Cryptid Combat: New monsters from Wandering Planet Toys Doc Wyatt and Velikan talk about designing new toys for us monster fans
The collectible toy industry has long thrived on the intersection of nostalgia, pop culture, and imaginative design, but few modern enterprises capture the creative zeitgeist quite like Wandering Planet Toys. In a recent extensive discussion featured on the Slice of SciFi podcast, co-founder Chris "Doc" Wyatt and acclaimed artist and sculptor Phil Velikan pulled back the curtain on their latest venture, an ambitious new collectible line titled "Cryptid Combat." This crowdfunded project, hosted on the BackerKit platform, brings legendary creatures of myth and folklore into high-detail, stylized action figure formats, pitting iconic beasts against one another in epic, stylized showdowns.
As the lines between adult collector-focused merchandise and traditional children’s toys continue to blur, manufacturers like Wandering Planet Toys are finding unprecedented success by catering to lifelong fans of monster movies, animation, and cryptozoology. The inaugural series of Cryptid Combat introduces a delightfully chaotic premise: the titanic clash between Cthulhuchador and The Ultimoth Warrior—more colloquially recognized as a high-stakes wrestling match between Cthulhu and Mothman.
The Genesis of Cryptid Combat and Creative Collaboration
The conceptualization of Cryptid Combat did not happen overnight; it is the culmination of years of industry experience and a shared passion for monster lore between Wyatt and Velikan. During their podcast appearance, the creators discussed the meticulous development process required to bring these initial figures to life. Designing toys based on ethereal legends like cosmic entities and giant lepidopteran cryptids presents distinct artistic challenges, requiring a delicate balance between monstrous menace and toyetic appeal.
Phil Velikan, serving as the lead artist and sculptor, detailed the intricate work that went into translating 2D concepts into three-dimensional, highly articulated vinyl and plastic figures. Every scale, tentacle, and wing membrane was carefully considered to ensure that the figures not only satisfy hardcore monster enthusiasts but also stand as compelling pieces of modern toy sculpture. Meanwhile, Chris "Doc" Wyatt provided valuable historical context regarding Wandering Planet Toys as a company, touching upon the deeply rooted symbiotic relationship between animated television programming and the toy industry—a connection that has evolved significantly from Saturday morning television marketing to direct-to-consumer collector crowdfunding models.
Series One: Cthulhuchador vs. The Ultimoth Warrior
The flagship release of the Cryptid Combat line leans heavily into playful absurdity mixed with classic monster reverence. The matchup features Cthulhuchador, a cosmic horror deity reimagined with the bombastic flair of a Lucha libre professional wrestler, squaring off against The Ultimoth Warrior, a towering, heroic depiction of the legendary Mothman.
To appeal to different segments of the collector market, Wandering Planet Toys structured the release with distinct color variants. Backers on the BackerKit platform have the opportunity to acquire the figures in their original, classic color schemes, as well as a striking "Fire & Ice" variant set. This dual-release strategy allows collectors to either curate a traditional display or opt for the more stylized, dynamic visual presentation offered by the elemental color swaps.
The campaign officially launched on BackerKit, positioning Wandering Planet Toys within a growing ecosystem of independent creators utilizing crowdfunding to bypass traditional retail gatekeepers. This direct-to-fan model has proven immensely beneficial for niche properties, enabling boutique toy companies to produce premium, low-run collectibles that major mass-market manufacturers might otherwise overlook due to projected market limitations.
The Evolution and Economics of Crowdfunded Collectibles
The rise of platforms like BackerKit, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo has fundamentally altered the landscape of the toy and hobby industry over the past decade. Historically, developing a new action figure line required massive upfront capital, extensive retail distribution agreements, and a guaranteed mass-market audience to offset manufacturing molds and logistics costs. Today, boutique companies can gauge consumer demand precisely before a single mold is cast.
Wandering Planet Toys has strategically positioned itself within this modern paradigm. By focusing on distinct intellectual properties and pop-culture subgenres—such as retro animation tie-ins and cryptozoology—the company cultivates a dedicated, highly engaged community of collectors. The dialogue between Wyatt and Velikan highlights the collaborative nature of this modern toy development cycle, where creators directly engage with their audience via podcasts, social media updates, and community feedback channels.
Furthermore, the longevity of companies like Wandering Planet Toys depends heavily on forward-thinking product roadmaps. During their discussion, Wyatt and Velikan hinted at numerous concepts and expansion ideas for future waves of Cryptid Combat. As the folklore of the world is rich with legendary beasts—ranging from the Jersey Devil and the Loch Ness Monster to the Yeti and the Chupacabra—the potential for subsequent series is practically boundless, provided the inaugural campaign achieves its foundational funding and production milestones.
Industry Implications and the Adult Collector Market
The economic viability of the modern collectible market is heavily driven by adults who grew up consuming genre entertainment, science fiction, horror, and animation in the latter half of the 20th century. Referred to frequently in the industry as "kidults," this demographic is willing to invest significantly in high-end, nostalgia-driven merchandise.
Cryptid Combat capitalizes precisely on this psychographic profile. By fusing the universal fascination with urban legends and mythical monsters with the tactile joy of action figure collecting, Wandering Planet Toys taps into a lucrative intersection of pop-culture fandom. The creative decision to infuse humor—such as merging Lovecraftian cosmic horror with Mexican professional wrestling—adds a layer of self-aware charm that resonates deeply with contemporary collectors who value uniqueness and wit in their display shelves.
As independent toy makers continue to leverage digital media, direct-to-consumer platforms, and community-driven marketing, the barrier to entry for innovative product lines has lowered, fostering a golden age of boutique collectibles. Projects like Cryptid Combat demonstrate that creativity, combined with direct engagement platforms, allows unique artistic visions to bypass traditional corporate filters and reach enthusiastic audiences directly.
For fans eager to participate in the expansion of the Cryptid Combat universe, the BackerKit campaign offers various tiers of support, while Wandering Planet Toys continues to share updates through its official website and active social media channels. As the monster toy community looks ahead to future releases, the success of Cthulhuchador and The Ultimoth Warrior may well pave the way for an entire ecosystem of mythical creatures locked in eternal, plastic warfare.
