One of our pick-ups at Toy Fair 2026 was Deddy Bears - a line that really reminds me of some of the early weird plushes we bought in 2005 / 2006 when we opened Tenacious Toys! Deddy Bears are fun, come in many sizes and price points, and have fun tie-ins like ROBLOX codes packed into each item.

We started with the most recent release of mini bag clips - Deddy Bears Series 5 - which you can find here on our new Bag Clip page!

The 6 characters in Series 5 are:

• Daze McLickme
• Prizzbear
• Sam Uri
• Ex-Stink
• Virus
• Edgar Allen Crow

Possible styles:

• Regular Domo
• Bubbles Domo
• Wood Domo
• Bluey Domo
• Rabbit Domo
• Burger Domo
• Ice Cream Domo
• Waffle Domo
• Daisy Dukes Domo
• Nerdy Domo
• Unicorn Domo

Wow, OK, I forgot about these! We have about 60 units of our Playful Gorilla vinyl Skinny Caps left at Disburst spread across 4 SOLD OUT colorways!

These are the LAST UNITS as there are none left in my own warehouse! Skinny Caps are brilliant and fun DIY platforms that offer a ton of surface area... and even if you just leave them blank, the bright colors chosen by Alex make these giant sized Caps perfect accents for your home!

If you run a shop or you are planning a show, Skinny Caps make a stellar platform for your artists! 

Click here to access the Disburst wholesale catalog, and if you don't have an account wiht them , it's easy to open one. Support indy toys! 

Incoming from Rokimoto are these awesome chunky Hello Kitty and Friends blind boxes! Preorders are available here, these figures are being produced and will ship to Tenacious in the upcoming months. The selection will include Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamaroll, Pompompurin, Keroppi. Click the above image to watch my video from Toy Fair 2026. 

After a brief decade-long hiatus from Tenacious, we finally have Domo-Kun back in stock (with more on the way!). My life is complete. This latest blind box series is a bunch of Ninja Domos from Rokimoto.

New vinyl art toys designed by Alex Pardee and produced by Strangecat: 
"I Love My Job" and "I Love Mondays" - if your job makes you bleed from the eyes, this is the next collectible to dress up your depressing cubicle in hell.

Grab them here: https://tenacioustoys.com/collections/strangecat-toys?filter.p.m.my_fields.artist=Alex+Pardee

CAPTURE GODZILLA HERE

The Big Green Guy is here! Inside every ramen cup is  a unique vinyl figure! The bonus flavor packet delivers an embroidered patch of your slurprise! Collect them all or trade them with your friends! Each figure measures approximately 3-inches tall, but they are larger than life just like Godzilla!

Welcome to the Magical World of Wyldshyres

GRAB WYLDSHYRES HERE IN OUR SHOP

Limited to just 100 pieces, designed by Sket One and produced by UVD Toys - this 4" vinyl toy just became available! Grab it!

"America’s Best Customer Service 2026" spotlights brands across 45 categories that go above and beyond for their customers, both in-store and online. The rankings draw on a wide range of customer-centric metrics, publicly available data and one of the largest independent customer service studies conducted in the United States. Using its proprietary scoring model, Plant-A identified the top 750 performers: 250 service providers, 250 in-store retailers and 250 online shops. 

Let's be honest, 2025 has been one giant dumpster fire, and somehow that makes 100% Soft the most relatable brand in the designer toy universe. Created by Los Angeles artist Truck Torrance, this company has mastered the art of turning our collective existential dread into adorable vinyl figures that we actually want to display on our shelves.

Here's the thing about 100% Soft: they get it. While other designer toy companies are cranking out serious collectibles and stoic art pieces, Truck Torrance looked at the chaos of modern life and said, "You know what? Let's make this cute." And honestly? Genius move.

What Makes 100% Soft the King of Chaos Collectibles

The secret sauce isn't just the meme-worthy designs (though those help). 100% Soft has cracked the code on collectible toys by doing something most brands are terrified to try: embracing the absurd.

Every 100% Soft release feels like it crawled out of your Twitter feed and decided to become a premium vinyl figure. These aren't your typical designer toys that require a PhD in contemporary art to appreciate. They're instant mood boosters that speak directly to anyone who's ever felt like their life resembles a flaming trash can.

The brand drops limited runs in waves, creating that perfect storm of FOMO and genuine desire that keeps collectors refreshing websites at 3 AM. And unlike some designer toy brands that take themselves way too seriously, 100% Soft maintains this playful energy that makes collecting feel fun instead of pretentious.

The Dumpster Fire Empire: Every Variant You Need to Know

The Dumpster Fire isn't just a toy, it's become a cultural phenomenon. What started as a single flaming trash bin has evolved into an entire universe of variants, each more creative (and oddly therapeutic) than the last.

Core Dumpster Fire Collection

The Classic Dumpster Fire started it all, but the brand quickly realized they were sitting on a goldmine of creative possibilities. The 8-Bit Dumpster Fire brings retro gaming vibes with pixelated details and a translucent flame that actually glows. It's like nostalgia and modern chaos had a beautiful, burning baby.

Then there's the Mint Chip Dumpster Ice Cream edition, because nothing says "life is weird" like ice cream-flavored disaster. The Mecha Dumpster Fire DF-79 takes things to the next level with an opening hatch that reveals a tiny rat pilot inside. Yes, really. It's simultaneously the most ridiculous and most brilliant thing you'll see today.

Limited Edition Mayhem

The Nuclear Dumpster Fire (pre-order for Q1 2026) promises to glow in ways that will either enhance your shelf display or require hazmat certification. The Return of the Living Dead collaboration brings horror movie vibes to your collection, perfect for that friend who thinks regular Dumpster Fires aren't apocalyptic enough.

Seasonal variants push the creative envelope even further. The Birthday Cake Dumpster Fire celebrates disasters with sprinkles, while the Barfing edition captures those Monday morning vibes with disturbing accuracy. The Cough Syrup Purple variant speaks to anyone who's survived cold season, and the Candy Corn edition proves that even Halloween's most controversial treat deserves dumpster fire representation.

Holiday Collections That Actually Make Sense

The 12 Days of Trash Holiday Figure Set might be the most ambitious project yet, twelve different Dumpster Fire variants celebrating the holiday season in the most chaotic way possible. At $85, it's an investment, but considering you're getting a dozen different ways to represent holiday stress, it's practically therapy.

Beyond the Flames: The Extended 100% Soft Universe

Don't sleep on the non-Dumpster Fire releases. The Pizza Rats After Dark mystery box series captures New York City's most resourceful residents in designer toy form. These blind box collectibles feature rats in various states of pizza-induced bliss, and honestly, they're the representatives we deserve.

The Bodega Kitties series celebrates those mysterious cats that seem to run half the convenience stores in major cities. Each figure captures that perfect "I'm judging your snack choices" expression that only bodega cats can master.

Trash Kitties take the feline theme and run with it, creating a blind box series that combines cats with garbage aesthetics in ways that shouldn't work but absolutely do. It's like Marie Kondo's nightmare became adorable vinyl figures.

Marvel Collaborations That Break the Internet

When 100% Soft announced their Marvel collaborations, the designer toy community collectively lost its mind. The Yes/No Infinity Gauntlet vinyl toy captures that moment of ultimate power with the indecision we all feel when choosing what to watch on Netflix.

The Deadpool Dumpster Fire variant combines Marvel's most chaotic anti-hero with 100% Soft's most chaotic concept. It's redundant in the best possible way. If you've ever wanted to represent your love for both superhero movies and existential dread, this is your moment.

Where Smart Collectors Shop: Your Tenacious Toys Guide

Here's where things get real: finding these collectibles requires strategy. The designer toy market moves fast, and Dumpster Fire variants sell out faster than concert tickets.

Tenacious Toys has become the go-to destination for serious 100% Soft collectors, and there's a reason why. Their comprehensive 100% Soft collection includes both current releases and hard-to-find variants that other retailers can't keep in stock.

The Tenacious Toys advantage isn't just about selection, it's about reliability. While other retailers might promise pre-orders and then disappear into the void, Tenacious Toys delivers. Their curated 100% Soft section features everything from the latest Dumpster Fire drops to exclusive colorways you won't find anywhere else.

Pro collector tip: Tenacious Toys often secures exclusive variants and colorways that become highly sought-after in the secondary market. Getting them at retail through Tenacious Toys beats paying inflated eBay prices six months later.

The Designer Toy Investment Angle (Yes, Really)

Let's talk money for a second. While 100% Soft toys are absolutely worth collecting for pure enjoyment, the resale market tells an interesting story. Limited edition Dumpster Fire variants regularly sell for 2-3x their original retail price on secondary markets.

The Nuclear Dumpster Fire pre-orders are already creating buzz, and smart collectors know that getting in early through reliable retailers like Tenacious Toys is the difference between paying $44.99 retail and $150+ on eBay later.

Designer toy collecting has evolved into a legitimate alternative investment category, and 100% Soft sits at the sweet spot of cultural relevance and artistic merit that drives long-term value.

Why 100% Soft Matters in 2025

Here's the deeper truth: 100% Soft succeeds because it reflects our reality without pretending everything is fine. In a world of toxic positivity and forced optimism, a cute dumpster fire feels honest.

These aren't just toys: they're conversation starters, mood boosters, and tiny reminders that chaos can be beautiful. Every time you look at your Dumpster Fire collection, you're reminded that it's okay to acknowledge when things are burning down around you.

The community aspect can't be ignored either. 100% Soft collectors share a certain understanding: we've all been the dumpster fire at some point, and there's something deeply comforting about having that represented in adorable vinyl form.

Ready to embrace the chaos? Head to Tenacious Toys and browse their complete 100% Soft collection. Whether you're starting with your first Dumpster Fire or completing a full set, you're not just buying designer toys: you're investing in a daily reminder that even disasters can be cute.

And honestly, in 2025, we all need that kind of energy on our shelves.

THE TENACIOUS TOYS ARTIST ROSTER

A totally non-comprehensive list of artists we've worked with at Tenacious Toys: these are either toy designers, custom toy artists or artists who have crafted or designed pieces of toy art, 2D artwork, logos or products for the Tenacious Toys website, shows or events.

Are we missing you? Message us! This will take a while, it's been 2 decades of working with dozens or hundreds of artists each year...

🅐 – Artists & Companies

• 100% Soft

• 3DRetro

• ABSTRK

• Abominable Toys

• Andrew Bell

• Angel Once

• Ariel Rojo & Andrés Lhima

• ATOM TOYS

• AW177

🅑

• Baghera

• Balloonski

• Benny

• Bigshot Toyworks

• Birdmilk

• Blake Jones

• Blanco

• Bleeding Edges

• Bottleneck Gallery

• Broke Piggy

• Bryan Lee O’Malley

• Bull Airs

• Bunka

• Bon Ton 

🅒

• CandyLab

• Cardboard Spaceship

• Charles Schulz

• CHK_DSK

• Chogrin

• Chris RWK

• Christian Trivellone

• COPE

• Crayoncrumbss

• Creaturemaker Toys

• Creepy Gals

• Crystal Chesney-Thompson

• Classicbot

• Clutter

🅓

• Dalek

• Dave Perillo

• David Dear

• David Horvath & Sun-Min

• Diamond Select Toys

• Dick Bruna

• DINKC

• Dirt Cobain

• DoomCo Designs

🅔

• E for Effort

• Elloo

• Enfu

• ESIC

• Evil Ghosty

🅕

• Fett Up Toys

• Forces of Dorkness

• FormNation

• Fred

• Furry Feline Creatives (Cheri Ong)

• FutuRETROistic

• Funko

🅖

• Gerald Okamura

• Glass Ink

• Goopmassta

🅗

• Handmade by Robots

• Heavy Cream / Heavy Cream Ltd

• Heartbat Studio

🅘

• I Heart Guts

• Inktuce

🅙

• J*RYU

• Jake Jarkor

• Jason Freeny

• JC Rivera

• Jei Tseng

• Jeremy Madl

• Jeremyville

• John McGrath

• Josh Divine

• JT Studio

• Juan Muniz

• Julian Meagher

• Justin Ishmael

• Jeremiah Ketner

🅚

• K-NOR

• KDT

• Kidrobot

• Kikkerland

• Klim Kozinevich

• Koziol

• Kick Punch Bite

• KwestOne

🅛

• Last Bastion Studios

• LOOK

• Luke Chueh

🅜

• Marvel

• Mark Bodē

• McFarlane Toys

• Medicom

• Mego

• Mile High Sofubi

• Mindsponge Toy

• Minimates

• Misfit

• Mr. Mars

• Mumbot

• Munky King

🅝

• Naptime Noah

• NECA

• NEMO

• Nez

• Nice! Shoes

• Nicky Davis

🅞

• O-No Food Company

• Ophelia Toys

🅟

• PEANUTS (IP)

• PERSUE

• Pez

• Philip Lee

• Pintrill

• Plastic of the Apes

• Playforever

• Playful Gorilla

• Playsometoys

• PNL Toy Works

• Polyphony

• PrettyGoodPosters

• Prime

• Pudgy Penguins™

• PureArts

🅡

• RLUX

• Rock Ink Toys

• Rokimoto

• Ryan Glass

🅢

• Sank

• Scott Tolleson

• SCRAPS

• Scribe

• Sket One

• Skyland Arts

• Sky Toy

• Soko Cat

• Super7

• Superplastic

🅣

• T.O.K.

• TASK ONE

• The 3D Hero

• The Bots

• The Creatives

• TMO PLATER

• Toy2R

• Toycity

• Truck Torrance

🅤

• Uglydoll 

• UNCLE Studio

• UP Magazine

• UVD Toys

🅥

• VAFFEL

• Vandul

🅦

• Wacky Backy

• Wizard Skull

• Wizard Sleeve

• Wonder Goblin

CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE

About Danger Dog

Danger Dog wasn’t born so much as he exploded onto the scene. Back in the early days of Tenacious Toys—when the whole “shop” was basically me and Steph, a beat-up iMac laptop, and an apartment full of toys—I kept thinking I needed a mascot who actually embodied the chaos I was running. At the time we had a red pitbull or 2. 

Our first version of the logo was literally a tracing of a photo of a real dog named Danger which I did in Photoshop... Alex Rivera made Danger Dog official by illustrating our little blue dog with white eyes, all energy and Playful Gorilla attitude, and something about him clicked instantly. Danger represented every indie artist friend we had, every oddball toy drop, every late-night pack-and-ship session rolled into one. So Danger Dog became our official guard dog, brand gremlin, and chaos spirit all at the same time.

Over the years, he’s grown from a single illustration into a full-blown identity. We’ve had him sculpted, reimagined, repainted, and dropped in more collabs than I can count. Fans treat him like a real creature with his own mythology—half loyal shop protector, half troublemaker who knocks over boxes just to keep things interesting. And honestly? He’s perfect. Danger Dog represents what Tenacious Toys has always been about: passion, playfulness, and showing up every day with that hungry, creative energy that says, “Yeah, let’s try something weird today."

WHAT: The Tenacious Collective is a group of independent creators gathered together to present one amazing giant booth at New York Comic Con. 

The selection of products each year includes: toys, statues, collectibles, plush, apparel, enamel pins, stickers, comic books, illustrations, sketches, posters and more. We may even bring an official licensed coin operated Pokemon card machine!

NYCC WEBSITE LINK • Shop our NYCC Exclusives

WHERE: Booth 1771 at NYCC at the Javits Center in NYC, USA

WHEN: October 9-12, 2025

WHO: In 2025, the Tenacious Collective includes:

• Tenacious Toys
• Bun Leung
• Concrete Jungle
• das Frank
• EFUE
• Blaqlion3
• OAmalgam Studios
• Furry Feline Creatives
• 5 Borough Prints
• Hip Hop Toyz

NYCC EXCLUSIVES & PRODUCTS:

TOYS:

Exclusive Midnight Gravy Shard by Scott Tolleson & Broke Piggy: LE 144, $70 each. Marbled blue and black 3" figures that come with a matching enamel pin. 

Exclusive Double Cast Danger Dog by 5th Turtle: Edition of 15 in various colors of resin, 2.25" tall, $80 each. First come first served; 1 per person on Thursday until all units go to different people. If any left unsold, buyers may circle back for a 2nd piece.

KaleidoBat 8" vinyl toy by Mindsponge Toy: LE 100, $183 each. Only a handful at NYCC, only at Tenacious booth.

Fullpower Puffgirl 7" vinyl toy by Ramukru: LE 50, $180 each. Only a handful at NYCC, only at Tenacious booth.

Nounish Friends blind box figures by Nounworks and Bigshot. 3" tall mini figures with chases and swappable parts! Find them only at the Tenacious booth.

COMICS:

RLUX Cyberskull Omega One Shot Comic. $10 each. Each copy includes a randomly packed discount code that gives the buyer different discounts on the RLUX website.

The EDGE issues 1-4, indy comic series by Marvin Wynn. $4.99 each. Grab a book and get into the story - Kickstarter live right now for the first action figure from the story - Blain. QR code in flyer.

STICKERS & CHARITY:

Once again in 2025, we are raising money on behalf of the 501st Legion Empire City Garrison for Make-A-Wish. This year we had Alex Rivera (@playfulgorilla) mash up the Danger Dog shop logo he designed for us, with our favorite ECG Wookie Black Krrsantan (aka the mighty Santo, aka @tk_22617). We made 100 of these 5" tall stickers - get one by donating $10 or more to Make-A-Wish using the QR code in the flyer. Alternatively, come to booth 1771 and hand us a $10 bill. First come first served!

OTHER COOL ITEMS AROUND THE BOOTH:

Mars Attacks print by das Frank: 16”x20” Giclée Print on 230 gsm/ 14 mil archival acid free paper. A series of only 100 officially licensed prints, print numbers 1 through 10 will be available exclusively at New York Comic Con. $30 each.

Purridge by Furry Feline Creatives: Retro Felines - Purridge Star! Stands at 3 inches tall made out of resin. Each are handpainted! $35 each.

APPEARANCES & SIGNINGS:

• UGOD (Wu-Tang) - Saturday October 11th at 2pm
• MASTA ACE - date and time TBC
• SKAM2? - Graffiti artist - date and time TBC
• GIZ - Graffiti artist - date and time TBC

Check back here for more info and photos!

Coverage from previous years:

TENACIOUS ART TOY INCUBATOR

Here at Tenacious, we have always considered independently-designed-and-produced art toys toys to be the lifeblood and essence of what our shop is all about.

The vibrancy of unique and original toy designs matters to us on a personal level. The journeys that each artist goes through, the trials and tribulations of making your own toy in a factory, and the pain of setting up an infrastructure to sell hundreds or thousands of units to a small audience, are all situations that we are acutely aware of. This chaos is where we operate on a daily basis, helping friends and contacts ascend to that "next level" where their toy art and character designs pay for their lives.

Getting to that next level is hard work and nearly impossible to do on your own.

That's where our "Incubator" comes in.

SO WHAT IS IT?

This Incubator concept is specifically aimed at creators who have independently produced their vinyl, PVC, ABS, SOFUBI or resin art toys at factories. Every single creator who does this is faced with the same problem: they just spent tens of thousands of dollars, they have a storage unit or basement full of toys, and now they need to sell them.

Fortunately the things we are great at here at Tenacious - building a community, promoting and marketing toy products, back end logistics, customer service, and most crucially maintaining TRUST - are the exact aspects of the toy sales cycle that indy creators REALLY need.

We have a whole section of our website dedicated to one of a kind handmade custom toys, and another one dedicated to handmade resin figures. Our Art Toy Incubator specifically services the next tier of toys that are produced in factories in larger quantities than handmade resins - 100+ units for example (usually much more).

Why is this even needed at all?

The toys we induct into our Incubator are made in factories, independently designed, funded and produced by the creators themselves. This is the hardest level of art toy creation, involving large numbers, big dollars and a lot of distribution and promotional effort!

Making the toy is hard, but I always say: that isn't even the hardest part. After you get through the pain and monumental effort of finding a factory, working with them and producing those toys to your specifications, you might think you are at the finish line.

But in reality, you have only begun your marathon. Your journey is only complete when you have sold your last unit of that toy! And that can take months or even years, or NEVER(!) if you don't have the time, resources or knowledge to generate sales.

In my 20 years of selling art toys, this is the situation I encounter the most, that causes the most pain, and it's the problem that I most want to solve for the community. That's why I started the Incubator.

How it works:

We aim to assist toy creators here by shining a light on their creations, promoting them and selling them under a standard & uniform arrangement that allows creators to continue to profit from each sale. The purpose is to do what we do best, in order to keep the indy art toy community healthy and avoid stagnation. Stagnation is death. We want to breathe life into the system by working on behalf of creators to sell their toys faster. 

We have 2 simple options to service creators of all kinds, from all countries, with any kind of shipping and warehousing arrangements (creators can hold their own toys, or we can warehouse them in the US).

Want to join our Incubator?

To join up, learn more about how our incubator works, and get your toys onto this page, just message us using the chat box below. We make it as easy and simple as possible for creators, with a simple 1-page agreement that involves no legalese to interpret.

Note that the Tenacious Art Toy Incubator is geared specifically towards assisting independent toy artists who have self funded (or Kickstarted) a factory-produced art toy in any material.

It is only for creators who have not landed a distribution deal with a big distributor, and have not yet worked with any other toy shop or manufacturer on the production or sales parts of the picture. 

Are you an indy toy producer? Does this sound like a program that might benefit your IP? Contact us! Use chat box below, email us or DM us and ask about the Incubator.

We are super stoked to have another beaautiful Tikumo as one of our SDCC drops. This Tikumo is called Oxidation and features a rusty and worn paint job by the stellar Ophelia Toys. Tikumo is the "Tiki Sumo" sofubi vinyl figure designed by Gerald Okamura. 

CLICK HERE FOR DROP NOTIFICATIONS

• Edition size: 17
• We have: just 4 pieces!
• Price: $99
• Comes with: see below

No, Benny will not be in San Diego... but that doesn't mean we can't all have some fun online during the show! 

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The newest Walking Fish 7" vinyl art toy by El Pez and UVD Toys is Black, an edition of 100. So who is El Pez?

Barcelona’s vibrant street art scene owes much to José Sabaté, better known as El Pez. Born in 1976 in Sant Adrià del Besòs on the outskirts of Barcelona, he began tagging graffiti in 1999. That same year, after losing his engineering job, he pivoted fully into art—transforming his hobby into a joyful lifelong mission.

What started as tagging his own name soon morphed into a universally resonant icon: the now-famous smiling fish. Crafted spontaneously, the fish—with its wide, toothy grin—became an ambassador of positivity. As Sabaté explains, it was “a tool to spread good vibrations” . Its simple, comic-book aesthetic and bold palette quickly made it synonymous with Barcelona’s “Happy Pop” street art movement.

El Pez’s progression in style is striking. Starting from classical graffiti roots, his work evolved into large-scale murals, experimental pop pieces, and canvas exhibitions. His kaleidoscopic murals—from Barcelona to Bogota, Miami, Tokyo, London, and beyond—showcase his adaptability and global reach. He’s even participated in landmark collaborations and shows such as the ‘20 Years Smiling with Friends’ gallery exhibitions alongside Banksy’s contemporaries.

In 2008, El Pez appeared in Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop, further cementing his influence in street art canon. His vibrant style, rooted in the Logo Art movement, cleverly critiques urban advertising while uplifting public spaces with whimsy.

Today, El Pez balances street murals and gallery prints—his limited-edition giclée series (“Graffiti Sunday”, 2025) attests to his evolution into the fine art domain. Yet he remains a street-first artist, walking murals in Wynwood, Denver, Paris—always smiling. In an era where street art’s boundaries blur, El Pez’s joyous fish serves as a universal reminder: a simple smile on a city wall can brighten the world.

What Makes Lil Dumpster Fire So Loved?

1. Cute meets cynical
   Torrance captured the era’s collective mood perfectly. That smile plastered on a burning dumpster? It’s like a hug for a chaotic life .

2. Convention sensation
   Debuted in resin at SDCC, people lined up for hours—some even cried or dug in to get one. Torrance himself said, “I knew people would like it … but I didn’t think it would turn into a thing‑thing.” 

3. Media darling
   Features spilled over into Yahoo, House Beautiful, Toy Wizards, and more. One glowing review even called it “the ultimate desk accessory” that suggests “everything is gonna turn out alright.”

Lil Dumpster Fire Collected

Thanks to skyrocketing demand, Torrance and 100% Soft have released version after version—from glow‑in‑the‑dark special editions to “Trash Panda” crossover figures—each more collectible (and conversation-starting) than the last. The brand even teamed up with meme maestro KC Green to create the “This is Fine” edition, complete with box art by the meme’s creator:

Why We’re All-In on 100% Soft 😍

• Creative authenticity — Every piece is lovingly designed by Torrance himself, elevated from his signature enamel pins into living toys. His design résumé includes Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and more—yet he keeps his heart in cute apocalypse icons.

• Joy through irony — There's something irresistibly comforting about owning a 3D symbol of "my life is a dumpster fire" that still looks happy. It's catharsis you can hold.

• Community & rarity — Limited releases, raffles at conventions, and colors that glow or evolve—100% Soft cultivates excitement and belonging among its fans.

How Lil Dumpster Fire Brightens Our Shelves (Literally!)

On our desks, this fiery friend doubles as:

• A bold convo starter (What even is that thing?)

• The perfect gift for burnt-out colleagues—humor meets empathy

• A desk-nightlight with calming flicker (thanks to the fluffier light-up editions) 

🚀 Our Verdict

Diving into 100% Soft's world—especially through Lil Dumpster Fire—has been a blast. Truck Torrance took a meme-worthy concept and crafted an emotional charm that resonates from glowing minds to galleries, virtual and IRL. We wholeheartedly support this brand because it reminds us how resilience—and art—can bloom in even the messiest moments.

So yes, life might be a dumpster fire sometimes—but if you’re going to burn anyway, why not do it with a grin?

Join the flame. Support the joy. Grab your Lil Dumpster Fire.

From Ponce to the Windy City: Rivera’s Artistic Journey

Born in 1979 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, JC Rivera was immersed in a creatively inclined family. Despite this artistic environment, none of his relatives pursued art professionally, instilling in him both inspiration and caution. In his early twenties, Rivera moved to Orlando, Florida, participating in a college program with Disney. Facing language barriers and financial challenges, he worked multiple jobs to support himself. A pivotal moment came when he purchased a used Mac computer with Photoshop installed, sparking his interest in digital art and leading to freelance work in logo and graphic design 

Seeking a more vibrant art scene, Rivera relocated to Chicago, where he immersed himself in the city's rich street art culture. Here, he began developing his unique style, blending elements of graffiti, pop art, and character design.

The Birth of The Bear Champ

In 2005, Rivera conceptualized The Bear Champ—a yellow, anthropomorphic bear adorned with boxing gloves and a weary expression. Initially depicted smoking a cigarette, the character symbolized resilience and the struggles of pursuing an artistic career. Rivera explained, “I created the bear like that, a boxing bear, beat-up. He was smoking a cigarette at the beginning, tired of all the punches in life, but still going. It’s been through a lot, but it still keeps going” 

The Bear Champ quickly became Rivera's signature motif, resonating with audiences as a symbol of perseverance. Its presence spread across Chicago's neighborhoods, from Wicker Park to the West Loop, and eventually to international locations like Milan and Kansas City.

Expanding Horizons: Exhibitions and Collaborations

Rivera's work has been showcased in numerous galleries, including Chicago's Vertical Gallery, where he participated in group exhibitions such as "Atomic Number 13 (Part 2)" in 2022 and "It Was All A Dream" in 2021 . His art has also been featured in solo exhibitions, most notably "Forever Champ" at Water Tower Place in Chicago, which attracted over 1,500 attendees on opening day.

Rivera's collaborations extend to major brands and organizations. He has partnered with American Express, Adidas, McDonald's, and sports teams like the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls . In 2024, he collaborated with Adidas and Real Madrid to design a customized jersey for a charity initiative, blending his artistic vision with the world of sports.

Beyond the Murals: Merchandise and Media

Capitalizing on The Bear Champ's popularity, Rivera has expanded his brand into merchandise, offering limited edition prints, apparel, and collectibles through his official website . His work has been featured in various media outlets, including JUXTAPOZ, Chicago Sun-Times, and HYPEBEAST, highlighting his influence in contemporary art and culture.

A Legacy of Resilience and Inspiration

JC Rivera's journey from a struggling artist to an internationally recognized figure exemplifies the power of perseverance and creativity. Through The Bear Champ, he conveys messages of endurance and hope, inspiring communities and fellow artists alike. As Rivera continues to evolve his art, his impact on the urban art scene remains profound, solidifying his legacy as a true champion of contemporary street art.

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Hello Tenacious customers!

This email is perhaps coming a bit later than other shops, but I have been moving away from preorders coming directly from China for some time, so in some ways I got lucky in terms of the current chaotic tariff situation in the US.

I saw that our friends at Big Bad Toy Store sent a pretty thorough email about all this - their shop is heavy on preorders for goods originating from China so I think they really had to think everything through quickly, and explain it thoroughly.

But I will sum up the situation in case you haven’t read that email or you are unfamiliar (SORRY THIS IS A LONG EMAIL):

SUMMARY OF THE TARIFF SITUATION:

1. Our President has imposed tariffs on goods coming from China.

2. We pay those tariffs to the US Government (by “we” I mean the importer, the business receiving the goods, aka ME. Benny. Or BBTS. Or whichever toy shop you order from). China does not pay these tariffs. The manufacturers do not pay these tariffs.

3. The amount or % of the tariffs has been changing weekly or even daily at the President’s whim, so the actual amount that I will pay on the goods coming from China is questionable.

4. As of today, there is a 145% tariff on goods coming from China that I must pay once the goods arrive in the US. AGAIN, I myself have to pay this money to the US government. Valuation of goods is based on the commercial invoice attached to shipment.

5. Let’s say I pay for an action figure with a value of $100 per piece listed on the customs form. That means, in addition to paying $100 to the toy manufacturer, and the cost of shipping from China to the US, I ALSO have to pay an ADDITIONAL $145 tariff to the US government!

6. In the example above, the toy I would typically spend maybe $115 on (including shipping) now costs me $260 per unit. Let’s say for example, the retail price of this item is $150. I have now paid $260 to receive a $150 toy.

7. The tariff % has been changing fast and I don’t know what it will be in a week or a month. Nobody does. They could go away! They could go higher!

8. I could pass the costs on to you. I could say, Hi customers, remember that preorder you placed a deposit on? Yeah so the retail price is now double. Would you still like to pay for it?

9. Most of you will say “NO THANKS!” Which is understandable. 

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT CURRENT PREORDERS FROM TENACIOUS TOYS?

I had to send similar emails about the last batch of Sank / WEARTDOING which arrived right as the tariffs were set in place. I was forced to air ship those cartons to the US at the time to avoid the tariffs. This increased your cost of the Sank items, which was uncool. Some of you were happy to pay for the increase air ship cost but many of you weren’t, which is understandable.

So here we are in April.

I have 2 items which are ready which you have placed small $10 preorder deposits on:

1. The Devil Toys Machine56 REX White the second figure (Regular and Deluxe editions)

2. JT Studio’s Gaki Race Monkey (Regular figure, and Set with GoImp vehicle)

These are two highly anticipated releases which many of you have been placing preorders for.

They are both ready to ship now from the respective manufacturers.

So I have been trying to figure out how to handle this situation efficiently and as simply as possible.

Both manufacturers are aware of how many deposits we have taken in, and they have agreed to hold our units for a period of time. Not forever, but at least for now.

SO NOW WHAT?

What I want to do at this point is to just wait at least a few weeks. There is a chance that the US will abandon all tariffs at some point. If that is the case, we can all move ahead as normal: I invoice you, I pay the manufacturers, they ship to me, we are all good.

YOUR OPTIONS:

If you DO NOT want to wait, I would encourage you to explore ordering direct from Devil Toys or JT Studio, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you receive your order before May 2, the “De Minimus” rule will still be in effect. I believe this rule exempts packages valued at under $800 from the tariffs. After May 2, ALL PACKAGES regardless of value will be subject to the tariff.

OPTION A- ORDER DIRECT: If you successfully order direct from the manufacturer, pls let me know and I will congratulate you and refund your $10 deposit and cancel your preorder. Devil Toys Shop • JT Studio Shop

OPTION B- CANCEL: If you don’t want any part of this and just want to move on, let me know and I will gladly refund your deposit and cancel your preorder.

OPTION C- WAIT WITH ME: If you want to wait it out with me, do nothing. I will wait it out and see how the tariffs look in May and potentially make some new decisions at that time.

I don’t really feel comfortable at this point invoicing any of you for a final balance, and then placing our order, only to get hit with a massive tariff bill later on. My margins on these items are normally 15 to 20% profit margin if I am lucky. I definitely cannot absorb a 145% tariff. 

I cannot assume that any of my own shipments will qualify for De Minimus at this time, so I cannot move forward super fast with my ordering and pray that we sneak through. The penalty for getting hit with a tariff of ANY size would be catastrophic for me. I wish I could take advantage of these 2 weeks before May 2, but I can’t. You might be able to.

SUMMARY:

This is a tough and complex situation. I have tried to think through the best way to move forward for my own unique American business. I am sure other toy shops may handle it differently. For me, I want to get through my current crop of preorders, and then shift my focus to lower ticket in-stock items that I source from US distributors / warehouses. 

Thank for understanding. While the odds are stacked against American small businesses right now, we are Tenacious for a reason! I will keep it going in some capacity, even if there’s a little bit of a pivot going on behind the scenes. Not really different than any other year: I pivot/adjust what I sell every year, and even every month. Onward!

Booth #: B13

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