Dan Polydoris is a lifelong toy collector and writer. All the way back in 2010, he started a website called Death by Toys which he intended to be a place for him to write about his toy news and to showcase the occasional custom action figure he created.
As time went by, his batches began to sell out faster and faster. Eventually, he began really focusing on making custom action figures and it paid off. Death by Toys has developed into a line of collectibles known for its affinity for the strange, offbeat, and absurd.
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"I read some comics, but I am not really a ‘comic nerd'," Dan told Bored Panda. "I'd definitely fall more into the ‘toy nerd' bucket. When I was a kid in the '80s, I'd go through my friends' X-Men or Batman comics, and I'd really only recognize the characters from having already owned their figures (despite having no clue who the hell they were)."
The creator doesn't know if there's really a good figure or a bad figure. "I think it all comes down to what type of toy/aesthetic you dig," he explained. "For me, I love a good simple, vintage action figure in the 3-3/4” scale with classic 5-point articulation (specifically from the '80s)."
Basically, anything that captures that old-school vibe is pretty much at the top of his list. "But I wouldn't look at something that's on the opposite spectrum (i.e. something super detailed or highly articulated) as being bad. I actually think they're great, but I'm too in love with all things vintage to dabble in much current stuff."
His love for the craft began when Dan started repurposing his vintage Star Wars figures to look like old NES characters around 2012 before his first kid was born. "I posted them online and people asked to buy them. I sold my second set to my good friend and fellow toy designer, Dano Brown, and then basically just kept making toys since."
However, it wasn't just talent. Dan has really put in the hours to perfect his skills. Looking back, he thinks that the constantly trying out new things was what has helped him improve the most. Whether it's a new process like resin casting with pressure or veering into (or out of) different categories like horror, humor, the Bible, public domain characters or whatever. "This stuff is all so fun to do, so I feel fortunate that people have stayed on board as I've continued to explore new ways to make weirdo stuff."
Unfortunately, his store is completely empty now. "Everything I make sells out instantly, so I'm trying to work to keep it stocked, but Death by Toys is literally just a one-person operation. And sometimes I try to eat or sleep." So if you're craving one of his designs, you better follow the project closely!
Can somebody get me this for my babyshower? My inlaws would have a panic attack. I bet my grandmother in law faints and my uncle in law immediately turns on FoxNews to cleanse the air. It will be fantastic.
i feel strong need for this, although in country i live there's no ocean or sea...
Stand by me is a movie about four boys coming of age... and a dead body.
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Ray Bower is the dead child who the main characters in the classic film Stand by Me go looking for. Why post 'What is this?' instead of doing a simple search online. It's a marvelous film based on the Stephen King short story The Body. In the same collection (Different Seasons) you will also find two other stories that were made into great films, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and Apt Pupil. The forth story The Breathing Method has yet to be filmed. (that wasn't Googled either, it's called having a basic knowledge of popular culture).
I'm not really too sure if you are having a bad day or you are just always rude to people on the internet. The person who asked might have good knowledge of pop culture and not know what stand by me is about. A movie that is 34 year's old is definitely not going to register as pop culture to many people. I personally think it's a great movie but likely would never have seen it only my older sister was mildly obsessed with river phoenix. Lastly some people would rather ask another human a question than googling it
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Breath, sunflower, rainbow, 450, three to the right, 4 to the left
At least his hands are the normal size and no orange spray tan... gets my vote!
Note: this post originally had 58 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
One of the best things I've ever seen on Bored Panda. Loved them, they made me smile.
I need The Fog and President Myers action figures! John Carpenter rules!
I have not laughed like that since....well, since I last looked at a funny Bored Panda! Thanks!
Some were hilarious, others were just very sad - they hit too close to the truth on some issues, that are not funny. They are tragic. As for knocking the Bible! Leave religions alone , although it seems Christianity was the only one mocked.
Did anyone read the writing in the top corners? 🤣 if not you should!
I haven't seen many of these, but the ones I have seen are fantastic!!!!!
Grow up...especially if you believe that Adam and Eve were actually the first two humans.
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One of the best things I've ever seen on Bored Panda. Loved them, they made me smile.
I need The Fog and President Myers action figures! John Carpenter rules!
I have not laughed like that since....well, since I last looked at a funny Bored Panda! Thanks!
Some were hilarious, others were just very sad - they hit too close to the truth on some issues, that are not funny. They are tragic. As for knocking the Bible! Leave religions alone , although it seems Christianity was the only one mocked.
Did anyone read the writing in the top corners? 🤣 if not you should!
I haven't seen many of these, but the ones I have seen are fantastic!!!!!
Grow up...especially if you believe that Adam and Eve were actually the first two humans.
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