my secret shame

[davemerrill]

I have never bought an issue of "Giant Robot" magazine in my life. The ones I flipped through in the store seemed to have way more coverage of skateboarding, limited-edition vinyl toys and DJs than I would ever concievably need. I suppose that makes me part of the problem.

Comments

[frustratedpilot]

That magazine in particular puts the guilt in guilty pleasure, don't it?

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

??

[mr-sadhead.livejournal.com]

I used to read it ... back when I had a $50/mo magazine habit. They used to have some nice irreverent stuff, like the time the staff made a taste test of chili sauces. These days, they're VICE for Beat Takeshi fans.

[(Anonymous)]

5 bucks says that the people taking them to task for asking for donations have probably only read the magazine by downloaded scans.
I've read some of it at the library, and it's a nicely laid out, artsy magazine. I too have never bought it though- it didn't really deliver on the promise of Giant Robots.

[tochiro998.livejournal.com]

I bought an issue long ago, and found it exactly the same way.

I confess I do not understand AT ALL the entire 'urban vinyl' scene. I swear, you could probably take surplus shampoo bottles, cut off the top, stick some Dollar Store baby heads on them, paint it and get like $100 each for them.

The charm of vintage vinyl I do get. Cheap-ass disposable toys of all kinds of things, yeah. I had a vinyl Nautilus class Nuclear Sub bought at a corner booze store when I was very young (I think it was like 79 cents, but it had a housing on the back for that early nuke tipped 'cruise missile' based on the German V-1 that was fielded back in the '50s and how do I remember crap like that) and I'd probably pay stupid money to have one again because of the Nostalgia, but the hep kids urban vinyl crap, what the hell? damn hipsters.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

I think the urban vinyl stuff is neat to look at, but it doesn't hit my MUST HAVE buttons the way vinyl of a cheesy 1960s children's show character or cartoon cereal mascot does.

Then again, I'm against the ideas of toys that children aren't allowed to play with.

[tochiro998.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know, I WRECKED that vinyl sub I talked about. It underwent many adventures in the bathtub until it finally went below crush depth and split its seam.

but in the news of toys you can play with? those Revoltech things, they're coming out with a TON of giant monster stuff! Baragon with horse it can eat! Mogura with Marakalite! Maser tank with non-scale Gargantuas!

All in about the $30 or less range.

I am really jazzed for the Mogura.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, a pal of mine has a big collection of that Revoltech jazz and they're a lot of fun for what you pay. There's a Getter 3 in the series that's incredibly sweet. Nice to see some outfits going full-bore with anime toys that're good for something besides looking up their plastic skirts.

DFS.

[ferricide.livejournal.com]

yeah, it's a total scenester rag. Not For Me.

[sobieniak.livejournal.com]

Then again, I'm against the ideas of toys that children aren't allowed to play with.

That's the way I feel about it too. They took the "fun" away from it all.

GR

[cro2.livejournal.com]

I'm a long time GR reader, and about the only urban vinyl toy I have was bought on clearance. :)

I get what you're saying, it's an asian culture magazine that just doesn't have that much to say about anime manga or video games, the holy trinity of nerd shit. It's... not to your general tastes. But there's enough coverage out there on those three things, I like GR for the art and culture that you don't get from nerd-coverage. They do really strong interviews with artists and film makers, occasionally actors. They were actually way ahead of the curve on the vinyl stuff, it's not so much in the mag anymore... Actually there's nothing on vinyl toys in the current issue. In issue 62 there was a feature article on a design collective trying to figure out ways to clothe and employ the homeless, and generally succeeding at it. It might not be what you think it is.

I've got the new issue right next to me actually, and it's got interviews with John Woo, Keita Takahashi (katamari creator), a couple of asian pop stars, a bunch of young artists, a few feature articles like a 00-09 review, an interview with a chiptune dude. It's good stuff.

I'd advise anyone who's written it off--particularly if their opinion is a few years out of date--to check out a copy. It's $5 outta your pocket for some people who are genuinely trying to do some good, arts-positive stuff.

Money where our mouth is: At The Beguiling starting tomorrow, we're setting up a donation box where you can pick up back issues of GR and 100% of what you spend goes straight to them. $5 for one, 3 for $10, 7 for $20.

Cheers,

- Christopher

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

Well, you have intimate knowledge of my purchasing habits; I don't buy the magazines that are about anime or manga or video games, either. I am probably the worst target audience ever.

If that John Woo interview doesn't lead off with "Okay, what the hell happened to you, man? No for real man, WHAT HAPPENED?" ...

However, seriously, I do urge everyone to go to the Beguiling and buy some Giant Robot back issues!!!