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Classic Super Heroes -
courtesy of MonkeyHeads |
On this months cover we are featuring the work of MonkeyHeads
Last month I receive an email from a reader requesting to have their
custom action figures displayed on the site. When I opened up the
attachment it would be safe to say that I was floored. What I saw
was the most incredible custom Superman I have ever seen. I forward a copy
of the email to my brother who said this is it, this is August's cover and
I had to agree with him its a great choice. It is my pleasure to present
this months cover artist MonkeyHeads; the following is his story in his own
words.
| MonkeyHeads
After customizing smaller-scale figures for a while, I moved into 1:6
work about a year ago. I've always concentrated on super-heroes, and was
frustrated by the quality and approach of the mass-market figures
available (i.e. Marvel's Famous Covers and the DC Silver Age figures). So
I decided to make my own. The newer Joe bodies are perfectly suited to the
look I was going for, although it took quite a bit of work to figure out
the patterns.
Even now, I still make constant modifications on the fly.
My goal for these has always been to make them as "real" as possible,
while still maintaining that classic "comic-book" look I grew up with. The
art of Alex Ross was a definite inspiration - his work captures that
perfectly.
I do all the work myself: sculpting, painting, sewing (the WORST part),
etc.
Most of the sculpting, both of masks and accessories, is done with Sculpey
products. I strive for as much detail as possible. Posability is never
impaired, and the construction is very sturdy. These aren't meant for
play, but I don't want them to be so fragile that they can't be handled
and posed.
I also do custom window-box designs for some of them; It really completes
the illusion that these are production figures.
These pieces are
extraordinarily labor-intensive, taking from 15-20 solid hours of work to
produce. Add in the costs of materials and supplies, and I make a
considerable investment in each one. But no matter how much trouble they
are, I always get such a rush from completing one and seeing my vision
come to life.
MonkeyHeads has been known to take on commissions from time-to-time
when free time permits. If you would like to contact Monkeyheads and see
about getting your own Super Hero you can reach him via email at
EMM55LOV@aol.com
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1940s Superman:
Modern Joe body with hand-sculpted hair. Fabric suit, trunks and cape.
Vinyl belt and boots. Chest "S" is hand-painted vinyl.
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 Jim Lee-style Batman:
Modern Joe body with hand-sculpted cowl. Fabric suit, trunks and
cape. Vinyl boots, cuffs and chest emblem. Hand-sculpted buckle and
pouches on vinyl belt.
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Alex Ross-style Batman:
Modern Joe body with hand-sculpted cowl. Fabric suit, trunks and cape.
Vinyl boots, cuffs and chest emblem. Hand-sculpted buckle and pouches on
vinyl belt.
Silver-Age Flash:
Modern Joe body with hand-sculpted cowl. Fabric suit. Vinyl boots,
lightning details and chest emblem. Hand-sculpted wings on
ear-pieces and boots.
Custom-designed box shown.
Silver-Age Green
Arrow:
Modern Joe body with hand-sculpted mask, hair and beard. Fabric
suit, hat and boots. Vinyl belt and straps. Quiver built-up from
styrene sheets, bow made from heavily-modified smaller one with
styrene extensions and wire (actually works). Arrows from aluminum
tubing and vinyl "feathers."
Custom-designed box shown. Nervous breakdown implied.
Golden-Age Green
Lantern:
Modern Joe body with hand-sculpted mask and ring. Fabric suit,
trunks, cape and boots. Vinyl belt and chest emblem. Belt buckle
from the Giant Box o'Fodder. Custom-designed box shown.
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