Looney Tunes Kidrobot Mini Series :: Bugs Bunny in Drag

One of Bugs Bunny's best known gags is to dress in drag and dupe whatever doofus happens to be giving him a hard time.

And while Bugs Bunny merchandise isn't exactly slopping all over toy store shelves these days, you would think there'd be a few historical examples of Bugs Bunny in a dress that you could add to your waskally wabbit collection.

But to my admittedly limited knowledge, this Kidrobot vinyl Bugs Bunny is the only Bugs Bunny in drag ever made in toy form.

I'm sure there is a high-end statue of Bugs as Brunhilde, and perhaps there's a little hard rubber figurine or two from the eighties and nineties that I'm not aware of, possibly by Applause, that represents one of the moments Bugs threw on a skirt. Did Bugs wear a dress at any point in Space Jam? If he did, I suppose there might be something from that marketing jugger-'not'. But I doubt it.

Anyways, it's a good schtick, and as iconic to Bugs Bunny as it is to Milton Berle. So when I discovered that Kidrobot was memorializing Bugs' gender-bent moment from the short Hillbilly Hare I just had to have him! Or her. Or whatever. I'm not judging.

The figures from the Kidrobot Looney Tunes Mini Series are of course highly stylized, but there's no mistaking Bugs Bunny in the get-up he slapped on to mess with a couple of stupid Southern brothercousin rivals.

The Kidrobot Looney Tunes series is blind-boxed, which I hate, but fortunately Bugs-in-a-dress isn't particularly rare or sought after, so I was able to get him opened for retail price off eBay.

If you know of any other examples of Bugs Bunny in drag merchandise, let me know about it in the comments!

Funko Snuffleupagus POP! 2015 SDCC Exclusive

I did not make it to SDCC last year, nor will I be in attendance this year. However, my mother in law, who lives in San Diego, was able to procure for our family a 2015 SDCC Exclusive Flocked Snuffleupagus POP! last year. Barnes and Noble apparently sells some of Funko's exclusives at some stores in San Diego, so non-attendees still have access to them. She also sent me a maskless Captain America POP and an Ant-Man POP last year too, and I look forward to her sending along some goodies this year (I hope!)

Snuffleupagus is one of my all time favorite Sesame Street characters. The 2015 SDCC exclusive is a flocked version, giving him a nice fuzzy feel.

Snuffy is also appropriately 'over-sized' and is larger than the standard POP! figure.

"SCRAM!"

Kiss my Astra

Every time I get my hands on a sweet Japanese vinyl figure I'm rocketed back to the first grade and the hours after school when I'd hang out with my friends Justin and Wayne, whose family would send them vinyl kaiju figures from Japan all the time. Crazy looking characters and monsters I didn't recognize from any media I was exposed to in colorful, lightweight vinyl and with limited articulation and so gorgeous and intriguing that I just couldn't resist them no matter how foreign and weird they were to me. I only lived in that neighborhood for a year or so, but I often wish I knew where Justin and Wayne are today and I pray they held on to their epic collection!

Anyways, I found this 1992 Bandai Ultraman character (who a quick Google search tells me is named Astra) at the flea market the other day and couldn't resist taking him home for a quarter.

Astra has a little paint wear but it's ok, his paint apps are so limited to begin with that I can either get over it or get a silver sharpie and fix him right up!

Q-Pop 66 Batman :: Random Toy Pic

I've seen these cutesy Q-Pop Batman statues at the comic book store, and they're super cute but not something I need to fill my quickly shrinking space with. But when I found this '66 Batman version at the flea market for a dollar (I talked the guy down from his two dollar asking price) well, this thing is heading to work with me on Monday and it's going to grace my desk with all it's cute vengeance seeking glory.

Harley Qwednesday :: Arkham Knight Harley Quinn POP! by Funko

I suppose it shouldn't surprise me anymore that when a new version of Harley Quinn pops up in pop culture, a POP! version isn't far behind. (Epiphany: a Margot Robbie Suicide Squad Harley Quinn POP! is pretty much a guarantee at this point!) But the Arkham Knight Harley Quinn Funko POP! vinyl figure caught me by surprise when I saw Funko tweet about it the other day. Looks like I need to get my hands on another POP Harley Quinn! She's so cute!

Ultraman Zero

I know little about Ultraman and other Japanese characters but I do know I love me some Japanese characters.

When I was in early Elementary School, I had a couple neighbor friends whose mother was Japanese, and their family would mail them so many cool vinyl action figures. They were essentially as basic as the then standard Star Wars 5-POA but were a little bit larger and represented so manny weird and wonderful looking aliens and robots. At the time I knew...Godzilla. And that was about it (besides other giant monsters appearing in Godzilla flicks.)

Anyways, now I am an adult but any time I see a toy that represents that basic Japanese vinyl aesthetic I flip and want it - especially when it costs less than a buck!

Other than some Japanese script, on the foot of this guy is written 'Bandai 2009' so I was able to discover he is 'Ultraman Zero.' I don't know what that means in the Ultraman universe and I don't care. He's awesome.

That's it.

Mysterious Rocket J. Squirrel Figure

The other day I picked up this Rocket J. Squirrel figure from the flea market, pulling him out of a pile of random toys with no context as to his origins, and I have yet to discover where he came from. He's clearly old - pre 80s at least, but he has no markings on him whatsoever so tracking him down online has thus far proven fruitless.

Here he is next to a LEGO figure for scale. He's made of a soft rubber or vinyl as if he were a squeaky toy, but he doesn't have a squeaker.

My best guess is that he was broken off from a larger set - perhaps broken off a base that included Bullwinkle, like an electric toothbrush set or an alarm clock or some other goofy kitsch from the 60s or 70s.

Anyone have a clue?

Funko POP! Metaluna Mutant

No sooner do I go and make a post about the only non Harley Quinn POP! figure I own and I win a contest over at GeekHash and receive not only a non Harley Quinn POP! but a completely non DC related POP! figure.

And he's awesome!

The Metaluna Mutant is a classic fifties sci-fi alien from the movie 'This Island Earth.'

I don't believe I've ever seen This Island Earth, but the iconic big brained Metaluna Mutant is certainly a character I have been familiar with for as long as I can remember.

In fact, I actually own one other piece of Metaluna Mutant merchandise: 'The Mutant Raphael'.

Something tells me these two are going to become inseparable pals!

Thanks again to GeekHash for this sweet addition to my Funkollection!

Neener neener neener neener Bat-Joker!

Way back during the original run of the Batman cartoon 'The Batman,' it was announced somewhere that an upcoming action figure for the corresponding toyline would be the Joker dressed as Batman. I loved the idea, and eagerly awaited the release of the figure. It was later cancelled - rumor had it Mattel didn't want to confuse kids (huh?) with a villain dressed as the hero.

Who knows what the real reason for the figure's cancellation was, or if this is even a real story (my research is my MEMORY! Take THAT, journalism!) but whatever the case may be, I have been saddened by the void in my toy collection of a Joker dressed as Batman ever since.

So imagine my joy when a couple months ago Lootcrate sent subscribers an exclusive Joker dressed as Batman Funko POP! and then imagine my disappointment when I got word of it's existence after it had already been sent out and my chance of owning it for a decent price was gone.

IMAGINE IT!

Well, I am as lucky as I am handsome (that is to say I am pretty damn lucky) because firstly a person on a geek Facebook group I follow put this fine fellow up for sale for ten bucks, and secondly the friend I had tasked with picking it up for me (since this Facebook group is in the town I grew up in, not the town I currently reside) picked it up and gifted it to me at no charge!

What a pal! Clearly he doesn't remember the time after High School when he passed out at a party and I drew and wrote on his face with a sharpie and he went home the next morning and sat down at the breakfast table and his dad said 'so, did you have a good time last night?' and he tried to act all cool like he hadn't been drinking and his dad finally said 'go look in a mirror.'

I don't remember exactly what I wrote on his forehead, but I am pretty sure I drew a wiener on his cheek.

ANYWAYS.

It took a few months before I was finally able to get back to my old hometown and get this guy in-hand, but I finally did and I didn't write on anyone's face in the process.

Or did I?

This Joker dressed as Batman Funko POP! is pretty darn cool. He is ridiculously gaudy just as he should be. The colors are garish and an assault on the eyes and I love it.

FunFact: BatJoker is the first and so far only Funko POP! I own that is not a Harley Quinn POP! I don't even own a Batman POP! Crazy, I know!

Here's The Joker Batman-Batman (the bat variant so nice you gotta say it twice!) in box. I don't hold on to boxes much these days, but this one is as ridiculous and garish as BatJoker himself so I think I will hang on to it. Or maybe I'll draw a wiener on it. With me you never know.

Harley Qwednesday :: New 52 Harley Quinn Blind Box Vinyl Figure by Kidrobot

Of course the REAL news this week is the official and on-set images of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in the upcoming Suicide Squad movie. But that post just couldn't wait for Harley Qwednesday, so if you missed it go back and check it out!

I recently found out about the Kidrobot DC Comics New 52 Blind Boxed Mini Figures and the Harley Quinn therein, and just had to track her down!

I didn't dare try to score her at retail, as these blind boxed figures make it impossible to discern what's inside without actually opening them up. So I went the safe route and nabbed her off eBay. Your odds of finding Harley naturally are 1/20.

Harley Quinn's 'New 52' outfit is hands-down her worst look ever, and you can tell it is the major inspiration for the Suicide Squad movie look.

But for good or ill the 'New 52' has now claimed it's place in comic-book history. I probably won't bother with any other version of Harley in this guise until the movie stuff starts to hit), and bad costume or no, you can't deny that the Kidrobot aesthetic is pretty cute.

So until we get a Margot Robbie with Kung-Fu Grip action figure, this little vinyl 3" figure was the best way to add Juggalo Quinn to my collection and not feel too icky about it.

Funko POP! Roller Derby Harley Quinn :: Harley Qwednesday

I finally got my paws on the Funko POP! Roller Derby version of Harley Quinn!

In fact, I got may paws on a whole wad of awesome Funko Harley Quinn stuff thanks to the amazing Reis O'Brien of (No longer has any need to blog about toys because HE LIVES THEM EVERY DAY as a Funko employee!) fame!

Thanks Reis!

Over the next few Harley Qwednesdays we'll look at all these beauties individually, but today's focus is the Funko POP! Harley Quinn in her modern Roller Derby outfit:

Harley Quinn's costume seems to change about every fifteen minutes lately, but one of the best since her original is her Roller Derby costume. I love Harley Quinn, and derby girls are awesome, so of course I love Harley in her derby girl guise!

Of course I would prefer it if Harley had a domino mask, no matter her iteration, but this version does have the heavy make-up around the eyes like the comic source material.

She's also holding her super-sized croquet mallet, and of course she has her roller skates on!

Plus her black and red hair style, which is pretty cool because it hearkens back to Harley's original jester hat/headpiece.

And here she is from behind. Love those little shorts!

Apparently this Harley Quinn Funko POP! is available exclusively at Hot Topic for a limited time. Like with the Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn POP! that means she will see wide release in a couple months. But if you want her now, Hot Topic is your place to be!

Roller Derby Harley Quinn Funko POP! PopCultcha / Hot Topic Exclusive :: Harley Qwednesday

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to wherever it is you find Funko POP! vinyl - Funko just pinned this picture of this exclusive New Harley Quinn Roller Derby POP Vinyl figure!

UPDATE: Funko just posted on their Facebook page that this is a Hot Topic exclusive. Specifically, they said 'Fan of the new Hot Topic exclusive Roller Derby Harley Quinn?' and posted a pic of her with their local Roller derby team. So...I don't know. Look for her in the U.S. at Hot Topic. And LMK if you find her!

Otherwise, as previously reported: The Roller Derby Harley POP is (as of press time) exclusively on sale at Australian website PopCultcha.com.au. Harley is listed at $13.71 and shipping looks to be about $9 to get her to the U.S. (not too shabby considering how much MattyCollector charges for shipping within the U.S.) so if you are in the U.S. of A. like me and you want her she's going to run you around twenty three bucks and you are going to have to wait a bunch of weeks for her to arrive via airmail.

A long wait and a tad bit spendy for a POP! vinyl figure, but it's Harley Quinn so you know she's worth it.

Child's Play! Chucky Horror Classic Vinyl :: Countdown to Halloween 2014

In addition to Pennywise, John of RobotMonsterEtcEtc recently sent the Funko Horror Classics Chucky vinyl figure!

'Kids these days. No respect for the classics!'

Honestly, I've never seen any of the Chucky films. But I remember when the 'My Buddy' dolls first appeared on the scene, and the idea of such a doofy toy becoming a killing machine does have it's charms.

Oh the Horror! Funko Classic Horror Pennywise :: Countdown to Halloween 2014

Welcome to Day 1 of another year of 'Countdown to Halloween', wherein a bunch of bloggers...umm...countdown...to...Halloween.

Yeah, it's that simple.

This year Toyriffic will again be taking a look at Halloween themed toys, or toys that fit into the Halloween season. Or whatever I want. It's my blog, dammit!

Today I have in my bag of tricks: Pennywise the Clown, of Stephen King's IT fame. Pennywise is a part of the Funko Mystery Minis Horror Classics line.

Thanks to John of the awesome and very long named RobotMonsterSpaceSuperheroLEGOTarzanVideoGamesZombiesComicBooksEtcDidiForgetAnybody? Blog for sending this guy my way! I am a huge Stephen King fan, but I am not so huge a fan of blind boxed toys (because you can't squeeze them to discern their contents before purchasing) so without John's assistance I probably would never have gotten my paws on this guy!

I just hope he doesn't kill me in my sleep. Pennywise that is, not John. Although I don't want John to kill me in my sleep either, now that I think about it.

Funko POP Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn

Hellooooooo nurse!

I only learned of the existence of this brand new POP Vinyl Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn last night - a Hot Topic Exclusive Pre-Release - thankfully I was able to find her today AND I had a Hot Topic gift card to boot!

After seeing this Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn last night I knew I had to track her down ASAP. But of course I had to go to work first! So I made a b-line for Hot Topic as soon as the quittin' bell rang.

I asked the girl behind the counter about this Harley Quinn. She said she had only just seen a picture of it online mere minutes before I walked in, and that she had not seen it in store yet. However, there was a new shipment in the back, and she would be glad to check it to see if Harley was in there.

Well as luck would have it, Harley was indeed in there!

This is not my favorite Harley Quinn costume, but it has become iconic due to it's association with the groundbreaking Arkham Asylum video game.

And it of course looks super-cute in POP vinyl form!

This is the first Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn of any kind to make her way into my collection. In fact, you may be surprised to know that my Harley Quinn collection is pretty small. Due mostly to the fact that, until the past couple years, there hasn't been a lot of Harley Quinn merchandise, especially in action figure form. And most of her appearances since her recent boom have not been of her iconic look. But I'm slowly becoming 'ok' with broader representations of my favorite Gotham villain, especially since I have made a few custom Playmobil versions myself!

As stated earlier, Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn is a Hot Topic Exclusive Pre-Release. That means she will be available only at Hot Topic for a limited time, and will later be available everywhere Funko POP are sold. In addition, there will be more figures in the Arkham Asylum theme set, including Batman, Joker, Posion Ivy and Killer Croc!

Harley Qwednesday :: Funko POP Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn

I just discovered over at popvinyl.net that Funko has released an Arkham Asylum nurse costume Harley Quinn! The figure is currently a Hot Topic 'pre-release' exclusive, which means for a limited time you can only find her at Hot topic, and later you will find her at other POP vinyl retailers.

 

I'm going to have to hit up my local Hot Topic until I find this one!As big of a fan of Harley Quinn as I am, I do not have her in any form in her Arkham Asylum nurse outfit. It isn't one of my favorite looks for Harley, to be honest. But it works well as POP vinyl figure, and will look great next to my Hot Topic exclusive POP vinyl Harley Quinn with mallet.

Also available is Batman, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc and The Joker in POP vinyl Arkham Asylum form.

pic credit @Funko_mania