DesignerCon 2020 – or, at the least, the virtual edition of the show – kicks off next weekend with plenty of incredible creators and artists, showing off their wares in many guises, from web portals, VR spaces and video conferences, running from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November.
One of the fixtures and fittings of DCON is renowned toy and merch producer DKE Toys and they are going to be representing large at the show with their own ‘virtual warehouse’ – a live continuous Zoom webinar which fans and collectors can drop by on, interact with the DKE team and get a closer look at some of the gear they’ve got in store.
The ‘warehouse’ opens at 12pm PT on Friday 13th November, running through until 9pm that day, with the opening hours for the Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th being 10am till 7pm… blimey, they’re gonna be shattered! Still, in the toy selling game and especially in today’s retail climate, you’ve got to put in the effort to reap the rewards. Here’s wishing all the best the DKE crew on their DCON endeavours.
From the DKE press releases:
DKE Toys is hosting a LIVE virtual event for 2020 DesignerCon
Follow along at #DKECON LIVE from the DKE Toys Warehouse on Zoom! November 13-15!
To culminate our virtual event season we bring you #DKECON – DCON Edition! The pandemic continues to provide the unusual opportunity of inviting everyone we know to our “booth”.
The DKE Toys DesignerCon booth will be set up in the DKE warehouse and available to all via a live continuous Zoom webinar style meeting Friday 12pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-7pm PST.
For the first time in DKE Toys history all of the DCON convention releases will be available in our online store. The online store will go live with all of the new DCON editions at 12pm PST Friday November 13th and will remain open for the duration of the show.
- Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83974205784
- Store link https://www.dketoys.com/store
- More and updated information www.dketoys.com/dkecon
- Check out all the releases on Instagram @dketoys
Yes DKE will be streaming! In addition DesignerCon will broadcast and sell to thousands of attendees on Popshop Live, a groundbreaking platform at the forefront of streaming commerce. For DCON tickets go to: https://popshop.live/dcon2020 Behind the scenes and “making of” images are always at our Flickr with additional folders for all previous shows and releases. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dketoys/albums/72157716546863191
#1: SCOTT C / TOPZTOY / LUKE TOBIAS
- THE GREAT SHOWDOWNS by Scott C ($100)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure set; signed and numbered edition of 100
DKE’s bestselling and longest-running line The Great Showdowns continues because, “That’s the power of love…”
You get two hand cast and hand painted resin figures on each card featuring Scott C’s signature. He also numbered them out of 100.
The Great Showdowns are a series of paintings, art shows, and books depicting classic pop culture good guys and bad guys. This figure was sculpted by George Gaspar of Double G Toys who helps bring Scott C’s characters to life.
Instagram @scottlava / Twitter @scottlavascottc.com / GreatShowdowns.com
- MANDALOREAN by Topztoy ($65)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figureSigned and numbered edition of 30
Instagram @toyerist
- DOC KENOBI by Luke Tobias ($65)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figureSigned and numbered edition of 20
Instagram @luketobias / Mold and cast by @delicious_again_peter
Twitter @luketobias / www.luketobias.bigcartel.com
#2: LOU PIMNETEL / MARK TODD / MANLY ART / SETH RELENTLESS
- PHANTON STARKILLER #1 VARIANT COVER COMIC BOOK by Lou Pimentel ($20)
Limited to 250 copies
This is the first issue of the Phantom Starkiller comic published by Scout Comic’s/Black Caravan. This character was created by and written by Peter Goral aka Killer Bootlegs and illustrated by Joseph Schmalke. This exclusive DKE Toys variant cover features cover art work by Lou Pimentel. Only 250 made.
Instagram: @loupimentel@phantomstarkiller
- S-TROOP by Mark Todd ($50)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figureSigned and numbered edition of 30
This is the final color way of the S-Troop, a Sucklord tribute with pink glittery loveliness. The 5th in the series from fan favorite artist Mark Todd. How long can this series go on? You decide!!! We hope that he finishes the original 12 Kenner figures but only time will tell. Mark sculpted the figure and then hand painted the resin casts. He printed the card backs on his very own risograph machine one color at a time.
Instagram @mark_todd / www.marktoddillustration.com
Bio: Like many kids raised in the 70s, 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, neon and glitz looming over the city. Mark’s fancy clients include The New Yorker, New York Times and Getty Publishing among others and is the co-creator of the book “Whatcha’ Mean, What’s A Zine?”, a creative guide to making self-published comics. Mark is presently showing in Texas at Webb Gallery. He graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he co-teaches illustration with his wife, artist Esther Pearl Watson. Home life includes their daughter Lili, an aspiring artist herself. Check out the gallery he opened with Aaron Smith in Joshua Tree called Hey There Projects. https://www.heythereprojects.com
- BOOTLEG GOLD by Lou Pimentel x Manly Art ($30)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure Signed and numbered edition of 200
Instagram: @loupimentel@manlyart
Over the past few years at New York Comic Con artist Lou Pimentel has hand-painted approximately 20 different card backs in watercolor. That series is called Vintage Gold and each had a vintage style toy glued to the art for that vintagey action figure feel. For SDCC this year we “bootlegged” our own series with Sucklord and Phantom Starkiller. Now here is Lou’s version of Manly Art’s iconic Pimp2-D2. The cardbacks are printed so we can offer a lower price point of $30. Cardback and logo design by Moc Toys.
- CORRUPT WASHINGTON INSIDER by Seth Relentless ($55)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure, signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram @sethrelentless
The Washington Insider is the 5th figure in Defenders of Injustice line by Seth Relentless. He’s just a Bill….
#3: MAGOOB TOYS / BOMBERMAT TOYS / JOSHUA D. HOAGLAND
- SPACE WARPS by Magoob Toys ($45)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figureSigned and numbered edition of 40
Instagram @magoobtoys
An original 3 3/4” Boba Fett action figure was 3D scanned in lo-res using a free cellphone app, that model was molded and cast in resin, complete with Mush-Firing Rocket. Each figure was then hand painted with 540° of Virtual Realistic Color ®. The card back has the familiar “fucked-up and photocopied” look of the first series, complete with digital scuffs, scratches and scribbles. If you look closely the final set of 4 figures are hiding somewhere on the back, see if you can find them.
- TRANSILVANIAN TROOPER by Bombermat Toys ($60)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram: @bombermattoys
Following the black metal cvlt, here comes the war trooper straight from the darkthrone: The Transilvanian Trooper. Hand cast, hand painted, hand cut brass cross.
- AQUALISH DELISH by Joshua D. Hoaglund ($45)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram: @joshuadhoaglund
Aqualish Delish. She’s the space mom of Ponda Baba. She is equipped with a sibling for Walrus Man. Aqualish comes from a timeline before the prequels when there were just no more original characters. In that timeline: Instead of developing new IP, the creators decided to make an animated series about the mothers of the original characters.
Bio: Joshua D. Hoaglund is an animator for a video game company. In his spare time he works on creating bootleg toys, griptape stencil art, and making comic books. He has also worked as a jeweler, stained glass artist and lifeguard. Joshua now lives in Carlsbad CA. He is originally from New Bedford MA, and lived in Boston for 19 years.
#4: MEDUCES WILD / KALAKA TOYS X SUCKADELIC / TRILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB / VIKTOR’S VINTAGE
- STAR NUGGIES: LUKE SKYNUGGIE by Medeuces Wild ($45)
Hand cast and painted 2.5″ boxed resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Medeuces Wild (also known as Mrs. Mug) follows up with the second in the Star Nuggies series with our favorite young Jedi Master, Luke SkyNuggie. This tasty little treat comes in its own handmade fast food box.
Instagram @medeuceswild / Website: www.mugcostanzatoys.com
Bio: Medeuces Wild is a visual artist, resin caster and zine maker known for her parodies of product design, pop culture icons and sci-fi characters. Her work often showcases themes of feminism, sexual positivity, and political satire.
- GAY BARTO by Kalaka Toys x Suckadelic ($75)
Hand cast and painted 3.5″ carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 25
Instagram: @kalaka_toys@sucklord
Collaboration by Kalaka Toys and Suckadelic. It is signed and numbered by both artists on the back of the card.
- BARTSQUIAT by Trillionaire Toys Club ($70)
Hand cast and painted 4.5″ carded resin figure Signed and numbered edition of 30
Instagram: @raamahtrilltoys@trilltoysclub / www.raamah.co.uk
Raamah is an artist from South London who got hooked on using resin toys as a platform to create pieces based on memorable people or moments in culture growing up that left an impression on him or inspired him.
- NINTEND’OH VS BARTARI by Viktor’s Vintage ($75)
Hand cast and painted 3″ carded resin figure set; signed and numbered edition of 25
Instagram: @viktorsvintage
#5: FRANK KOZIK / RON ENGLISH / SPECIAL ED TOYS / DEATH BY TOYS
- CHE NO VIVE by Frank Kozik ($50)
Hand cast 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered editions of 20
Instagram @frankkozik
#Veteran artist and toy designer Frank Kozik follows up Watermelon Pimp with this day glow buddy. 5 editions of 20 all in your favorite highlighter colors. Get all 5 colors in a matching numbered set and save $50 or choose your favorite from blue, orange, pink, yellow and green.
- MC ACTION by Ron English ($100)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 100
Instagram @ronenglishart
- FUCK YO’ COUCH by Special Ed Toys ($45)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure Signed Limited Edition
Instagram: @specialedtoys
Bio: If ever there was a modern artist who embodies the perfect balance of originality, intelligence, humor and quality, Special Ed Toys isn’t it. But what he lacks in artistic ability he makes up for in self-deprecating, bitter, far from clever and often confusing pieces of “art” which prompt the question, “On what day did God create Special Ed Toys, and couldn’t he have rested on that day too?”
- ADAM & STEVE by Death By Toys ($65)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure set; signed Limited Edition
Instagram: @deathbytoys
#6: FATOH / KIDDING TOY
- STREET WARS: DJ-3PO by Fatoh / Kidding Toy ($85)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 100
- STREET WARS: PUFFY PALPATINE by Fatoh / Kidding Toy ($85)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 100
- STREET WARS: SWAG TROOPER by Fatoh / Kidding Toy ($85)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 100
Instagram @fatohh
Fan favorite Thai artist Oh Anat aka Fatoh is back with another round of three puffy jacket figures. These toys are not just warm and cozy, they’re 🔥!
#7: NEKOSATSU TOYS / PHENIXCAPRI / GEEZER PERIODICALS / RESSINBLOOD
- CYBER SAVIOR by Nekosatsu Toys ($45)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram: @nekosatsu_toys
Henny Zack aka Nekosatsu Toys has yet another amazing edition. Hope he will save us. Something has to!!!
- Grumpy Ass Pussy by PhenixCapri ($40)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram @phenixcapriog / TikTok @PhenixCapri
Bio: PhenixCapri is a 34-year-old up and coming toy artist from Oklahoma. She has dabbled in art all her life, from photography, cosmetology, music, painting, and videography. In her downtime, she likes to hang out with her husband and 6 beautiful children while watching B movie horror flicks.
- MIGHTY MANDO BOUNTY HUNTERS by Geezer Periodicals ($45)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition
Instagram @geezerperiodicals
It’s Mando Time! Geezer went to town on this one. Figure has 3 points of peg articulation. Go go…
Bio: Geezer Periodicals (Bradley DeFate) is a 4 year veteran to toy making. The Oklahoma native is a full-time toy maker, entrepreneur, and film enthusiast. When he’s not making super rad stuff he’s usually watching old movies or reading 90s comics.
- THE 1980 INTERNATIONAL AFGHAN HEROIN SYNDICATE by RESSINBLOOD ($50)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram @ress_in_blood
Eddie Kes of RESSINBLOOD is an accomplished painter and street artist and runs Raw Power Tattoo in PA.
#8: RYCA / KATERPILLAR
- SPACE CADET by RYCA ($55)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 50
- LOW HANGING FRUIT by RYCA ($55)
Hand cast and painted 4″ carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 45
Instagram @ryca_artistryca.net
RYCA aka UK born artist Ryan Callanan is a regular for DKE Toys.
- THE CHILD by Katerpillar ($65)
Hand cast and painted 3.75″ scale carded resin figure; signed and numbered edition of 20
Instagram @katerpillartoys