Max Toy Company
Ask anyone who knows Mark to describe him and the two things that will come up are toys and art.
After attending the Academy of Art College in San Francisco during the late 80's and picking up a New York artist's rep, Mark embarked on a 10-year plus journey as a freelance commercial illustrator. Over the years he's worked with a diverse client list which has included Scholastic Books, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Becketts Publications, Schlage Locks, AMD, Genentech, IBM, Square Soft, Activision, DC Comics, Sony, Galoob Toys, Lucasfilms, Hasbro Toys and numerous Advertising and
Design firms nationally and internationally. The highlight of this time included over 40 cover paintings for RL Stine's Goosbumps book series, Give Yourself Goosbumps.
Churning out hundreds of assignments over the years, coupled with deadlines from hell took a toll, both mentally and physically. "I had to reassess what was important in my life and refocus my abilities towards a new goal. " said Nagata.
"I'd been collecting Japanese toys all along, and suddenly realized it would be cool to have a magazine of some type devoted to them. So it's no surprise that Mark ended up creating and co-publishing Super7 Magazine. After successfully building the Super7 brand for nearly 4 years , it was time to move on."I wasn't able to paint as much as I wanted, and I realized that the part of Super7 I enjoyed the most was creating toys and artwork " reflects Nagata.
Thus was born Mark's new venture called Max Toy Company, named after his son Max. With a nod to the Golden Age of Japanese toys, Max Toy Co. will continue the tradition of offering classic Japanese character toys by all the best toy companies. Max Toy Co. also produces its own exclusive toys, both licensed and original. Many of the original toys offered are hand painted by Mark Nagata. A tradition that goes back to Japanese toy makers. Also most of the offerings feature unique artwork on the headercards painted by Mark.
In September 2007 the first group Kaiju show in the United States featuring artists and companies from Japan, USA and South America was held at Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago. Called Toy Karma ( www.toykarma.com ) it was a historic gathering that featured many custom painted toys and art.
Following on the heels of this event in October 2007, over 30 of Mark's original paintings, toys and a selection of his vintage toy collection were featured in Beyond Ultraman: Seven Artists Explore the Vinyl Frontier, at the Pasadena Museum of California Art , a joint exhibition with LaTda , Los Angeles Toy, Doll & Amusements Museum. This marked the first time in a musuem setting that the influence of Japanese toys on California artists was explored.
And in 2009, Mark curated Mark Nagata and Kaiju Comrades art show in Tokyo, Japan, once again bring together artists from different aspects of the kaiju toy movement in this first of it's kind art toy show. From 2008 to the present Mark has also been selling his hand painted custom Kaiju toys via the prestigous auction houses Philips De Pury and Christies in New York and London. Mark's customs have sold in every auction and continue to spread the Kaiju art toy movement into new uncharted areas of the art world.
In addition, Mark has also written and Max Toys have appeared in the Eiji Tsuburaya biography from Chronicle Books,the soon to be released, Kaiju Attack from Collins Books and Full Vinyl book from Harper Collins, Otaku USA magazine, and Japanese magazines, Hyper Hobby and KaiZine, Spectrum Fantastic Arts annual book, to name a few.
More recently Max Toy Co. has teamed up with well known Art Toy distributor, StrangeCo .,to help wholesale and distribute its product to a much wider audience.
"Max Toy Co. allows me to produce original artwork, sculpt new toys, and work directly with a lot of my talented artist friends." Nagata says.
Max Toy Co is a synthesis of toys and art ... both life long passions.
Gama Go
 | Chris Edmundson Founder Chris Edmundson was born in a straw-laden manger to a virgin mother and a carpenter father. After a quick stint of healing lepers and curing the blind, he turned his attention to rock. He spent his youth headbanging his way across America, ultimately settling in San Francisco. He quickly solved San Francisco's endemic homeless problem to the surprise and consternation of the mayor and the majority of SF's liberal-wanna-be-do-gooder residents. Bored, antsy, and with pockets full of change - he co-founded GAMA-GO. He currently spends his time teaching orphans to hug and bitterly complaining about the proliferation of upscale donut shops. He's a sharp dresser and enjoys telling hippies to "sit on it, Potsie." |
 | Greg Long Founder As a child my father taught me the three B's of life: Bear Wrastlin', Big Nacho Platters, and Buck Naked Croquet. I put in my time learnin' the B's. A lot of blood, sweat, bear saliva, and delicious hot cheese went into making me the man I am. The skills I acquired learning to put a hammer lock on a 850lbs grizzly have proven to be directly applicable to the day-to-day operations of GAMA-GO. Not a day goes by that I don't thank my dad for showing me how to wack a croquet ball clear into next Tuesday. I currently spend my days teaching my young son the intricacies of choosing a proper croquet mallet and determining which chip to first pull from a nacho pile. I'm fortunate to be working with a group of like-minded, free-thinking, talented folk here at GG. I live in San Francisco and am extremely thankful for my friends, my family, and my excellent sense of smell. |
 | Jennifer Brown Sales Manager Jennifer spent her formative years in Minneapolis, MN behind a Polaroid making fake ID's so that she and her friends could get into rock shows. She also studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. While employed as a buyer for an indie retailer in Seattle, Jennifer fell in love with Gama-Go's RAD tees and hoodies...coincidentally (or not) Gama-Go headquarters happened to be in SAN FRANCISCO, a city she had left her heart in as a child. In 2006 it all came together and she couldn't be happier living or working anywhere else. When not jet setting around the country to tradeshows showing off the latest Gama-Goodies, you might find her urban-deep-sea-diving for mid-century modern pieces at estate sales, or walking her fox through Golden Gate Park. |
 | Wednesday Kirwan Illustrator Wednesday Kirwan (artist/designer) Wednesday's fine art has been exhibited at M Modern Gallery, The Corey Helford Gallery, Gallery 1988 (SF and LA) and Roq la Rue. One of her pieces was recently published in the Fantagraphics Books collection, Beasts II. Wednesday's illustration clients have included Merriem Webster, Scott Foresman and Harcourt Books for Kids. She has written and illustrated two books for children, "Nobody Notices Minerva," Sterling, 2007, followed by "Minerva the Monster," Sterling, 2008. Wednesday lives in San Francisco with her small dog, Nemo. Wednesday has been a Gama-go contributer since 2007. |
 | Jackson Pritt Illustrator Born and raised in California, Jackson is a graduate of the Design programs at both UC Davis and the California College of the Arts. He currently lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife, cat, and collection of clip-on ties. |
 | Stephanie Sampang Office Manager Steph first spotted the wonderful world of Gama-Go at Wishbone boutique on Irving St. And with the good fortune of a Craigslist posting & the encouragement of her best friend, Kori, a longtime Gama-Fan, Steph applied for a position with the company. Three years and hundreds of tee designs later, she makes sure the wheels are cranking on a daily basis and is now part of a growing team dedicated to bringing things that bring a smile to your face. When not in the office, you can find this artsy fartsy singing tunes in an 80s/90s pop cover band called “Slick Blow & the Tenderonies” & performing in various theatrical productions. To all the friends, loved ones, and fans who have supported us through the years....a big THANK YOU! |
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