customized 3.75″ carded Anonymous protester figure. Half of Panik’s proceeds from sales will benefit The Courage Foundation. Signed and numbered edition of 50. $55 each tax included.
THE PANIK COLLECTIVE is a team of credentialed painters, sculptors, musicians, mathematicians & curators dividing time among multiple exhibition projects and public actions. Their inaugural solo exhibition at the Houston Museum of Drawing was extended through the end of November, and their High Fidelity series is a featured photo essay in the latest issue of Flaunt Magazine. Culture jammers by nature, the collective is frequently aligned with social activists, and both music and technology are common tropes within their oeuvre.
Famed street artist Free Humanity has hand customized each 3.75″ figure and added a custom sculpted, cast and painted Obama head to one of our favorite scoundrels. More importantly each card back has been hand stenciled with 4 layers!!! splattered and then signed and numbered out of 25 pieces. At $100 a Free Humanity stencil of this complexity on a canvas would be at least 10 times as much money in a gallery. These will not last long.
Free Humanity Street Artist/Public Artist. Established 2009. Los Angeles. Free Humanity is an internationally recognized artist that has focused on political situations and notable figures who have had a positive impact on the world. Working his way from small street pieces to large scale murals all over the country. Free Humanity art can be seen on the streets of many cities world wide ranging from London, Paris, Mexico City, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles with his Signature Heart Style.
Special Ed is back with another version of their 2015 Designer Toy Award nominated (for Toy of the Year!!!) figure set. This version made for ComplexCon 2016 is the Evil of the Thriller edition. You get two hand painted, cast and customized 3.75” scale figure on custom card backs. Signed and numbered out of 20 pieces. $120 tax included for the pair. Heee Heee!!!
“They came into our lives in the 80s, “touching” us in ways we could never imagine. One from the stars and the other a big shinning star on Earth. But as quickly as they touched our childhoods, they were gone. But now they’re back…and they’re coming after your fondest childhood memories and there’s no telling who will win. Will it be the Reese’s pieces peddling Alien or the Pretty Young Predator in disguise? One thing’s for sure, no matter who wins, your childhood loses.”
“From bootleg toys to terrible “art” of dubious quality, there is no type of “artistic” medium I won’t shamelessly exploit in my mission to bring a little bit of terribleness into collector’s homes far and wide!”
Have you watched our friend Sucklord’s podcast on YouTube? Now is a terrific time to try it out. Dov is on TWO episodes. And he will be on next week as well. Check it! We have been getting awesome feedback from his appearances.
