Dime Novel Legends is close to Kickstarter goal!

Good news!  Chicken Fried Toys’ Dime Novel Legends Kickstarter Project is almost funded with 17 days remaining!

We’re close!  We’re really close!  The amazing Western-themed Dime Novel Legends Kickstarter is within spitting distance of crossing the line into fully-funded territory.  With 17 days remaining this is not only doable but it also means that stretch goals have a good chance of becoming unlocked.  All it takes is for more people to jump on board the wagon and throw some support to this incredible line!

I won’t lie.. I’m crazy excited about seeing the Dime Novel Legends line become a reality.  Maybe it’s the fact that I grew up at the end of the great western era of Hollywood, weaned on old re-runs of The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke.  (Badlands Vigilante anyone?) Maybe it’s the fact that my roommate and I obsessively watched Tombstone in college.  (I can still quote whole scenes from memory.)  Maybe it’s just the fact that the American Western is such an iconic part of our culture that has been largely ignored by the toy industry of late.  Whatever the reason, THIS is the toy line that has me as excited as a six year old during his or her first visit to Toys R Us at Christmas.

Whether it’s just a pledge of $25.00 for one of the single character options, the “gather your posse” for $115.00 or even the “All-In” at $450 or more– consider throwing your support behind this incredible line.  Westerns are starting to enjoy a bit of a renaissance of late– with the latest take on the Magnificent Seven hitting the big screen and the new Westworld series captivating viewers each week on HBO.  How bad@$$ would it be to be have the Dime Novel Legends as part of  your figure displays?

So mount up and head on over to Kickstarter and show your support today!

Chicken Fried Toys Dime Novel Legends on Kickstarter

 

Joe Con 2016: Legends of the West

Joe Con 2016 concludes today but we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about Legends of the West.

Legends of the West control art

Earlier in the Armchair Coverage of Joe Con 2016, there was mention of the Broken Arrow Toys booth and how there were several lines being displayed there.  JBL’s already highlighted Spero Studios Animal Warriors of the Kingdom but now it’s time to acknowledge another more classic-themed line: Chicken Fried Toys’ Legends of the West!

Imagine if you will a brand-new 1:18 scale series of Western-themed figures.  Now, take those figures and add in incredible sculpting detail.  Sound pretty good?  Let’s take it a step further and give them modern-level articulation!  Now, if that doesn’t make you want to saddle up and support the line I don’t know what will!

According to the images shown at the Broken Arrow Toys booth, the line will consist of the following figures:

  • The Head Honcho
  • The Gunfighter
  • Trail Drover
  • Masked Lawman
  • The Marshall
  • The Sheriff
  • Territories Lawman
  • The Shopkeeper
  • The Trail Boss
  • The Ranch Hand

There’s also the possibility of two others who, according to the initial artwork, seem to be a combination of parts from the other figures.  Each figure also appears to include at least two accessories (firearms) as well as a unique Chicked Fried Toys display base.

But wait, there’s more!!! Continue reading

Joe Con 2016: Spero Studios Animal Warriors of the Kingdom

The Animal Warriors of the Kingdom have invaded Joe Con 2016!

Animal Warriors of the Kingdom Kickstarter

Sure, the core focus of Joe Con 2016 is firmly centered on the G.I. Joe brand but over the past few years there have been several new exhibitors who have been attracting quite a bit of attention.  From Marauder Gun-Runners to Boss Fight Studio, third party toy companies have been steadily making inroads with the 1:18 scale crowd and this year is no exception.  Case in point: Spero Studios’ Animal Warriors of the Kingdom!

On display this weekend at the Broken Arrow Toys booth (run by a good friend of JBL), Spero Studios has been unveiling test shots and production samples from their forthcoming Animal Warriors of the Kingdom line that is currently funding on Kickstarter.  (HINT!) Today, just an hour or so before the Hasbro panel was scheduled to begin, they unveiled some of the next series: the BIG APES!!!

animal warriors of the kingdom big apes

Seriously– my primate-fascinated mind cannot begin to describe how awesome these are!  I’m already picturing where I can put these guys on my shelves– somewhere down from Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys but not too close to the Planet of the Apes!

In addition, the production samples for the entire first series were also on display!  If you’re at the event and you’re on the fence as to whether you’d like to support the Animal Warriors of the Kingdom Kickstarter, stop on by the Broken Arrow Toys booth and check’em out!

To follow more news from Spero Studios, follow Animal Warriors of the Kingdom on Facebook and consider throwing some support behind the Animal Warriors of the Kingdom Kickstarter.  With 21 days to go they’re currently at $20,000 of a $52,000 goal!

Keep checking back for more of JBL’s Armchair Coverage of Joe Con 2016!

Joe con 2016 armchair coverage featured

G.I. Joe FSS 4 Shipment 2 is inbound!

gi joe fss 4It’s true, Joe fans!  G.I. Joe FSS 4 shipment 2 is heading to your mailboxes! Subscribers should be their coveted brown cardboard boxes within the next few days as these “mystery figures” make their way all around the globe.

Thanks to Alyosha of Broken Arrow Toys, pictures of G.I. Joe FSS 4 shipment 2 have surfaced online.  We’re going to share them below so if you’re one of those fans that don’t want “teh sooprize reveeled” then avert your eyes as we’re holding back nothing.

g.i. joe fss 4 shipment 2 box(Boxed photo by Billy Carr)

Still there?  Seriously?  Okay, you’ve been warned.   Continue reading

Figure Subscription Service 2.0 is Shipping!!!

G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

It may be a long time until new G.I. Joe product is on store shelves but some fans will have a surprise waiting for them in their mailboxes very soon!  The first shipment of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service has shipped and a few lucky fans already have theirs in hand!

Caution: Spoilers ahead for those who want the shipment to be a surprise.  However, for the remaining 95% of the fandom, the identities will be revealed below.

Master customizer and all-around great guy Alyosha of Broken Arrow Toys posted a few quick shots of his shipment on Facebook over the weekend to reveal that the first shipment is a box of Tiger Force goodness!  That’s right Joe fans, Tiger Force Shipwreck and Airtight should be arriving on subscribers’ doors very very soon.

I have to admit– this shipment is a mixed bag for me.  Let me start off by saying that I’ve NEVER been a big fan of the original Tiger Force color scheme.  Sorry gang, but yellow and black striped shirts seem like they’d blend better at Mardi Gras than in any of the world’s jungles.  As such, I’ve never owned much in the way of Tiger Force ANYTHING save for the Valor vs. Venom Tiger Force Alpine & Crosshairs two-pack and the Toys R Us Exclusive Tiger Force 6 pack.  Not one vintage piece is found anywhere in my collection.  HOWEVER, I have to say that these are growing on me.  Airtight is probably the Joe whose original color scheme is closest to his original release and, well, Shipwreck is Shipwreck.  Thanks to Sunbow I have a soft spot in my Joe fan heart for the character and cut him a lot of slack.  (In some ways he’s Sunbow’s equivalent to Deadpool.)

Expect some reviews of the final product once they drop on my door step in the coming days.  However, so far I don’t hate them like I thought I would.  However, I’m going to go on record and say now that I’d still rather see some more 1:18 Adventure Team in the next FSS than I would more Tiger Force!  (Or Sgt. Savage!!!)

 

OUTSIDE THE BOX CUSTOM CONTEST!

                                      Outside the Box custom figure contest at JBL

Get ready for the most challenging custom contest ever. Here is the simple breakdown you register by submitting a character you want to see customized, I randomly assign the contestants the submitted characters and you have one month to finish and submit to me via PM your finished work. Here are the complete rules. Here’s where you go to submit your registration!