Over the past few years it seems that vending machines are back in style. I don’t mean the ubiquitous candy and soda machines that seems to be everywhere these days. I don’t even mean candy machines that vend handfuls of M&Ms or gumballs, no I mean the ones that have toys in them.
This kind of thing has been popular in Europe and especially Japan for eons, but not so much here in the United States. Why? Well it turns out that there are all kinds of laws that prohibit the inclusion of non-edible items in food, and given that 99% of the time it is food-type items that come out of machines (unless you are in the men’s room in a bar) I guess manufacturers just decided to play it safe and not touch that with a ten foot pole. As a result we miss out on cool stuff unless we are willing to get them shipped in from abroad at great expense. You may remember I talked about this example from Star Wars a few months ago.
Anyway, manufacturers seem to be getting braver and as a result we are gaining access to more and more of these cool vending machine premiums stateside.
Today I am going to show you a couple of sets of these premiums based on characters from the Marvel universe. They all come from the machines that vend 2″ diameter capsules and typically cost between $1 and $1.50. Unfortunately they come out of the machine at random so it is highly unlikely that you will be able to get a set on the cheap and will no doubt end up with some doubles and even triples of certain pieces.
First up, how about these miniature build-it-yourself type figurines?
Once you crack open the capsule you find 2-3 pieces that easily clip together to build one of these superheroes: Captain America, Ghost Rider, Human Torch, Thing, Hulk, Wolverine as well as a couple of versions of Spider-man. They are pretty basic they are pretty cool.
Now to go on to something way cooler.
These came out a few months back but I just had to show them to you… aren’t I just good like that.
These are called self-contained vending figurines. Basically the designers decided to make the capsule part of the final toy. That way nothing gets thrown away… clever, clever, clever.
They come in six different flavors: Hulk, Spider-man, Wolverine, Thor, Captain America and Iron Man.
I love these so much because as you know I am just a sucker for any well known character that is then super stylized and morphed in some extreme way. Well these little super deformed figurines are right on the money.
So how do they work? Here check this out.
The capsule that comes out of the vending machine is actually the head of the figurine. You then open it and remove the body. This then attaches to the head and is held securely in place once the two halves of the head are snapped back together. Ingenious!
Ok now run along and get some change out of the couch and go buy some of these… you know you need them.
Flickr = 24,862
There are currently 53 items listed on the ToyNerd Exchange check it out
I used to love vending machine items, especially the superballs and football helmets. The top set of figures are pretty basic as you said, but the bottom set look great.
Ooo, I like the Cap and Hulk but the Thor looks funky.
I want Cap wicked bad. And the wolverine looks bad ass.
I just bought some of those 2nd ones the other weekend! I have a Spiderman and a Wolverine (thanks to trading with The Goog). Man, I should have gotten more. They are the cutest.
I managed to get Hulk, Spidey and Iron Man at NEC in Allston a couple of days ago. They were selling them loose for just $1 each. Unfortunately they only had those three - bummer. If anyone has extras of the others I want them… gimme, gimme, gimme!
I tried to order them through Previews, but I couldn’t. If anyone ever gets their hands on the Captain America one, I’ll make it worth your while to sell it to me.
Those are some awesome toys. I was fortunate to have been the crazy artist that created the way cool designs. I’ve always wanted to do an urban version of Marvel Comics characters. Just happens I got to do this at my job.
I’m so glad collectors have been extremely taken by the the toys. More to come in the future!!!
Well Cesar I take my hat off to you. As you can see I love them. Any chance that there will be more? Want to tip us off on any top secret projects? I promise not to tell
All kidding aside I would love to show other stuff of yours. Just send me the info scifinds@yahoo.com
I bought a few of these at the movie theater only to arrive at the horrifying realization that there were no bodies inside the heads
i cant wrap my head around why anyone would go to the trouble of unwrapping them removing the bodies and then re-wrapping them and selling them q_q
oh well at least i have my collection of hand painted lead cast classic marvel figurines (imported from the UK)
Wow that’s annoying. Which ones did you get?