5 Questions with > Dwaltrip

December 18, 2008 | Poe

I first came across Dwaltrip‘s incredible Christmas action figure display last year on the FANtastic Forum and was blown away. I like to make a little display around my Christmas toys, but Dwaltrip makes me look like an amateur. I decided I had to quiz him about it and he graciously agreed to an interview.

bio-cardCodename: Brian S
Specialty: Toy collecting, Rankin-Bass fan, Christmas lover.
Base of Operations: Metro-Detroit, Michigan
History: Rudolph and Christmas time in general have always held a special place in my heart. I’m currently 30 years old, and no matter how bad of a mood I am in, the sound of Christmas music, the glow of a well decorated house, or the even the sight of a Salvation Army Bell Ringer as you walk into a grocery store is enough to bring a smile to my face. This holds true with coming across the yearly broadcast of “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” on the TV. It takes me back to a time as a child when things were simpler and of great family memories. Instead of being a scrooge at Christmas, it seems so much easier to be happy and enjoy the season for what it is all about.

I think Fred Astaire said it best in Rankin-Bass’s “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” when he said….

“But there still are some, poor misguided folks, that miss the whole point. Lots of unhappiness? Maybe so….but doesn’t Santa take a little bit of that unhappiness away? Doesn’t a smile on Christmas morning scratch out a tear crying on a Saturday? Not much maybe…but what would happen if we all tried to be like Santa, and learn to give, as only he can give, of ourselves, out talents, our love, and our hearts. Maybe if we could all learn Santa’s beautiful lesson, maybe there would finally be peace on earth, and good will toward men.”

dsc_0367

(more…)

PGPoA’s Holiday Contest

December 10, 2008 | Poe

I’d been thinking about doing this, and a few of the comments in my last Odds ‘n Ends have sealed the deal.

The contest is easy, and I’m not even going to bother with a bunch of rules and so forth: the first person to email me with a complete list of every item in my holiday Odds ‘n Ends photo, along with the action figure it originally came with, wins a free Santa Spud (seen here). Anyone can enter except me (obviously), OB1, Red Kryptonite and Dr. Mrs. Ghostal.

To help make things fair, I’m going to edit or delete every previous comment in which someone has identified an item.

For reference, I’ve posted the Odds ‘n Ends holiday photo after the jump.

(more…)

“Joes for Tots” contest at Toy Bender

December 2, 2008 | Poe

The spirit of the season has moved PGPoA ally site Toy Bender to run one of the coolest contests in recent memory: Joes for Tots, in which you need merely donate a toy (preferably a G.I. Joe toy, but any toys are acceptable) to Toys for Tots, take a photo of yourself doing so, and email it to Paul at TB for a chance to win Fabulous Prizesâ„¢. Paul has lined up some fantastic sponsors and prizes, so if you’re the sort of person who needs motivation to get off your butt and do good deeds, now’s your chance.

Toys for Tots is reportedly having trouble getting donations this year, so I wholeheartedly encourage you to participate in the contest!

Pic of the day

December 1, 2008 | Poe

Snowman by Ryan Brookhart

Poe’s note: While I usually skip McFarlane toys these days due to their lack of articulation, I had to pick up the Snowman. He’s in the running with the Winter Warlock for my favorite holiday action figure. I don’t own any of the other Twisted Xmas figures, but this guy was a must-buy.

Odds ‘n Ends > 11/18/08

November 18, 2008 | Poe

ODD: I’ve got a new poll up on the sidebar. Please take a minute to fill it out. It’s just another part of my effort to make sure PGPoA is bringing you the content you want. (more…)

Christmas & birthday haulage

December 30, 2007 | Poe

Now that both Christmas and my birthday are over and done with, it’s time to catalog the loot.

(NOTE: All the product links below and elsewhere on the site are via my partnership with Amazon, so even if you don’t order the thing you click on, if you could click on one of my links first and then buy something else, I’ll still get a little kickback from Amazon to help me pay the bills for this site.)

Action figures

Comics

Videogames

Miscellaneous

  • New digital camera
  • Isotoners!

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2007 | Poe

After filling this site’s stocking to the brim with posts over the last twenty-four days, I’m going to take a little break and just wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy holidays.

PoA will be back tomorrow with more interviews, photos, and other fun stuff. Until then, enjoy the day!

5 Questions with: Santa Claus

December 24, 2007 | Poe

Santa ClausCodename: Santa Claus
Specialty: Philanthropist
Base of Operations: The North Pole
History: The origins of the magical being known as Santa Claus are shrouded in mystery. Despite popular depictions in hundreds of books, television shows, and movies, the real Santa Claus remains as much an enigma as ever.

OK, I’m officially as giddy as a schoolboy. Today I have a real treat for everyone–an interview with none other than the jolly ol’ elf himself, Kris Kringle, Ol’ Saint Nick, the man known best as Santa Claus. Don’t ask how he managed to fit me into his busy schedule–I just shot him an email and he wrote me back.

PG: Thank you for taking the time for this. I realize you’re a busy man, particularly today. Let’s get right to the important questions: what’s your distribution plan for the DC Universe Classics line this Christmas?

Well, the deals I make with the toy manufacturers require that I not make or distribute anything that they haven’t gotten to the stores. And I don’t think those are out yet, are they? Honestly I can’t keep up with such things.

PG: While we’re on the topic, how do the toy manufacturers feel about the way you manufacture and distribute their items for free, which technically amounts to industrial espionage, plagiarism and copyright infringement, to name just a few?

I work closely with the toy companies to ensure that all my products are built to the same standards as their own. As for recompense, the contracts my account elves make with these companies guarantees satisfaction for all parties.

PG: What are your thoughts on the sculpting vs. articulation debate?

Until about a century or two ago, all toys had only a few points of articulation–especially figures. Personally, I’ve always thought of toys as something to be played with, but I understand where the collectors are coming from, too.

PG: What’s the hardest part of your job?

These days, it’s the videogames. And I thought board games were hard to make when they first came out! The videogames are so complicated…I’ve had to send thousands of elves to training seminars at Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and so forth. Endless headaches. Sometimes I long for the days when a child was enchanted by a little wooden horse.

PG: Ha ha, yeah. Moving on…what’s the strangest present you’ve ever been asked for?

Oh, my…where to begin? A boy once asked me for fifteen yards of dolphin intestines–I don’t know what for. There was an excitable American lad who wrote me for years asking for weapons of mass destruction–flame throwers, mustard gas, atomic bombs, you name it. Young Howie Lovecraft wanted an ancient Mesopotamian scroll. And I won’t even tell you what little Donatien de Sade asked for back in 1753.

I’d like to thank Santa again for his time. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!