Captain Singer

Formed in 2004, October Toys, LLC is a purveyor of fine toys and collectibles with an artistic twist. The creative misfits who own October Toys, George & Ayleen Gaspar, have a lifetime of experience collecting toys and two decades combined experience working in the toy industry. While collaborating with a variety of new and established artists, they are focusing on expanding their existing product lines as well as adding entirely new projects to the queue. You can also check in with them every week on their video podcast Toy Break to see what's new in the wonderful world of toys! Up until I was 21 years old, I didn’t care about the Internet. But now, 15 years later, I can pretty much credit the Internet with everything leading up to this article. I tried traditional routes of applying for art jobs back in the mid 90’s. I sent out portfolios and made multiple attempts at getting my comics published, but those only led to rejection. Around that time I started blindly experimenting with the Internet out of boredom and realized immediately that I could anonymously spread around my art on every message board and social networking site without having to face the fear of rejection because I wasn’t trying to really DO anything with my art. I just wanted people to see it in hopes of getting some feedback, even if that feedback was critical and hateful…which it was. But it was helpful. Continuing to jump on as many social networking sites as they appeared, and disciplining myself to actually UTILIZE them was, for me, the most important thing I did in establishing the art career that I have now. So when I got asked by Juxtapoz to curate this Halloween issue, and to additionally be featured and interviewed for it, The Gwin is a curious creature based on Tux, created by Larry Ewing & The GIMP. Gwins spend most of their time eating, sleeping, and hoarding treasure. They often form “armies” to protect their amassed riches. Now is your chance to build your own Gwin Army to guard your prized possessions! These designer vinyl penguins sit approximately 2.5″ high and make perfect desktop companions!