New Outer Space Men - Meet Luna Eclipse and Zero Gravity

I missed this - Mel Birnkrant slipped in two new sketchbook pages for upcoming Cosmic Radiation glow-in-the-dark humans from the moon with Luna Eclipse and Zero Gravity (new heads and glow bodies for Terra Firma and Jack Asteroid, respectively.)

Luna Eclipse and Zero Gravity both come from the dark side of the moon, and feature glowing suits and glowing facial elements.  Luna's hair partially glows, and so does Zero's teeth - designer Mel Birnkrant wrote: "I visualized a big glow in the dark grin, which is something that, in my very limited involvement with action figures, I have never seen."

No release date was given, but these are being tooled along with the long-awaited Astrodite - which we first saw around February 2013.   A four or five year wait is nothing - about half of the Glyos The Outer Space Men figures we've received thus far were based on designs from the 1960s and didn't get produced until the 2010s.   Five years is nothing.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Edition Red Devil Mystron Action Figure

Rounding out the set of Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Edition figures, Red Devil Mystron is one of the best of the bunch. The four figures are indeed stunning creations, but the 200-set run failed to sell out - we're almost a year after its launch, and they're still available for their original price. The advent of lower-run figures like these has resulted in toys made specifically for toy collectors, which is a twist on the hobby having been tracking down parts of a shared cultural experience. This is art for art's sake, and thankfully creator Mel Birnkrant redecorated his creation in a rather spiffy way.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Edition Fire and Ice Electron+ Action Figure

I was holding back on the other Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Edition figure reviews so I could say "it sold out!" Well, it didn't yet - the long-delayed Fire and Ice Electron+ is a pretty gorgeous low-run figure (to the tune of 200 pieces) and you can still get it, if you want, in a fairly priced set. The line as a whole seems to have found its audience to be increasingly more selective, with very few non-Infinity Edition figures selling through a) in a timely manner and/or b) at full price. As a supporter of the line from the word "go," it's unfortunate to see that there's a strong possibility that each and every one of these figures were purchased by individuals who, like myself, are writing reviews for them. (Seriously, the ratio of the run to reviewers is pretty high.)
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Edition Alpha 11 (Alpha 7) Action Figure

The idea behind the Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Edition was seemingly new takes on the existing figures, but the funny thing is that Alpha 11 (Alpha 7) is an actual, unrealized vintage concept. Mel Birnkrant posted his shots of the original, which gives it a Mickey Mouse-esque head and a super-cool "Star Hopper" vehicle that I would really love to have had included with this new release. Instead, we get the 2011 Alpha 7 with new paint, which isn't a bad thing.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Edition Blue Angel Commander Comet Action Figure

Extending the life of the Outer Space Men is a tricky proposition - you've got a line with limited marketing and limited appeal, so rather than get tens of thousands of people to buy 1 of each figure, you get hundreds of people to buy seven or eight of each figure. The strategy results in some increasingly clever creations, including Blue Angel Commander Comet. Mel Birnkrant did us a solid by describing his creative process at length, so go ahead and read that when you're done gawking at the pictures.
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Cosmic Creators Outer Space Men 2013 - Arriving

They're here! I was lucky enough to get the box today - as usual my postman neither knocks nor rings the bell, but throws down the box as hard as possible so I can hear it in another room.  Courtesy of the top-notch packing job from TheOuterSpaceMen.com, this new Cosmic Creators Outer Space Men Mel Birnkrant Edition came through perfectly - with a bonus mug, to boot.

According to the forums, some figures have alternate Commander Comet helmets (purple on one side and blue on the other) so that may be a variant to watch for.  Everything is coming up sunshine, and it's worth noting the weapons are that shiny vac-metal we all love and not the duller gold paint!  At press time I have yet to open mine, but I got set #111.  Each has Mel Birnkrant's signature and is hand-numbered.

It's also worth noting that Alpha 11 is cast in a clear colorless plastic and is painted - just like Metamorpho from the "2.0" line.

TheOuterSpaceMen.com still has 19 sets available at press time.  For $20/figure ($80/set) I can safely say it ain't bad - especially since unpainted figures creeped up to $20 earlier this year.

Reviews and more images should go up in the next few days, for the seven people who read this blog.  (Tell your friends!)

Shipping: 2013 Edition Cosmic Creators Outer Space Men

For real this time!  The delayed Cosmic Creators Birnkrant Edition Outer Space Men action figures for 2013 have shipped - I've received my shipping notice and at least one person on the Twitter has confirmed receipt of said figures.  (It appears mine will be here on Monday.)

According to TheOuterSpaceMen.com, 19 sets remain of this quartet. At $80, the set is priced similarly to this year's SDCC Alpha Phase exclusives but has significantly more paint.  We'll start reviewing these guys soon, with the first one likely going up mid-week next week.

New Outer Space Men Painted Photos from Mel Birnkrant

It's time for finals! Already!   The great Mel Birnkrant reached out to the blog to say howdy and share links to dozens of new photos and stories about the upcoming and presumably close-to-final Outer Space Men action figures.

Jack Asteroid, Terra Firma, Gamma X, Colossus Rex, Ophrometam, and Horroscope are all shown in hand-painted, beautifully photographed glory. 

No word on release dates or upcoming prices, but for those of us itching for a closer and clearer look at these figures, well, it's certainly a great way to wrap up the week.  Check 'em out!

Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators In Stock Now

TheOuterSpaceMen.com's Exclusive Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Series figures are in stock now.  According to the site, 39 sets of these unique repaints are up right now, and while mine haven't shipped yet I'm expecting them all very soon.

You can read Mel Birnkrant's extensive design notes here, and I guarantee you they'll make these figures more exciting.

Naturally, we'll have reviews and impressions and what have you shortly after these guys show up in our underground lair.

Video: The History of the Outer Space Men

From the bowels of YouTube, check out this promotional video talking about the history of the Outer Space Men.  Narrated  by Mel Birnkrant, you get to see and hear a great overview of the rise and fall of the original 1960s bendable pre-action figures.   Be sure to check this out.

Mel Birnkrant Reveals the Outer Space Women Figure Concepts

Mel Birnkrant has proven what we've all known to be true: boobs make things interesting.  The Outer Space Women are a series of designs which take the Terra Firma body and adapt it to various planets in the solar system.  Will they ever get made as figures?  Nobody knows, but they're certainly memorable and distinctive.  

• Astrodite, the woman from Venus
• Ohpromatem, Evil Twin Sister of Metamorpho
• Poseida, the woman from Neptune
• Moltina, the molten woman of Mercury
• Horroscope, the sister of Xodiac
• Dezdemona, the sister of Mystron

Be sure to see all of these, and many other great designs, in Mel's Sketchbook.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Metamorpho Action Figure

I was pretty annoyed that this version of Metamorpho, in pictures, didn't look all that different from the regular painted release. Of course, I was dead wrong about it and in person it looks spectacular. Slathered in metallic paints, the figure really pops and they managed to make a $10 figure look more like a $30 figure, which is important because that's what it costs.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Cosmic Creators: Mel Birnkrant Edition, The Sequel

Here's a fun surprise!  The always fun Mel Birnkrant posted another batch of Outer Space Men "custom" figures which are a little bit more fancy than the original 2011 deco figures.  Needless to say, I love 'em.  (Also needless to say, I hope they aren't $125 for the set again.)

You can find them all here with tons of production notes and pictures.

The new figures are as follows:

Red Devil Mystron: Clear orange figure painted purple. Looks really nice, the face is also orange.  The weapon is gold, as are all the weapons in this subset.  The purple gargoyle gun looks particularly nice, too.

 Fire and Ice Electron+: At first glance it isn't super-different, but it is. The figure is made of translucent blue plastic with silver armor painted over it.  The head is clear blue, and there are some orange bits to be "fire."  It looks nice.

Alpha 11: Based on an unproduced concept for a refresh of Alpha 7 from the late 1960s. Does not include the little starhopper vehicle, but has a nifty new deco and a new "garment" painted over his head.  Gold gun, orange helmet.  I approve.

Blue Angel Commander Comet: Rounding out the set, this figure now has metallic blue armor plus a two-piece helmet which is purple in the front and blue in the back.  I really like it too.  The metallic, iridescent deco on the armor looks like it might be even cooler in person.

So there ya go!  Four more new guys.   Now go get a bigger shelf, because there will probably be some new Four Horsemen ones coming too.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Astro-Nautilus Action Figure

This is what $75 looks like.

My initial reaction to the first-ever painted Astro-Nautilus redeco was an eyeroll and much complaining, as the black armor didn't do it for me and the metallic purple head seemed kinda bland. And I went to New York, bought it, and shrugged-- I wanted the set, so I got it. It looked OK. And then I got it home to compare it to the original painted release and it was painfully obvious that the "Deep Blue Ultra-Nautilus" was like a kajillion times better. This shows me that if I initially dislike something from Mel Birnkrant or the Four Horsemen, it's entirely possible I'm just wrong.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Xodiac Action Figure

Yup, another one! The sixth Xodiac comes out at a much lower run at a much higher price, and hasn't quite sold out in a fast manner. And then, they announced they're doing more redecoes of this guy, so I'm not entirely sure how enthusiasm for the line can fly with higher prices and the same molds-- but I'm supporting the line for now, and this one (at a regular price) would've been really cool. Series creator Mel Birnkrant described this bearded redeco as Xodiac's dad, so I guess we have a new character here-- and of course, that's a good thing.
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Terra Firma Revealed, Continued: Outer Space Men Sketches, Stories

Over on Mel Birnkrant's site is Terra Firma and Jack Asteroid, the Woman from Earth and the Guy You Probably Won't See Made. Ah well! She's a newly-tooled figure due in a few years, he's Metamorpho with a new head and awesome deco. Will they get along in the city? Find out! Read this.

Final Cosmic Creators Outer Space Men Revealed: Blazing Inferno

They saved the best for last! Blazing Inferno is a clear red figure with paint over it, giving the figure a gorgeous effect you'll probably also just love. I dig it.

Mel Birnkrant discusses this and all four figures on his own site. Just go here to see everything, including development images, bios, and more.

Cosmic Creators Outer Space Men Revealed: Goldiac!

The third Cosmic Creators figure has been revealed! Meet Goldiac, a swell repaint of Xodiac in gold with some extra gold on the side. Of the three, this one stands out as being the most different compared to previous releases.

Revealed: Cosmic Creators Metalmorpho Outer Space Men Figure

The second of four upcoming exclusive figures has been revealed. Meet Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Series Metalmorpho, which is a lot like the regular version except shiny.

...as part of a $125 figure quartet with an art print, I was expecting something a little fancier or at the very least, more different than previous releases.

The set will go on sale at the Toypocalypse show in New York starting February 10, 2012.

Mel Birnkrant Updates His Outer Space Men Returns Page

Your pal and mine Mel Birnkrant updated The Outer Space Men Return with tons of new photos, details, production notes, preproduction art, and all sorts of crazy things you'd stab your own mother in the eye to see. (Yes, it's that good.)

Of note are numerous updates on the new figures shipping in a few weeks, specifically Alpha 7, Electron+, Commander Comet, and Mystron. The photography is really sharp and the fully-painted final figures should be shipping in December.