Mondo Announces Their First Toys – Iron Giant/ TMNT/ Alfred Hitchcock

Mondo has made a name for themselves with movie posters that are considered to be real art. Now, they’ve made the jump into the world of toys and it looks like they are launching with a set of product that are just as artistically solid as the prints that made them famous.

The full press release is below, but I want to draw special attention to their Iron Giant figure. Holy crap! Look at this thing. It is freakin amazing!

Austin, TX – Monday, July 21, 2014 – Mondo is doing toys! The launch of figures for The Iron Giant, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Alfred Hitchcock are Mondo’s first foray into toy collectibles, with the subjects and diversity of design reflecting Mondo’s unique passions. The initial offerings include replicas as well as toys from artist-based designs, which can be previewed at San Diego Comic-Con in Mondo’s booth (#835).

Toys join Mondo’s growing list of pop culture passions in posters, vinyl, gallery events, VHS and apparel. “I am so pumped to announce toys! We’ve been working on this in secrecy for a year and now it’s time to let you guys know about it. We’ll be focusing on existing properties that we love as well as working with artists to bring their own creations to life. This is a new area for us, but I resist the term ‘expansion’ since the goal for Mondo has always been to be a place where artists and designers can work to have their visions realized, whether that’s through posters, gallery shows, vinyl, apparel or now toys,” said Mondo CEO Justin Ishmael.

THE IRON GIANT
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, The Iron Giant has reaped praise as being among the greatest animated films ever made (recently ranked #7 on Time Out’s 100 Best Animated Movies list) and it was important for Mondo to honor the film with an appropriately stunning collectible.

The Iron Giant Collectible Figure
The 16″ tall figure will have over 30 points of articulation, light features, and other fun surprises! Accompanying The Iron Giant will be a Hogarth figure, scraps of metal for him to munch on and a Seafood sign that has a removable “S” to put on his chest. He will also include an interchangeable head and gun attachment, giving a choice of displaying the figure as the regular version, or the “War” version! The figure was designed from the actual CG files used in the film, for ultimate accuracy.

The Iron Giant Bolt Replica
The Iron Giant Bolt is a life-sized replica of the wayward flashing piece of The Iron Giant, as seen in the film. 6″ in length, with a flashing light feature, and authentic details from the film, it’s the perfect-sized piece to display at home, and to show that there’s always hope in the end.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
The First Turtle Vinyl Figure

This vinyl figure is based off of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman’s very first drawing of a “Ninja Turtle,” which formed the basis of the popular comic. Struggling artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird came up with the Turtles in November 1983 while living in North Hampton, Massachusetts and the spark came from this drawing, which Eastman drew initially as a joke featuring a bi-pedal turtle with nunchucks and a mask. The figure stands 6″ tall, and features a classic black and white paint design, based on the original art!

Lil Mikey Vinyl Figure

This will be Mondo’s first toy based on a design from an artist that they work with frequently. Mike Mitchell has a series of pop culture characters called “Just Like Us” and this toy is based on his design in that series for Michelangelo. Turtle fans and people of a particular age will note the accuracy of the real TMNT ice cream on a popsicle stick.

The “Lil Mikey” figure reflects Mondo’s goal to have many of its toys based on artist designs in addition to replicas.

“If I had $5 when I was a kid, it was going to be spent on a ninja turtle figure. So much of my childhood was defined by TMNT, I watched every episode, I had the toys, the shirts, the games, the comics. I wish I could say “Lil Mikey” was a dream come true, but I never could have fathomed this happening. I am so extremely excited about this figure, and I can’t wait to show it off at SDCC,” said artist Mike Mitchell.

HITCHCOCK 1/6 Scale figure
The worlds most famous director is immortalized in this 1/6 scale figure, which features an authentic likeness, his directors chair, clapboard, cigars, as well as props from his most famous films- a butcher knife, a raven, and a seagull! He also features a fine-tailored suit, several interchangeable hands, and a figure stand.

Pricing and pre-order information for all toys will be announced at a later date. Follow @MondoNews for updates.