5.19.2013
Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the drop. The Ghost Troopers sold out in less then 24 hours, but as of this writing, some of the Revolutionary Guards are still hanging around. If you haven't had a chance, make sure to read through the new comic Ghost Story, detailing the exploits of these two elite forces on planet Havvacor. Back on this planet, we are busy working on a couple of secret projects with our friends and collaborators, so it won't be long before you hear from us again.
A huge thank you to our friends: Matt, who talked me back off the ledge on Friday, for his neverending support, generosity and advice. Marcus with his amazing 8-bit Banimon artwork that needs to become a poster NOW. Dr Rampageo of DoomKick for a kickass (no pun intended) preview of the figures. Justin Bell, who took the product shots for this wave, firing the old photographer was long overdue. Everybody was very positive, patient and supportive while we were working through issues with PayPal throughout the weekend.
5.17.2013
Ghost Troopers Drop is live!
We are live! Check out the new webcomic Ghost Story or head over to the store for the latest:
Banigoth Ghost Troopers (standard glow in the dark, black paint apps and tampo)
Revolutionary Gurad Red Army Men (blue with red detail lines, red and black paint apps and tampo)
Each figure costs $7, is Glyos system-compatible and contains all the parts including both heads and both sets of weapons. There will be a 3-figure per customer limit for the first 48 hours in order to give everyone who wants one a chance to pick it up. So for the Glyos builders out there, these figures are slightly redesigned, compared to Waves 1 and 2. Both head pins have been reinforced, and there is an additional switch pin in the backpack compared. A small adjustment, but it opens up some new build possibilities.
PAYPAL UPDATE: There seems to be an issue where PayPal is putting a hold on some transactions. Seems they've gotten on top of it now and the transactions are marked as processed/approved shortly afterwards. Apologies for the inconvenience.
5.16.2013
Tomorrow
We are on track for tomorrow - the Ghost Troopers have located their target and are closing in on it. Will the Commander be eliminated or will the Havvacor defences remain inpenetrable to the Banigoth menace? Drop by tomorrow at 9PM EST and find out for yourself!
5.9.2013
Patrolling the Central Defence Outpost
5.6.2013
The lowdown for the May 17th Drop
So as the drop date is approaching, the details are slowly unfolding. As far as toys are concerned, we will have two new colorways: the Revolutionary Guard (Left, Red Army Men faction) and Ghost Troopers (Right, Banigoth faction). Colors are blue with red paint and detail lines, and Glow in the dark with Black paint apps and no detail lines. There will also be some brand-new Banimon content detailing the clash of these two elite units in a fierce battle for Planet Havvacor, and a special, limited-edition t-shirt.
5.2.2013
Inspiration part II
The Ghost Troopers are truly the perfect assassins, from whom no target is safe. They prefer to strike fast and disappear back into the darkness they came from. Not many know however, that their name is actually not derived from their stealthy movements, but from their terrifying appearance. A victim coming face to face with a Ghost Trooper will in most cases be virtually paralised by fear, just long enough for the killer to perform his grim duty with cold, surgical precision.
This particular colorway is a tribute to all the childhood ghosts, samurai assassins and the Dance Macabre, but is also one of my personal favorites in any toy. See you on the 17th!!!!
4.29.2013
Next drop set for May 17th
So we are confirmed for May 17th 9PM EST as the official drop date for the new wave, featuring two new colorways - the Ghoost Troopers and the Revolutionary Guard. There will be new Banimon content available for this one as well, bringing you more of the story behind the reports from Planet Havvacor, and how these two units in particular will play a crutial role in determining the future of the war. Stay tuned for more pics and information in the coming days/weeks.
4.25.2013
Inspiration part I
Two new colorways of the Banigoth and Red Army Men will be coming in May, we will be announcing the official date by the end of this month, but it should be right after the upcoming Weaponeers of Monkaa release. The two figures are Banigoth Ghost Troopers and the Revolutionary Guard.
Revolutionary Guard colorway in particular is very special to me (Boris), as it brings together a weird mix of memories from all over the place. Growing up in a communist country, May 1st usually meant a lavish military parade down the main street of the capital, with tanks and all. The Revolutionary Guard pays tribute to that splendid facade, with men in their parade uniforms and weapons at their shiniest. And also, we want the NHL to award Planet Banimon a franchise so we can resurrect the Nordiques, but that's a whole other story.
4.20.2013
Good news, bad news
So we go with the good news first: our friend Jesse Chagnon of the Doomkick fame has released his first custom toy, the long-anticipated Slimes. These guys look equaly great as a head on a MOTU-style body or on their own, and Jesse has picked some great colors for this release. So hurry on over and get yours!
Onto the bad news: due to the massive terrorist manhunt in Boston on Friday, the Boston Comic Con has been postponed. We don't know what this means yet, but we hope to be there in full force when it does happen. Our own scheduled drop should be on target for a couple of weeks from now, full announcement once we have the figs here, good and inspected.
4.19.2013
New Glos Drop and Banimon @BCC
TODAY, FRIDAY 19 at 9.30pm EST, the new wave drops at Glyos.com featuring the long anticipated Swing Joints that promise to change the way we all build with these little guys, judging from the preview on the Onell website. I am also more then a little excited about the oldschool colors in this one, and curious about what new content will be revealed. it's gonna be a lot of fun. Once again, Matt and Marcus hit one out of the park!
On our end of things, we are getting ready for the Boston Comic Con this weekend. We don't have our booth number as of right now, but we do know that a few old friends will be stopping by: Jesse Moore, PJ Bartlett, Dr Rampageo and possibly another surprise visitor or two. There WILL BE some con exclusives, stuff that WILL NOT be part of our upcoming drop. Hope to se you all there.
4.2.2013
The Spring Offensive
So lots of things in the works, we are happy to report. The next wave of production figures is in production, and should be dropping by the end of the month. As many of you know, we have subtly reworked the mold back in China, and the result is a sturdier trooper and one extra switch pin, which should make the builders out there happy. As always, the drop date will be announced once the figs have gotten here and been inspected, and once we've had a chance to coordinate schedules with the rest of the Glyos crew.
We will once again be attending the Boston Comic Con (April 20-21), full details of guest artists and table number/location will follow, but already we are looking forward to a great show.
4.2.2013
Training Grounds
To say that the Banigoth are superb warriors is an understatement. Trained since the age of 1 in the arts of deadly combat, each member of The Horde is a formidable opponent to any foe. But only the best of the best can ever hope to become the Apocalypse Guard, and receive the heavy bio-mechanical boosts that come with the job. It is rumored that one of them fought a duel against Dizzigoth, the first sword of the Banigoth Horde. The match took place behind closed doors, deep within the secret rooms of Tesla Mountain, but none can attest to the outcome. What is clear however, is that this deadly new breed of the already fierce Banigoth warrior cannot be stopped by ordinary means.
In other news Banigoth High Command has picked up a signal from deep behind the enemy lines on planet Havvacor. Either this is some new ploy by the resistance, or some of the Ghost Troopers have managed to land and are still pursuing their mission - assassinating the Commander, leader of the rebels.
3.14.2013
Spaced Out Store
Today (well, tonight) is a special day. The indomitable PJ Bartlett, whose tireless drive and energy has ben an inspiration to us all, is making some of his original creations available for sale via the Spaced Out Design website. As part of the website revamp, there are some new paintings by Jesse Moore, and a brand new lineup of customs at the store. Glyos fans know PJ as the creator of Treeborgs, and he has been incorporating his metalwork and general hands-on skills into the world of PVC and vinyl to create an entirely fresh look that is very much his own. You can own one of his customs by clicking here, and then years from now you'll be able to say you were there when the creative avalanche first started rolling down that mountain.
3.1.2013
Revolutionary Guard
 Formed from the remnants of that handful of (crazy) idealists who followed El General in the takeover of Isle of the Ill, the Revolutionary Guard is an elite squad of veterans tasked with guarding the Party higher-ups. Thoroughly indoctrinated with the revolutionary ideology and loyal to El General personally, they are notorious for their ruthless efficiency and the general disregard of all lives for the sake of that one they are ordered to protect. Even other Red Army corps are leery of the Revolutionary Guard and tend to avoid their company, but all they really care about is that their leader finds their fanatical devotion to the cause indispensable in his ongoing ideological war for the hearts and souls of Planet Banimon. Highly trained in close-quarters combat, they are a formidable opponent individually or as a unit.
2.18.2013
Entrenched
The standoff on Planet Havvacor continues. Banigoth High Command has lost communication with the Ghost Troopers, and has decided to continue under the assumption that the entire team has been lost, and their mission a failure. With neither side able to break the deadlock, they have reluctantly settled into a stalemate. While any deliveries to the defenders are blocked by the Banigoth Invasion Fleet, Havvacorians know how to live off of their home planet's resources, and they have been successful in disrupting the Banigoth supply chain as well.
Elsewhere, the news are better for the Banigoth. The Alliance of Seven Satellites, a confederation of trading colonies set up around the artificial planet Xerxes 9, have opened their bases to the Banigoth indefinitely in exchange for perpetual protection. Led by the intrepid Dizzigoth, a detachment of the II Legion known as Winter Opps has landed on the frozen moons around Xerxes 9 in anticipation of a full-scale invasion. Rather than to face mighty Banigoth Horde, the Xerian royal house has evacuated the planet, leaving the inhabitants to fend for themselves.
2.10.2013
Banigoth invasion update
More bad news from Planet Havvacor. The invasion has ground to a halt, and now the supply routes for the Banigoth legions are getting attacked by the guerilla forces of Havvacor. Great Banigoth knows that he must break this stalemate quickly and keep the momentum of his interplanetary conquest, but his forces on the ground are already stretched to the max.
At the suggestion of Oracle, the elite commando unit of Ghost Troopers is sent to find and assasinate the mysterious Commander of the resistance, a being from a different planet but universally accepted by the proud Havvacorians as their leader. Only two of his most trusted associates are allowed to communicate with the Commander directly, and nobody else even knows what he looks like. The Great Banigoth much prefers frontal, brutal attack, but if this sinister scheme will get him closer to his goal, so be it. Once the Havvacorians are without a head, it will be all to easy for the Banigoth Legions to sweep away their uncoordinated defences, and put the planet to the sword.
The Ghost Troopers quietly deploy, knowing that the fate of this war now rests on their mission. They will have only one shot at this.
1.27.2013
New Glyos drop this Friday!
More Glyos goodness is on tap for this Friday, February 1st at 9.30pm EST. This one is close to our hearts, as it is Adventure People-themed, so bring on that blast from the past!
1.20.2013
Trouble on planet Havvacor?
Banigoth troops sent to subdue planet Havvacor encounter tough opposition. The defending troops are well entrenched and armed to the teeth - it's clear early on that this will be the first serious test for the Banigoth war machine. Even more then this dogged resistence, what worries the Banigoth High Command is the rumoured appearance of Revolutionary elements amongst the defending forces.
1.11.2013
Shipping update:
All the orders to date have gone out. Thanks again to everyone who supported this launch and we really hope you like your new toys.
Meanwhile, the trial of the Iron Guard continues with the ambush by Red Army guerillas. Standing back to back against a squad of well armed Revolutionaries, these two veteran Mutant Iron Guards are faced with an uphill battle to stay alive. The 13th Special Detachment of the Banigoth Iron Guard has found itself frequently in these types of engagements, as the guerilla activity on the West Bank intensifies following the recent departure of four legions of Banigoth warriors to conquer the Universe. If these insurgents are allowed to cross onto the East Bank, they will be in a position to threaten the Banigoth power base, and these warriors of the 13th are desperate to prevent this from happening.
So now there is war in space and rebellion on Planet Banimon. The quiet days are over. But what of Tesla, Banimon and the Rejects? Will they have a part to play in all this, or will they be content staying clear of the action?
1.1.2013
Happy New Year!
One more year, but a few good things to show for it. Our first production Banigoth/Red Army Man toy has finally seen the light of day, and has already appeared in five different colorways. Dr Rampageo over at Doomkick was kind enough to include it in his Top-10 toys of the year list, as well as apparently answered the question of what a baby Stormtrooper would look like once and for all. This baby has been fortunate to see the light of day thanks to contributions and generosity of many, but this time I would like to focus on my family instead and give them a big thank you for putting up with me and this crazy little dream. Janice, Maebh and Anja, you are the best, and ultimately why I do this. WE do this.
The Banimon comic continued with the low-key car chase entry Tesla's Ride that foreshadows the Banigoth armament and push for planetary conquest which will be the main theme of 2013. The Banimon Reunion comic issue is in the works as well, and expect the style and format to match the original Banimon isues more closely. That said, all the stories are interconnected, and this year will bring some shocking revelations and juicy details from both past and present of Planet Banimon.
We were honored to work with some talented people in 2012 - Matt Doughty from Onell, Jesse Moore of Callgrim/Rawshark fame, Ron Daley, Paul Wai, Gerren "The Empire" Rabideau, Estradivarijus, to mention a few. Expect the list to grow in 2013, we have some exciting collabs in the works already, but I'll hold my tongue and try not to jinx it just yet. And finally, a big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past year, whether it's picking up a toy or a t-shirt or simply dropping by and spreading the word, you helped keep Planet Banimon spinning all the way thru a great year. Let's have an even better 2013 together!
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