Darth Eatus - Sith Apprentice: Star Wars Custom Action Figure Art

Chicago is a fantastic city to live in for many reasons; the public lakefront, the cleanliness of the city streets, the friendly people, and food that's so good you can't help indulging. But for me, the best part of living is Chicago is the creative community. I'm lucky enough to be part of an extremely talented group that includes artists like Saint G's Juan Arevalo, Beardo's Dan Dougherty, The Lonely Rice Chronicles' Tony Maldonado, and writers like The Apocalypse Plan's Rafael Nieves, Magnificent Scoundrel's John Stangeland, and B.L.A.M. Comics La Morris Richmond.

From time to time we gather to discuss our current projects, give each other feedback, and plan our next group project or venture. On one such occasion, we had gathered at a fantastic 70's retro pizza place in Berwyn, IL. And after we had conducted some business, the conversation went to Star Wars. We were attempting to determine who is the toughest Sith of all time and as the conversation was becoming very heated, La Morris interjected that he could settle the debate once and for all. Our pizzas were just then brought to the table and we all turned to listen. La Morris grabbed a piece of the fresh hot pizza and just before he placed the large cheesy slice in his mouth he said, "Darth Eatus; because he eats all the other races in the Star Wars Universe." We all rolled on the floor with laughter. But I thought it was particularly funny so I decided to expand on the joke by creating this custom figure and writing the bio below.

Darth Eatus

Long before Darth Vader or Darth Maul, Darth Sidious had a human apprentice from Corellia named Ilikal. When Sidious discovered him, he was a teenager living with his ailing mother, stealing (more than his share) of food and anything else they needed to survive. Sidious sensed a great desire within him that could never be quenched no matter what he achieved. In this, he saw power and a way to easily mold the boy into his ideal servant. And when the boy's mother tragically passed away one night, Sidious took him under his wing.

Ilikal was a fast learner and soon Sidious anointed him Darth Eatus. Sidious did not know that the boy's hunger for knowledge and power was driven by an even deeper desire, to consume everything and everyone. And when Sidious was preoccupied with his machinations, Eatus would sneak away, defeat, and consume sentient beings of all types. He felt that if he beat them in battle they were unworthy to live and fitting fuel for his rise to power.

In the end, Eatus succumbed to a foe he could not defeat...heart disease.  He died alone in a dark alley in the midst of consuming a large Askajian female. Darth Sidious was pissed.

You'll recognize most of the parts I used. The helmet detail and spikes are sculpted. I had a lot of fun making this piece. I hope he made you laugh as well. Happy Halloween and until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

UPDATE:
He was purchased by one of Jackoftradze loyal clients in Mexico so I'm happy to say Eatus will have some high-quality custom buddies to hang out with.

Red Sonja Custom Action Figure Art

I saw Red Sonja for the first time at a the Barber Shop. It was an "old school" kind of place and the owner was a tall burly "Chicago-guy" with a mustache. Sports, boxing, and dirty jokes were the only topics of conversation and it always smelled of a combination of aftershave and machine grease. There was a poster on the wall from the 1950s showing the twelve different haircut options you could choose from; all buzz cuts. Below the sign was a hand-made wood magazine rack full of Playboys and old comic books. As a twelve-year-old boy this was my glimpse into the domain of men.

One summer day, my mother sent me to get a haircut. As I rode my bike to the shop, I was looking forward to re-reading one of the ten old Conan comic books on the rack. But when I arrived, I noticed there were some "new" old comic books on the rack, including this one...

It was Red Sonja #1 and I soon discovered that she was a female Conan; tough as nails, and as ferocious a fighter as she was beautiful. I poured over the first issue hoping I'd at least have time to read a second. But before I could reach for the next one, it was my turn in the barber's chair.

I got more haircuts that summer than any other.

This is my tribute to Red Sonja, her creators Roy Thomas, and Barry Windsor-Smith, and to Robert E. Howard (Whose character Red Sonya inspired them), and to that Barber Shop; one of the last remaining domains of men.

She is a combination of Star Wars, G.I. JOE, Narnia, and Marvel parts with sculpted details that include her whisp of hair and her trademark armored bikini.

The face sculpt was perfect, but the original deco made her look like she was falling asleep so I repainted the face and "opened" her eyes with some longer, darker lashes and her signature green eyes. I also gave her the metal shoulder pads.

"Who are you, little man?"

"Your wurst nightmaeh!"

(Note: Their heights in this photo look a little off. In actuality, Conan and Sonja are almost identical in size.)

I hope you dig her. If you do, leave a comment before she takes off on another Hyborian adventure. And if you like all things Hyborian, check out CROM! The Ultimate Conan Fan Blog. Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Conan The Barbarian Custom Action Figure Art

Robert E. Howard was a man both out of time and ahead of his time. His characters resonate through the decades and across continents as his works have been published in numerous languages for the last sixty years.

Of all Howard's characters, I have appreciated his grim stoic thinker Conan in more media than any other; from the novels, to the monthly Marvel Comics, to the movies, and the excellent Dark Horse Comics adaptations of recent years. This piece of Action Figure Art is a tribute to Robert E. Howard and Conan himself in all his forms.

The wheel of pain pendant is made of jewelry quality metal and painted to give it a weathered look.

Conan's greatest foe? None other than Red Sonja of course! (Check back soon for more info and pics on her.) If you dig Conan, as much as I do, I recommend you check out CROM! The Ultimate Conan Blog. Until next time, I remain the "Insidious One."