By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – For Mikee Riggs, making toys was never supposed to become a career. Fifteen years ago, he was working at GNC, sketching characters between customers and wondering what came next.
“I’m not the kind of person that should work at a GNC, so I was very miserable, and I was very much like, ‘What am I doing with my life? I need to take a risk of some kind and just do something,'” says Riggs.
That risk became Scum Pit Toys, an Albuquerque-based designer vinyl toy company that creates colorful, monster-inspired collectibles for a devoted underground fanbase. Today, Riggs spends his days designing characters, overseeing production, hand-painting figures and building entire fictional worlds around them. Earlier this year, he expanded that vision by purchasing Lobo Comics, renaming it Scum Pit Comics and turning it into both a comic shop and a creative hub.
The company’s first figure, Sewer Creep, was born from those early sketches.
“I came up with this character,” says Riggs. “We made our first vinyl toy. It was called the Sewer Creep. It’s actually the spokesman for the store. He’s the three-eyed tentacle guy.”
From there, Scum Pit Toys grew into something much larger. Its Kultus line, a dark fantasy universe inspired by classic action figures, heavy metal and comic books, became the company’s signature series.
Creating a toy is much more involved than simply drawing a monster. Every figure begins with an idea, followed by character development, design revisions and sculpting before eventually reaching a factory where molds are created. Once the vinyl figures return to Albuquerque, Riggs and his team paint each one by hand in their studio.
“So conceptualization is our first mark,” says Riggs. “And then from there we get into design.” After sculpting and factory production, “we paint them in-house in our studio.”
Riggs’ inspiration comes from nearly everywhere. Albuquerque’s culture, Japanese toys, Saturday morning cartoons, fantasy, heavy music and childhood nostalgia all find their way into his creations.
“You’re never getting inspired from one thing. You’re getting inspired from everything,” says Riggs.
That blend of influences gives Scum Pit Toys its distinctive style. Bright colors sit alongside grotesque monsters. Retro toy aesthetics meet original storytelling. While many companies rely on rebooting familiar franchises, Riggs believes independent creators offer something different.
“We’re not using you for your money,” says Riggs. “We’re sharing these passions with you.”
That philosophy extends beyond the toys themselves. Earlier this year, Riggs purchased the longtime comic shop Lobo Comics and transformed it into Scum Pit Comics, a space that reflects the same creative spirit as his toy company. Along with comics and collectibles, the shop hosts drawing nights, plans trivia events and showcases underground artists and makers.
“Our community reach is our primary goal,” says Riggs. “I’m not here for financial compensation. I’m here to enrich people.”
Unlike many comic shops, Scum Pit Comics also creates its own products, from designer toys to comic books, while carrying independent and imported items that customers are unlikely to find in big-box retailers.
“You can’t get weird import Japanese toys at Walmart,” says Riggs. “You can’t get weird underground comic books at Walmart.”
Riggs has also continued expanding his creative universe beyond the comic shop. His Tiki-inspired Atomica Exotica toy/ceramic mug line recently motivated him to curate an exhibition at the Stranger Factory art gallery in Algodones titled “Cannibal Hula Girls and the Tiki Massacre,” and another upcoming show will immerse visitors in the dark fantasy world of Kultus through paintings, comics and storytelling. For Riggs, every project is another opportunity to invite people into the worlds he creates.
Despite his success, Riggs insists that persistence matters far more than natural ability. “I’m not talented. I’m not talented at all. I’m tenacious,” says Riggs.
It’s a mindset that shapes everything he does, from sculpting monsters to welcoming customers into his shop. Riggs hopes his work inspires others to pursue their own creative ideas, whether that means making toys, drawing comics or simply taking the first step.
“I think anybody can make toys,” says Riggs. “I think anybody can write comic books or draw comic books. I think it’s just a matter of how passionate you are and how much you want to do it.”
“Cannibal Hula Girls and the Tiki Massacre” closes Aug. 25 at Stranger Factory (1431 NM HIghway 313). You can visit Scum Pit Comics and Toys at 1016 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE #D. To check out the entire line of Scum Pit Toys and Atomica Exotica collectables, go to scumpittoys.com.