A heads up for design groupies: this Saturday, Nov. 21, DesignerCon (formerly The Vinyl Toy Network Show) returns to the Pasadena Convention Center. The philosophy behind the event is that “all is art and design.” The premier Southern California-based convention of this type, DesignerCon has been going since 2006, and new brands, apparel items, art shows, drawing classes and limited-edition art prints are being added to the 2009 roster. The convention floor will showcase 25,000 square feet of “wall to wall creativity,” according to organizer Ben Gortesky, showcasing collectibles, vinyl toys, figurines and more.

Los Angeles-based artist Buff Monster is debuting a limited-edition collection of silkscreen prints and customized toys in collaboration with the convention. Participating artists this weekend include Tim Biskup, Robert Goodin, Amanda Visell and others. There will be a 3-D photo booth with backgrounds created by the artists and a special live-model drawing class from Dr. Sketchy’s.

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Pasadena Convention Center
300 East Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101 map

3d Retro- Home of the hottest designer toys has set up shop inside Meltdown Comics.
Tokidoki, Frank Kozik, James Jarvis, Buff Monster, Thunder Mutt, Mars-1 and many others in-stock.
More designer vinyl toys available online here.

Eisner winner for Best Limited Series as well as a Harvey award winner for Best New Series, Umbrella Academy is on its way to mini-figure form. This comic book series was created by Gerard Way (lead singer of My Chemical Romance) and has gotten tons of recognition and has built a large fan base. Gabriel Bá whom also has numerous Eisner awards is the visual mastermind behind these comics.

With the announcements of the highly anticipated follow-up series, Dark Horse Comics announces an upcoming  6 figure set which contain the members of the Umbrella Academy. This 6 figure set includes The Spaceboy,The  Kraken, The Rumor, The Séance, The Boy, and The White Violin and are sized to scale ranging from the shortest character, The Boy at 2” tall to the tallest figure of the set The Spaceboy as a whopping 5”er. This special set is packaged in a special case viewable from all around which cleverly features an umbrella top. This set should be hitting retailers in May and will be priced at $39.99.

A special hardcover edition of the first novel which features an unused cover designed by Gabriel Bá will include a 4” figure of Vanya as The White Violin. This is scheduled for April and will run you $24.99. Pictures of these figures right after the jump.

“In my six years at Dark Horse, I have never experienced this much cooperation and inspired creativity on a project,” says Rebecca D’Madeiros, Senior Product Development Manager for Dark Horse Comics. “Gerard and Gabriel, the team here at Dark Horse, and the manufacturers have contributed a wealth of ideas for the figures and the unique packaging. It’s been great fun along the way. We are all proud of the outcome: a 6-piece figure set worth displaying on a revolving shelf with spotlights and soundtrack music!”

Meltdown will have all the figures.

*Discounts cannot be combined with other ongoing promotions or discounts.