Toy Flashback: Devo
(Ed. Note. Jeremy Brautman is a recovering toy addict and expert on art toys. He contributes toy culture trends to a handful of blogs and is editor-n-chief of ToyCyte)
Okay, let's get this out of the way: not all designer toys are cool. In fact, some aren't even supposed to be cool. Even in the realm of urban vinyl, figures exist based on the intentionally unhip. Toys in homage to slackers and Subgeniuses who sang about science fiction? I am, of course, referring to Devo.
With the iconic band's first full album since 1990 due out this Fall, I thought we'd take a look back at two signature toys from Devo's past. In 2005, Neca Collectibles put out the Devo action figure, which featured the memorable yellow radiation suit and five interchangeable heads. In 2007, Toy2R released the Ox-Op Qee Series 3, which contained Qee-Vo. The 2.5-inch figure also sported the yellow suit, but this one came packaged with a removable rubber Booji Boy mask. In a cool coincidence, the rubber Qee mask can be worn by the Neca action figure.
Mark Mothersbaugh and company would surely approve of you squandering your work hours playing with their toys while think-singing: "and he wore a hat/and he had a job/and he brought home the bacon." Good thing both figures are still available.
--Jeremy Brautman
Jeremy Brautman on May 29, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I've got an "uncontrollable urge" to buy more toys.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on May 30, 2009 at 05:57 PM
This is just so wrong. I want to find whoever's responsible and whip him--whip him good.
Tex Lovera on May 30, 2009 at 06:46 PM
"I've got a gut feeling" that playing with these toys may lead to a "Swelling Itching Brain" due to "Too Much Paranoia".
Bob Dobb on May 30, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Now, who was the Subgenius who thought of these products?
Repent thru spending!
Robbins Mitchell on May 31, 2009 at 04:43 AM
Are we not dolls?....we are DEVO!!
Emerson on May 31, 2009 at 05:15 AM
Oh No! It's... we'll have to listen to bitter bassist Gerry Casale scream "Evolution is real! in every interview.
B on June 08, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Ok, that's freaking hilarious. Especially since I actually talked with Mark last night on the phone. Not about an upcoming album, but all of our dogs, his 3 and my 5! McDonald's made an "unauthorized" happy meal toy - they made out like bandits!
Jordan Spizikes on November 10, 2010 at 06:44 PM
All sentences are about some thing or someone. The something or a person that the sentence is about is called the subject with the sentence. From your blog, I see that, and analyze some thing I'd like. Thanks for sharing.