[Glyapaedia] Pheyden Standard Mk. I

Time to rewind. I don't think any overview of the Glyos universe could be complete without an understanding of its (arguably) central character. Pheyden, as recently disclosed by Matt Doughty in an interview, is a composite of his childhood creation and the "mechanical ghost" of a character created by his wife.[1] Over time, Pheyden has emerged as the hero character of the Glyos universe and toy line.

So who or what is Pheyden? Not much has been established in official canon with regard to the identities of characters. This is what is generally known: - Pheyden is capable of phasing through time (including, it appears, separate time streams) and the "Edge of Space." This has led to the interaction of alternate-universe versions of Pheyden (the blog says that he has "split" into many versions of himself, but I think this was probably worded as such to simplify the explanation, rather than imply that Pheyden is a multiversal singularity).[2] - There are Pheydens and there is the first Pheyden. The opening sequence of Glyaxia shows a Pheyden among the members of Glyaxia Command without any recognition that he is the Pheyden (although it is possible that this is simply one of many Pheydens from another time/universe). Numerous references are also made to the "first" or "original" Pheyden throughout the official materials.[3] Therefore, it can probably be assumed that the different toys of Pheyden are not all meant to represent different versions of a single character- although this could theoretically be the case. This also raises the question of whether Pheyden is a type of being or a proper name. Pheyden is commonly referred to as a "Traveler." His original toy box also designated him as a "Space Traveler." - Pheyden is tasked with "keeping infinity in order."[4] - Pheyden is roughly 6'6" to 7 feet in height (but can shift his size at will).[5] - Pheyden is probably mechanical. He is not a Sincroid (i.e., artificial being). - Several Glyos characters are, in reality, alternate or future versions of Pheyden. We have been told that the background on these characters is kept deliberately vague to facilitate our own creativity in playing with Glyos toys (much like Microman/Micronauts and Diaclone). However, there is an internal 'official' story that Matt has developed and leaks from time to time.

Pheyden Standard was first sold[6] at the San Diego Comic Convention in 2007, the original wave of Glyos toys. Subsequently, a Mark II and Mark III version of Pheyden Std. were released via the Onell webstore in October 2008 and August 2009, respectively.[7] Mark I differs markedly from later versions as it is made from a very hard PVC and nearly grey in color (see comparison photo with new Phase Arm pack). Mark II and Mark III can be differentiated by eye color[8] and possibly a slightly different material color. Select items from the first 2007 wave (including Mark I) were 'reissued' in December 2009 under the Founders banner. Technically, these were not reissues, but 'seconds' that were not deemed to be of saleable quality initially.[9]

-----
[1] Interview > Matt Doughty of Onell Design (Part I: Onell), Poe Ghostal's Points of Articulation, June 17, 2010, at http://www.poeghostal.com/2010/06/interview-matt-doughty-of-onell-design-part-i-onell.html.

[2] Alternate Pheydens, Glyos Transmission Web Log, October 28, 2007, at http://onelldesign.blogspot.com/2007/10/alternate-pheydens.html [hereinafter Pheyden I].

[3] See, e.g., Pheyden I; Phanost, Glyos Transmission Web Log, December 19, 2007, at http://onelldesign.blogspot.com/2007/12/phanost.html.

[4] Pheyden I.

[5] October Toys forum/ Onell Design / Glyos/ Metran Times, thread titled "January '10 Custom Corp/March Glyos drop thread," (page 115, post 10, dated March 29, 2010, 10:55 p.m.), at http://www.octobertoys.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4733&start=1710 (last visited July 10, 2010).

[6] See SDCC Press, Glyos Transmission Web Log, August 7, 2007, at http://onelldesign.blogspot.com/2007/08/comic-con-video.html.

[7] October Toys forum/ Onell Design / Glyos/ Metran Times, thread titled "What is Glyos? + Official Checklist and helpful links," (page 1, post 1, dated April 7, 2009, 4:08 a.m.) at http://www.octobertoys.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=3118 (last visited July 10, 2010).

[8] October Toys forum/ Onell Design / Glyos/ Issaris Trading Post, thread titled "WTB Armodocs!!!," (page 1, post 12, dated June 20, 2010, 6:07 p.m.) at http://www.octobertoys.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5427 (last visited July 10, 2010).

[9] See Founding Figures and Glyoformations, Glyos Transmission Web Log, December 25, 2009, at http://onelldesign.blogspot.com/2009/12/founding-figures-and-glyoformations.html.

[Glyapaedia] Pulse Pheyden

Pulse Pheyden was released by Onell Design at the New York Comic Con in April 2008 (although sales were also conducted via Onell's website). This was a fairly early mini-wave of Glyos (its release was paired with the Empire Exellis). A 'reverse color' Redlaw Exellis would be sold in the following month. The Pulse/Redlaw colors were never ones that I had a particular interest in owning. They seemed rather saturated and gaudy in the official photos. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pink was of a much lighter tone than anticipated. To be honest, I fully intend to bash this into a custom- soon- but it is nice all on its own.

Toy No. 68

No, the number doesn't have any particular significance. This is literally toy no. 68 in my collection spreadsheet. Yes, collecting toys really does bring me closer to my inner child- the one that obsessively photographs and catalogs each of his possessions. Pulled from the depths of my vault today is the Real Type Guncannon, which is a Mobile Suit in Action (MSiA) figure produced and sold through Bandai America in 2002. Rather intriguingly, Bandai America chose to release U.S.-exclusive repaints of several One Year War MSiA in 'Real Type' color schemes (generally, the application of military-style coloration to a super robot toy). From what I gather, the RT MSiA were given very limited distribution. They were and remain fairly difficult to find. This Guncannon was hitting around $60 for a MOSC (mint on sealed card) specimen in 2005/06 when I was heavily into collecting Gundam toys- shockingly expensive for the cheaper American MSiAs. The Guncannon itself is a typical Gen 1 MSiA, meaning that its engineering is very simple by current standards. It is the Real Type color scheme that makes this toy a true gem in one's Gundam collection. The deep green and red accents of this RT scheme are highly reminiscent of Okawara Kunio's art style, with dark, yet dynamic, coloration- and radically different from the traditional Guncannon color scheme. While I cannot recommend this toy solely on its merits as an action figure, its status as a rare, U.S.-only release, and the nod to the Real Type tradition make it a worthwhile acquisition.