San Diego Comic-Con is about many things-star panels where studios introduce their latest and lively movies and show; Meeting and interacting with some of your favorite authors and artists; Gather with like -minded people who share your fandom. It is also about getting the most exclusive and highly sought after collector items on the planet.
And some of these collectibles come from Mondo, the division of funko responsible for advanced collectibles, vinyl records, art prints, goods and much, much more.
Thewrap spoke with Hector Arce, Sr. Director, Creative and Product Development and Peter Santa-Maria, Sr. Creative Director, about the company’s plans for this year’s San Diego Comic Con, which you can keep track of On their official website – With much more left to be revealed.
What does San Diego Comic Con mean for Mondo? The company has always had such a large presence at the Convention and it seems to grow every year.
Arce: It is wild for me to see how much Mondo has grown its presence at SDCC over the years. I remember many years ago that I was one of the fans who drove when the doors opened to get into that giant line, just for a chance to buy something. Then it was a very modest booth run by the core team, who was there to meet the fans, engage and share Mondo art with the entire SDCC. Fast flushing until today, several years later and I am on the other side (super surreal to me to this day) and what I can say is that while our booth is much bigger, nicer and fantastic look with a serious production value and an incredible booth design by Nolan Fleming, in our core we are still the rage, frightening group. We still want to meet each of the fans, share our love for movies, series and pop culture with everyone there and showcase all the hard work done by this incredible team. I always say that SDCC is our Super Bowl, and we show up ready to go out with some surprises, some fantastic works of art, collectibles and records. In the end, this is the moment that our year builds up and can share it with all the amazing people who come at our booth is still one of the best things in the world for us!
You will introduce prints, records and collectibles linked to some of the largest franchise – everything from “jaws” to “ghostbusters” to “Mad Max.” Is there a property or product that you are particularly excited about?
Santa-Maria: Each of these partnerships is such an incredible opportunity to create something definitive for fans of characters and franchise departments. Each project is the mind that blows for our team because we know what privilege and responsibility it is to be a manager of the property for the time we work with it. With that said, I will always want to work with Godzilla!
As an animation enthusiast, what can you tell about “over the garden wall” and “Rocko’s modern life?”
ARONEA: I’m just so freaking excited about making some collectibles for these two shows! As a 90s child, I grew up and looked at Nick Toons, and Rocko’s modern lives have always been one of my favorites. Getting a chance to make a truly faithful collection for this show is a dream. Above the garden wall, on the other hand, is a newer show, but it has become a cult classic, and for a moment must see every Halloween for me. The show is simply incredible, and the characters just ooze with creativity.
We are beyond honored to be the first company to post some official collection figures for this show and we pull out all the stops! This is one of my favorite map cars of all time, and we poured so much love into these Mondo troops, that I hope we give a smile for a long time Otg fans. Mondo Squads is the best category for attaching these two incredible shows. This is more as Maquetter that feels like they have jumped out of the screen, filled with replacement parts and Easter eggs.
In addition to showing products on the show floor, you are involved in several panels, including your own toy call Live, plus panels dedicated to Tohos Godzilla universe and “Friday the 13th” Jason universe. What can you tease with these panels? If people can only participate in a panel, which would you encourage people to join?
Santa Claus: When it comes to the Mondo Panel, we plan throughout the year to make sure that everyone who takes the time to go on walks away happy about what comes the next from our team. SDCC panels are about deep dives, sneak tops and exclusive revelations and we have it in spades! I can say that there are so many this year that I have trouble keeping track of them! I really can’t wait for people to see where we take our older lines and what new lines are on the horizon!
Being invited to participate in the Godzilla panel is a huge honor and we look forward to talking about records, prints and numbers that we have worked with and announce something really special, we have kept secret! And then to be asked to host the Jason Universe panel is something that has not really been canceled yet. The one I only get Geek out and ask questions about my favorite Slasher icon of all time and ends by gift to the other Jason fans in the audience. It’s like a party after partying that celebrated these icons we grew up with and continue to be revered!
How important is Comic-Con and these different panels to maintain and build the Mondo brand and awareness of that brand?
Santa Claus: I can honestly say that I look forward to spending time at our booth and panels more than anything. The social aspect where we can talk, share insight and answering questions is what makes Comic-Con so important. You never know who learns about Mondo for the first time. I resemble these panels with live -show for a tournament band that is on the way up. We want to wow all with the results of our hard work but even more important, meet and become friends with all over movies, series, music and figures that unite us.
What else can you tease about Mondo’s presence on San Diego Comic Con?
Santa Claus: Well, I can say that we cannot believe in what we accomplished this year. In addition to all the major editions and exclusive that will surely please fans of our work, the revelations … The revelations are on another level. Any of them would be a showstopper but combined? You are not all ready.
