We first brought you news about UNKL’s Spongebob Squarepants figures based on their UniPo platform from the floor of last summer’s SDCC. The SDCC protos offered up an appealing interpretation of the pervasive cartoon character with a definite designer toy look, thanks in part to the blocky UniPo body. So UNKL’s recent reveal of a full line of Spongebob UniPos (Toynami) featuring five characters from the show is a welcome surprise.
Crossover pop culture vinyl is often a mixed bag. The best examples offer stylish, artistic takes on iconic characters while others rely on straightforward and some would say uninspired me-too iterations. Character interpretation is not a one approach fits all endeavor. Some projects feature artists’ wildly imaginative reinterpretations while others seek to recast the iconic through subtler stylistic choices. In our opinion, UNKL’s upcoming Spongebob figures successfully walk the uneasy tightrope of balancing stylistic interpretation with instant character recognition and broad appeal.
