As the Pop Mart Labubu craze cools, Mike Slobot reinvents his robot collectibles, while BAPHOMANIAC embraces 80s nostalgia.
After a period of frenzy surrounding Pop Mart’s Labubu, the fervor appears to be waning. According to Spanky Stokes, what was once a billion-dollar phenomenon with releases that sparked long lines and skyrocketing resale prices, now feels different. Pop Mart’s stores, once packed with enthusiasts vying for the latest Labubu, are seeing a shift in interest. While it’s unclear exactly what has caused the slowdown, it’s a noteworthy development for a brand that became emblematic of the boom in novelty art toys and vinyl collectibles. Whether this signifies a peak or a simple adjustment phase remains to be seen.
In contrast, Mike Slobot has been busy reinventing his signature Slobots. As detailed by Spanky Stokes, Slobot has shifted his focus from producing larger figures to crafting smaller, more intricate pieces. These new Slobots, measuring in at under 5 inches, continue to captivate with their unique, weathered aesthetic. The evolution to smaller sizes might appeal to collectors facing space constraints while still appreciating a detailed and innovative design. This shift in scale could reinvigorate interest within the robot collectibles community.
Meanwhile, for collectors with a taste for retro vibes, Toy Art Gallery’s latest release could be of immense interest. Their new BAPHOMANIAC “Mallrat Edition” merges 80s nostalgia with the uniquely quirky design of Martin Ontiveros’ BAPHOMANIAC. As reported by Spanky Stokes, the figure boasts a vivid paint scheme of hot pink, electric blue, and silver, capturing the spirit of a bygone era filled with neon arcades and skate shops. This edition injects vintage charm into the contemporary vinyl scene, possibly attracting collectors who also have a soft spot for cult classics and pop culture references.
Finally, a nod to the horror genre is emerging in collectibles news through Day of the Dead Doctor Tongue, a collaboration between Erik Fountain and Unbox Industries. While the details are sparse, this vinyl figure, as highlighted by The TOYSREVIL Toy Blog, brings George Romero’s iconic character to life as a collectible $125 toy standing at 22 centimeters tall. This release promises to carve a niche for those who dabble in horror memorabilia and offers up an interesting blend of film history and vinyl artistry.
