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Toys & Collectibles

Spuds at First Sight: Super Impulse’s Netflix Series Poptaters

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I’ve been following the progress of Super Impulse’s (SI) Poptaters since their launch last year. I was originally grabbed by the shoulders and shaken at the sight of The Big Lebowsky’s “The Dude” rendered as a Mr. Potato Head. The absurd (and hilarious) conflation of Hasbro’s vintage toy line and pop culture characters was a true WTF encounter that turned me into an instant fan.

Like the original Hasbro Mr. Potato Head toys, Poptaters are modular at heart. Each one of the figures can trade parts with any of the others. The use of all plastic pieces (including the body) has long ago eliminated the need to raid the family vegetable bin and mangle real produce. 

Each SI Poptater comes in a reusable display cylinder for easy storage. More details are in our first feature about them.

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Characters from Netflix Series Squid Games, Wednesday and Stranger Things
get “taterized.” (Image Courtesy of Super Impulse)

Adding to the character selection Super Impulse has recently announced a new group of Netflix series related figures. These include Dustin ( Gaten Matarazzo) from Stranger Things, Squid Games’ giant robotic Doll and player 451, and Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) from the show of the same name.

I first caught a glimpse of little Ms. Addams as a Poptator at SI’s during the New York Toy Fair in October 2023. It was another bulls-eye collectible for my taste, prevued in our Wednesday themed NYTF report.

super impulse, poptater, Wednesday, Netflix

Call of the House of Addams…

This week I had the opportunity to photograph the new Weds-tator on my tabletop studio. I was prepared to begin work on a corrugated cardboard set to create an appropriately creepy/spooky/mysterious environment for little Ms. Addams. Instead serendipity connected me with the perfect background element.

By chance, a close friend of mine made a “street find” in the form of a cool all-metal haunted house that he recently had spruced up. So, thanks to Bill for his kind loan of the Addams-y abode featured in these shots.  

Pure POE-try…

super impulse, poptater, Wednesday, Netflix
The Poptater’s reusable cylinder makes shelf storage and display easy.

The Wednesday figure comes accessorized with cello and bow, and her faithful right-hand companion, Thing. Her uniform is nicely detailed with the Nevermore Academy school crest.

super impulse, poptater, Wednesday, Netflix

There’s also a “mystery” item nestled inside the surrogate potato body. Accessed through a back-flap, you’ll find an original Mr. Potato Head part. Mine contained a big toothy grin. It’s certainly out of place for the decidedly dour goth-girl, but that’s what makes the interchange of personality parts wacky fun.

super impulse, poptater, Wednesday, Netflix
An original Mr. Potato Head grin was my mystery part.

SkeletonPete Says…

As the Poptater line grows I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Universal Monsters license. What fan could resist mashing together a Werewolf from the Black Lagoon or Bride of the Metaluna Mutant?

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Film & Television Series Toys & Collectibles

Surrealistic Pillow: Lego’s DreamZzz Series & Sets

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The Nightmare Shark Ship is just one of the Lego kits based on the DreamZzz Series.

Dalí Swagger…

The Lego Company’s booth at the 2023 New York Toy Fair offered buyers and reporters a view of the breadth of the company’s original and licensed product lines. From Star Wars to Harry Potter, Ninjago to DC and Marvel Comicbook characters, each skew was featured in its own display case. Lego has products for all age ranges. The Duplo series is aimed at 1 1/2 to 5 year olds, while the 6,167 piece Lord of the Rings Rivendell set was named the Toy Association’s Grown Up category winner of the 2023 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. 

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Toys & Collectibles

Little Things Mean A Lot: Think Super Impulse Miniatures for Valentine and Beyond

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Super Impulse novelties will help you stay out from behind the 8 ball on Valentine’s Day.

My Tiny Valentine…

I’m not a prognosticator, but I can predict your future accurately if you manage to overlook Valentine’s Day. I know, I know! It seems like you just used all your brain cells picking out the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones. Now V-Day has snuck up on you with an equally important task. If you’re still scratching your head for an answer at this moment, I suggest you think small. 

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Toys & Collectibles

Pong Unplugged: Fat Brain’s VolleyShot Offers Simple & Enjoyable Gameplay

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Fat Brain Toy’s VolleyShot at Toy Fair New York 2023

Slap Happy…

Despite exponential tech advances in video gaming, Pong is still my favorite. My Dad and I spent hours in front of our 13” black & white TV trying to stop that pesky pixel from getting past our paddles. That is what drew my interest to Fat Brain Toy’s VolleyShot during the Toy Association‘s 2023 Toy Fair New York

VolleyShot can best be described as a non-electronic version of Pong. If the ball gets past you – into the groove below your paddle – your opponent gains a point.

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Toys & Collectibles

‘Tater Skins: Super Impulse Poptaters Offer an Array of Fan Favorites

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Hot Mash…

Super Impulse, famous for their line of impossibly small replicas of iconic toys, games and products, showed off a basket full of their Poptaters at the recent Toy Insider Sweet Suite Event.

Poptaters are a mash-up of Hasbro’s Mr. Potato Head and the world of pop culture personalities. A bit bigger than SI’s usual licensed collectibles, Poptaters feature characters from fandoms both obvious and surprisingly obscure. There are also generational leaps from Boomers to Gen A giving the product a wide appeal.