December 1, 2005

{ Kozik's Smokin' Joe }

http://www.crowndozen.com/main/archives/upload/2005/12/smokinjoe-thumb.jpg

Who the fuck's Joe? If you're a collectible toy buyer, or like me a collectible toy voyeur, you will probably have seen this little fellow without even realizing it. No, still no idea, well he's the mascot of the online store Ningyoushi.com. Check it out you'll see the little guy up in the top left and you'll say "Oh yeah, I remember now". So who the fuck's Smokin' Joe? Well I'm glad you asked cos he's got a darn fine introduction on the back of the box. "Smokin' Joe comes from the bad side of town, he likes to smoke, booze and gamble, ride motorcycles and eat pastrami sandwiches... Smokin' Joe works in an amusement park dressed in a fuzzy rabbit outfit greeting all the kids, but the kids run away from Smokin' Joe, his rabbit outfit stinks as does his nasty cigarette breath! Smokin' Joe is too lazy to take off his rabbit outfit, he wears it all the time - even to sleep!" Smokin' Joe is actually a reworking of the original Joe by the toy designing bohemoth they call Frank Kozik. He comes in black or white, has rotating ears, arms and head plus a removable cigarette. Just don't push the cigarette in too far (luckily I had a tiny end still sticking out as I realized that nothing was gonna stop me pushing this baby all the way in). Maybe not everyone is a cow strength, five thumbed, dope like I am - but if you are, don't say I didn't warn you. So now I have a fine little friend to sit by my monitor puffing away on his little cancer stick. I also have my first Crown Dozen piece out of the way. I'm a happy bunny, I'll think I'll slip into my oversized rabbit outfit, light up a killer death stick and go scare the local kiddies. Review by Mr. Griffin.

     » Buy Smokin' Joe (black)
     » Buy Smokin' Joe (white)
     » Buy regular Joe (black)

By Alan Smithee in Art, Toys | Comments:

Comments

Welcome to the fold, Mr. Griff!

Ningyoushi.com is an incredible resource for toy-addicts, as they have an incredibly large stock list of hard to find stuff, and they often have the very best price you'll find in the US from any online retailer. Their range is amazing, everything from Pinky St. to Circus Punks and they have the uncanny ability to make Asian import items available before anybody else seems to get their hands on them....
I've been a fan for years, and was psyched to see their "Joe" mascot realized in collectible toy form, and even more so to see Kozik's take on it.

Great post!

Posted by: Adam at December 8, 2005 12:15 AM