Cthulhu and Mothman Go Toe To Toe in CRYPTID COMBAT from Wandering Planet Toys on Backerkit Now!

Independent toy manufacturer Wandering Planet Toys has officially launched its latest crowdfunding initiative on Backerkit, introducing a genre-blending collectible line titled Cryptid Combat. The project features two distinct 5-inch soft vinyl art figures: Cthuluchador, an iteration of H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic entity styled as a professional luchador wrestler, and The Ultimoth Warrior, a reimagining of West Virginia’s legendary Mothman. Designed by acclaimed sculptor and horror artist Velikan, the figures merge elements of classic monster lore, 1930s pulp fiction, and 1980s professional wrestling culture.

The campaign bridges traditional artisanal sculpting with Japanese sofubi (soft vinyl) manufacturing traditions. Priced individually at $75 or available in curated pairs for $120, the figures target collectors of high-end art toys, pop-culture memorabilia, and alternative horror merchandise. In addition to the standard releases, the campaign introduces a Backerkit-exclusive colorway and complementary nostalgic merchandise, signaling a growing market appetite for niche, creator-driven collectible toys funded through direct-to-consumer platforms.

Chronology and Collaborative Development

The genesis of Cryptid Combat traces back to the childhood influences of artist Velikan, who spent the late 1980s consuming World Wrestling Federation (WWF) programming while simultaneously developing an interest in cryptozoology and weird fiction. Years later, these disparate cultural touchstones converged into physical form.

Velikan initiated the project by hand-sculpting the original prototypes at a height of 7-inches using Super Sculpey, a medium chosen for its ability to retain fine sculptural details. Once finalized, silicone molds were cast to produce durable hard-resin masters. Rather than relying on automated mass-production techniques, these master sculpts were digitally scanned and meticulously replicated by traditional sofubi master craftsmen.

The collaboration solidified when Chris “Doc” Wyatt, co-founder of Wandering Planet Toys, encountered Velikan’s concept designs. Recognizing a shared aesthetic interest in monsters and pop culture nostalgia, Wandering Planet brought the figures into their production pipeline. The resulting partnership transitions Velikan’s sculptural work into the realm of Japanese-style soft vinyl collectibles, marking the artist’s professional debut in the sofubi market.

Design Specifications and Product Offerings

Cryptid Combat figures are manufactured as non-articulated soft vinyl art toys, adhering to the classic aesthetic of Japanese kaiju and sofubi collectibles. Each figure is packaged in traditional header-card hang bags featuring original illustration work by Velikan.

The initial release encompasses three distinct colorways designed to appeal to varying collector preferences:

• The Insanity Smackdown: Standard colorway highlighting the raw, monstrous details of the fighters.
• The Midnight Matchup: A shadowy variant emphasizing nocturnal horror themes.
• Fire Versus Ice: A Backerkit-exclusive edition featuring contrasting thermal color palettes.

Beyond the vinyl figures themselves, Wandering Planet Toys has expanded the product ecosystem to include retro-style metal lunchboxes adorned with new Cryptid Combat artwork by Velikan. This merchandising strategy mirrors historical toy industry practices from the mid-to-late 20th century, wherein collectible lunchboxes served as primary companion pieces for action figures and media properties.

Background on Wandering Planet Toys and Velikan

Wandering Planet Toys operates as an independent garage-based enterprise founded by television animation writers and producers who channel their professional storytelling backgrounds into physical collectible design. The company has established a reputation for producing officially licensed, nostalgia-driven toy lines via crowdfunding models. Previous notable campaigns include collectibles based on the 1960s British television series The Prisoner, the classic literary properties Nancy Drew and Kolchak: The Night Hunter, and classic film comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Several of their previous campaigns have earned "Projects We Love" status on major crowdfunding platforms.

Velikan, operating professionally as Philip, is an award-winning international 3D artist, illustrator, and graphic designer known for dark, stylized creations. While maintaining an established career in digital art and physical illustration, Cryptid Combat represents his first commercial venture into vinyl toy production.

Market Implications and Crowdfunding Strategy

The launch of Cryptid Combat on Backerkit highlights a broader industry shift toward alternative crowdfunding platforms for independent toy design. While traditional manufacturing requires massive upfront capital investments and guaranteed mass-retail distribution, platforms like Backerkit allow boutique creators to gauge demand accurately before committing to production runs.

By targeting the overlapping demographics of horror enthusiasts, Lovecraftian fiction fans, professional wrestling memorabilia collectors, and sofubi purists, Wandering Planet Toys mitigates traditional retail risks while delivering premium, low-run art objects. The inclusion of tiered exclusives, such as the Fire Versus Ice colorway and themed lunchboxes, incentivizes early backer engagement and maximizes average order values.

As the campaign progresses, fulfillment timelines and stretch goals will determine the ultimate scope of the Cryptid Combat universe. For collectors of weird fiction and modern art toys, the intersection of cosmic horror and squared-circle theatrics offers a unique addition to the contemporary collectible landscape.