Fantomah Fan Art!

Ooh, you know what? Just thought of something to blog about...and after my last, whiny post about my life sucking, I gotta get the taste outta my mind. It dawned on me. I had been doing some artwork recently. I had just gotten the second collected volume of a book featuring this old artist named Fletcher Hanks. I had heard about him in an article form Wizard magazine years back. I eventually got the book and later finally got hold of the second volume. Dude, the guy was not a good guy...Fletcher Hanks, I mean. Not much is known about him on a personal level, but he was apparently a spoiled jerk. He was a good artist, but his comics work kinda were his worst, in my opinion. He was probably just pumping out comic stories for money. Fletcher hanks was supposedly a big drinker, and often abused and neglected his family to pursue selfish pursuits. Not exactly Mr. Role Model. He allegedly even got a way with murder! Yikes! Though I have no personal respect for Hanks as a man, his art is nice. His comic work, like I said before, is much "cheaper". A lot of hipster types view his old work as "outsider art" 'cause it's odd, but it's really just because it's badly written and poorly drawn. Eh...my own opinion. Also my own opinion: his most interesting work is a character named Fantomah. She was this woman who could become this spirit of vengeance. She looked like some pin-up girl who flew around the jungle in a nightgown. She had incredible, almost godlike abilities. and could turn into a skull-faced fiend to strike fear in the hearts of various evil-doers. Weird, huh? Fantomah was also, but technicality, the FIRST female super hero!

Yeah, so I got inspired and busted out the ol' sketchbook for a few drawings of fan art. I'd tell you more about the character and her adventures...but...I'll leave that to your own whims, readers. I think it's kinda more fun that way!

Fantomah has a real gem of a rouges gallery as well. Out of all the Flecther Hanks characters, her foes are by far the most interesting and weird. My favorite is this guy: Arco. He's an immortal mummy guy with both magical and scientific knowledge, and an army of fellow mummies! Awesome! Eh, remember, though...Hanks was a jerk to his wife and kids...the only respect he gets from me is for his art...and even that's shaky at best.

Long time since and update...

Wow...has it really been that long AGAIN since I updated this thing? Jeez...nothing for 2013...and it's halfway over! Hey, I may not have much of a life, but it doesn't revolve around blog updates and such. Anyway, just "waiting" so I figured I'd try to get my interest back up for this thing. I think I tried to put up some reviews a little while back, but my pics had trouble uploading or something. Eh.

Well...maybe I'll just talk a bit about my personal life. I know I said I'm trying not to...buuuut...I semi feel like it. I still have my same, crappy retail job. I still hate it. Seriously, I'd love a new job, but there are none out there. Everything sucks. It's either retail, food service, or factory work...at least it seems. Truth be told, I'm slowly losing what little motivation I have to shamble through day-to-day life. I do community theatre for fun. I've been hard at it for about a good year now! What can I say? Makes me feel like I belong somewhere and gives me a sense of accomplishment. It's fun to work with other people for something that isn't just some work-related cause. True, it can be taxing for various reasons, but it's genuinely all good. Too bad there seems to be very few people in my general age range that are involved with this particular theatre group...especially ladies! Dang. I'm actually going to another theatre today to see a show and try out for one of their fall productions. I really, really hope things turn out well. I gotta drive further and all, but I'm hoping I can meet more people I can truly relate to...maaaybe some gals, too!

I've actually also started hitting up...*groooan*...[grits teeth] Facebook a lot, too. Yeah, I never was really that into social networking. I don't even do the whole cell phone thing. I only got a Facebook account years ago because...well...because a few girls at work coaxed me. I thought it would bolster my social life and maybe...just maybe get me a little luck with the ladies and change my life for the better...but, no. I lost interest. I occasionally checked it out, but forgot the password and never cared to recover it. Maybe about a month ago (or longer), I decided to have another go at social networking. I've been updating my status daily and trying to keep up a desperate bid to keep in touch with people. Friends are so hard to come by and even harder to stay in touch with. I guess part of me felt I'd try Facebook again. I dunno...my own little "social experiment" still hasn't really bore fruit. Honestly, life seems to get more and more boring for me. The few friends I have are either physically distant or emotionally so. I have had zero romance in my life...I'm a HUGE dork, and people think I'm weird. I'm kinda immature, but I try not to be. I really think people are afraid of this perceived weirdness, so I'm always left a sort of social outcast, even when I'm part of a group. I'm actually going on vacation later this week...the beach...going with a depressingly small group. I don't really ever go on vacations. A few years back, my friends talked me into going on a beach trip with 'em...and I went and had a good time. We had a really big group and it was great. Next year, we went again. Smaller group, yet still not that bad a time was had. I skipped last year, 'cause I was in the middle of a show (theatre), and was unable to attend the beach trip...not sure how it went...well, can't remember what they told me when they got back. Anyway, this year, only two of my chums are going with me...and one of their girlfriends. That's it. I'm just worried it's gonna be awkward and not very fun. I feel bad for feeling that way, but I guess we'll see.

At the risk of being even more of a downer...I'm gonna bring up a subject I really feel I can't talk to about with anyone in the "real" world...so I'm semi-anonymously express my feelings to the vastness of the internet. Honestly, one of the main reasons I hate my life? It's loveless...completely devoid of romance. I hate it. Yeah, I'm kind of a stereotypical dork/geek/nerd...but does that really make THAT big of a difference? What the Hell is wrong with me that I  can't find love? Yeah, yeah...this whole thing is gonna make me look like a big ol' sap, but it's damn true. I'd love to find someone, and I've tried...but no one seems to really be interested in me on a romantic level. I'm thirty one, and no girl has ever so much as batted an eyelash at me! This is the type of thing a guy half my age should be worried about! Jeez! I feel like such a freak. I feel like and even bigger freak for posting my dorky-ass feelings on the internet. Eh...whatever. I feel like it. All the girls I've ever liked or crushed on...gone. Many were already "taken"...some never knew I even existed, others genuinely had no interest in me, and some just...eh...I dunno. My outlook is getting bleaker by the moment. I really think my whole world is riding on me finding love. I have NO inspiration to do anything until I find someone special. I don't wanna send up some red flag...I'm not suicidal...I WANT to live because I want to be happy and see others happy. It's just that, without real love, it's hard to keep going. I don't wanna become some old, bitter person. My interests are the only things that sort of keep me afloat these days. However, I'd gladly give up all my dorky little possessions for a chance to find REAL happiness. Sadly, intangible concepts are harder to obtain compared to physical objects. You can't buy love. I really need to find out what I'm missing...what I'm doing wrong that no love has ever come my way. God, all this stuff I just typed is so friggin' sappy! But, if you think that about me, then go blow it! I am who I am, and I feel how I feel!

......incidentally, I'll try to get some posts of more fun things than my own emo feelings up sometime. Promise!

Japanese vinyl monsters: Bemstar?!

I'm almost positive this guy's name is Bemstar...does spelling count? Anyways...I've had a growing appreciation for Japanese vinyl monsters and figures for years. Problem is...MONEY! Damn, but these figures are hard to find for a reasonable price. I'm no expert...sadly...so the world of vinyl toys is very foreign to me. I've love more, but that world of collectibles is so seemingly vast to me, that I doubt I'd ever be a hardcore collector. I used to have a bunch of Ultraman monsters I had gotten sporadically in college. They were cool, but I ended up selling 'em to avoid further mania. Plus, they were more "realistic" in style. I really love these goofy, uber-colorful ones that often are not show-accurate or just generally kitschy in look. Bemstar is also an Ultraman foe. This one is made by Bullmark, I believe...and I'm not sure of the year. He's about 8 or 9 inches in height with minimal limb articulation.

Trust me...if these were easier to obtain (and cheaper)...I'd have a shit-load of 'em!

Weird, two-headed dinosaur...

A weird, two-headed dinosaur...it's that simple...I guess. Eh, I dig this stuff...what can I say? About 8-9 inches high, solid (well, hollow...maybe), vinyl. No manufacturer mark to be found, but probably made in the 90s or 2000s...who knows how many variations or version exist. I've seen others of his/her ilk before, but this is the only one I own of this kind. That's that!

Galaxy Rider

Looking through old, unused photos I had saved for blog posts is a tad confusing. Had to make sure I didn't redo any! Hey, my memory isn't that sharp these days.

Anyway, this toy is a Galaxy Rider. I believe they went by other names as well. Can't remember the manufacturer, but they were made in the 80s. Considered to be a form of Masters of the Universe knock offs or bootlegs...mainly since the rider has a very He-Man look to him...mainly the head. Kinda small, the figure is only a few inches high. Same scale as Dino Riders and Bone Age and such. I'm not sure how may varieties exist. I've seen bikes with dragon heads, lion heads, and bird heads. You press down on the front and it goes forward as is rises. Many came with weapons that attached to the side bike. Mine may not be complete. I do have a riderless blue eagle bike lying around. Some riders were caucasian while others were metallic like this dude...and flamboyantly dressed! I've seen riders decked out in giant collars and other garish garb...all metallic. Just a neat thing to have it you love goofball toys. I've never been super serious about tracking 'em down, but wouldn't mind getting a full collection some day.

TROLL VILLAGE by Marx

See this thing? Well, I actually no longer own it. Plastic playsets are cool...even cooler when they are vintage...and even cooler still when they are odd and distinctive. I mean, look at that damn box! You know this thing is boss just by the image on the package. Honestly, Marx made so many cool toys and playsets and things in the past (gee...are they even still around?), I find it hard to keep track. There's a wealth of information out there and tons of collectors of such things. Me? Not a hardcore Marx collector but at least a softcore fan. You probably hear about all the cowboy & Indian playsets and such before you hear about the Troll Village, but that makes the set even more sweeter!

I stumbled across this thing...uh...um...I actually forget how I learned of it's existence, but ended up paying somewhere in the range of 100+ dollars for it. Yeah, expensive for plastic junk toys, but I kinda knew I was gonna eventually sell it after I got my jollies from it. Yep, and I did get my money's worth and resold it...making out even, I guess. Eh, can't remember. Anyhow, I talked about it elsewhere on the internet, and now I'm gonna talk about it in retrospect, now that it's gone. Luckily, I took and saved a new batch of pics for just the occasion!

There she be! All set up! I don't have it in-hand to give you a measurement. The box was smaller than I expected when I first received it in the mail. I assumed it was the size of your average board game box, but it was only half the size. Almost the range of a carton form a model car. But, it was as big (set up) as I expected. The mat it sets on is paper. Most play mats for plastic figure playsets like these are made of a cheap vinyl or plastic these days. Since this set is form the 60s or 70s, it's kinda old. Antique, even! Note it's made by the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. So olde timey! I'm pretty darn sure this set was about 99% complete. I think it was missing a tuft of grass, but that's it. Then again, I'm no expert. Look at that baby! WOW! So neat...tee hee hee hee!

Man, I just wanna shrink down and live in there...don't you? You get a slew of little figures, scenery and props. I'm not sure how this came packaged since mine was not mint in packaged...sealed on anything. Did you have to break the pieces off of plastic sprues like a model kit? Naw, it is hand painted by artists, after all, so I doubt it. Plastic baggies? Maybe. Who knows, for sho'.

The only piece that sorta requires some mild assembly is the big mountain cave thing. Comes in two halves. The rest are solid pieces...well, the house and barrels are hollow. Oh, and the cart's wheels move. Oh, and the trees need some work. So, I guess some assembly required. No paperwork came with this set aside form the paper mat is rest on. So mysterious! Oooooh! Aaaaaaah! Eeeeeee! Ayyyyyyyyy!

Damn, but I wish we got a couple more little houses with this thing. That one, plus the odd earthen hut (or hogan) are the only living quarters we get...unless you count the cave.

I don't quite know what the sculptor or designer was thinking. Man, I'd love to read some kinda interview> I'd love an inside scoop behind the creation of the Marx Troll Village. Troll dolls, themselves, had varying levels of popularity throughout the years...most recently in the early 90s. I was lucky enough to be and 80s baby and a 90s kid. I like to think I saw it all those days. Trolls were girlie garbage to me back then, but I couldn't shake the secret fascination that eventually grew inside me. Nowadays, I have much greater appreciation for kitsch than ever. Most of the trolls are recognizable as the trolls I'm familiar with. Other look like odd cavemen or something out of a Ziggy cartoon. The one looks like a Flintstone knock off with t tiny toucan on his shoulder! Jeez...so wonderful, this set. Why did I sell it? Oh...for money...to buy more new stuff! Ho!

Gotta love the odd fish that kinda looks like an alligator gar or something. The set comes with other lifeforms aside form the various species of trolls. There are weird donkeys (or mules or asses) but they may be meant to be horses since there is a road sign included which refers to a canyon of wild horses. There are also dwarf giraffes and humanoid elephants. Weird, huh? Just the way I like it.

Oh, and don't forget the camels! Such a diverse range of flora and fauna in the troll village. By the way, the trolls themselves are under two inches...a plastic army man can probably take 'em...or can they?

Two of my favorite figure sculpts. See? Indeed painted by artists! That hair is real, by the way. By real, I mean fake...fake scruffy tufts of faux fur glued onto their widdle biddy heads. Nice, huh? I had seen jumbo rubber version of the caveman type before on eBay...but I lost out. Crap! I forget how much it went for. When I sold this, I had hoped to one day find some loose troll figures...you know...just to have. I'd have loved that jumbo one. Some day...*sigh...some day......

Well, there's a parting shot of the whole gang. Troll Village...whatta place, no? I had my stay, and I moved on to other things. Neat playset to have, at least for a little while. Trust me...lots of other cool places to explore. I have no regrets.

*WHEW*...It's been a while!

Damn. It's been a time and a half since I updated this blog o' mine, huh? What...March? Yep. Soooo what happened? I dunno. Things...I suppose. You know how sometimes you just fall out of the groove of something and lose interest? That's sorta what happened. Plus, my personal life seems to get more and more lame and aggravating that I'm afraid of an outpouring of negative-ass crap. Eh, so totally emo, so I didn't want to log on and start venting about work or dumb stuff. Then, I suppose I just got out of the habit. I've meant to jabber about toys and stuff for some time, but...eh...like I said before: fell out of the groove. Anyway, found the courage to log back on. Let's see how long this happens.