Game of Thrones Daenerys LE Bust

Dark Horse Deluxe partners up with HBO to bring us this beautiful limited-edition Game of Thrones sculpted bust.  This collectible depicts the popular character Daenerys Targaryen (portrayed in the series by Emilia Clarke) with a newly hatched baby dragon on her shoulder, recalling the striking closing scene of the first season of the acclaimed HBO television series.

“We worked hard to capture the essence of Daenerys and the dragon,” noted Dark Horse’s VP of Product Development, David Scroggy. “We worked closely with HBO to develop these details, and other aspects such as the base design, which is an elaborate tapestry element from the opening sequence designed to mimic old carved wood material.”

The bust will be revealed to the trade at International Toy Fair in New York, February 12–15, 2012. It will subsequently appear to the collector market as a solicitation in the Dark Horse section of the March 2012 issue of Diamond Previews and other venues. The bust is scheduled for in-store release on June 20, 2012.

Sculpting was executed at Gentle Giant Studios (the folks that also brings the recently announced Camilla d'Errico "No Ordinary Love" Bust).  The bust itself is 7 inches tall and approximately 8 inches wide and each will be hand-numbered.

Based on the best-selling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones debuted on HBO in April 2011, and the second season will premiere on April 1, 2012.  [Source: Dark Horse] 

Camilla d'Errico "No Ordinary Love" Bust

Just revealed is Camilla d'Errico and Dark Horse's No Ordinary Love bust, based of Camilla's own titular painting featured in the "Femina and Fauna" artbook.

The gorgeous bust stands at 8 inches tall by 5 inches wide.  She will be released in June this year, limited to just 950 pieces worldwide.  The sculptwork was done in association with Gentle Giant, and supervised along with the paintwork by Camilla.  Each bust will be packaged in a full-color collectors box, along with a certificate of authenticity.  Its public debut is set for Toy Fair 2012, taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

“'No Ordinary Love' is a piece that is very dear to me,” Camilla d’Errico reflected, “ its the visual interpretation and expression of my feelings for my ‘one and only’, so you can imagine how exciting this is that this particular piece was chosen!"

“Translating Camilla’s work into three-dimensions was a challenge,” Dark Horse’s David Scroggy observed, “but with a lot of help from Camilla and the skilled artisans at Gentle Giant Studios, we were able to arrive at a piece that is unmistakably d’Errico, with all the subtle nuance and details of sculpture and paint application that her audience would expect.”

The details, oh the details.  The No Ordinary Love bust in absolutely true to form - in color, in shape, in feeling, in everything.  It is without a doubt one of the most stunning painting to sculpture transformations I have ever seen.  BEAUTIFUL!  This is the greatest Friday treat I could ask for and I yearn for the moment I can set my eyes on her and add her to my collection.

[Source: Tomopop]

DIR EN GREY Cancels "The Still Reckless Tour"

Earlier this week, rock band DIR EN GREY announced that they are canceling their upcoming "The Still Reckless Tour" in North Amerca.  This also includes solo shows originally scheduled March and April 2012, due to vocalist Kyo's health.

Kyo's physician recently diagnosed him with nodules in his vocal cords.  While this won't pose any major health risks, it was determined that he needs to rest his voice.  Depending on his progress and recovery, Kyo may have to undergo surgery.

Here's wishing for Kyo's good health and speedy recovery!

[Source: Natalie] 

Skyrim-Inspired ID Bracelet

After countless hours trekking the roads of Skyrim, bringing down dragons and sucking their souls dry, perfecting that armor and upgrading your choice weapons, and showing off that massive th'um of yours, it always sucks whenever you've got to shut down that PS3 and head to work.  No way of bringing Skyrim with you.

Sure my iPod is loaded with the incredible Skryim Soundtrack and short of coming into work in cosplay, there aren't too many subtle options to show off my love for Skyrim.  And if you are anything like me, you are anxious for any official Skyrim merchandise.   This led me to spend one lovely Saturday morning to create my own custom made Skyrim-inspired bracelet.  This stainless steel wide cuff black leather bracelet is adorned with my name in black characters written in, of course, the dragon language.

I had a lot of fun making this Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim-inspired "ID" bracelet and I gotta say I'm super ecstatic with the results.    Hope you like it!

Hello Kitty x Evangelion

Sanrio's easily recognizable and iconic Hello Kitty brand is no stranger to massive collaborative projects. Wrapping myself around attempting to name them all has got me dizzy.

From the makers that brought us Yoshikitty, for example, comes another collaboration that has got my full attention (and wallet). On one side you've got Hello Kitty, and on the other Evangelion.  The two join forces creating what may be the fourth impact.

Just in time to commemorate this fall's theatrical release of Evangelion: Q (Rebuild of Evangelion, You Can [Not] Redo), the collaboration will feature EVA pilots 00 Rei Ayanami and 02 Asuka Langley.

10 companies will open the flood gates in the form of stationery, general merchandise, and apparel.

[Source: Sanrio]