Toyfare: Twisted Toy Fun!
Written: Mar 28 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great pictures, funny low-brow comedy
Cons: Sometimes comedy falls flat
The Bottom Line: If you love toys, silly humor, and need a price guide, then go no further!
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| brentp256's Full Review: ToyFare Magazine |
I love toys, I love silly humor, and I love this magazine!
I have read Toyfare Magazine from the very first special and continue to subscribe to this day (issue 117 as of this writing). Toyfare Magazine will appeal to the toy collector, the adolescent, and the silly in anyone...and probably offend more then a few. It takes the idea of the toy price guide and news source and wraps it in the low-brow comedy of MAD Magazine, South Park, and toilet humor.
The comedy begins on the contents page. A nice listing of all of the articles and sections is provided, along with the page number. Also, an image of some of the toys is provided along with the page number, and the comedy begins. The toys pictures have word balloons added to them like comic books, and the comedy is usually hit or miss, but the character and tone of the magazine is set right up front for all to see.
In the Monkeyhouse: That same silliness continues with the editor's page, where the real heads of the staff are placed on action figure bodies and put in strange, embarrassing, and gross situations. Self deprecation at its best!
Fan Fare: Ahh, the infamous letters page where loyal readers spout inane garbage, curious questions, and amusing anecdotes, while the editorial staff rips them a new one, provides in depth answers, and mocks any and all that they can. This is always a great read, and lots of fun. Besides, where else can you learn that your MODOK figure can flip the bird, what happened to a long defunct line of toys, and whether or not a line of toys is being produced.
Customizing 101: Is there a particular background character that exists in one frame of the fourth Star Wars movie that you just *have* to have a figure of? Then wait no longer, this section provides tips on how to create your own custom figures from pre-existing figures. This section is especially good if you like customizing MEGO figures.
The Hot Plate: This section provides quick little snippets of information related to the toy hobby, from upcoming toys, to TV shows and movies being released.
Calendar: The calendar provides a one page listing of when certain toys and other hobby related stuff is being released in the month.
Top 10: What are the 10 hottest toys out there? This section will show them to you and provide witty descriptions or fill the space with silly jokes. Either way, reading and viewing this section is fun.
Price Guide: The price guide is allegedly the meat of this magazine. It is why it was produced in the first place, but is probably one of the last reasons many people read this magazine. It is well done, separated by popular toy brands (it doesn't try to cover everything, just movers and shakers). It lists the brand, the company, the figure, and two prices: one for out of package, and one for mint-in-package. A great feature is the color bars the show quickly which toys are new, have gone up in value, or have declined. Peppered around the price guide are one-shot comic panels created with actual action figures and comic-book word balloon jokes. While most of these are hit or miss, there are always a few good ones and make reading the price guide fun. The prices themselves seem to be a bit on the high side, but you need to calibrate any price guide based on where you live.
Features: Features are the several page articles that change from issue to issue. They usually involve many pages of previews of new toy lines, going behind the scenes of a toy company, or looking in depth at a current or past toy line. They are always informative, enjoyable, and accurate. Also, the pictures are large and sharp and make browsing the magazine worth it. From Star Wars toys, to Harry Potter, old Mego toys, to comparisons of every Spider-man action figure ever produced, these articles are always worth the read.
Twisted Toyfare Theatre
Imagine your toys living in a strange version of the Marvel Universe. Picture Spider-man's house, the Hulk hanging out eating pizza, and Iron-man kicking back a few beers. Then...smurfs appear. Now you are starting to get the idea behind Twisted Toyfare Theatre. This several page comic strip often has me laughing out loud, more so then any "funny" comic books that I read. The humor is irreverent, sophomoric, tied to the pulse of pop culture...and crude. The humor is hysterical! This strip has become so popular that several volumes have been reproduced with just the strips reprinted. This is my favorite part of each issue, and the primary reason that I subscribe.
Final Thoughts
If you love toys, silly humor, and need a price guide, then go no further! If you love sports, highbrow-classy comedy, and need a stock guide...then run away screaming...now! I love this magazine, as it helps keep the silly teen in me alive!
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Issues: 12 per year
Cover Price: $4.99
Subscription: $28.00/12 or $49.99/24
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
brentp256
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Member: B. Austin Price
Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Reviews written: 204
Trusted by: 56 members
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