Somebody's Reading This Thing? Wow!

Many thanks to Chunky B at the wonderful Electorama blog for handing me a "One Lovely Blog" award. I'm one of seven blogs who received it under Mr. B's "Toys" category. And to think, I was told that writing about toys wouldn't ever get me anywhere. Suck on that, tenth grade English teacher Mr. Bellows!

This is my very first web award. Coming as it does from a blogger whose work I quite admire, it feels pretty good. But apparently, with neat awards comes, er, neat responsibility, and I've now got to pass on the honor to blogs that I think deserve the praise.

After giving it some considerable thought, I've decided to call out one of my favorite blogs: Webomator.

Featuring excellent, science fictional art, great writing, and all sorts of goodies, I think it stands as a good representation of what a blog can be. Definitely check it out!

Anyway, thanks again, Chunky. Say hi to Spock for me.

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program...

Webomator (www.webomator.com)

Fans of science fiction artwork and retro-futurism -- and if you're reading this, that means you -- should definitely check out Webomator. Besides the usual links, commentaries, and other blog-fare, it features the delightfully detailed artwork of site creator Bradley W. Schenck, an illustrator with a knack for creating tiny windows into a future that never actually happened. Fun stuff!

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program: The Return

Once again, it's time to give a shout out to some blogs that keep me entertained. 

Geek Orthodox (www.geek-orthodox.blogspot.com)

Toys, gaming, movies, art, comics -- it's all part of an ongoing conversation about geek culture from a guy who isn't afraid to trim his beard with a lightsaber, play craps with a 20-sided die, and dress up like a Mexican wrestler for a Belgian boxing match. This is why the Internet doesn't suck.

Robot Loves Monster (robotxmonster.blogspot.com)

Robots and monsters in one blog? What could possibly go wrong? Since our cities are still standing, I'll assume the answer is a resounding "Nothing!" Good thing, too, because this blog dedicated to toy robots and monsters is full of great writing and photographs. Go ahead, check it out... if you dare!

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program: The Revenge!

I know, I know. I promised more pictures today. I apologize, my camera's still out of the house and my backup just doesn't take good enough photos. So instead, I'll tell you about two more excellent things on the web.

Review Du Jour (www.twitter.com/reviewdujour)

This clever little Twitter feed is run by science-fiction and pop-culture aficionado Jeff Berkwits. Using only 140 characters -- or less! including spaces! -- he reviews books, web sites, movies, and whatever else happens to catch his eye. Despite the character limit, Jeff manages to make his reviews insightful and fun. If you're on Twitter, I definitely suggest you "follow" his feed and get a brand spankin' new review every day. (See, I'd make a horrible Twitter-er... I'm lucky if I keep things under 140 words...)

Frankensteinia (frankensteinia.blogspot.com)

Monster Crazy (monstercrazy.tumblr.com)

If your classified ad reads something like: "You: Tall, green, flat-headed, with large bolts coming out of your neck. Me: Young, blond, don't know how to swim, but let's get together and pick flowers by the pond anyway!" then you really need to check out Frankensteinia. It's by far the most complete resource for all Frank-related ephemera, pictures, info, and trivia. Lots of fun and guaranteed to suck up all your time.

Monster Crazy is picture blog run by the guy who runs Frankensteinia. Nothing but images and links back to the original owners. Look closely and you might recognize one or two from a certain excellent space toy blog. Nice. 

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program

I'd like to mention some blogs and web sites that I really like, even though they have very little to do with vintage space toys. I find them endlessly fascinating, and I think some of my discerning and intelligent readers might find them fascinating, too. So don't skip this post just because it doesn't have any vintage toy porn in it. Follow the links and maybe, like poor ol' Doc, you'll develop yet another all-encompassing, time-devouring obsession. 

Propnomicon (propnomicon.blogspot.com)

 

If you like H.P. Lovecraft -- and who doesn't? -- and you're interested in the world his characters inhabit, this is the blog for you. Focusing on Lovecraftian props and art, it's a treasure trove of dark, and often whimsical, artifacts and collectibles. The writer also makes his own props, including some fantastic Arkham University Expedition Patches (based on the stories At the Mountains of Madness and Shadow Out of Time) that currently grace my own shelf of H.P.L. ephemera. 

Toybot Studios (toybotstudios.blogspot.com)

This is one of the best places to see photos of Japanese vinyl monster (or "kaiju") toys. Great photos, news, and commentary makes this site accessible to old-school collectors and newbies alike. Custom paint jobs are a big part of this scene, and the blog's author has produced some fantastic work in his own right. Take the time to go through the flikr pages of his work, you won't be disappointed. 

Max Toy Co (www.maxtoyco.com)

Toy Karma (toykarma.blogspot.com)

Mark Nagata is an artist, toy maker, ray gun collector, and owner of the largest collection of Ultraman toys and ephemera in the world. The first site, Max Toy Co., is home to his vinyl toy company. The second is his personal blog, an insightful look into the world of art, Japanese monsters, and anything else that crosses Mark's mind. I've known Mark for a while, I own some of his toys, and I never get tired of seeing what his fertile imagination comes up with next.

Dead Presidents Design (deadpresidentsdesigns.blogspot.com)

When it comes to customizing toys, Dead Presidents Designs' Matt Walker is tough to beat. He made his bones working on cars and motorcycles, and he brings his considerable chops and unique style to vinyl kaiju figures. Rumor has it he's also customizing some reproduction tin robots... I can't even begin to describe how that makes me feel. Not in a PG-13 blog, anyway.

That's all for now. More vintage robots coming up. And soon: I start digging into the Atomic Arsenal of vintage ray guns! Stay tuned, True Believer.