What is the story behind Le Merde figures? I personally don't like or 'get' them, but they seem to be really popular lately...
The "story" is no different than any other toy, really. I mean, in the sense that a guy has a vision of a cool sculpt or painting, and runs with it. People either dig it, or they don't. Mike (Le Merde) Kelly started out in Seattle, and moved down to Portland within the past couple years--with his affiliation with the Grass Hut. I think most will agree that, while Mike has been "doing his thing" for many years now, he has definitely found an "audience" within the past two or three years. As with many artists, self-promotion and exposure is key to your success, and since hooking up with the Grass Hut gang, the dominoes have certainly been tipping over rapidly--IMO--for Mike. I think most will agree that most of his characters are a throw-back to the 1970s-era cartoon characters, and while not "kaiju" or "fight figures", his popularity caught on not only in the USA, but notably also in Japan, UK, and France. (Again, probably not coincidence with much of the recent Grass Hut activity in conjunction with Gargamel/Thrash Out [JP] and Artoyz [FR]).
i didnt really feel any of his work until I got the proto hollis and now i am starting to really like what else he is and has been doing i am sure i will be picking up a few more as well now
Red Demon BANGAL. HS Jay, Congrats. What a custom Not much talk about the SDCC Bangal colorway, which I dig btw. How about those gold teeth and horns? lol
Jay, do you know who did the Bangal paint-job? I'm guessing maybe Chanmen? (Btw, I need your address!!!!)
