TOYFARE WEEK > 5 Questions with: Jairo Leon

Codename: Jairo Leon
Base of Operations: ToyFare Magazine
History: Shrouded in mystery/not submitted.

PG: Please describe what you do at ToyFare. Is this the culmination of a lifelong desire to work with toys or the inevitable result of a misspent youth?

I’m a graphic designer. I layout the magazine and help put together Twisted Toyfare Theater. I like toys and I like designing, so you put the two together and you get ToyFare. It’s the ideal job for both of the things that I like.

PG: Please list the toys in your work area.

On my desk you’ll find a couple of Marvel Legends like Juggernaut (my favorite), Hulk. Abomination, Spidey and a few others from the ‘build-a-figure lines.’ I also have a few Japanese figures from Guyver, Fullmetal Alchemist and Dragon Ball Z.

PG: What’s the most interesting thing going on in the toy industry today?

One of my favorite current trends is how video games are getting their own toy lines. I love when a really good video game gets a figure made from it. Like the Bioshock Big Daddy figure that came with the special edition game. The God of War figures are really cool (although they have weak ankles) and so are the Assassin’s Creed figures. The upcoming Gears of War toys are definitely on my toys-to-buy list.

PG: What’s the best thing about working at ToyFare?

There’s always something cool in the process of being made or about to be released and as the designer, I get a sneak peek at early prototypes and final versions of the product.

PG: What’s your fondest toy-related holiday memory?

When I was a kid I got a full-size Voltron. As a kid, you really get a kick out of building lions into a robot.