Halloween is almost here!

Holy Crap!...it has been over 9 months since my last post! I'm sure that the handful of readers that frequent this blog haven't really missed me too much (Ha! Highly doubt they even noticed I was gone...), but I guess I should keep this up a bit more, if only just to vent. Since there is no way I can recap 9 months worth of toys, books, movies, etc. I'll just let the past be the past and start with the "here and now":

October is here, and that means that my favorite holiday, Halloween, is approaching fast! I'm not the type to wear costumes and such, but I do like the atmosphere of the holiday; a certain amount of decadence mixed in with childhood nostalgia, such as horror movies, haunted tales, and fear mixed with kids trick-or-treating, gorging on candy and 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'.

To get you in the Halloween spirit, check out the website of author Norman Partridge for some great short stories of the horror variety. A different short story will be posted every week from now til Halloween, so keep checking back for more great stories. Also check out Norm's latest book, Dark Harvest, which happens to be a Halloween themed book. It won the Stoker Award and is currently nominated for both the World Fantasy Award and the International Horror Guild Award. Dark Harvest was originally published as a signed, limited edition hardcover by Cemetery Dance, and has just been released as an affordable trade paperback by Tor. Definitely one of my favorite books to come out in a long time!

This year, I'm spending my Halloween a little differently from the last few years (i.e. getting drunk). Japan's horror-punk legends, Balzac, will be doing a week-long North American tour with The Misfits, and they are playing in NYC on October 31st at BB King's Blues Club and Grill. Since they are not playing anywhere near Chicago (and doubt I'll have many opportunities to see them in the US), I'm flying to NYC that afternoon, so that I can finally visit Toy Tokyo, go to 'The Beast Within' art show (that features artwork by Pushead, Mike Suftin, Usugrow, etc), go see Balzac and [the band trying to be] The Misfits. After the show, I will be searching for food from shady street vendors (a personal favorite of mine) and working my way back to the airport for my 5am flight back to Chicago. I'm too old to be doing stuff like this, but it'll definitely be worth it.

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As far as new acquisitions to my various collections, today was a great mail day:

I got a package from Super 7 today that contained the newest Gargadeath figure (white/gray version) by Gargamel x Napalm Death, and the chrome version of the Frankenghost figure by Secret Base x Super 7. These two figures are great additions to my hodge-podge collection of Japanese and Designer toys, but I need a new Detolf case from IKEA , since the two that I have are pretty much full.


Also in the package from Super 7 were two books: The first is Usugrow's amazing hardcover art book titled 'Love Hate From JP', published by Upper Playground/Fifty24SF Gallery. If you love art, you need this book! The second book is a fun 'travel' guide for locating toy shops in Tokyo, titled 'Tokyo Underground' written by Brian Flynn, Joshua Bernard and Jeff Dey, and published by Super 7. I vow to utilize this book before I die...

I also received a package from Subterranean Press that contained the signed/limited hardcover reprinting of Charles De Lint's early novel 'The Harp of the Grey Rose'. Originally published in 1985 (and long out of print), this release is the first hardcover edition of this title. Got some reading to do...


On the music front, I received my most recent eBay win: Balzac's 'Came Out Of The Grave' LP (on purple vinyl) released by G-Force Records from Germany. That completes my Balzac 12" vinyl collection (not including test presses, ridiculously rare special pressings, etc.). To see my Balzac 'nerd' page, click here.

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The last movie that I saw in theaters was David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises, which is absolutely fan-freakin-tastic! Viggo Mortensen never ceases to amaze me. If this movie is playing in your area, go out and see it!

Earlier today, I stopped by my neighborhood Best Buy and picked up 2 of today's new releases on DVD: The first is the two-disc version of 'Transformers' (the live-action one, not the cool 80's animated movie). Many of you are probably asking "Why the hell did you buy that!?!". Well, the answer is that I kinda' liked it. True, it isn't a great movie...Hell, I admit, it isn't even a good movie, but it is a lot of fun (in a "giant robots beating the crap out of each other"-kinda' way). Besides, Megan Fox is really nice to watch...

The other DVD is 'Planet Terror', the Robert Rodriguez half of last year's 'Grindhouse' Double Feature. Because I am a nerd, I picked up the limited two-disc version with the metal packaging that included a bonus DVD. I enjoyed Grindhouse when I saw it in theaters, something people's opinions were very mixed about, but I definitely like Rodriguez's movie more than 'Death Proof', Tarantino's half of the double feature.

That's all for now. I'll post again soon, I swear!

Happy birthday to me...sort of...

Well, I'm now 33 years old. Damn... At least I can still lie to myself for another 20 days. The reason: I didn't find out that my birthday is January 9th until I was 28 years old. I laways thought my birthday was January 29, as it is listed on my birth certificate. Weird, huh?

Anyways, my birthday present to myself came in the mail today. I finally got the Pushead-designed 'Hot Fudge' version of the Damnedron. This is my first Rumble Monster and I never relealized that these figures are larger than the Secret Base and Gargamel 'Fight Figures'. I love this figure and can't wait to get more Rumble Monsters! [I did pre-order the Frank Kozik-designed 'Murder' version of the Pharaos figure, and those look amazing!]

I did my first toy trade through the Skullbrain Message Board, unfortunately, I was delayed in sending my toy to the great people that I traded with, due to the untimely and unnecessary death of 'Asian' Dave. They sent me the awesome 'Silver' version of the Skullman, for which I am sending them the 'Bloody Halloween' version of the Skullman. Some other people have given me crap that I should have gotten more for mine, since it is limited to 33 pieces, but who cares! I got a Skullman that I needed, and they got one that they needed...deal worked out for me. RFSO!

In other news, I am working on the design for a Circus Punk custom that I want to do, but I'm sort of nervous that I may not have the skills neccesary to do it the way that I want. I love the Universal Monsters and I'm trying to use that as the theme. I'll post the progress as I go (like last time), but I won't be starting it for another month or so.

Book I just finished reading: Zodiac by Robert Graysmith
Book I just started reading: Zombie Island by David Wellington

Art Project - Day 4

Here it is...my first custom figure! Okay, I admit it isn't the most original idea and it wasn't done quite as well as I would like, but I had a fun time with it. I just need to get some clear coat, so I can seal it up and it will be done. Looking at this picture...the ribcage remins me of the Marvel Comics character Venom...

Art Project - Day 3

I am a huge fan of the Japanese band Balzac, so that was my reason for even starting this customizing project. I finally started the detailing of the figure, but it took quite a few starts and restarts. I didn't like how the way the acrylic paint was drying, so I tried it four or five different timess using varying degrees of paint and water ratio. I ended scrapping the white acrylic paint and used the Sharpie paint marker. That worked a lot better and used the black acrylic paint for detailing and touch ups. I finished the face and I did the best that I could, since the face of the figure is set up a tad bit differently than the original illustration. I'll add more of the smaller details at the end. Here is what I have so far:

I also added the bones on the sides of the arms and legs. I decided to copy the cartoonish bones similar to the Balzac Bearbrick figures. I still have to add the bones of the ribcage on the front of the figure's chest, but I'll do start that tomorrow.

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I wanted to wish everyone a very safe and happy New Year! Here's to a great 2007!

Art Project - Day 2

Forgot to mention that my Shocker Worldwide order arrived yesterday, and in record time! It took about 3 days to get to me from Japan. Got the 'Unholy X-Mas' Skullman and Skullbat figures and the Pushead 'Aloha' shirt. The love the Skullbat figures and they look great in a group :)

Also got the Clot version of the Skullpirate figure in the mail today! Of course, as soon as I get my hands on my Clot Pirate, Secret Base screws me up and releases a new Skullpirate variation (the 'Blood' version, released on Christmas Eve) that is limited to 55 signed/numbered figures with a t-shirt and screenprinted bag. Damn...

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Well, the project is underway! I started with the base color of black, using the spraypaint that I picked up yesterday. It turned out fairly well, but since I've never used spraypaint before, it was kinda' messy. I let the paint dry a few hours and then applied a second coat on the figure, so it looks a lot better now. I held the paintcan a little too close at one point, so there is a slight 'drippy effect on the back of it's head, but you won't notice it unless you look closely. Since it is the back of the figure, I guess I'm not too stressed about it. After applying the second coat, I had to meet my family for my sister's 40th birthday, so I have to continue the project tomorrow. So far, so good.

I know some of you are thinking "Damn, this guy is slow...I'd be done already". Please keep in mind that I have no artistic talent and no clue about the various paints, brushes, etc. that I just picked up, so all this is brand new to me. Besides, I'm in no hurry :)

Art Project - Day 1

I am planning a small art project, customizing my first vinyl figure. I've seen other people's work and I admit I am intrigued by some of the stuff they've done. Mine, admittedly, will not be anywhere near so elaborate.

Since this is new to me, I am planning on using a D.I.Y. Devil ToyerQ "Baby Qee" which I picked up at Rotofugi (http://www.rotofugi.com/) on my last visit there. It's relatively cheap and my design will fit perfectly on this figure. Once I get a good feel for this using Qee's and moving up to Dunnys, I try the ultimate goal...creating my very own Circus Punk!

I posted some questions on the message boards yesterday, about painting this figure and got some really helpful information. The best information for this project (which I should have checked first...) was taken from the Qee Forum. It gave me an idea of what supplies I needed to start this thing. I figured I needed the following: spraypaint (black), acrylic paint (white and black tubes), Sharpie poster-paint marker (white fine point), plastic primer and paint brushes.

I set out to pick up the supplies at Pearl Arts & Crafts, but ran into a brickwall early... Chicago has a ban on the sale of spraypaint! They informed me that I would have to go outside city limits to get it. They also didn't have plastic primer, which is step one, so I walked out empty handed. I ended up having to go to a hardware store in suburban Evanston and getting the spraypaint (Krylon Fusion for Plastic). They didn't have plastic primer, but the can of spraypaint states that primer isn't neccesary, so I will try to do without. I picked up the rest of the items at an art store in Evanston.

By the time I got home, I had to get ready for a night at the theater...Chris, Peggy, Lisa and I had tickets to see the stage version of Ray Bradbury's 'Dandelion Wine' at the Steppenwolf Theater.

I'll start the painting tomorrow and I hope I don't screw it up.

Update...

It's been a long time since I updated this blog, but only a handful of people read this anyways, it's safe to say that it hasn't been missed much :) Since the last posting, there has been a steady stream of books, records, and toys arriving via mailman.

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The biggest box was from the awesome people of Shocker Worldwide. Unfortunately, it's contents are a Christmas present from my girlfriend, Lisa. She, being the traditional woman that she is, informed me that I can't get the contents until Christmas. It's gonna be a long wait :( Well, here are pictures from the Shocker website of the stuff I'm getting for Christmas:

'Sorrow 9' t-shirt and limited CD and pin

Atom Age Skullbat figure with 'Deep Blue' CD and bonus t-shirt

'Deep Blue' tour version of the Skullman figure

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On a side-note... It kinda' pisses me off that my order from Shocker Europe (for the 'Bloody Halloween' Skullman and Balzac Skeleton polo shirt) was placed over a month ago (on Halloween to be exact) and it still isn't here yet, yet I ordered the stuff from Shocker Worldwide a little over a week ago and I got it already (from Japan). E-mails to SEU have only gotten the response of "It's on its way". I think I'll only order from Shocker Worldwide from now on..

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From Ebay, I finally got the Balzac 12" Paperbagman figure with the red leather suit that was released earlier this year. It is the rarer version limited to only 308 copies and comes with the 'Horrorock / Rain' CD single and a load of cool accessories. I love this figure!

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Got in the last couple of figures to complete the Secret Base X Super 7 'Ghoul's Night Out' Halloween set! As soon as I got in the last figure (Obake), I sent in the pins for the free bonus figure, which was the black/orange Frankenghost. This set is sweet, and I can't wait for next year's set!

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That's it for now, I'll post an update of other new stuff (like books, music, upcoming toys, etc.) later on.