<![CDATA[Gizmodo: action figures]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: action figures]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/actionfigures http://gizmodo.com/tag/actionfigures <![CDATA[Souper! Action Figure Spoons Make Being All Growed Up Regrettable]]> I might be a little old for these Souper! action-figure spoons now, but if they were around when I was 15, I would have bought 10 of 'em.

Produced by a company called FRED, Souper's limbs are fully posable, so you can eat your Captain Crunch (or Lobster Bisque) with serious superhero style. Perpetual Kid will sell the spoons next month for $10 (on second thought, I still might buy one. But only one). [FRED via 7 Gadgets and Perpetual Kid]

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<![CDATA[Toy Fair Action Figure Gallery: Start Your Salival Glands]]> Some of these action figures are really exquisite. There's a ton of Watchmen. Also making appearances: Street Fighters, classic Arnold Terminators and every other 'roided out superhero you love.

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<![CDATA[This is What G.I. Joe Looks Like Now]]> This is Accelerator Suit Duke, and he's been deemed the "most advanced action figure of all time." Watch him run, watch him shoot, watch him ruin your childhood's conception of everything that is good.

Jack pretty much nailed it after the trailer premiere during the Super Bowl: "it doesn't really feel like G.I. Joe, you know?" Accelerator Suit Duke is about as extreme in that direction as you can imagine, but I must admit, that running-man action is pretty sweet. He's $70.

Thankfully, there are of course some classic 3 3/4-inch Joes accompanying the movie's release. And they have a new, $100 Pit playset to play in that's pretty fantastic-complete with 70-some foot anchors for Joes to stand on (the old ones are compatible), an elevator, and even Ping-Pong table that folds out from the packaging!

And If you've always wanted to see Dennis Quaid in G.I. Joe form as General Hawk, your wait is over. That's him on the left, and you can only get him packaged with the Pit playset.

[Toy Fair 2009]

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<![CDATA[Action Figure Museum Turns a Nerd's Bedroom Into an Art Gallery]]> Kevin Stark has a bit of an obsession with collecting action figures. But instead of hiding his nerdy hobby, he's turned it into a business by opening The Toy and Action Figure Museum.

In 2000, Kevin somehow convinced the town council of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma that they needed a museum or tourist attraction, and that his incredibly large collection of toys and action figures should be it. In 2005, the museum opened up, and in 2009 you found out about it and tried to figure out a good reason to go to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

In addition to his collection, which has got to be one of the biggest in the world, there's a superhero room where kids can dress up like superheroes and run around. And think of how good it would feel to do that in public so you wouldn't have to feel ashamed anymore.

In any case, be sure to check out the full slideshow over at Wired. [Wired via Boing Boing]

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<![CDATA[Buy Your Own 'Mini-Me' Robot]]> You may not live long enough for technology to make your body immortal, but at least your soul can live on in a miniature, personalized robot.

A Japanese company named Little Island is selling custom robots for $2,215. You send in a photo and a small mountain of money and they'll mail back a robot that can learn your voice before connecting via LAN to read your RSS aloud. It also features a camera, 80GB of storage, 512MB RAM, multiple servos and can double as a VOIP handset...a very large, disturbingly asexual VOIP handset. [Little Island via The Raw Feed]

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<![CDATA[Ethernet Cable Action Figures]]> Who needs Gi-Joe when you can build your own badass action figures with some cable? Seriously, this is brilliant. I think it is worthy of an art exhibit.

Think about it—a whole platoon of these characters arranged in some giant battle scene diorama. It would speak of the role of technology in warfare and how the modern worker lacks focus. You know, how a sys admin can find the time to build these figures when he should be working. [fresh99 via OhGizmo via Boing Boing Gadgets]

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<![CDATA[Toy Modder Extraordinaire Steampunks Return of the Jedi]]> Some of you may be suffering from Steampunk fatigue, but I still get giddy when I see it done up right. Master toy modder Sillof, whose work we've covered a couple times before, has tickled my fancy with an update to his original Steam Wars action figure line. This time you've got even more detailed Steamtroopers, a mob boss-like Jabba the Hutt, vicious Ewoks and (for the boys) Steampunk Slave Leia. Check out the gallery, and his website. [Sillof]




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<![CDATA[Japanese Iron Man Toy Has a Ridiculous Level of Detail]]> Some very talented individuals at the Japanese company Hot Toys have developed 1:6 scale Iron Man Mark I, II and III figures that feature an absolutely extraordinary level of detail. Seriously though—just look at Stark's face. Sure, he looks kind of Japanese, but I'll be dammed if that is not the best Robert Downey Jr. has ever looked in tiny plastic form. Details are scarce, but more info is expected to be released sometime "soon." I can't wait to find out how much I can't afford to buy this!

[Toy World Forum via Toysrevil via io9]

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<![CDATA[Question of the Day: Do You Still Play With Toys?]]> After diving into the disastrous effects having a toy collection can have on the love life of a grown man, I feel compelled to ask: are you an adult that still plays with toys? And, just to be clear, when I say "toys" I am referring to products normally reserved for children—like action figures and legos. If you do, make sure to list your favorites in the comments.

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.


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<![CDATA[Jin Saotome's Custom Action Figures Really Capture the Essence of Tony Stark]]> The Iron Man movie may have short-changed Tony Stark's legendary drinking problem, but Jin Saotome really captures the essence of his addiction with this boozed up version of our favorite party loving superhero. However, Saotome's brilliant work is not confined to parody figures alone. As you can see from the gallery below, he brings a lot to the table. Hit the Wired link to check out more of his custom figures. [Wired]

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<![CDATA[Toy Modder Puts Eclectic Spin On All Your Favorite Action Heroes]]> Action figure customizer Sillof has made everything from steampunk versions of Ironman to Star Wars characters circa World War II. We've featured his sets several times on this site, but what we've covered are only bits and pieces of an amazing body of work. The master model maker himself gives us the goods on why, and how, he does what he does after the jump.

Gizmodo:How did you come up with the name Sillof?
Sillof:I am a high school history teacher and Sillof was a fake name a few students and I came up with years ago. I used it as a running gag for giving generic examples; such as in the ancient kingdom Sillof, the loyal Sillofites, the might god Sillof, etc. When I began to look for an online alias I chose it.

I primarily use it to keep my personal and professional lives separated.

Gizmodo:When did you start customizing figures?
Sillof: Well, I did it a little when I was a kid, by cutting off Luke's hand or 3PO's arm, or putting Luke's head on the x-wing pilot's body. I later got more into it in the early 90's and then really started to make it a long term hobby. I met guys like Alex Newborn who inspired me and then the internet was just taking off and it really opened my imagination to the possibilities.

Gizmodo:What made you decide to take on this hobby?
Sillof: Initially I just wanted figures that they never made. The driving force was I had always loved The Cantina scene and Jabba's Palace scene in the Star Wars films and I wanted to recreate those scenes. I had built these miniature sets called dioramas, which are on my site, and wanted to fill them with all the movie aliens.

Gizmodo:Where do you get your ideas for themes and figures?
Sillof: Initially I just made the figures that I wanted but had not been made. I eventually got tired of just recreating existing designs and wanted to do something more creative. I am currently planning a line that is all original designs of my own original characters right now.

As for my process I just visualize a general idea in my head. I am always going for a figure that is very unique, yet recognizable as the intended character. Then I concentrate on the key elements that make the character recognizable - these are the elements I will try to represent in the new figure. I do a few sketches, one just straight ideas, and others that are a little more practical with regard to parts I could find and things I could make.

I then go about collecting pieces to use as parts and begin to combine them all. There is a fair amount of sanding, and dremeling, and cutting. Then use the parts like a skeleton sculpting my own designs using apoxie sculpting compound and then gluing any number of odds and ends to the figure. Then I paint the figure and give it a wash of diluted dark paint to antique it.

Gizmodo: Where do you source your materials - do you buy action figures as is or get them second hand?
Sillof: I have a large collection of toy "parts" and other miscellaneous found items that are not toy related. I buy some figures new and cut them up, I buy figures on eBay in large lots of played with toys, and there are some toy dealers in my area that pull things aside for me as they buy them.

Gizmodo:Has any company ever contacted you to work for them, doing this full time?
Sillof:I was approached to build replica props for a major company, but the idea of machining metal for a living, which was my father's job, did not seem that appealing to me. I was also approached for my diorama building by a new company in England, but moving was not an option as my wife was 7 months pregnant at the time.

Gizmodo:Would you want to do this full time if you could?
Sillof:I would love to try to make figures for a toy company full time. My dream job would be designing original props, costumes, or sets for movies. I do this on the side as another hobby for local films. My career actually gives me a sabbatical where they hold my job for a year and would allow me to explore the career. So I am always open to the idea to attempt this on a full time basis.

Gizmodo:If there was one piece of advice for aspiring custom action figure hobbyists that you wish someone had told you when you first started out, what would it be?

For a new customizer, I would just tell them to just keep making figures, practicing, and trying new techniques until they find what works for them, and never stop on a figure until you are 100% happy with it.

Personally, I would like go back and tell myself not to waste my time making figures of existing designs and just start doing my own original works.

[Sillof's Workshop]

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<![CDATA[WWII Star Wars Action Figures]]> Action figure customizer extraordinaire Sillof is at it again, following up his Steampunk Star Wars collection with a World War II themed line of figurines. Choice pieces include Han Solo in a bomber jacket, holding a German Mauser (which incidentally was the base for the prop used in the Star Wars movies) and a gorgeous rendition of a Stormtrooper, outfitted in armor and burlap. The gallery is below. [Raving Toy Mania]

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<![CDATA[Star Wars Action Figures Stoke the Steampunk Fire]]> You would think that steampunk would have gotten old by now, but when masterful artists like Sillof work their magic on products like Star Wars or Iron Man figures, we just can't help but get swept up in all the nerdiness. Peruse the gallery to see what I mean. [Sillof's Workshop via Slashfilm]

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<![CDATA[Steampunk Iron Man: Our Unhealthy Obsession Continues]]> I don't know what it is about steampunk, but we simply can't get enough of it. Now we are ashamed to admit that our obsession has reached rehab-like proportions. However, it looks as though this steampunk Iron Man will have to keep us satisfied until we get the help we so desperately need. [Sillof via Fwoosh Forums via Fanmode via Plockhead]

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<![CDATA[Steampunk Justice League Modded Action Figures]]> Inspired by the comic book, Gotham by Gaslight by Mike Mignola and Brian Augustyn (Batman vs. Jack the Ripper set in the late 19th century), the modder behind these action figures sought to place the members of the Justice League in the Victorian era. I think you will agree that he did one hell of a job. Hit the gallery to check out the individual figures. [Sillof's Workshop via Boing Boing]

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<![CDATA[Make Your World of Warcraft Character Into an Action Figurine]]> Creating an action figure that kind of looks like you is cool and all, but if you're a World of Warcraft player you're probably more attached to your virtual avatar's looks than your own. That could be because you spend more time grinding than washing yourself, but if that's you, FigurePrints can make a scale model of your character for the relatively low price of $115 (including shipping).


They'll take a snapshot of your toon wearing whatever armor you've got on now, so make sure you've got on epic gear before you make your order. If you're a low-level character, we suggest trying to beg some armor off someone just for the sake of doing this, and returning it afterwards. Unfortunately WoW is so popular with 10% of the world's population currently registered that you'll have to sign up for drawing—you can't just order directly. [FigurePrints via DVice]

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<![CDATA[Britney Spears Shows Off Her Plastic Hot Pocket]]> If you think that you saw the last of Britney's finely shorn beef garage —think again. Fortunately for us, we only have to endure a tiny plastic version this time around. Indeed, someone had the good taste to develop an action figure immortalizing Britney's recent underwear mishaps for posterity. If you would like to add this fine product to your collection (and I know you do), it can be had for a mere $39.95. [Product Page]

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<![CDATA[Real-Life 40-Year-Old Virgin Selling $35k Worth of Star Wars Action Figures on eBay]]> If you thought The 40 Year Old Virgin was just a hilarious movie with no basis in reality, get a load of this: it's an eBay auction for $34,500 worth of Star Wars action figures. Why get rid of what's clearly the product of a lifetime worth of being a creepy shut in? Well, "THIS IS A BIG STEP I'M TAKING IN ORDER TO MOVE ON AND ACOMPLISH A NEW PLAN I HAVE FOR MY FUTURE." In other words, he's dating a woman who runs a "Sell It On eBay" store and he's selling it all so she'll finally sleep with him. Check shots of the goods below then hit the jump for more details on the auction.

Yes, he's (it's gotta be a he, come on) getting rid of his "life time collection of collectibles" in one fell swoop, including 1,160 Star Wars figures. He's also got a bunch of Spawn figures, Austin Powers figures for some reason, and a bunch of other miscellaneous nerd detritions. It's supposed to be for pick-up at his place in San Diego, but if you want to have it shipped it'll just cost you $475 per pallet. Oh, and this thing will take up three pallets. Really, beyond the cost of this thing, could you really handle the stigma that owning nearly $35,000 worth of action figures would bring to you? That alone should give anyone pause when considering this auction. [eBay via BornRich]

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<![CDATA[Hulk PC Mod is Nothing Short of Spectacular]]> It may have taken 14 months to complete, but I think you will agree that the gargantuan effort put forth on this Hulk PC Mod is readily apparent. This is in addition to the fact that it takes a tremendous amount of creative vision to attempt a caseless mod with a 13-inch poseable Hulk figure and a micro ATX motherboard. Plus it gets mad points for theatrics. [Fusion Mods]

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<![CDATA[Star Wars 30th Anniversary Merch Strikes Back]]> If you're reading this, you're probably not one of those lucky bastards who got in to Star Wars Celebration IV. Well, to make you even more green with envy, I just found the catalog of stuff you can only buy if you're there. The magnets shown above are pretty sweet, part of a series of souvenirs and clothes done in that style. Follow the jump if the name Ralph McQuarrie means anything to you, and to see what else is making George Lucas richer than Croesus.

McQuarrie_SW_Figures.jpg
True fans will recognize the above action figures immediately. They are based on the Fritz Lang-inspired original Star Wars concept art by Ralph McQuarrie. You can read more in the text above, but suffice it to say, I'm glad that guy is finally getting some recognition: nearly every one of his original drawings was revamped by someone else before shooting began.

Next up are the exclusive gadgets; which are a little underwhelming. I like the idea of a mechanical pen with both blue and red beams, but what would be really cool is if they were both lasers. Optics geeks, let me ask you: How far off are we from having true blue lasers in laser pointers? Or are we stuck with blue LEDs for reasons of health, energy or Sony-hoarding? And is that collectible frame superlame? Or am I missing something?

SW_Desk_Accessories.jpg
In case you want to see what else will be popping up on eBay in the days to come, you can download a very large (nearly 30MB) PDF at the page made for the open-24-hours-but-not-for-you Celebration Store. If you don't want to blow your inheritance on a collectible hoodie, there are always commemorative stamps. The US Postal Service's Star Wars 30th Anniversary stamps winner will be announced tomorrow. Yoda or Darth Vader? I vote Darth, to remind recipients of my snailmail correspondence that they should never, under any circumstances, underestimate the power of the Dark Side.

The Official Star Wars Blog [Star Wars]

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