RED SHADOWS® action figures and more!
For lovers of 80s toys, robots, spaceships, and skulls!
PLEASE NOTE: Ship dates are Estimated and subject to change.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
September Status
over 2 years ago
– Sun, Sep 17, 2023 at 10:48:08 AM
Hello Roboskullers! Here's the latest on our journey through space and time to create the most amazing Red Shadows™ action figures and vehicles possible!
PRODUCTION
We have received word from our factory that production has commenced on our Retro O-Ring Skeletron/Wolf Trooper! Maximum effort has been put forth to make these new O-ring figures fresh and awesome and emulate the vintage look and feel of our favorite retro figures of the past. We can't wait to put these figures into your hands!
Our 4" Marauder Wolf Troopers have also progressed, and the latest factory test shots look excellent. We have some further small adjustments to make before GYRE WOLF and these modern Marauder WOLF TROOPERS follow our Retro figure into production. We expect the completion dates for these figures to be coming up soon, and you'll be the first to know once we have confirmed dates!
TOOLING
6" figures are advancing, and we should be seeing tooling for these relatively soon. PLEASE JOIN US IN SKELETRON SECRET LAB for an upcoming Secret Lab of Secrets 6" photo reveal! Tooling progress continues on the Roboskull MKII, and we have our very first MKII first shot sample in hand:
Due to the complexity of the interaction between components of the MKII, we'll need to see most of the tooling and first shots completed before the fine-tuning of the molds will commence.
ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
SKELETRON is thrilled to again be in attendance for ASSEMBLY REQUIRED in Des Moines, Iowa on November 3rd & 4th! This is a "Can't Miss" show for Ben Conway & Mark O'Byrne, who will be joined this year by Cory Cantelupe!
Assembly Required 2023 will be a ripping good time as we raise a grape soda to carouse, converse and celebrate everyone’s favorite mayhem-making mercenaries and maniacs from the marsh — The Dreadnoks!
This 12th annual G.I. Joe fan convention will give collectors, creators, and new recruits even more Joe content over the course of two days — including customs classes, panel discussions, vendors, contests, prize giveaways and more.
Don’t let anything throw a monkeywrench into your plans. Mark the dates, tear the tarp off your swamp skier and prepare to set course for Des Moines, IA.
As always, thank you for your continued support! 🏴☠️
-SKELETRON
Steel Skulls & Pressed Vinyl
almost 3 years ago
– Tue, Aug 15, 2023 at 09:14:30 PM
Hello Roboskullers!
We're back from an incredible weekend at Power-Con in Columbus, Ohio, and it was absolutely awesome! The show exceeded all expectations, and we thank everyone who took the time to chat with us as we wandered the spectacular halls of Power-Con for three days. For those who were able to attend, you witnessed the magic firsthand. If you couldn't attend this year, mark your calendars for next year, as we're already looking forward to returning to this phenomenal event!
The work at our factory continues, and we have a striking photo to share: the fearsome visage of the Roboskull MKII has been imprinted onto a massive block of steel. We think you'll agree – it's as metal as it gets!
STEEL MOLD | PVC Roboskull MKII
The test shot revisions for the Retro Skeletron/Wolf Trooper have now successfully concluded. Our factory team is now putting the finishing touches on the paint applications and skull & crossbones logo before we initiate full production. Here's another glimpse of the in-process O-ring figure, nearly to its final form:
Retro O-Ring Skeletron/Wolf Trooper (not final)
Another announcement – the BackerKit 7" Vinyl album is ready to rock and roll! We're bursting with excitement over this killer addition to the Roboskull MKII adventure that features an electrifying rendition of "Wolf Like Me" by Cosmic Orphan and an original track titled "I Get to Drive It", where Blood Wolf opines and rhymes on the menacing Roboskull. Written and performed by Wordburglar, and produced by Christopher McLeod, aka Diagnostik80, this is a can't miss for Roboskull fans!
The vinyl record also features a beautiful, two-sided "double cover" design. One side showcases artwork by the legendary Ken Kelly, and the other boasts an illustration by Brian Sauer, who is also the mastermind of the album layout. Inside, you'll find the lyrics to "I Get to Drive It," as well as a 2-panel "mini-poster" showcasing patent drawings of the ROBOSKULL MKII.
This BackerKit Roboskull Vinyl Record was not part of the original Kickstarter campaign and is available for pre-order through our Pre-Order Store. Shipments are planned to commence processing on Monday, August 21st. If you've pre-ordered the record and your address has changed, please ensure you update it by Saturday, August 19th. If you lost your BackerKit Survey, you can have it resent to you via email by visiting this web page: https://roboskull.backerkit.com/ If you need assistance with this address update, please reach out to us via Kickstarter messages or email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to update your address in our system for you. All pre-orders made by Saturday also include a complimentary digital download for both tracks!
This August shipment of our vinyl record is the only change to our most recent projected schedule:
PHASE A | COMPLETE (early shipment)
ASSASSIN SKELEDRONE 3-pack
PHASE B | FALL
ROBOSKULL Vinyl Record (update: Vinyl to ship in AUGUST)
Retro O-Ring SKELETRON/WOLF TROOPER figure
4" Marauder WOLF TROOPER figure
4" Marauder GYRE WOLF figure
PHASE C | WINTER
ROBOSKULL MKII vehicle with 4" Marauder BLOOD WOLF pilot
ROBOSKULL MKII SE vehicle with 4" Marauder RED WEASEL pilot
ROBOSKULL MKII Elite FLIGHT STAND Accessory
ROBOKNIGHT HEAVY METAL ARMOR Accessory
4" Marauder JUNGLE WOLF TROOPER figure
PHASE D | SPRING
4" Marauder SKELETRON figure
6" Marauder SKELETRON figure
6" Marauder WOLF TROOPER figure
6" Marauder GYRE WOLF figure
6" Marauder JUNGLE WOLF TROOPER figure
6" Marauder PILOT CHARACTER KIT
TOTAL ROBOSKULL Deluxe Hardcover Book
Thank you you for your unwavering support on this journey!
-SKELETRON
Fresh Plastic, Fresh Paint
almost 3 years ago
– Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 06:20:33 AM
Hello Roboskullers,
It's time for another fresh ROBOSKULL MKII Kickstarter update!
Fresh Plastic
With the 4" trooper ABS tooling completed, we now have our first complete look at our first shot 4" Marauder Wolf Trooper! We couldn't be happier with this first shot! There are just a few adjustments to be made, and this is going to be one gorgeous figure. Check out these killer poses by our toy-making sensei, Dave Proctor:
We've also received another round of updated test shots for the Retro O-ring Skeletron/Wolf Trooper figure- check out our SKELETRON SECRET LAB Group on Facebook for a SURPRISE feature on the Retro figure that we posted on the 24th. Not on Facebook? Alright, we'll also post it to our SKELETRON Instagram Story soon. Not on either? OK, we get it- but you're missing out on some fun!
Fresh Paint
If you're following us on social media, you're already aware of our amazing new packaging artist. We couldn't be more thrilled for this exciting collaboration with world-renowned artist Alex Horley, who is creating captivating packaging art for this ROBOSKULL™ MKII Kickstarter campaign!
This endeavor holds a special significance as Alex Horley continues the artistic legacy left by the late Ken Kelly, who sadly passed away last year. Inspired by Ken Kelly's iconic Micronauts packaging, Alex Horley embarked on a journey that eventually led him to meet and forge a close friendship with his childhood idol two decades later. We invite you to read the full, remarkable story in the latest issue of ToyCollectr magazine. This deep-diving action figure magazine is available in print for purchase online and can also be found in select Barnes & Noble bookstores.
Get ready for more stunning, immersive artwork in the months ahead, beautifully brought to life by the artistic prowess of Alex Horley!
Further Fresh
Steady progress continues on all products, with Roboskull™ MKII tooling moving ahead, additional progress on the 6" figures, and the robotic Skeletron himself!
While SKELETRON™ will NOT have a booth at Power-Con in Columbus, Ohio next month, many other awesome indie toy companies will be there, and we continue to hear great things about "America's Mightiest Toy Convention!" If you are in attendance and happen to see SKELETRON's Ben Conway and/or Mark O'Byrne wandering the halls (or the bars), please stop us, say "Hello" and whisper "Red Shadows" to receive a small, fun Red Shadows™ promo item as a free gift!
The People, the Paintmasters, the Progress
almost 3 years ago
– Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 06:57:44 PM
THE PEOPLE
It was truly wonderful to see our friends at Joefest two weeks ago! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with us and to see our progress. We also spoke with so many collectors who were new to the project that we made the impromptu decision to re-open our Pre-order Store (which is still open now). And just in case you missed it, Cory Cantelupe (who waspreviously working on Hasbro's GI Joe Classified) was in attendance with Mark O'Byrne. We are beyond thrilled to have Cory working with us on this project, and his expertise and enthusiasm have already been invaluable as we work towards fulfilling this project (more on that below). Cory would also like to extend his thanks and appreciation for the overwhelmingly warm welcome he received from everyone at JoeFest this year!
As part of our JoeFest display, we showcased some fresh updates, which included ROBOSKULL MKII box packaging (thanks to Brian Sauer), two new 4" paintmasters (thanks to Alex Wu), and our 6" Wolf Trooper paintmaster (thanks to Fredrick Faith):
Marauder 4" JUNGLE WOLF TROOPER Paintmaster (painted by Alex Wu)
Marauder 4" GYRE WOLF Paintmaster (painted by Alex Wu)
Marauder 6" WOLF TROOPER Paintmaster (painted by Fredrick Faith)
THE PROGRESS
We continue to see progress on this project from the factory. The second round of test shots has been received on our Retro O-ring figure, and we are proceeding with a third, revised test shot to get everything just right.
We've also now received PVC first shots for the 4" Wolf Trooper & Company. The ABS molds are still in process, so Dave Proctor went ahead and "kitbashed" our PVC first shots together with existing Marauder Task Force figures. Check it out!
Marauder 4" WOLF TROOPER
Marauder 4" BLOOD WOLF (with Brechin head!)
Marauder 4" GYRE WOLF (aka Gary Goggles Head)
Marauder 4" RED WEASEL
It's great to see the progress on the PVC parts, though we obviously need the ABS tooling to complete the figures and proceed further with the 4" figure production. Tooling has also started with the ROBOSKULL MKII, but the pace of progress over the last month has not matched what we planned for. Given our current state of completion, we feel we must revise our anticipated delivery dates, which are now as follows:
PHASE A | COMPLETE (early shipment)
ASSASSIN SKELEDRONE 3-pack
PHASE B | FALL
Retro O-Ring SKELETRON/WOLF TROOPER figure
4" Marauder WOLF TROOPER figure
4" Marauder GYRE WOLF figure
ROBOSKULL Vinyl Record
PHASE C | WINTER
ROBOSKULL MKII vehicle with 4" Marauder BLOOD WOLF pilot
ROBOSKULL MKII SE vehicle with 4" Marauder RED WEASEL pilot
ROBOSKULL MKII Elite FLIGHT STAND Accessory
ROBOKNIGHT HEAVY METAL ARMOR Accessory
4" Marauder JUNGLE WOLF TROOPER figure
PHASE D | SPRING
4" Marauder SKELETRON figure
6" Marauder SKELETRON figure
6" Marauder WOLF TROOPER figure
6" Marauder GYRE WOLF figure
6" Marauder JUNGLE WOLF TROOPER figure
6" Marauder PILOT CHARACTER KIT
TOTAL ROBOSKULL Deluxe Hardcover Book
We are very sorry to report that our schedule has slipped further, and given the delay in fulfillment that is being experienced, we plan to ship the project in multiple phases to accommodate backers as best we can. This schedule may yet change again, and we will communicate the best, most accurate information we have to you. We take the timing of delivery seriously, and we've added resources (like the expertise of Cory Cantelupe, for example) to make every effort to deliver quality products as quickly as possible. We fully recognize that delays are disappointing, and we appreciate your patience and positivity on this project so, so much. In addition to absorbing the added shipping costs to phase fulfillment, we will also be offering some product upgrades as a "thank you" for your continued patience and support. We'll be sharing those upgrades with you in the months ahead, which will add value and not negatively impact delivery dates. We also feel great about offering something a little extra to further demonstrate our deep appreciation for all of you.
Thank you!
-SKELETRON
RED SHADOWS UPGRADE & UPDATE
about 3 years ago
– Sun, May 21, 2023 at 07:37:38 AM
RED SHADOWS UPGRADE & UPDATE
Hello, Roboskullers!
Toiling in our underground lair, with most of our 4" Marauder action figures now in tooling, it is time for us to reveal one of our secrets: Our 4" Wolf Trooper, Blood Wolf, Red Weasel, Jungle Wolf Trooper, and Gyre Wolf figures will all feature enhanced articulation! We've added thigh cuts, boot cuts, and rocker ankles to improve the poseability of these 4" figures:
This articulation has also been added with consideration to the aesthetic impact, and the figures remain as visually stunning as we've always intended. We are working to deliver the best toys possible, and are excited for you to enjoy this enhancement when you create epic Red Shadows battles!
The response to our carded Assassin Skeledrones has been phenomenal, and just in case you missed them, they are back in-stock at our newly-updated website: www.SKELETRON.com
We appreciate all the kind words we continue to receive regarding the quality of the Assassin Skeledrones product and packaging. With Ken Kelly's passing last year, we've also been asked who will continue on and complete the packaging art for the remaining figures. We couldn't be happier with the artist who is building upon what Ken started with us, and this story (along with the Wolf Trooper packaging art) will be revealed in the next issue of TOYCOLLECTR magazine!
We've enjoyed the depth and quality of content that TOYCOLLECTR has been putting into their print magazine for its first five issues, and we're honored that SKELETRON will have this new story featured in the next issue- we hope you'll check it out!
We'll be seeing TOYCOLLECTR, along with so many of our friends in less than three weeks at JoeFest in Augusta, Georgia! We'll be in the same spot as last year, lined up next to some of our favorite people from Marauder "Gun-Runners", Grindstone Toys, and Raginspoon!
We are also making progress on the Roboskull MKII, Retro O-ring figure, and 6" figures, so stay tuned for more updates! Hope to see you at the show!
-SKELETRON
P.S. Please take a look at "My Palitoy Story", an illustrated history of a famous British toy company, by fellow collaborator and legend, Bob Brechin! LIVE ON KICKSTARTER!
