World War HELL is a vintage inspired 1/18 World War II horror O-ring action figure line. Combining the nostalgic fun of Friday nights at the video store, 3-3/4 action figures and ridiculously over the top low budget horror movies. Featuring classic O-Ring construction with a twist. Extra articulation, killer sculpting, highly detailed interchangeable accessories, all with premium deco. Incorporating VHS style packaging design, every figure comes in a slipcase box that beautifully shows off the movie poster artwork.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Backerkit is upon us! World War HELL cometh!!
5 days ago
– Fri, Mar 13, 2026 at 03:47:38 PM
Hello Boils and Ghouls!
Its your old pal Chris from Grindhouse Toys with another update on World War HELL! Most of you know that we launched the World War HELL kickstarter back on Friday the 13th last June. Well today is also Friday the 13th, so what do we have in store for all of you? How about backerkit surveys?! Not only will the surveys be going out as soon as I publish this update, but we are also offering 3 new products! The World War HELL Accessory Pack, The Devil's Rejects Trooper, and the highly requested Harbinger of DOOM as "Steamboat Willie"! But don't take my word for it. Check out this week's Grindhouse Toys ad!
Now remember, if you want to purchase the new products you will have to add them after you confirm your initial pledge. The Backerkit pledge manager is pretty straight forward and should be easy for all of you. If there are any issues do not hesitate to ask and I'll get you all squared away.
The preorder store will be opening at the same time as well, so tell your friends about it. Anyone who didn't back the kickstarter can now get in on the World War HELL fun! There are no bulk all in packages though, as I wanted to keep those special for all of you who backed this project and brought it to life.
We are just two weeks away from Toylanta in Duluth, Ga March 27-29. https://www.toylanta.net/ We will be setup and showing off some new package prototypes. Plus I was informed by Chris, our production manager, that we will have 2 articulated check models to show off as well. The display at the show is going to be next level and you guys are just going to have to come see it to believe it.
Things are moving at the factory, just not as fast as I would like. Once the check models arrive, I can send my notes and make sure everything is perfect. Then we can start cutting the metal tools. WE CANNOT WAIT TO GET YOU THESE FIGURES.
Here is a an amazing render of all of the spines matching up to create the beautiful battle mural. Artwork by Mark Pennington and rendered by Mark Gerwig.
Seeing all of the packaging together for the first time really blew me away. These are going to be some serious shelf candy.
Ok thats it for now. Hope to see a bunch of you at Toylanta! Don't forget to check those emails and respond to the backerkit surveys!
Happy Friday the 13th and remember be kind and rewind!
-Grindhouse Toys
Did someone say they like VHS inspired packaging?
about 2 months ago
– Sun, Feb 01, 2026 at 08:40:47 AM
Hello Boils and Ghouls!!!
We hope you all had a great New Years and are hopefully staying warm out there.
Convention season is quickly approaching! Chris will be at Zolocon 2026 February 27 – March 1, 2026 at Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia, PA. The booth will not be set up this year, but hopefully next year when we have figures for sale! But if you see him in his battle jacket walking around please stop him and say hi! The full booth will be set up at Toylanta 2026 MARCH 27-29 in Duluth, GA. We will also be unveiling a brand new diorama set up for World War HELL made by the incredibly talented Jimmie Harrowvex of HVX Customs. This thing is going to be a game changer and we cannot wait for you all to experience it.
We are still awaiting our first check models for World War HELL. We are hoping that we will have them for display at Toylanta. Chinese New Year is about to begin and so we should get them after our factory partners get back from their holiday. We will keep you posted as we get more information.
We have received questions about Backerkit and when that will be going up. Chris had a meeting with Backerkit this week, going over all of the ins and outs of getting it all set up and into your inboxes. It shouldn't be much longer and we thank you all for your continued patience.
Did someone say they like VHS packaging? We sure do over at Grindhouse Toys. The team has been cranking out the nostalgic goodness! These are still WIP and early peeks behind the curtain. So things can and will still change. There is no wear/tear or stickers yet. So do not fret!
Captain Winchester "VHS" inspired slipcase with artwork by Brian Sauer.
Sgt. Graves "VHS" inspired slipcase with artwork by Shane Pierce and brand new logo by Jason Bienvenu.
Sgt. Graves "VHS Tape" Inspired box packaging.
Sgt. Specter "VHS" inspired slipcase with artwork by Tim Baron.
Sgt. Specter "VHS Tape" Inspired box packaging.
Now some of you are probably saying, "Hey we saw the box art for Graves and Specter!!", well we say to you but have you seen the spine artwork by none other than Mark Pennington? Each standard VHS figure will have connecting spine artwork that shows a hellacious battle!
Thats it for now. We're back to the grind and remember, be kind and rewind!
-Grindhouse Toys
Happy Holidays from Grindhouse Toys!!
3 months ago
– Thu, Dec 18, 2025 at 11:59:25 AM
Hello Boils and Ghouls!!!
Grindhouse Toys here with another update for you all. Our 2025 US Tour has come to an end! Thank you everyone who came by and visited us over this last year. If you missed us, don't fret! We will be hitting a bunch of shows in 2026, so there will be multiple opportunities for you to come see us again.
We are hard at work bringing World War HELL to life and have recently added a new member to the team. It is my pleasure to introduce you all to Bill Rawley.
Bill is a Product Design Professional with over two decades of experience leading innovation and design in the toy industry. He is responsible for securing strategic partnerships and expanding brand portfolios, enhancing market reach and profitability. Bill has mentored designers throughout his career, ensuring the passion for good toys and play experiences continues.
From his early days in the toy industry working with Eric, Jim and Cornboy at McFarlane toys, Bill has always had a desire to create high quality toys that look and feel as best as they possibly can. He carried that love of toy into the Toy Design Program at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) where he honed his skills and was introduced to the wider world of toy development.
After graduation, Bill went on to work for Hasbro Inc. where, for the next 21 years he would work on such amazing brands as Star Wars, Transformers, My Little Pony, Marvel, Power Rangers, Ghostbusters and many more. The action figures, role play items and vehicles produced while at Hasbro make up a sizable portion of Bill’s portfolio.
After Hasbro, Bill went on to lead the Innovation Team at Just Play. As the Senior Director, he was responsible for managing a team of talented designers to innovate and come up with new products and play experiences for licensed and new IPs. He was able to utilize many of his skills to design, draw, sculpt, sew, build, etc. and would often jump in to assist as well as manage his team.
Bill now continues to hone his skills and share his wealth of production knowledge as he works with the Four Horsemen and their partners. The sense of quality, problem solving and innovative thinking will be a huge asset as new projects kick off and begin development, and Bill is super excited to be a part of it all!
Bill will be our new Production Manager, working directly with Chris Gawrych, to get these figures created and at the highest quality possible. We are in good hands!
Just this week Bill and Chris went over all of the notes that the factory shared with us. There are a some revisions needed to be done to the sculpts for optimal mold making. But it is all very minimal and everything looks to be good to go! Now that that step is completed, we will move onto our first check models (articulated resin printed prototypes for checking articulation and making sure everything lines up correctly before tooling).
Tentative packaging artwork for Sgt. Graves.
In other O-Rings news, Carson Mataxis of Operation Recall has begun shipping wave 1 of his crazy successful kickstarter. Please go give those guys a follow! They've created something very special, utilizing the original GI JOE team to bring new concepts to life! Plus the Dark Reaper concept was submitted by Grindhouse Toy's very own Chris Scott!
Operation Recall Dark Reaper and World War HELL's Sgt. Graves. Both sculpted by James Carter!!
Thats it for now, but we will keep you all posted on any new updates. We are eternally grateful for your support and cannot wait to get these figures into your hands!
Wishing you all a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year and...
Remember be kind and rewind!
-Grindhouse Toys
Heading out to the Highway! The US Tour Continues!!!
5 months ago
– Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 05:34:01 PM
Hello Boils and Ghouls!
Grindhouse Toys here with our monthly update! We have been very busy this last month working on World War HELL and gearing up for the great toy show pilgrimage of 2025. It was so great to see everyone who came out and seen us and the booth at JOELANTA last month!
Our next show will be Spooky Empire October 31st, November 1st and 2nd in our backyard of Orlando, FL.
Spooky Empire is always a horrifyingly good time, so come on out, check out the World War HELL prototypes and pick up a Grindhouse Toys shirt or World War HELL poster!
After that we will be hitting the road! Legionscon, Code Name: Iowa, Retro Toy Con and then back home for the Dirty South Meetup!
Over on our socials we shared the new artwork for Sgt. Graves by the amazingly talented Shane Pierce.
This artwork really captures the grit and hopelessness that is World War HELL. I hope you all dig it as much as we do!!
Speaking of packaging, here is your first look at the packaging for everyone's favorite vengeful spirit/machine gun haunt, Sgt. Specter! Artwork by Tim Baron.
The Toy Attics also did a quick update on World War Hell over on their youtube channel. Go check out their page and give them a like and subscribe.
Ok everyone! Thats it for now!
Remember to be kind and rewind!
-Grindhouse Toys
Shows on the horizon!!!!
6 months ago
– Sat, Sep 13, 2025 at 03:26:34 PM
Hello everyone!!! Just wanted to pop in here and give an update! We are on the road for the rest of the year. We will be hitting 5 more shows. Come on out and check out the booth and the prototypes. Plus we will have shirts and prints for sale as well! (Don't worry if you can't make any of the shows! The shirts and prints will be added to the Grindhouse Toys website as well!)
Files have been sent to the factory!!! They will be making 3d printed check models (to make sure everything moves properly and works correctly). Then the tooling process can begin (Molds). I will be sharing any and all updates I get with you all. The journey is just as fun as the finish! Backerkit is not set up yet but we are still finalizing everything that will be offered.
What is an update without a reveal you say? I've gotten a lot of questions about accessory packs. Well you ask and you shall receive!
Thank you everyone for backing this project and I look forward to sharing more soon!
