Law & Order G.I. JOE Custom Action Figure Art Take 2

I made my first Law and Order a few years ago and I was really happy with how they turned out. Since then, Hasbro gave us this ROC version. But that wasn't even close to what we wanted from a Law and Order so I thought it was time to give them another go.

I had two objectives with this piece; 1) Make the colors and details even closer to the vintage figure card art and 2) More accurately and realistically equip the figures including gear and painted details.

I researched German Shepards to get Order's fur just right and I even gave him a "wet" nose. The "MP" waterlide decals I created for my original piece still look great on the helmet and arm band. (I printed an extra set so contact me if you want to buy a pair for your custom.)

"It's getting late, Order. And Shipwreck still hasn't checked in. Cover Girl said he was headed this way after the bar closed. I can't imagine how he got in here but it's a good thing I brought the bolt cutters."

"Wake up, Shipwreck! By the smell of your breath, I'm guessing that cup isn't filled with Slurpee."
"Woof, woof!"

"On your feet sailor! I'm not carrying you back to base this time!"





"Quiet night tonight, Order."

"Woof, woof!"
"You spot something there, buddy?"

"Oh no, a Cobra Viper from Rise of Cobra! You're in real trouble, pal. Order really hated that movie!"

I went a bit crazy with the gear but I wanted to include everything Law and Order would need to keep the peace among the JOEs. I hope you dig 'em. If you do, follow me at the links on the right side of the page or leave a comment. (I read all posted comments.) Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Lady Jaye G.I. JOE Custom Action Figure Art

Whether you prefer the ball-cap and jumpsuit wearing vintage figure or the raspy voiced short-haired version from the old cartoon, every JOE fan has a special place in their heart for Flint's main squeeze; Lady Jaye. Hasbro has done a few versions of her over the last few years but they've all come up short in one aspect or another. So when a client contacted me about doing his favorite version of Lady Jaye which is based on her appearance on a comic book cover, I jumped at the chance to not only do this unique version of her, but to do her right.

The 25th Anniversary single carded "hat wearing" Lady Jaye actually has one of my favorite face sculpts of any 18th scale action figure. In fact, I like it so much I used it on my Agent Courtney Krieger Cover Girl. Unfortunately, the hair is pretty goopy-looking so just like the Cover Girl, I cut it off. This time, however, I re-sculpted her entire hairdo to give it the same kind of playfulness it has on the comic cover.

I also sculpted the belt buckle, additional web-gear, and rounded off the top of the hat to make it more of a ball cap. The extra pouches were cut off another figure and attached with super glue.

I detailed the heck out of her with paint and washes. There are actually 3 colors in the camo-pattern but the lighter green doesn't show up so well in the photos.

I hope you dig her. If you do, leave a comment, follow me at the links on the right or contact me for a commission of your own. Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Mara Jade Star Wars: Expanded Universe Custom Action Figure Art #2

It's no secret that I love the Star Wars character Mara Jade. She's a tough as nails spitfire with a noble heart. So when I took a commission to make another custom figure of her, I decided that I was going to perfect her.

I found some new reference for inspiration and got to work!

Don't you just love Adam Hughes Star Wars work?

While the differences between the mass released, orange haired, purple suited, bad face-painted, comic pack Mara Jade and this one are quite dramatic, the differences between this one and my original are subtle.

I sculpted some extra "stray hairs" to give her bangs some drama, dyed her bodysuit black, repainted everything else, and then detailed the heck out of her with more painting, washes, and glosses in just the right places.

I sewed her trademark gray short cape but this time I designed it so that it could fully cover her shoulders should she need to "blend-in with the locals."

Until trouble strikes! Then it's quick-draw, "BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!"

I hope you dig her. If you do, leave a comment, "follow me" using the links on the right, or contact me for a commission. Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

How to Commission a Piece of Custom Action Figure Art

You'll notice that I often refer to "commissions" in my posts. If you've wondered what I'm talking about, today's your lucky day because today's post is all about my commission process.



A commission is a figure that I make at the request of a client (this could be you). It may be a character I've made previously, a new concept, or even a little of both. Below is my step by step process. For this example YOU will be the client (or commissioner) and I will be...well, me.

You've always wanted a (insert the name of your favorite character) action figure. But Hasbro (Mattel, etc.) either hasn't made them or they haven't made them to your liking. So you decide that you want to get this figure made.

STEP 1: You contact me via email (Eric@Insidious1.com). In your email, you describe the type of figure you want including...

• The scale and style. (ie: Modern Star Wars, Modern GI JOE, Marvel Universe, etc.)
  
• The details of the character. ("I want him to have a brown trench coat and red Chuck Taylor sneakers.")
  
  
• A few images or links to images for reference. (This is the most helpful thing you can do.)

STEP 2: I write back to you with any questions and/or a quote.

STEP 3: You write back to me accepting the quote. You also send half of the total quoted amount to me via PayPal.

STEP 4: I secure the parts and begin working on your figure.

STEP 5: When I have finished the figure, I email photos of the completed piece to you for approval.

STEP 6: You email your approval and send the second half of the payment via PayPal.

STEP 7: I mail your brand new ONE OF A KIND piece of action figure art to you.

It's that easy! Here are a few other general things you should know about commissions.

1) Commissions aren't cheap. They are hand sculpted and painted pieces of art so don't expect your quote to resemble anything near what you would pay for a figure at a mass market retailer. I am a professional toy designer with over ten years experience and I bring the same level of expertise to my custom figures that I bring to real toy prototypes.

2) I don't make the same figure twice. What this means is that while I will make the same character multiple times, every single piece will be a ONE OF A KIND. The differences between versions can be as sublte as color changes or small sculpted details. Other times the differences are as dramatic as using completely different base pieces to construct them. This also means the second time I do a character will often be an improvement over the first.


I hope this post has dispelled any mystery surrounding commissions. So if you have something in mind, drop me a line. There's a link to my email on my Profile Page or you can click the "The Insidious One" I put at the end of every blog post. I hope to hear from you soon. With that, I remain The Insidious One.

Luke Skywalker Jedi Master Star Wars: Expanded Universe Custom Action Figure Art

In the Original Star Wars Trilogy, Luke Skywalker transforms himself in the span of just a few years from a whiny farm boy in A New Hope, to a whiny Jedi in training in The Empire Strikes Back, to a "barely there" Jedi Knight in Return of the Jedi.

But now, thanks to The Prequels, The Clone Wars TV show, recent video games, and current comics we see fully trained Jedi performing feats that make Luke's abilities in Return of the Jedi seem...underwhelming.

Even as a kid, I imagined that Luke would continue to train in the years after Jedi and would eventually become a powerful Jedi Master. His costume might even become more like Obi-Wan and Yoda's. But it would always somehow have that "black element" that mirrors the inner darkness all Skywalkers must face.

The funny thing is that I recently discovered at the Star Wars Archive Database that Kenner was actually developing a Luke figure that very much fit my childhood imaginings. (See pics below.)


This figure was actually developed for Return of the Jedi as "Jedi Luke" before the figure we all know was created.



Years passed but I still longed for my vision of a powerful Jedi Master Luke. In recent years Hasbro released the New Jedi Order Luke in the Jedi Evolutions pack but it just wasn't doing it for me. He looks wimpy with sloped shoulders, bland colors, and a pitiful facial expression. I had all but given up when I finally saw this Legacy comic book cover by Adam Hughes.


It was the closest thing to my childhood image I had ever seen but there was one missing element...the black. Re-inspired by this piece, below is my solution...


He has the more traditional Jedi costume but I sculpted his Return of the Jedi tunic underneath. He also has his plain black boots, and his black utility belt (albeit outfitted with more traditional Jedi gear). I went back and forth on the color of the outer layer of the tunic but in the end I felt that it would be too much if it was black. I made it brown and I'm really happy with the result as I think it unifies the colors of the costume.

I hope you've enjoyed Star Wars Week here at Insidious Customs as much as I have. Star Wars has played a huge role in making me a collector, designer, and lover of toys and I thought it was high time I showed it some affection.

Thanks for all the fun and laughs, Uncle George. You succeeded. You gave us back mythology.

The response to Star Wars week has been so positive, I will definitely be doing more Star Wars pieces soon. So be sure to sign up to follow the blog, follow me on Twitter, or subscribe so you don't miss anything. (All those links are on the right.) Until next time, I remain "The Insidious One."

Cade Skywalker Star Wars: Legacy Custom Action Figure Art

Today's installment of Star Wars week features a very popular Expanded Universe character from the Legacy comic book series by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema...Cade Skywalker. Cade is a direct descendant of Luke Skywalker, a former Jedi Padawan turned smuggler, bounty hunter, and pirate.

As is often the case with rough and tumble guys like Cade, he picked up a few tattoos during his adventures. But when Hasbro created his figure, he was wearing a long coat with sleeves so we couldn't see his tattoos. I decided to remedy the situation with a new pair of bare arms to show them off.

The tattoos are actually custom-made water slide decals that I created. (You can pick up a set for yourself at my Etsy shop.) I also detailed the heck out of his boots and gear. And before you say it, yes, I know the belt is backward in the photos. (It bugs the heck out of me too but since I no longer own him, I can't turn it around and retake the photos.)

Since Cade is often depicted with three tattoos in the comics, I made the black one for his right arm as well.

Yes, Cade is a bad-ass. He has no problem crossing lines that make the spirits of his ancestors cringe, but that's also why his stories are so much fun.

I hope you dig him. Check back tomorrow for the final installment of Star Wars Week as it features one of my favorite Original Trilogy characters inspired by contemporary sources. Until then, I remain "The Insidious One."

Toryn Farr Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Custom Action Figure Art

Welcome back to Star Wars Week DAY 4! Since I've been focusing on Expanded Universe characters in days 1-3, today I'll bring our focus back to the Original Trilogy with a character who, despite very limited screen time, plays an important role in The Empire Strikes Back's "Battle of Hoth"...Toryn Farr.


"Who is Toryn Farr?" you ask. According to Wookieepedia, she's the rebel officer who ordered the massive ion cannon to fire at approaching Star Destroyers, offering cover fire for escaping Rebel transports during the battle of Hoth.




According to me, she's the female rebel who touches the pointy thing to the clear map when Han walks by. (See image below.)

I can understand why Hasbro never made her but I feel that she is the centerpiece of any Echo Base Command area diorama, especially since they gave us the tactical screen with General Rieekan.

The headset is made from model kit parts and scraps. I actually contoured the earpiece to her ear so that it stays close to her head and doesn't fall off easily.

It is also removable so she can continue her adventures after she escapes Hoth.

I gave her the rank of Lt. Commander (Major) as ordering giant cannons to fire should come from someone with some kind of higher rank.

I hope you dig her. If you do, subscribe to my blog and stay tuned as Star Wars Week continues tomorrow with a variation of a popular character from the "Star Wars: Legacy" comic book series. Until then, I remain "The Insidious One."