This was a fun surprise to pull out of the box after moving recently and, for the first time in what seems forever, am faced with asmall patch of green to mow, plant, etc. When putting down some new potting soil, voila, earthworms. Of course these are a good omen, and the plants will thrive due to our lil' underground dwellers. And here we have a perfectly funny vinyl adaptation by British-born NY-based illustrator and artist, Andrew Bell. His vinyl Can of Worms series was originally released back in 2011 in about a half dozen colorways, and we were lucky enough to get hold of one of the glow-in-the-dark versions.
Housed in a tackle-style "wooden" box (they even printed on the inside flaps), this trio of dirt dwellers are unearthed from a clever housing that is die-cut to look like broken boards, nice touch. The inner snap-plastic housing keep these cute critters in place so you can oogle before you are bated. And when you are ready these go for about $50 for the set.
Don't Get It Twisted!: It made sense to take these guys to the tiny trough garden and make them feel at home. And they actually adapted quite well there. Produced by the auspicious and talented designer-makers BIC Plastics, in an edition of 250, these guy come with a separate "can" accessory which can be posed with or without the three oligochaeta. I love that the heads and arms have limited articulation for putting them into the twist in your own mind.
The vinyl color is that milk warm green that most glowy things are before they fluoresce, with wonderful lighter toned spots and other green colors for the base and dabs of grass on their heads. The copper can had a nice sheen, looks metallic with some slight shading at the creases! They are really cute with their dino-like bulbheads.
Top/Bottom views give you some details that are subtle, and offer a complete figure from any angle. Measuring about 8 1/2" x 6" x 4.5" he would look incredible in a fun nook of your choice and since they glow - make it somewhere near a lightsource. We suggest in a place near a plant or with a view of a tree in the background (sold separately).
Check out the artist at his Creature In My Head site. The piece is sold out on Amazon but you may still find one at Suburban Vinyl and on the artist's shop you can have a closer look at the red and black editions. Personally I like the GITD best :)
Other figures by Bell are available at Munky King, Tenacious Toys,
RATING
Paint: 9/10
Sculpt: 9.5/10
Design/Packaging: 9/10