Alien

A bootleg action figure is an imitation of an authentic action figure that is made by someone other than the official manufacturer. Bootleg figures are often sold as originals, but they can look very different from the authentic figure in several ways The 80’s in America were a time when entertainment, advertisement, and education blended into an epic world of artistic creation. For a suburban Caucasian youth characters such as Luke Skywalker, He-Man, Burt and Ernie, Ronald McDonald, and Kermit the Frog were the third set of parents. Such characters illuminated my imagination through Television, Food, and Toys. I was born in 1978 in Woodriver, Illinois and live in AltonIllinois for the first three years of my life. However, my family moved to Chesterfield, Missouri when my brain really kicked in. Sparing you the details of my childhood, it was during this time of my life I met the characters and icons that would leave the most lasting impression on my imagination. Years later after many toy industry and product development jobs I find myself looking back to a time in my life when the characters in my imagination did not equal licensed. I worked for some of the big names in collectible / toys Gentle Giant, McFarlane Toys, Master Replicas, and a couple of projects for Sideshow Collectibles. To an outsider it may seem my career has been full of dream jobs. Although Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. DesignerCon is an annual art and design convention that smashes together collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and so much more with urban, underground and pop art! We are a celebration of all aspects from the world of design. DKE Toys is a renowned American company specializing in designer toys, collectibles, and limited-edition art pieces. Founded in 2002, DKE Toys has become a key player in the designer toy scene, known for its unique collaborations with artists, custom toys, and pop culture-inspired releases. The company has developed a reputation for creating high-quality, highly collectible figures that often blend urban art, pop culture references, and nostalgic themes. DKE Toys works with a diverse roster of artists and designers to create limited-run figures that often reflect a blend of pop culture, street art, and fine art. Artists involved in DKE releases include well-known names in the designer toy world, such as Frank Kozik, Eric So, Luke Chueh, and many others.