Opportunity LOL x Tenacious Toys Epic Review: Jon-Paul Kaiser Mini Qees™

The virtuoso of creating black and white masterpieces, Jon-Paul Kaiser's creations are proof that a great designer toy requires nothing less than a meticulously developed character. Vibrant colors have their place, but clearly the detailed nature of his eloquent designs is what makes these toys so popular. Did you know JPK works for a menswear company designing apparel and has a special fondness for all things Star Wars? For more insight into the artist's future projects, including Kidrobot's Fatcap Series 3 - check out Opportunity LOL's in-depth interview with JPK himself. Of course if you want to peruse more of the artist's work yourself, if you head over to Tenacious Toys you can still snag some of these epic vinyl figures from various collections including the Whispering Corsair! To see tons of shots from different angles and the well-done packaging then be sure to check out our Flickr Set.

Arrgghh! With a name like "Captain Sturnbrau" it's no wonder that this originally sculpted pirate has one peg leg. Standing 5 inches tall with a patch over his left eye, this soul-less brute has an intense beard most men wish they could grow. From his beer belly to a hook for a hand it's pretty clear this character takes his job description very seriously. Originally based on the Mini Qee™ platform, the toy's themed packaging incorporates an epic tale printed on the side of the box about the old pirate and his legendary crew. The added detail of the boat anchor tattoo on the wrist of the pirate's good hand along with the etched JPK circular logo on the back of the figure has increased my overall appreciation of the captain. In case you were wondering - the pirate's hat isn't detachable, but the toy has 3 points of articulation including the head and both arms.

I have never received a toy which upon seeing it felt morally obligated to put it on display and give it a home to call it's own. Maybe it's because this abandoned character looks as though his face has been sandpapered and his colorful heart is actually visible from the outside. From JPK's Lost and Misfit toy collection, "The Forgotten" figure is limited to only 500 pieces. If this 5 inch Bunee Mini Qee™ were in a pet store window he would be the first one purchased! The toy's "C" shaped hands are reminiscent of those found on a LEGO® man. Reminiscent of the main plot line from recent Toy Story films, the figure's packaging features a short dramatic backstory that emphasizes the sad life of a well loved toy after it's owner grows up.

We here at Opportunity LOL are always looking to add useful elements to the site, so when it came time for another redesign on the site we all agreed that the theme of Halloween toys should be clickable and featured. Given how much appreciation we have for the month of October we were blown away at the prospect of a JPK "Samurai Pumpkin" figure. After experiencing the warrior in person our admiration for the entire concept has only increased. The 5 inch tall vinyl Mini Qee™ is also available in a glow-in-the-dark edition! The classic carved pumpkin face gives the figure a bit of an overzealous evil essence that makes him ideal to have on display during Halloween.

Whenever an effort is made to create a story behind a toy it automatically becomes more appealing. JPK's "The Scribe" 5 inch Toyer Mini Qee™ is our favorite character of the bunch. The packaging of the box features a well-written story involving bones, knowledge, and jealously. Debuted at New York Comic-Con 2011, what differentiates this piece from an average skull and bones design is the intricacy seen above - showing symbols painted on the figure's head. Want to get your hands on some of these incredible toys? Then head over to Tenacious Toys and get your shopping on! If you're a custom toy collector (who isn't?), then you'll be pleased to know that they also have two one-of-a-kind pieces from Jon-Paul Kaiser in stock right now. You can follow the online toy retailer on their blog, Facebook, and Twitter to find out when new products are released.

Sekure D Championship 1996 Bullsbot Series	Kidrobot's 7" Staple Pigeon	Kidrobot's Toby's Secret Society Case by Gary Baseman	"ALEPPIN SANE" by Jermaine Rogers

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Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: This is simply my opinion and I do not encourage you to buy or use the above product(s).
I was provided with this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
Disclaimer from the toy's packaging: "CPSIA Toy Testing Requirements are not applicable to our products. Collector's Item Only- THIS IS NOT A TOY. It is not Designed or Made for Children. Recommended for ages 15 and up."