Today is the debut of yet another new feature here on Articulated Discussion. "Breaking Molds" will simply be interviews with individuals in the toy world who do just that, break the mold. Influential personalities, people in the manufacturing process, or even those running websites will all be on spotlight in the various editions of this feature. This first ever version is a special one, as it features a short interview with Geoff Beckett, better known as the CEO of Shocker Toys. Geoff helps shed some light on past controversies as well as point towards future products in this first ever edition of:
Shocker Toys is a name that most toy collectors know, and although there have been many controversies in their past, Shocker has recently debuted their Indie Spotlight Series 1 figures, which are based on independent comics' greatest faces. As you can see by my review of one of the first figures, this line has a lot of potential to be a great edition to everyone's 6 inch comic figure displays. The subject of today's interview, Geoff Beckett, is possibly the most influential individual in the release of these great toys. Let's dive in to the questions.
AD: A lot of collectors might say you have the dream job, so how did you develop your interest in toys and end up where you are today?
GB: It was the dream job until the nightmare of actually making the toys set in lol. I (Geoff Beckett Jr.) personally have always been a toy collector and a comic artist when I was younger. When I first started, I was doing something else for a living and decided it was time for a change. I took everything I had and put it into the business which was just basically r&d started in 2000. Then in 2003 I picked up a new partner and we both pushed our first product the Shockinis. We were fortunate enough to make few mistakes and learned from the ones we did which has kept us around long enough to bring Indie Spotlight to market. We have remained small in force but our Ideas are many.
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AD: Can you give us an insight into what exactly it is you do and how you get your hands into the development process of the figures ST puts out?
GB: I am in charge of R&D and Production making sure everything runs smooth now that we have a new and very good factory and 3-D design team in Singapore. Things before that were hectic and scattered but as you can see from the IS1 release it has all come together. I see everything from the character pick to the 3-D turnarounds and then paints making changes as needed. Then onto the tooling and then adjusting to make sure the toys are correctly done and finally packaging. All of us here at Shocker Toys take part in making sure the figures and ideas get the proper attention they deserve.
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AD: What is your favorite figure that you've produced yet and why?
GB: The Maxx, as he is a combo of different ideas to make the action figure work. The concept still needs a small bit of work but we are all very happy with the way he turned out.
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AD: There has been some controversy in ST's past, and whether their concerns are valid or not, many collectors have their doubts. What can you say to reassure them that you're doing your best to put out great product in a timely manner?[I think the toys speak for themselves, but do you have anything to add?]
GB: You summed it up at the end the toys speak for themselves. We have new people at Shocker Toys taking us in a new direction. I am now in charge of production and our projects currently on the table are just about finished. We had a few bumps, but if people can't see the quick turnaround in the few months leading up to IS1 release then they never will. The people who think there are still bumps are correct there always will be. We are not the only company to experience them or handle them improperly. The point is the line is out and SOLD OUT! More Series1 are on the way and Series2 is finishing up along with our Black and White Dick Tracy SDCC exclusives. We support Indy comics and their fans and will continue to sell products that support them. And if the comic shops and others choose to support them we have made it easy for them to get Indie Spotlight from us or one of our distributors.
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AD: What can we expect in the future from ST: any interesting information about future Indie Spotlight waves or any new lines that are starting up?
GB: You can look forward to more Pulp, new Indys and much much more. Expect to see Zorro, The Phantom, Dawn, Shi and many more exciting licenses. There will be two packs, more Mega figures and we will be working bases into the line as well as more accessories.
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AD: One last question: where would you like to see ST and even the whole toy industry in general in another 5, 10, or 20 years?
GB: We would love to be one of the top creators of Indy comic figures much like Legends and DC Universe which I think is already taking place. We want to fit into the collector's collection with a great 6" scale line that has characters they want and some they have just found. We also would like to bring new concepts like Mallows and Shockinis to a Mass world with many exciting licenses.
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A big thanks to goes out to Geoff for taking the time to answer these questions. If you have any other questions you would like to ask, just let me know and I'll send them his way.
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Have someone you would like to see interviewed, or think you deserve an interview yourself? Send any suggestions to thearticulatedone@articulateddiscussion.com and your idea might be right here on the next edition of Breaking Molds.
