Whelp, it’s about time I created a half decent thread. Lenny Cervello of Spectrum Lab has been doing some nice paint work for a while, notably on Shirahama and Chanomagangu toys. He recently expanded his repertoire to include the creation of his own original kaiju character, Godesu. I have been stoked about this toy since I saw his first posts of the sculpt. Classic kaiju style, Bullmark standard size, perfectly proportioned, loads of charm. I could go on and on. Hopefully this is only the first of many creations from Lenny. First release was last weekend at winter Wonder Festival 2019, and also via Instagram lotto for international collectors. The first run sports a nice green vinyl base with classic Marusan/Bullmark paints. Photos poached with love, from Lenny’s IG account: View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram And the packaging and extras...ooh la la! It doesn’t get much better than this, folks. A classic Bullmark style toy wrapped up with all the trimmings of a bootleg. View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram
Yeah, it really seems like a lot of thought went into this toy. Loving it and it’s super reasonable price.
I meant Spectrum lab, not Spectrum Labs. I just contacted one of our fine mods to help me correct the title error. Thanks for the quick fix Steve. Much obliged.
Absolutely love this beast, proper vintage feel with some modern touches. Top notch from start to finish! Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky lottery winners but hoping there are many more of this dude in the future!
I've been wanting this toy since Hikaru first posted the wax sculpts. He absolutely nailed the MaruBuru style.
I was going to hold off on making a thread until I got my Godesu in the mail, but I am very, very excited about this. I’m not super into vintage or collect very many of the traditional monsters at all, but I do have a huge appreciation for ‘em. Right off the bat, this sculpt gives me Red King textures and Gomora posture/vibes. What also heavily impresses me is just how much of this Lenny - San has done himself. The sculpting, silicone molds, wax and jointing molds, painting; all done himself! Initially, I thought the artwork was going to be for headers, but seeing his recent packaging has brought a whole new level of fun to the art. I can’t wait to get this one in front of my camera.
Robert, thanks for the extra info. I did not realize Lenny had done all of those production steps himself. Very cool. I too was going to wait to create a thread until I had one in hand, but I was too impatient.
@Michael Beverage Thank you, Lee, for making the thread! He’s really got his hands into as much of this as he can, which I find highly admirable and wonderful. I also forgot to mention the old school ink style stamp on the foot! I thought that was a nice, little nod! His personally collection is filled with vintage and repro Bullmark, as well as M1. So I love that he took his influences, paid respects, but made something totally of his own. @Roger The more, the merrier! It’s nice to see a new kaiju of substance, integrity and quality being made accessible to new fans, as well as for a great price!
I came across this a couple weeks ago and was blown away. This feels like a breath of fresh air compared to so many new toys that attempt being “edgy”. How did people get these? I was watching like a hawk, but thought it was a wf2019 exclusive?
One of his IG posts had an email address, you sent him some info and you were entered into the lottery. If you won, you had to pay the same day. I don't know how other lotteries work, I've never entered any, but to me this process seemed easy and fair. My interest in sofubi is very limited (Marusan/Bullmark, reissues of those, M1GO, and not much else), so there are few new vinyl toys that appeal to me. When those first sculpts were posted, I could see that he really understood vintage toys.
Thanks for starting this thread, Lee. Lenny/Spectrum Lab definitely deserves some attention around these parts. I know people have called out the highlights already, but it sort of speaks a lot to this hobby when something so simple, classic, but beautifully executed stands in such stark contrast to the general toys which so many people (especially the newer generation of collecting) will think of in relation to "sofubi." As has been said, this has all the genuine components flowing right into it. Looking at that sculpt, and the way it was brought out, there is zero question how much honour is being paid here to both Bullmark and vintage toys, as well as Yuji and the M1/B-Clubc revival which really, I think fairly, could be credited with rebirthing interest in the entire soft vinyl scene. People take it for granted there was a period when the only vinyl kaiju was the smaller Bandai Ultra series' (and this lasted a good long while). Anyhow, without further digression, I wholeheartedly agree, this is a great toy. Fits perfectly in the lineup on the shelf, as you can see. Even the foot gradations, a nod to the early vintage Marusan and transition period toys, is such a subtle but perfect touch. Finally though, I have to give a shoutout for that packaging though; phenomenal!!! I would shell out for bags like that alone to tote around my toys (and other stuff) in. Congratulations to anyone who was lucky in this lottery entry. I am sure he is as much a delight in hand as he seems in these photos, and I can only think this bodes very good things to come from this company.
Grats to you guys who won! Seems there are a few of you. I too have been following this sculpt since I first saw it on IG. Sadly, I did not also get one, but maybe next time! I think the classic sculpt and paint is really timeless. Hope y'all enjoy
Holy shit, that was fast!!! Stoked to already see one of these stateside! Cannot WAIT for mine to show up!!!
Godesu is a beautiful monster, and obviously crafted with a lot of love and respect. I have enjoyed seeing Lenny's collection on IG, and it's great to see such a stellar creation right out of the gate. The classic color palette on this first edition is just perfect. Congrats to all those who scored one.
I've been following Godesu's creation on IG as well and really like this first release - the green vinyl chosen really appeals, and despite (strangely enough) being told by one of my Math teachers that "blue and green, together, should never be seen" - the metallic blue spray just works! As well as classic kaiju, anyone else getting a Rumble Monsters vibe? While I want Godesu to be super successful, I'm hoping collectibility remains attainable and after market prices stay reasonable. Long live Lenny and Godesu.
In the facial expression, yes- a little King Bop Dragon innuendo! Edit: insert Damnedron emoji for posterity (The greatest emoji ever created)
Absolutely. I've seen a couple of photos of it posted with incredibly hyped and expensive toys, and of course people can photograph what they want, but I hope it doesn't become a trend. The piece sings on its own merits, and creating that aesthetic around it will breed a brutal aftermarket.
I was able to get one at Wonder Fest and it's really an amazing piece. Lenny probably has the best grasp on 60s-70s stylings for soft vinyl kaiju I've ever seen. The thing looks like it time slipped into our hot little hands. I'm really looking forward to future releases of Godesu and also what else comes from his mind.
I'd be really disappointed to see this become the next HxS or Bemon figure - not that it doesn't deserve the equal praise of those at all. I just mean, given it's lineage to simple, pachi monster toys, I'd much rather seen this end up with a B-club model where I could care less about the production numbers and just want a fun, sweet, well-made toy. In any case I will still look forward to what the next release brings, whether I am able to play in the game or not. * Random post here, saying that, ya know, if yer not feeling this guy after all (which is fine, no judgements)... well, just let me know. Please don't take it to the bay, or IG market if that is what the kids are doing these days.
I got my Godesu in the mail yesterday, but only got around to finishing with my photos about 10 minutes ago. I’m somewhat already infatuated with this monster. Wow. In hand, it’s just the right, standard size kaiju. Perfect for both shelf sitting, and for the average kid to handle and battle other toys with. The textures are so intricately sculpted and placed, with what @obsessedpanda mentioned to me as “just the right amount.” And he’s absolutely right. I find this to also be true about the paints. Broad stroke airbrushes of metallic blue on the standard green vinyl, with a streak of a slightly darker blue trailing the middle spikes going down the back, to the tail. Lenny - San’s handpainted details on the horns, eyes and ESPECIALLY teeth are immaculate. The Godesu is also very, very overall symmetrical, as what I hoped to capture in the full, frontal view photo. One of my favorite things about the textures, specifically, is the neck, belly and underbelly share a unified ladder of “rolls” that can also be found on the palms and inside of the forearms. I’ve personally never seen this type of touch, but given how many vintage veterans there are here, as well as Lenny - San bein’ one himself, I wouldn’t put it past it having been done before. But still new to me. Given the very limited knowledge I have for vintage, I can still easily pick up on the influences here, and they’re spectacularly executed. The tote bag it comes in, rather than the traditional bag and header, invokes a whole new level of presentation and fun. I also love that he included a water gun Beretta, that loads clips of water, to battle this monster with yourself. I am very, very much lookin’ forward to much more to come from Spectrum Lab. Spoiler
