‘Cryptid Combat’: New monsters from Wandering Planet Toys “Doc” Wyatt and Velikan talk about designing new toys for us monster fans

The landscape of collectible toys and creature features has expanded dramatically with the introduction of "Cryptid Combat," an imaginative new action figure line brought to life by Wandering Planet Toys. In a recent exclusive 31-minute interview on the Slice of SciFi podcast, Wandering Planet Toys co-founder Chris “Doc” Wyatt and acclaimed artist and sculptor Phil Velikan pulled back the curtain on the meticulous design process, the origins of the company, and the cultural intersection between classic monster lore and modern toy manufacturing. As the collectibles market experiences a massive surge in demand for high-end, nostalgia-driven indie projects, Wandering Planet Toys is positioning itself at the forefront of creature-feature fandom with a flagship offering that pits two of folklore’s most formidable entities against one another.

The Genesis of Cryptid Combat

The inaugural series of the Cryptid Combat line introduces a high-concept, genre-blending matchup: Cthulhuchador versus The Ultimoth Warrior, cleverly pitting the cosmic dread of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu against the legendary winged cryptid Mothman. To elevate the concept, the creators infused the figures with the bombastic flair of Lucha libre wrestling, resulting in dynamic proportions, intricate costuming, and a narrative tension tailor-made for imaginative play and display.

During their discussion on the podcast, Wyatt and Velikan detailed the extensive brainstorming and developmental phases required to translate these legendary figures into physical, highly articulated vinyl and plastic collectibles. According to the creators, the challenge lay not only in honoring the rich mythos surrounding both characters but also in injecting a fresh, dynamic energy that would appeal to toy collectors and monster enthusiasts alike.

The launch strategy for Series 1 includes two distinct colorways to cater to different collector preferences. Fans have the opportunity to acquire the figures in their classic, original color palettes, which emphasize traditional monster aesthetics, or opt for the vibrant "Fire & Ice" variant color scheme, which introduces striking contrasting hues designed to make the figures pop on any shelf. The project officially made its debut on BackerKit, a premier crowdfunding platform for independent creators, giving direct access to fans who want to support the production of niche, high-quality collectibles.

Behind the Scenes: Artistry and Engineering

Phil Velikan’s background as a sculptor and artist is evident in the minute details carved into the Cryptid Combat prototypes. Translating abstract or folkloric descriptions of monsters into three-dimensional, mass-producible figures requires a delicate balance of artistic vision and manufacturing pragmatism. Velikan discussed the iterative process of sculpting creatures that possess both monstrous terror and expressive personality, ensuring that the figures look formidable from every angle.

Complementing the artistic direction, Chris “Doc” Wyatt brought a deep industry perspective to the conversation, contextualizing Wandering Planet Toys within the broader history of the toy and entertainment sectors. Wyatt explored the longstanding, symbiotic relationship between animated television, media franchises, and the toy industry—a connection that historically targeted children but has increasingly evolved to capture the lucrative adult collector market. Companies like Wandering Planet Toys thrive by tapping into this multi-generational nostalgia, offering premium products designed for adults who grew up watching monster movies and collecting action figures.

The Crowdfunding Model and Indie Toy Production

The decision to launch Cryptid Combat via BackerKit reflects a broader shift in the toy industry toward crowd-funded manufacturing. Independent toy companies face significant financial barriers when attempting traditional mass production, where minimum order quantities can run into the tens of thousands of units. Platforms like BackerKit and Kickstarter have revolutionized this space by allowing creators to gauge consumer demand accurately, secure capital upfront, and mitigate the financial risks associated with tooling and injection molding.

For collectors, this model guarantees that niche projects—such as mashups of cosmic horror, cryptid folklore, and professional wrestling—can bypass traditional corporate gatekeepers. It creates a direct pipeline between creators and consumers, fostering a community-driven approach where backers feel a personal stake in the success of the product line. Wyatt and Velikan emphasized their gratitude for this community engagement, noting that fan feedback directly influences their future roadmap.

Future Horizons and Expansion Potential

While Series 1 focuses intensely on the epic clash between Cthulhuchador and The Ultimoth Warrior, the creators hinted that this is merely the opening salvo for the Cryptid Combat universe. Wyatt and Velikan revealed that they have already conceptualized numerous additional monsters and cryptids waiting in the wings for future waves.

The vast expanse of global folklore offers an endless roster of potential combatants. From the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot to the Jersey Devil and the Chupacabra, the possibilities for future matchups are virtually limitless. The overarching goal for Wandering Planet Toys is to build an expansive ecosystem of weird fiction and cryptozoology in toy form, creating a unified universe where legendary beasts can settle their differences in the squared circle or the abyss.

Industry Implications and the Collector Market

The launch of Cryptid Combat arrives at an opportune time for the specialty toy market. In recent years, adult collectors have driven substantial growth in the "designer toy" and indie action figure sectors. Consumers are increasingly turning away from homogenized, mass-market products in favor of artisan-crafted, highly stylized items that reflect niche personal interests.

By combining universally recognized pop-culture entities with playful, unexpected twists—such as fusing Cthulhu with a Lucha libre wrestler—Wandering Planet Toys is tapping into a lucrative sweet spot of humor, nostalgia, and high-end craftsmanship. As the BackerKit campaign progresses, industry analysts will be watching closely to see how effectively indie creators can scale production and deliver on ambitious, concept-driven toy lines.

For monster fans, toy collectors, and enthusiasts of the weird and unexplained, Cryptid Combat represents a thrilling new frontier. With seasoned industry minds like Chris Wyatt and visionary talents like Phil Velikan at the helm, the monster mashup genre has found a vibrant, highly creative home at Wandering Planet Toys. As the line prepares to expand beyond its initial offering, the biggest question remaining for fans is not just which monsters will fight next, but how massive the Cryptid Combat universe will ultimately become.