VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: The Star Wars Force Trainer In Action

Here us your Gnerd editor, AHR, using the Force. I've been waiting my whole life for this.



You may be wondering, when can I own this? July 23rd, 2009.

For embeddable video of this life-changing experience, check out our YouTube Channel.

Photos: Uglydolls Galore at UglyCon3

Saturday, December 7, 2008 was Uglycon 3, the third annual convention for the fans, collectors and creators of all things Ugly. It was held at Giant Robot, an awesome designer toy store and exhibition space in the East Village.

Chances are if you're a nerd you've at least seen Uglydolls at your local comic store and at conventions, but you may not fully understand the level of fandom associated with these little guys. They have the distinction of being adored by both girls and boys, a mutual demographic most toy designers will tell you is simply preposterous. And of course adult collectors go nuts for them too, because there are tons of variations of scrounge up. All of these groups were well represented at UglyCon, and no one was shy about showing their enthusiasm for all of the new prints, toys, and dolls available at the show.
More pictures after the jump...


Handmade versions of the upcoming line of Uglys were available to purchase by raffle, and were displayed high the wall, presumably to avoid scenes by kids who couldn't control their fandom. Below there were paintings by Uglydoll artisan Sun-Min Kim. My favorite was Ox dressed a pirate, which is a very appropriate costume because, as one collector observed, Ox is "a little thief".


Creator David Horvath was on hand to sign anything fans wanted him to, and was extremely gracious about making sure everyone in line got an autograph. I insanely forgot to bring my Ox doll, but David was kind enough to give me a sketch on the back of one of the show postcards.

Huzzah! Here, Ox seems to have his pal Wedgehead on his mind (aw). As the good Mr. Horvath sketched, I mumbled that my Ox doll frequently helps to resolve disputes at my apartment (true), to which he replied "Yeah, he's good at that."

I thought the coolest part of the show were original posters and prints by David Horvath featuring the Uglycast. Horvath's unique voice for the Uglys (somewhere between LOL speak and Beavis and Butthead) is a big part of why they appeal to both fans of cuteness and weirdness. They're kind of dumb and a little mean, but ultimately adorable.

Babo seemed to be a major fan favorite. Heard lots of people squeaking out his catchphrase, "WHAT DAT?" These Babo Os look like something I might not want to eat.


Lots of Japan iconography on the prints, like this Yakitori house. Nom nom nom.

Some blank artists proof were on display, such as these casts for the Miny and Chocco toys, who got their start on designer candy bars. True story!

I am ashamed to say did literally all of these things in junior high, but to my credit it stopped there. Don't hurt me guys!


Here's a painting by Laszlo Horvath, David's brother. If I could have bought one painting at the show, it would have been this one.

My favorite of the new Uglys...everyone at the Con seemed to know all these new guys names, but I don't. Any fans want to help me out?

Lots more photos, including detail shots, at the Geekanerd Flickr. You may also want to check out the Giant Robot site, which I think will eventually have photos of the costume contest (that's right). And David Horvath has a very kind write-up on his UglyBlog. And for New York readers, this show will be up until the end of December (we've got a link on Weekanerd, in our sidebar), and I highly recommend it.

Photos: Spooky Custom Toys

Halloween 08 wasn't all costume parties for the Gnerd staff. We also hit up Lower East Side's APW Gallery to check out the Halloween Custom Toy Show, featuring over forty artist's custom work on Dunnys, Munnys, Smorkin Labbits, Be@rbricks, and more.

my personal favorite pair, by Pocketwookie and Jared Cain

Lots more pictures after the jump, and find out how you can order one of these babies for your own personal collection...

this fuzzy octothing by hollypop gets my vote for "creepiest of show"

General Grevious meets Edward Scissorhands? This piece by Jurgen van Zachten clocks in at $1,500

Is that the Phantom of the Opera?

These guys are part of a new DIY toy line called OUIP, and were shipped in all the way from Korea

another favorite...IJG3's adorably evil take on the smorkin' labbit

Credit where it's due to the organizers of the event, Kerry Lee, Hans Yim, and Patrick Francisco. For more information on the show (including artist info and a full price-list), check APW Gallery's official site.

Action Figures for Indie Comic Geeks

Suck it Hasbro! I spent hundreds of dollars on your Power of the Force II action figures when I was a kid, and did you ever think to thank me by turning my favorite indie comic heroes into awesome articulated action figures? No!

Luckily, Shocker Toys has stepped up to the plate, and for this I salute them! All comic fans deserve a chance to adorn their rooms with cheap and posable versions of their favorite characters, not just cape and horror fans! I'm guessing The Maxx will be their big seller (and why not), but I'm most excited about the fella after the jump...

That's right, a fully articulated (20 points!) toy version of everyone's favorite explosive robot pal, Scud: The Disposable Assassin. I recently read the complete Scud collection for the first time, and was made a fan over night.

If you're wondering why Scud comes with an Isz from The Maxx's universe, well, I guess Shocker must have made extra, because each toy in the 6'' Indie Spotlight Series I comes with an Isz, as well as extra hands, accessories, and mini-posters. They're priced at a very reasonable $13.95, which has me hoping the paint job will look as good as these pictures. Suffice to say, these aren't vinyl, leave-it-in-the-box toys, these are meant to be played with, dammit!

The rest of Series I includes characters from Kabuki, Shadowhawk (who?), and even Katchoo from Strangers in Paradise, though truth be told I don't really see the resemblance in that picture. There's also a really sweet SOL variant of Scud, which you can see by clicking the above picture. In a truly brilliant and somewhat evil move, if you collect the whole set you can use the proof of purchases to send away for a secret Mr. Gone figure, everyone's favorite sociopathic sorcerer from The Maxx. Not fair, guys. Not fair.

These are all due to ship in December (hint hint, gift season?), but you can pre-order online at the Shocker.

Next on my wish list, Mouse Guard figures with more playability and Sam and Max figures that don't look like this: