DIGGER MESCH: is an American Transmedia Artist/ Director/ Writer/ Producer of Toys, Film and Comics. He is widely known as the Founder of Art Asylum, creator of Minimates Toys, Adam Sandler’s Scuba Steve from Big Daddy, IDW’s The Other Dead, Agent 88 and his role as Bain in Payday 2.
Digger is known throughout the toy industry as one of the most innovative thinkers of our time. A true visionary who has worked on some of the most successful intellectual properties over the last three decades.
The controversial NYC artist founded the U.S.A. design house Art Asylum in 1996 fighting for artistic credit in an industry where all talent operated in virtual anonymity. He was a creative driving force behind the success of Toybiz, Diamond Select, Toymax, Fun 4 All, Happiness Express and worked extensively with Kaiyodo Toys Japan.
Art Asylum Toys was formed in 2001 where Digger reinvented the collectible toy world with the launch of Minimates that had over 50 waves of licensed collectibles for Marvel Comics alone. Minimates is the only specialty brand created in this era to have amassed 20 years of brand equity and is an obvious influence for both LEGO’S animated universe and ROBLOX.
As a pioneer in the toy world, Digger led the youngest company to be awarded the worldwide master rights for “Star Trek” by Viacom.
After years of working creatively with the likes of Marvel Entertainment, Lucas Film, Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Revolution Studios, Heavy Metal, Clive Barker, Kevin Eastman, Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, & Eminem to name a few, Art Asylum was sold to Diamond Select Toys.
Fun fact: Digger was the voice of Wolverine in the X-Men Minimates cartoon:
Digger’s work also inspired the DAVE School to produce a fan film based on his Minimates creation featuring the voice talents of: Mark Hamill as The Joker, Adam West as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Catwoman/Miss Kitka Karenska & Dick Van Dyke as Commissioner James Gordon:
Digger is the subject of a feature length documentary about his life and work with The Art Asylum being written & directed by Ryan Brookhart. Digger is currently in production co-hosting the new talk show “Divided United” to be aired on Amazon in 2022, in development of his feature film “The Fire Woman” with the creator of Final Destination; and recently co-founded Rev3al, an NFT authentication technology.
Digger will be working alongside the ZINU team to create the next iconic Toys & Collectibles to hit the market. Given Digger’s incredible career experience, we are thrilled to collaborate and create something incredible together!
You can learn more about the entire catalogue from Digger’s Minimates toys here: http://www.minimatedatabase.com/
