Shikaruna Koubo Giant Madalla figure

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This the Giant Madalla figure from Shikaruna Koubo, made in Japan. He’s larger than a standard size kaiju figure which is normally 8-9 inches…he’s almost 12 inches tall. This is a small edition, beautifully painted on glow vinyl, and I love the baroque pose! I’m not a fan of all the Shikaruna Koubo sculpts, but this one I really gravitated towards because it reminded me of “S’pell Sejin” (see below), the famous alien from the 1960s Ultraseven, episode 12, “From Another Planet With Love” in which Ultraseven, in order to ultimately defeat the alien villain, zings his helmet blade and cuts him in half! My son and I were floored! That scene was so crazy and outrageous!

The episode was also never shown again after it’s initial broadcast in Japan because many survivors of the Atomic bombings during WWII in Japan were offended by the portrayal of the alien villain. The alien race was poisoned by nuclear or “S’pellium bombs” on their own planet and in order to continue living, they needed to feed on the blood of human children, so they invade Earth. This negative depiction of radiation victims turning into alien vampires caused the uproar and Tsuburaya Productions pulled the episode. More detail on it at  August Ragone’s excellent Japanese film, pop culture blog that’s also up for a “Rondo Hatton” award. Go vote (category 15)!

Spell Sejin

Ultraseven

The origin of manga: Storytelling Man

Here’s a wonderful article I found on Ping-Mag about the origins of manga and a lost art in Japan known as Kamishibai. Kamishibai was live storytelling on the streets of Japan for children and adults. Kamishibai included the showing of fantastic illustrations as the narrator sometimes performed his stories. Sometimes those illustrations were even original pieces of art. It’s one of these wonderful lost arts that has diminished due to our modern age of entertainment thru tvs, computers etc… wonderful article but at the same time somewhat sad…Of course I would be in quite a state of bliss to be able to hear him tell/show an Ogon Bat story…live.

Fortress of Solitude

Fortress of Solitude illustration from my new Superman picture book

Sketch

Richard Donner Superman movie 1978

The original fortress from the silver age was built into the side of an artic mountain and Superman (or another kryptonite) could only lift the gigantic golden key to unlock the equally huge door to get in. I opted to stay true to the version of the fortress that Richard Donner created in the 1978 Superman movie and the one which Bryan Singer stayed pretty true to in Superman Returns. Smallville also depicts that version so I wanted to stay close to what fans recognized including adding the aurora borealis.

Say Whaaat?! Monster Pillows!

Here’s the art for some 12″ x 12″ pillows my wife and I are creating for our new upcoming “Jumbee” shop. I drew the illustrations with a black pencil, scanned them and added color in illustrator. Printed here in the good ol’ USA on a really nice quality linen cotton fabric and all hand sewn, not by me because I’d be all thumbs and get BLOOOOD al over them! AGHHHH! But my wife Lisa is doing a freaking fantastic job on them and adding some really nice stitching details to the sewn edges. They’re 2-sided, the backs have a graphic pattern that consists of the monster heads and some funny quips. I’ll post pics of actual samples soon. SAY WHAAAT?!

Marusan Mini Red King Model

An inexpensive little model kit that put a huge smile on me and my son’s faces.
Based on the legendary, larger, plastic remote control Redking kit from the 60s, this little gem
was quick and easy to snap together. The figure itself has a dash of paint on him adding a little more of a nostalgic feel to him.
More info on the history of Marusan model kits here.

Box art is fantastic!

Even includes the battery operated remote control! Siiick!

Giant B-Club RedKing playing.

Superman, The Story of the Man of Steel

I’m finally getting around to posting sneak peeks of my Superman picture book being released April 1st 2010, available in bookstores everywhere and amazon. Check the blog for sketches and doodles that lead to the final illustrations. Here’s the cover art. You can also check out more of my books here.

The DIY Revolution

The DIY revolution is already here and the resources and capabilities are truly empowering the independent proletarians. The Feb. 2010 issue of Wired truly inspires.

Fun-Boy Chunky Mini-Figure Design

Fun-Boy Vinyl figure w/ Batman Costume

I’ve always itched to create some Fun-boy gags with him wearing a batman costume and trying to be a super-hero.
These were concepts as I envisioned of him as a vinyl figure wearing the costume. My thoughts were to use the same mold for various costumes and add different accessories. I also have him wearing a black terror and werewolf outfit. Awoooooooo!

Superman Cover Sketches / Influences

I had sketched a ton of faces and Supes was looking really thugish until I settled on this sketch.

Star Wars: Wicket and Chewie Animation

The Star Wars Wicket and Chewie animation / e-card I had been working on late last year is finally up and posted on Hallmarks site. If I had a little more time I would have liked to have added a few more sound effects however, I think it turned out pretty good. Wicket and Chewie were a blast to work on and I was super excited that Lucas liked the designs and approved them along with the initial animatic I did below. The story, art, directing and key frame poses/animation were done by me based on my animatic, all in vector with a few raster files for texture. A big thanks to my pal Will Sanchez for doing the in between animation and really plusing it all up, Will’s a jedi animator! I’m hoping I can do more of these e-cards with a variety of characters from the Star Wars universe. I have a bunch of ideas brewing so I know the force is with me! LOL!
Below is the original pencil animatic I did so you can see the before and after.

Here’s the final flash animation

“Tonite little ones, we make a stand!”

This was a sketch depicting an idea I had for a story where Batman helps some rogue young warriors in a post apocalyptic alternative universe.