This is Plug In XMas 2002. Three times a year the urban vinyl toy community gathers in Hong Kong for the only toy show devoted entirely to our style of figures. The whole scene is represented: designers come to unveil their latest works, shop owners arrive to stock up on the hot new releases, the fans come to meet their heros and take home a piece of the action. And of course KidRobot comes to relay it all back to you as it happens.

These groups coming together every four months for the show gives the scene its momentum. For designers, Plug In Toy Show is the chosen venue for releasing new figures, not only can they release their figures directly to the fans hands but they also get the opportunity to display their figures in any context they choose. For their faithful fans, meeting the designers and seeing how each choses to unveil their latest masterpiece is a special occassion.

The year saw all the Toy Show regulars out in force: Crazysmiles, Estate, Toy2R, PWF (now renamed Patchwork/Flying Cat), Jason Siu & Co, Spanky, Medicom Toy, and Pazo Art were all on hand with large booths marking their tenure. Each successive ToyCon also brings in a crop of of new designers and you'll meet plenty these here as well.

Thanks to our friend Raymond at Toy2R KidRobot's crew scored some exhibitor passes and got ourselves (and our cameras) in early. Read on !

(For those of you that are interested, most of the production figures you see in these reports will be available for sale on KidRobot's web site within a few weeks. We are blessed and grateful for all the attention given to us by HK toy producers and artists!)

MICHAEL LAU DAY 1

As always the line to Lau's booth began to form as soon as attendees were admitted into the hall. This time the Crazysmiles booth is position right to left of the entrance, with no distinctive pattern adorning the walls as was his trademark the last couple of shows. Just the pale blue numbers 05 followed by tiny letters CS printed on white walls.

At 11:30 AM those in the front of the line began to be admitted two at a time past the velvet ropes leading around the corner to the entrance of the booth. Along the way stood display cases showing off the packaging for Lau's newest vinyl creation, crazychildren cc14 boy .d. as well as four new crossover the bear designs with artists Prodip, Handry, Godfrey, and Wallace as well as a new design by Micheal himself.

At the entrance customers were allowed one purchase of the new crazychild per visitor. boy .d himself is a crossover with Nike x Fiberops. He's a bulky fella sporting a Russel Simmons style Charlie Brown sweater with a Nike pocket symbol. He's comes packaged with a Nike cap, a tiny Micheal Lau, a very intriguing mystery piece and a new the pig design with a Nike symbol on its side. The highligh of the figure is clearly the intricate abstract Tattoos adorning boy .d's left forearm and hand.

The five new the bear designs are definately a treat. This is one of the few times Micheal has allowed others to do make designs for his figures and the results are truly astounding. Check out the pics to see what I mean!

ERIC SO

Estate was another hot stop at ToyCon with just 10 pieces of Eric So's new 12" Sam Lee for sale at the show.

After the dissappointing Hot Devil 12-inch figure, the Sam Lee figure released at the ToyCon is a nice return to form. Supposedly Sam sports clothing by japanese clothing label Revolver and shoes by BAPE but we haven't gotten our hands on the figure yet to confirm. With the impressive Medicom body and Eric So's headsculpt the high pricetag already seems justified. Then there is the tattoo work on Sam's calfs, stomach, shoulder's and neck which is nothing short of incredible!

BROTHERSWORKER

Another line formed as Brothersfree, ltd. prepared to release the third in their already legendary grayscale 12-inch Brothersworker series. Brothersfree's figures consistantly feature a mind blowing level of detail and Baby is no exception. Baby's compression drill and other tools are probably the most well designed accessories yet and Baby even has her very own metal flask, complete engraved name and a cap that comes off. As was the case with the previous two figures, baby comes with a sterling silver pendant. Another amazing addition to Smart and Seven, the first two in the Brothersworker line.

Also new is Brothersworkers first vinyl figure since Ah Aun & Ah Gum, a totally twisted soft vinyl Clown figure in monotone. A color version will be on its way soon to KidRobot. Finally the full-color versions of Brothersworker Minis made an appearance-- we're told these may come blind asortment series sometime soon!

PATCHWORK/FLYING CAT

Patchwork/Flying Cat is the new name for PWF. These guys continue to seek out some of the hottest designers from around the globe -- Patchwork/Flying Cat owner Alan's new focus is to bring international designers to the HK scene.

The most stunning example of new approach has to be the Spraycan-monsters of Seenwold, unveild for the first time at the show. Designer Seen is one of the granddaddies of the graffiti scene in New York, so his figure release is a truly world event.

Also from Patchwork: Takumi release the second in his badass interpretations of Disney Characters. Rock 'n Roll Duck has got attitude for miles and sports the same party pose as his partner in crime Mad Teeth.

Prototypes were on display for a couple of upcoming Patchwork releases: new comer Nathan Jurevicious from Australia busts in with a new figure that will remind fans of Pete Fowler, and finally Koji Takeuchi's latest, a sick space suit wearin' mighty-mouse is soon to be released in three colors.

ITRANGERS LAB

With a couple of huge2' CI-Boys spotted nearby, the ITRangers Booth felt like dangerous territory. They were pushing their newest Sony crossover CI-Boy as well as the new amazing space capsule CI-Boy pod. VERY limited. VERY badass. Look for a small number of these on KidRobot real soon!

MEDICOM

One of the hottest items being released at this ToyCon are the special kubricks designed by American Graffiti artist Stash. The Stash Kubrick features a custom nozzle shaped head with a very realistic red blotch of paint for a face. On his chest is an abstract graffiti style design and Stash tags the the figure's back with his namesake.

Three differen versions of the Kubrick were on display at the medicom booth: standard, 400%, and 1000%. Apparently the 1000% and 400% are to be ToyCon exclusives and are limited to 120 Pieces and 240 Pieces respectively. If you wanted your Stash Kubrick today you had to be patient, the line was about a two hour wait.

Also on display were the new KAWS Kubrick series (2 styles, 2 bus stops), day-glow ape busts, and 400% basic Kubricks. KidRobot should have the Kaws Kubricks in stock within a few weeks!

WORTHFIELD

Fully licensed by Disney (how the hell did they pull that off?), Worthfield somehow convinced the behemoth to let them bring the mouse into the 21st century. Worthfield had 8 different Mickeys for sale at their booth, all done in super limited numbers of about 50 per design.

Worthfield had mickey's decked out on hoodies and baggie pants with chain wallets, and the accessories are even better. Mickey with a skateboard, Mickey with a bat, and Mickey with a boombox, Hell Yeah. Finally seven lucky attendees got special Mickey's limited to that number raffled off through out the show.

There was an interesting Hairdresser 12-inch set on display as well. Not yet for sale, but we hope we'll see it released by next Toycon.