Toys – Retrenders

Kidrobot – The Art of War Dunny Series

June 30, 2014 by Stephen Jang 2 Comments

This past weekend Kidrobot released The Art of War dunny series. The toy design theme for each of the 14 artists involved was to design a dunny figure based on Sun Tzu’s warmongering strategy novel – The Art of War. Our Ramen & a Half hosts of Eddie Ballar and Ramon Angel stopped by Kidrobot SF for the artist signing and release event with Frank Kozik, DrilOne and Huck Gee. We grab a quick interview with each about their dunny figure in the series and their upcoming projects. We also go unboxing a case with fellow dunny collector/artist Big C.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Featured, Ramen and a Half, Shows, Toys Tagged With: art of war, blind box, drilone, dunnies, Dunny, Frank Kozik, Huck Gee, KidRobot, KR, military strategy, San Francisco, Sun Tzu, vinyl

Kidrobot x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

June 26, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I remember being blown away when I first read the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Well, the turtles are back in a big way this summer with a new re-boot flick coming out in August 2014. To hold you over until the movie comes out, check out the new TMNT x Kidrobot line!

Filed Under: Collectibles, Comics, Geeky, Toys Tagged With: blind boxes, Kevin Eastman, keychains, KidRobot, Shredder, TMNT

Step Aside Godzilla, It’s time for Stay Puft LEGO Rampage

June 3, 2014 by kellyannbrooke 1 Comment

While everybody is awaiting for the release of the LEGO Ghostbuster toy this month, here’s a custom LEGO build of Stay Puft marshmallow rampaging through New York streets. This city-street probably took months of planning and thousands of LEGO bricks.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Geeky, Movies, Toys Tagged With: bricks, Ghostbusters, Lego, marshmallow, New York City, NYC, OliveSeon, South Korea, Stay Puft

LEGO Guardians of the Galaxy

June 2, 2014 by kellyannbrooke Leave a Comment

Since the release of the 2 Guardians of the Galaxy movie trailers, I’ve been actually quite excited for the upcoming movie. You could say I’m a big Marvel fangirl, every month I have a stack of Marvel trades and comics sitting on my desk, but I wasn’t a fan of Guardians, until maybe now. And with LEGO putting out their Marvel Super Heroes product line, now they are releasing LEGO Guardians of the Galaxy toys.

Filed Under: Comics, Entertainment, Geeky, Movies, Toys Tagged With: Bradley Cooper, bricks, Guardians of the Galaxy, JANG, jangbricks, Lego, Marvel Comics, Marvel Universe, Rocket, Starlord

The 2014 Big Wow! ComicFest Recap

May 21, 2014 by Stephen Jang 3 Comments

This past weekend at the San Jose Convention Center, Big Wow! ComicFest took place for comic book fans and cosplayers. The Ramen & a Half team of Eddie and Ramon recall their highlights of this 2-day comic book festival.

Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, Comics, Entertainment, Featured, Geeky, Ramen and a Half, Shows, Toys Tagged With: Big Wow!, comic books, Comicfest, convention, Cosplay, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, San Jose

Beyond the Brick – A LEGO Documentary

May 19, 2014 by kellyannbrooke Leave a Comment

Beyond the Brick: A LEGO Brickumentary made it’s debut at the Tribeca Film Festival this past month and I look forward to watching this on the film festival circuit. The documentary is not just about “Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs)”, but about LEGO company itself, the kids and fans of bricks.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Culture, Geeky, Movies, Toys Tagged With: Adult Fans of LEGO, AFOL, Brick Con, Brick World, bricks, brickumentary, Daniel Junge, Kief Davidson, Lego, Master Builders

Big Wow! ComicFest 2014

May 19, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I’m still recovering from this past weekend’s Big Wow! ComicFest convention at the San Jose Convention Center. The Ramen and a Half guys went hunting for autographs, but also grab interviews with artists, cosplayers and fans.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Comics, Entertainment, Featured, Geeky, Otakudom, Photos, Ramen and a Half, Toys Tagged With: Batman, Big Wow!, comic books, ComicCon, Comicfest, Cosplay, DC Comics, Frank Cho, Iron Man, marvel, San Jose

Big Wow! ComicFest May 17-18, 2014 San Jose

May 12, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

This upcoming weekend here in the SF/Bay Area is one cool geek-fest – the Big Wow! ComicFest. The two-day convention kicks-off May 17-18, 2014 weekend at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA. Unlike other comic-book conventions I won’t name that have gone super Hollywood, Big Wow! remains the same as the headliner is all about comic books, the artists and writers in the industry. Many notable artists will be there like Frank Cho, Neal Adams, Mike Mignola, Greg Rucka, just to name a few.

It’s safe to say Retrenders will be at Big Wow! ComicFest! Our Ramen & A Half team Eddie Ballar and Ramon Angel will grab interviews and highlights from the event. Look for our videos on the Retrenders YouTube channel.

Here our some of our videos we did last year from Big Wow! ComicFest 2013:

Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, Comics, Culture, Featured, Geeky, Otakudom, Toys Tagged With: Big Wow!, comic book convention, comic books, Comicfest, Frank Cho, geeks, nerds, San Jose, San Jose Convention Center, superheroes

Retro LEGO Builds for ALL!

May 1, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

If you ever feel nostalgic about past technological wonders like old video game systems, CRT tube TVs, rotary telephones and what not, and you are a LEGO builder, then check out – Chris McVeigh’s site Building Guides. I admit I am not a LEGO mad-genius builder, I’m like a Emmet who needs an instruction booklet and details before I can build anything.

Filed Under: Art, Design, Games, Geeky, Tech, Toys Tagged With: Atari 2600, bricks, Chris McVeigh, custom, Lego, retro, telephone

Disney Store Star Wars Toy Exclusives

April 30, 2014 by kellyannbrooke 1 Comment

The likes of Kenner, Hasbro and various third party companies have made action figures, plush dolls and other Star Wars-related merchandise, now the Disney Store will take its turn with their own new exclusive line of action figures, plush toys, mugs, PVC figurines and die-cast vehicles.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Entertainment, Geeky, Movies, Toys Tagged With: action figures, Darth Vader, Disney, Disney Store, Han Solo, Plush Toys, Star Wars

10244 LEGO Fairground Mixer

April 28, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

At the recent Sydney Brick Show (April 24-27, 2014) in Australia, LEGO announced a new release the LEGO 10244 Fairground Mixer. If you like county fairs and like to build LEGO cities, this is another wonderful LEGO addition. The Fairground Mixer will cost around $150 bucks and look for a June 2014 release date.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Geeky, Toys Tagged With: dunk tank, fairground, kids, Lego, minifigs

Mickey D’s Hello Kitty Bubbly World

April 25, 2014 by kellyannbrooke Leave a Comment

It seems like everybody wants in on Sanrio’s iconic Hello Kitty. Well, this is Hello Kitty’s 40th Anniversary and McDonald’s in Singapore has released a limited edition plush doll 6-piece set – Hello Kitty Bubbly World Collector’s Set.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Geeky, Otakudom, Toys Tagged With: Burgers, fast food, Hello Kitty, Japan, McDonald's, Mickey D's, plush, Sanrio, Singapore

Patlabor attacking the streets of Japan

April 21, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

A couple of weeks ago a full-size AV-98 Ingram mecha from the live-action series Patlabor created a buzz in the crowd and caused a ruckus of a traffic jam.

Filed Under: Culture, Entertainment, Geeky, Movies, Otakudom, PopAsia, Toys, Videos Tagged With: anime, AV-98 Ingram, Cosplay, Japan, Kichijoji Station, mecha, Patlabor, subway station, Tokyo

Kidrobot x Snoop Dogg

April 21, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Iconic hip/hop rapper and leader of the G-funk movement Snoop Dogg is now “Dunnified” with this Kidrobot 7″ vinyl figure. Our Ramen host “The Eddie” takes an in-depth look at this Snoop Dogg figure.

Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, Featured, Geeky, Music, Ramen and a Half, Shows, Toys Tagged With: Dunny, G-funk, gangsta rap, hip hop, KidRobot, KR, rapper, SF, Snoop Dogg, West Coast

Marvel Legends: Guardians of the Galaxy

April 14, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Marvel today released more detail images from their Marvel Legends: Guardians of the Galaxy movie line-up. These detailed and well-articulated 6″ action figures features 6 figures: Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket, Nomad and Iron Man. Collect all 6 figures to build the Groot action figure.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Comics, Entertainment, Geeky, Movies, Toys Tagged With: action figures, Drax, Gamora, Groot, Guardians of the Galaxy, Infinite, Iron Man, Legends, Marvel Comics, Nomad, Rocket, Star-Lord

LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures out May 2014

March 26, 2014 by kellyannbrooke Leave a Comment

The LEGO Simpsons House 71006 is awesome, but if it’s not your cup of tea and you want LEGO Simpsons mementos, then these LEGO Simpsons minifigures should do it. The series will feature Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Grampa, Chief Wiggum, Scratchy, Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz,, Milhouse, Krusty the Clown, Itchy, Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Toys Tagged With: action figures, bricks, cartoon, FOX, Homer, Lego, Marge, minifigures, The Simpsons

7-Eleven Marvel/Disney Exclusive Figures

March 25, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

In Singapore 7-Eleven stores are selling exclusive limited run of Heroes & Friends Unite. The set of 8 figures features Marvel characters: Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and Spiderman; the Disney/Pixar characters are: Scully & Mike from Monsters Inc, and Woody & Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. The toy promotion runs until April 22, 2014.

Filed Under: Collectibles, PopAsia, Toys Tagged With: 7-11, 7-Eleven, Disney, figures, figurines, Iron Man, Marvel Comics, Pixar, SGD, Singapore, Toy Story

The LEGO SHIELD Helicarrier

March 18, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

With Captain America: Winter Soldier film just around the corner, one of the coolest tech vehicles is the SHIELD Helicarrier. Here is Jason Simmons custom LEGO SHIELD Helicarrier.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Toys Tagged With: aircraft carrier, hasbro, Helicarrier, Jason Simmons, Lego, Nick Fury, SHIELD, Toysrus

LEGO Simpsons Couch Intro

March 17, 2014 by Stephen Jang 2 Comments

A stop-motion short with LEGO Simpsons and minfigs from the LEGO movie by MonsieurCaron.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Toys Tagged With: Bart, BrickFun, Emmet, Homer, Lego, LEGO Movie, Mo, Simpsons

Funko Pop!: I want them all!

March 12, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Funko has been on a licensing tear these couple of years and it seems like they have new Pop Vinyl figures every single day. Here’s some cool ones to look out for and make a checklist and pull out your wallet.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Toys Tagged With: Ecto1, Funko, Ghostbusters, Pop Vinyl, Stay Puft, Teen Titans

75059 LEGO Sandcrawler

March 11, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

lego sandcrawler

I remember when the first LEGO Star Wars products were released and I was hooked and addicted like a madman. I had to get this, get that, and this one. My wallet was busting, but now as I’m older and much wiser when paycheck funds going into more important stuff, I’m a little more picky of what I want and I do want this! The 75059 LEGO Sandcrawler from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Toys Tagged With: A New Hope, bricks, Droids, Jawas, Lego, Lucas, Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

KIds Logic KidsNations Optimus Prime

March 11, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

The Kids Logic Optimus Prime figure is a hot seller and especially in Hong Kong. The diecast big-head action figure is selling upwards north of $90.00USD and when you buy the action figure, you also get a smaller version – the KidsNations Optimus Prime.

Filed Under: Collectibles, PopAsia, Toys Tagged With: Autobot, hasbro, HK, Hong Kong, Kids Logic, KidsNations, Optimus, Prime, Transformers

Tomica Toyota Crown Comfort Taxi

March 10, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

When you think of Hong Kong what comes to mind? The high-rise skyline and Victoria Harbour, HK gangster films, Dim Sum, Mong Kok shopping district, etc. Well how about the iconic Hong Kong taxi? This Hong Kong taxi gets the full Tomica diecast car treatment.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Featured, Toys Tagged With: cab, cabbie, Crown, HK, Hong Kong, taxi, Tomica, Tomy, Toyota

Toy Box Break!

March 10, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

This past weekend we had a fun Retrenders box break! Since we have buddies living in Japan and Hong Kong, we had them doing some “Toy Hunting”, specifically Transformers and Tomica toys.

Filed Under: Otakudom, PopAsia, Toys Tagged With: Hong Kong, Hot Toys, Hypercity, Japan, Masterpiece, Tomica, toys, Transformers

Custom R2D2 Droid by Evilos

February 26, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Custom vinyl artist Christopher Avalos aka Evilos takes a regular Android vinyl toy and makes R2D2 from Star War Wars.

Filed Under: Collectibles, Toys Tagged With: Android, Christopher Avalos, custom, droid, Evilos, R2D2, Star Wars, vinyl