A Crayon Haiku #73!

Why does the DC universe have so many gorillas?! In A Crayon Haiku #73, we see the latest Kong destined to join the ranks of our DC roster. It’s only a matter of time before we get to Solovar and the Ultra-Humanite.  (2/26/08)

There’s really not a whole lot to say about A Crayon Haiku #73 — just a look at King Kong prior to his eventual transformation into Monsieur Mallah (with Krang temporarily filling in for the role of the Brain). I was initially planning to use this version for the Grodd custom before I happened upon the “superarticulated” figure, but since I didn’t want the Mallah to end up looking like a straight repaint of that toy I decided to go with this one for him.

Despite the lack of articulation, I think this one will a lot better for Mallah — if only because he looks fairly natural holding guns but not so much without them. He’s also looking up slightly, which would have annoyed me with Grodd but doesn’t bother me so much with a more thoughtful intellectual sort. Well, Grodd is an intellectual too, but he’s the kind that will beat you to death and then feast on your carcass. Given his French sensibilities, Monsieur Mallah judges that sort of behavior to be uncivilized.

I’m finding that I rather like these Kongs — I’m almost tempted to get one of the meaner looking ones and do a new Grodd that really approximates the McGuiness people-eating ferocity. At least the one versus the juvenile V-Rex lacks waist articulation, so I wouldn’t foresee there being any awkward painting problems with him!

Seriously, curse these Kongs. 🙁

THE 2008 SERIES 2 MADBALLS!!!

The new Series 2 Madballs aren’t in stores yet — but since Basic Fun was kind enough to send us a preview set, we’re bringing you an advance review! This wave has its pluses and minuses, but the kids should dig it.  (2/18/08)

Some of you may remember our review of the 2007 Series 1 Madballs back in December. I mentioned that we were looking forward to reviewing Series 2 — and I was! — but I had no idea that I’d have the opportunity to review them early. Thanks to the good folks at Basic Fun, however, I’ve been able to do just that: for the first time ever, a toy company has seen fit to send new products to Scary-Crayon before they hit the street. (Actually, this is the first time a toy company has sent us anything. Woo!) The Series 2 Madballs will be appearing at Toy Fair 2008 this week, but you can also see them in all of their 12^2 glory right here on Scary-Crayon! (12^2 = 144 = gross, remember? 😉 ) As noted, they’re not out yet in stores, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for them and will let you know when I find them. Given how much I enjoyed working with Grodd (even though he tortured the crap out of me), I’m eager to try customizing a normal 2008 Dust Brain into the female “Dusty” that I knew and loved from her animated appearances.

Some additional info on Bruise Brother — or rather my history with the character and original toy — in case you’re curious. I actually did and do have an original Bruise Brother, but I have no idea where he is. See, he was one of the toys that I decided to take with me to college junior year to better decorate and personalize my room, but I had the misfortune of placing him in the same bag with several other toys, including the original Playmates TMNT Triceraton, when I packed him up. I opened the bag upon arriving in New Haven to find the toys inside dusted with yellow foam — apparently, at some point during the six-hour trip, Triceraton had seen fit to gore the heck out of poor Bruise Brother. Even more upsetting than the fact that this toy, which had been in near mint condition despite spending over a decade under my bed, had been given to me by my long-dead paternal grandmother. In fact, I can’t really remember anything about her except that she bought me that toy one year. Anyway, I wrapped what remained of Bruise Brother in paper towels, placed them in a plastic bag, and — upon finally bringing them back to the house — put them somewhere where I was certain he would be safe from further injury and apparently forgot where the safe spot was. I hope he’s happy there. 😐

So while Bruise Brother wasn’t as prominent a character as Aargh in the Madballs universes — and as such I’m not too upset that he was replaced by Blechbeard — it does make me a bit sad that he didn’t get the official revival treatment. My criticisms of Blechbeard would probably have been just as sharp had Bruise Brother survived the journey completely intact, but it is a bit disappointing that they’d make a “new” character that is so reminiscent of Bruise Brother, especially when the concept — a pirate Madball! — could have inspired a truly unique and significantly different design. As said, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the artists come up with once they’ve exhausted the original cast.

Thanks to the folks at Basic Fun for making this early review possible — and for keeping the Madballs going strong into 2008! I sincerely wish you guys the best of luck in this competitive toy market.

A Crayon Haiku #72!

Yes, Gorilla Grodd is back AGAIN… and in A Crayon Haiku #72, he’s brought something with him! Could this be the beginning of a Legion of Doom plot to subdue humanity through germ warfare? We certainly hope not!  (2/14/08)

Luckily, this one’s a bit outdated, as the debilitating fever that hit me towards the middle of last week — the sneezing and runny nose aspect of which is depicted in today’s haiku — motivated me to finally put Grodd down. Well, I still intend to make him a fancier cloth cape, and I did buy some discounted beads and jewelry things from Michael’s to fit him with a vaguely Egyptian-looking necklace, but I’m done with the painting aspect of the project. (Oddly enough, it’s one of those deals that I think looks better in photos than in person. Ah well.)

I’d actually meant to have been done before — when I said I was done last time — but the bit of paint rub around the awkward torso joint led me to go to hell with sanding on the belly, repaint that entire area (many, many times), and then go over it with this Mod Podge matte glue in order to ensure the security of the paint job. So now I’m satisfied with that (and have learned a helpful step that should prevent me from needing to spend as much time on future customs) and have moved on. Or, more appropriately, I haven’t started any new projects as I have focused on recovering. But I’m feeling much better now, thank you.

And if the images in this haiku look familiar to you, don’t panic — the sneezing Wes is recycled from an ollld holiday Hot Flash and the Bizarro comes from Hot Flash #40 (though in keeping with my newfound knowledge of the character, I’ve modified the colors a bit). Speaking of Bizarro, you should be seeing him again before the month is out — every February we have an obligatory piece of sorts, and this year Batzarro and Bizarro have been chosen to be my spokespeople. So stay tuned for that, as well as more fun toy reviews. 🙂

‘Till next time, minna-san!

P.S. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!