Ash Evil Dead 2 Horror Custom Action Figure Art

I've been a fan of Sam Raimi's three "Evil Dead" movies for many years. The hapless hero of these movies is a discount store clerk and part-time undead slayer named Ashley "Ash" Williams. While now-days we're used to getting figures for every movie released, back when these movies came out (1981, 1987, and 1993 respectively) very few movies did. In fact, by 1999 there still weren't any Evil Dead figures so I took matters into my own hands for the very first time...

The first custom action figure that I made was Ash. He's pretty terrible by today's standards but considering the parts that were available to me in 1998 and that it was my first custom attempt, he ain't all bad. In fact, I sent photos of him to Wizard Magazine and in August of 1999 he was chosen as "Homemade Hero of the Month."

Fast forward to 2010...and in the meantime McFarlane, Sideshow, Diamond Select, and Palisades have given us Evil Dead figures in numerous formats and scales. In fact, the Palisades figures were the scale that I always wanted...1:18th (or 3 3/4"). While they were highly detailed and articulated, they were a bit lanky and just didn't have the presence of modern Star Wars or G.I. JOE figures. And so I tasked myself with creating an Ash that could stand confidently, shoulder to shoulder with figures from these lines. Below is the result...

I was mostly inspired by his appearance in Evil Dead 2 but I did take some liberties including his bare chainsaw arm and open shirt from the Army of Darkness poster.

I also added details that only the hardest of the hardcore Evil Dead fans would notice like the hook that holds the pull-start on the chainsaw when he needs to start hacking zombies on the fly. I sculpted the wrist watch on his left arm and sculpted his hair to give it the Campbell signature coif.

My fellow customizer and good pal Stocos28 hooked me up with the chainsaw which looked pretty good right out of the box but I added the top and side handles to make it more accurate. The chest straps are a combination of existing pieces and sclupted parts. He is also, of course, completely repainted including the face to give him a quirky Campbell expression.

One more piece I created for the fans is the mechanical hand accessory that Ash made for himself in Army of Darkness.

I also redecoed a Palisades Neconomicon to complete the figure.

I hope you dig him. I haven't decided if I'm going to sell him as I put a lot of work into him and as you can see he has a lot of sentimental value. But if you really really really gotta have him, make me an offer I can't refuse. ;-) Until next time I remain "The Insidious One."

Custom Figure Wars: III Play Custom Contest Entries - Ash, Toxic Avenger, Handi Man

Hey gang, I teamed up with Stocos28 and JACKOFTRADZE to enter the III Play Custom Contest on the Custom Figure Wars website.

You can check out all the entries at the link above or you can check out ours individually at the links below. We turned our entries into a little comic so be sure to read them in order.

Part 1: Handi Man from "In Living Color" by Stocos28

Part 2: Toxic Avenger from "The Toxic Avenger" by JACKOFTRADZE

Part 3: Ash from "Evil Dead 2" by me. (Insidious Customs)

We hope you dig 'em. If you do, leave a comment! Until next time, I remain The Insidious One.

Cover Girl (Grease Monkey Version) G.I. JOE Custom Action Figure Art

My clients consistently request one character more than any other; Cover Girl. I can't blame them because while Hasbro did finally give us an official one in the "Rise of Cobra" movie line, she looked nothing like her vintage character and the head and hair sculpts were abysmal.

But since I won't make exactly the same figure twice, it can be challenging to come up with different takes on the character. You can check out some of my previous takes here, here, here, here, here, here, and even this little cutie here.

So when a client recently contacted me to make another one, I was a little hesitant. But when he suggested I use one of the cool new Slayer Design Studio torsos as a base, I agreed to do it.

I imagine this is what CG might look like when she's down in "The Pitt" at the Garage level working on the Wolverine, hence the nickname "Grease Monkey Cover Girl." The wash on her tank top gives her just a hint of sexy perspiration without making her look like she's stinky.

Since her parts are so different from the vintage figure, I stuck closely to her original colors. As for the hair, the client liked the parted bangs I had done on previous CG so I sculpted some for her as well. I like them even better this time around.

I spent a lot of time prepping, fitting, and cleaning up the Slayer torso but in the end all the hard work paid off. I hope you dig her. If you do, leave a comment below or contact me for a commission of your own. I hope you've enjoyed "Cover Girl Week" as much as I have. Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Cover Girl G.I. JOE (Vintage Boots) Custom Action Figure Art

Welcome to yet another, Cover Girl custom. My mantra of never exactly duplicating a custom piece has pushed me to find ways to bring even more detail from the vintage figure into the modern realm. I did this with this figure by adding the vintage style boot details.

The details are actually sculpted raised details just like the vintage figure.

You'll also notice that I changed up some of the colors including the hair and face deco.

I hope you dig her. Just one more day in "Cover Girl Week" and one more Cover Girl to go so be sure to tune in tomorrow. Until then, I remain "The Insidious One."

Cover Girl G.I. JOE Cartoon Style (Blond) Custom Action Figure Art

When Cover Girl first appeared in the G.I. JOE animated mini-series in 1983 (Now known as "The Mass Device"), she was blond and wore a green uniform. Don't believe me? Check out the pics below.

Despite this unique appearance, she did more in these episodes than she did in just about any other; she was the one who went to pick up Snake-Eyes when he returned to base after his harrowing ordeal in the radioactive crystal cave.

Then with the help of Timber, she disposed of the exploding booby trapped canister.

Later, she was at Duke's side after he escaped the Cobra Fortress.

This custom is an homage to her; the ex-model turned tank driver, fast on her feet, and sharp as a trench knife.

The cartoons were cheesey, but I love 'em none the less.

Hope you dig her. If you do, leave a comment or contact me regarding a commission of your own. Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Cover Girl (Brown Hair) G.I. JOE Custom Action Figure Art

Welcome to Cover Girl week at Insidious Customs! Yes, I've just discovered some Cover Girl customs that I somehow overlooked sharing with you. So if you like this character you're in for a treat starting today with "Brown Hair" Cover Girl.

She's very similar to a previous CG I had done but for this one, I wanted to make her colors a little darker from her brown hair to her deep red lipstick. I was also able to trim up the jacket even more to make it look more form fitting. Finally, she features my custom made waterslide decal "Wolverine" patch. (You can purchase one for your Cover Girl custom here. But hurry, there's only one set left!)

And yes, she does fit in the vintage Wolverine.

I hope you dig her. If you do, leave a comment or contact me to commission your own Cover Girl. Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Never Say Never Again... James Bond 007 "Daniel Craig" Custom Action Figure Art

Just as Sean Connery said he'd never play James Bond again after "Diamonds Are Forever" in 1971 only to reprise the role in "Never Say Never Again" in 1983... at the bequest of a very nice client all the way in Singapore, I've created a new version of my Daniel Craig James Bond. But to live up to my mantra of never creating the exact same piece twice, I've made a few improvements to our favorite member of Her Majesty's Secret Service.

This time I added more detail to the face, especially the eyes to give them that cold icey-blue stare. I've also made the tie a little darker and got rid of his pocket hanky because he just looked a little tougher without it.

I hope you dig him. I have a Sean Connery in the works, but he'll have to wait for a future post. Until then, tell Ms. Moneypenny that I remain "The Insidious One."