FM: For our readers that may have been entombed for the past decade, ISH is...?

ISH: ISH is the company that I started in 2016 and ISH is the first 3 letters of my last name… JUSTIN ISHMAEL. I have a love for movies, comics, toys and try to use that passion to research, curate and produce meaningful products based on whatever my interests might be at the time. Some “properties” like Famous Monsters of Filmland are so incredibly influential on me that it feels like a dream to be able to participate with and add to the incredible, decades long of canon. 

FM: And for our NEW readers that may not be familiar with the great Galligantus? 

ISH: Galligantus, originally, is a character from the JACK THE GIANT KILLER (1711) story that was the “sequel” to JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. The cover of the FM 1968 YEARBOOK issue features a Galligantus interpretation by Ron Cobb on the cover with stark white background. We used this cover as inspiration to produce one of the first Sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl) toys for the ISH brand. 

FM: Who is M1GO and what is Sofubi?

ISH: M1GO is one of the premiere makers of Japanese soft vinyl toys as well as progressive creative outlet for unique and interesting Japanese licensed pop culture character product such as Godzilla and Ultraman merchandise. 

Sofubi is a Japanese term used to describe soft vinyl and soft vinyl toys (which is what Galligantus is made of). 

FM: Where did Galligantus get that amazing tricycle?!

ISH: In Japan, a company named Bullmark had made a series of now vintage toys of various hero characters from tokusatsu shows riding on trikes. M1GO, with the permission of  Bullmark, decided to make newer versions of the trike and now has been producing them with various characters from classic Japanese films from Toho and Tsuburya productions. We did an officially licensed Ray Harryhausen Cyclops trike with M1GO several years ago and now we are following that one with the Famous Monsters Gallagantus!

FM: Where can we buy this?!

ISH: We are so excited to be able to offer this pre-order to fans via www.justinishmael.com If you are at Son of Monsterpalooza in Pasadena, CA this weekend you can see the figure in person at booth 122-124. 

FM: Look forward to seeing you there! to all our readers, be sure to follow ish on facebook and instagram