Toy To The World Project Raising Funds for HIV R&D

PencilNeck Productions is the brains behind the awesome TOY TO THE WORLD PROJECT, a biennial custom DIY toy competition that brings together up to 200 artists to unleash their creativity on 200 blank vinyl bears in order to create an exhibition and auction event that raises money to combat HIV through research and development!

The project consists of two events:

1. The Design Day where the public can knock down a beer to a phat mix of DJ tunes while they watch painters, designers and graff artists take to the blank toy canvas' with markers, spray cans, cutters and glue, they can even join in if they're feeling creative. 
2. The opening of Melbourne's premiere GLBTi cultural event, Midsumma, TOY TO THE WORLD exhibits and auctions off the creations of these talented artists, raising funds to help bring some joy into the world by contributing to furthering HIV research and treatment development.

Launching in 2010/11 the project raising $2000 for the Victorian AIDS Council in Melbourne, Australia, and in 2012/13 this totally rad project doubled that with $4024. There's talk that it could be an annual event (here's hoping) but for now you can show your support by liking their Facebook page HERE.

G.I. Joe Custom Toy Show

May 31 SubUrban Vinyl will become the G.I. Joe event of the year with a custom toy show that involves 30+ of some of the most awesome artists contributing 100+ custom toys.

Based on The Loyal Subjects new G.I. Joe mini figures line, feature detailed sculpting and custom paint work. Here is a list of artists involved below:

ARTIST ROSTER:

• Alison Perez 
• AVES 
• Billy Roids 
• Blazon Brikhaus 
• Bryan Collins 
• Cash Cannon 
• Carson Catlin 
• ChipSoup 
• Dave Webb 
• Dead Hand Toys 
• DeeTen 
• Don P 
• Evilos 
• Forces of Dorkness 
• Fuller 
• Ian Ziobrowski 
• J Fury 
• JacobJams 
• Jason Chalker 
• Jay222 
• JC Rivera 
• Joe Scarano 
• Juan Muniz 
• Les Schettkoe 
• Matt A* 
• Mike Die 
• Mr. Munk 
• Nasty Neil 
• Nati513 
• NEMO 
• OsirisOrion 
• Rusted Halo 
• Shawn Wigs 
• Tasha Zimich

In addition to the custom toy show, Hasbro has agreed to lend SubUrban Vinyl props from the G.I. Joe movie, plus a few of their in-house artists to contribute custom toys and artwork. The designer of the GI Joe figures, Les Schettkoe, will also be there opening night party along with Jonathan Cathey of The Loyal Subjects.

Food and drink will be provided. Artists will be in attendance for appearances and signings. The show will be up for viewing at SubUrban for one week. Any custom toys, artwork and apparel unsold at the opening night party will be made available online in the SubUrban Vinyl store.

Super7's 12th Anniversary Lucky Bags

The Super7's 12th Anniversary Lucky Bags are coming May 25! Each bag contains 9 vinyl figures, including 4 brand-new sculpts, 2 D.O.A. Figures, unpainted test-shots, hand-painted customs and more! The toys usually featured in the Lucky Bags are exclusive to Super7and won’t be released afterwards.

Lucky Bags contain 9 figures total, $300 each, available May 25 at the Super7 Store and then Online May 26 here.

Giant Robot & Ugly Dolls on Free Comic Book Day

May 4 is not only May the Forth Day for Star Wars fans but also Free Comic Book for Geeks around the world. It seems with it's ever growing popularity, Ugly Doll has it's own awesome comic to add to the list of Free Comics being offered on the day. 

David Horvath creator of the Ugly Dolls will be at the Giant Robot store on the day signing copies of the comic with it's front cover representing Action Comics #1 Ugly Doll style. For more information about the event go here.

Happy MOTU Day 2013

Masters of the Universe Day has been brought back by a special crossover event with seven of our favourite Toy Blogs. There’s more info at the links below of these sites that will have special MOTU content of reviews, interviews, photos etc.

If MOTU interests you then check ItsAllTrue, Battlegrip, Preternia, Poe Ghostal, The Epic Review, Hoard World, and DoomKick.

Be My Toys Festival

Only 4 days until the Be My Toys festival in France starts. With Twenty Designers and Toy Customisers, Twenty Artists, Workshops, Concerts, DJs from around the world it's definitely something to put on the to do list in France if you're their April 14-21. 
For more details go to http://bemytoys.com/