Howard “Quiggly” Chang is taking Ancientz from the convention circuit to Walmart.com.
The artist and toy designer will launch Ancientz Minis Chapter 1 V.2 through the retailer this fall, marking the first consumer retail release for the collectible line. Preorders open Oct. 8, timed to the first day of New York Comic Con (NYCC), and will remain open through October while supplies last.
All seven Chapter 1 V.2 characters are part of the initial Walmart.com drop. David, Gideon, Joshua, and Noah are scheduled to ship Nov. 1, followed by Deborah, Rahab, and Goliath on Nov. 30.
Chang created Ancientz as an original sci-fi take on biblical figures, reimagining David and Goliath, Noah, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, and Deborah as robotic beings awakened in a near-future world. The designs blend action figure DNA with an art-toy look, carrying over the exaggerated sculpting and character work that helped define Chang’s earlier career.
That résumé includes years at Varner Studios, where Chang rose from Mold Maker to Lead Designer and worked on hundreds of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. Ancientz began as a Kickstarter project, with Chang initially hand-painting and assembling figures himself.
The Walmart.com launch expands the line with a broader retail play. Collectors can also find Chapter 1 Alpha Edition Legend Series figures through Walmart.com and the Ancientz storefront at Glorius Art. Those larger 10- to 15-inch light-up pieces range from 400-750 per character.
The Ancientz Minis Chapter 1 V.2 preorder window runs through the end of October, subject to availability.
