HOLIDAZE 2013: TIME OF THE DOCTOR

I wanted to bring Holidaze 2013 to a close in very much the same way it began: with a gift.

First and foremost created as my Christmas gift to my lady, The Doctor here was also meant to commemorate Matt Smith's final episode "Time of The Doctor," as well as tip my hat to the BBC and their annual Christmas specials. 

While Christopher Eccleston's Doctor is still my favorite, I did warm up to Matt Smith's 11th incarnation. When I saw the purple suit, I knew I had to make this specific version-- it's right up there with The War Doctor as my favorite costumes worn by The Doctor. It's the perfect blend of the modern era (the boots, shorter slacks), and Victorian gentleman, or a character from an HG Welles story... perfect for The Last Timelord.

                            

Completed in the early hours of Christmas, The 11th Doctor was constructed primarily from a Marvel Universe Professor X body and an old Han Solo head I found in the Fodder Graveyard. Chuck's tie was removed and replaced with a bow tie hand-sculpted from Green Stuff.

Probably my definitive statement on The 11th Doctor, I'm very happy with how this one turned out, as well as the ecstatic reaction. It won't be the last time The Doctor and I meet, however. I hear another TARDIS approaching...

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE

The fifth, final, and title image "Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale" is also my favorite-- it encapsulates everything about the series that I love and why the photos "work" for me. 

I've always had an obsession with miniature toys, and I feel that, in this shot, the little guys finally have their time to play. I especially love how the dinosaurs-- traditionally the largest toys-- are actually the smallest. My childhood favorite Anklosaur also plays with my favorite childhood toys: LEGO. Little Blue Robot is a gift that only I share with my Godson. 

Like "The Bluff," "Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale" was originally brainstormed as part of a larger "landscape" of toys under the tree Christmas morning. When I lined up the epic shot, though, it was too much for the eye, so I decided to break it up. 

While the "set" and staging were undecided, the concept was not, and I knew I'd figure it out. The trick was clearing everything else out, then letting the miniatures take center stage. 

I loved the set so much, it was used in my first piece for 2014... maybe some holiday cheer will flow into the New Year...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM STRANGE LABORATORIES! 

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE- "THE BLUFF"

One of the earliest ideas that stuck when brainstorming for 'Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale, "The Bluff" was actually supposed to be part of "Fun & Games," but having so much going on at the same time was a little visually overwhelming. Between the vicious match of Hungry Hungry Hippos  between Sock Monkey and T-Rex and the game of Tic-Tac-Toe that wasn't going to end well for Penguin, the characters in "The Bluff" would've been lost in the shuffle.

Inspired by my Mom's love of cards, I wanted a "quiet" scene-- away from all the chaos of the other toys and games-- to set a different tone, focusing on the more intimate moments with friends at Christmas. 

One can only imagine what this bunch is B.S.-ing about. 

The only player with a real card hand is The Diver, who is unbeatable. There were plans for more action figures (even original superheroes), but I didn't want them to take over the theme... so it was up to this lone Joe to kinda sum up ALL pocket-sized action heroes that I grew up with... for some reason, I was REALLY, REALLY into divers and deep sea exploration as a kid. Originally, Diver was going to be accompanied by an old school 60s Astronaut and Cowboy, but I didn't want to step on The Mouse's tail, so to speak.

My favorite little guys are Chattering Teeth (with the Joker, natch), and Lil Red Finger Puppet Thingee, who isn't even playing the right game...

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE- "RISE, ROBOT, RISE!"

Of all the holiday-themed photos I took, "Rise, Robot, Rise!" was one of the more spontaneous.

After shooting for two days in the cramped Christmas Tree "set," I had gotten pretty much everything I saw in my head at first for the concept. This one, though, was me playing around with toy "actors," totally inspired by my obsession with robots. 

I've collected robots my entire life, and the ones in this shot are definitely special to me. The big grey guy and the blue chap are gifts from my creative partner-in-crime, and the other half of The Brothers Strange, Dr. Eduardo Strange. Little dude peeking over the edge is a piece that I own, but also gave to all my close friends for Christmas one year as a shared memento. 

Previously I've mentioned my love of dinosaurs. I couldn't help but include this Brontosaurus because of the expression on his face. He has a genuine look of surprise, like he's giddy and nervous. 

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE- "FUN & GAMES"

Next in my 'Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale series is "Fun & Games," where the toys have started to emerge from their stockings and packaging, and Christmas has begun. This was the most complicated but fun photo shoot I've ever done, but it was a blast. One of my favorite parts was going shopping for all of the toys-- choosing the right mix of classics, recognizable "brand name" games, and making it all universal... I like to think that everyone, at one point or another, has owned one of these toys. My hope is that cherished memories with those playthings are triggered. 

One of my favorite images from the set, I do love a few details:

-How happy and celebratory the little rubber finger puppet monsters look

-The mini dinosaurs, specifically the red anklosaur (childhood favorite)

-The parachute man and little green army man--  I was OBSESSED with these as a kid

-The expression of the penguin, who's about to lose the game 

NEXT TIME: MORE 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE!

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE!- "THE ESCAPE"

Recently, I had the honor and pleasure of being an invited visual artist for Miami's CMN Winter Concert. As with all my favorite ideas, the concept for what became 'Twas Christmas Told the Merriest Tale came to me immediately after speaking with CMN's Artistic Director Juan Martin: Toys coming to life on Christmas morning, playing games and having fun before everyone wakes up. So many times did I picture this happening when I was a little boy, and this series of photos pays tribute to those childhood daydreams (and maybe, just maybe, a tip of the hat to Pixar).

This is the first in a series of five, as a kinda-sorta countdown (?) to Christmas, "The Escape"

Tomorrow: More 'Twas Christmas Told the Merriest Tale!

HOLIDAZE 2013: THE MOST NOTORIOUS BOUNTY HUNTER IN THE GALAXY

The Empire Strikes Back. My favorite Star Wars film, and one of my top movies of all time. I've lost count at the number of viewings I've racked up, but it's got to be in the hundreds to thousands. In fact, I just watched it yesterday. In a weird way, I've always seen it as a Christmas movie. I guess it's all the scenes on ice planet Hoth. No matter what, though, every single time, my eyes are drawn to one character: Boba Fett.

I don't know what it is about the mysterious bounty hunter that drew me in-- okay, I do... with the rocket pack, cool helmet, bad-ass armor, and a grappling hook, Fett's design immediately hooked me. While I don't recall the specific age or time I first saw him, I remember exactly what I thought: "That's the coolest character I've ever seen!" 

An original, now-vintage (then-NEW) Boba Fett Kenner figure joined my Star Wars collection shortly thereafter, and he's been one of my cherished, original childhood toys ever since... even if he doesn't have a firing rocket pack. 

Inspired by the 6" Black Series Boba Fett deluxe boxed set (with Han Solo in Carbonite), this 4" version of the bounty hunter is a completely repainted, modified Fett from Hasbro's Vintage Original Trilogy Collection. He has Marvel Universe upper legs grafted on (don't remember who), and a metal "T-Bar" from a 25th Anniversary GI Joe. 

When making a Fett, the question always comes down to which armor: Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi? While he looks wickedly cool in Jedi, for me it's all about that combination of the shades of grey and the metallic blue-green. For a second I thought about going with the Joe Johnston/Ralph McQuarrie all-white concept, but it seemed a little too Storm Trooper-y... perhaps in the future. Or a long time ago...

HOLIDAZE 2013: THE MAGIC OF THE MYTH OF CHRISTMAS

Castle Greyskull.

G.I. Joe Tactical Battle Platform.

Toy Biz's Marvel Superheroes Training Center.

Nintendo Entertainment System.


Some Christmas mornings are so unforgettable that they transcend and become magical. The moment when you get exactly what you hoped for. It had been a very long time since I had REALLY wanted anything for Christmas… until I saw the 6" Boba Fett with Han Solo in Carbonite San Diego Comic Con exclusive. 

Boba Fett. Most Notorious Bounty Hunter in the Galaxy. My favorite Star Wars character/figure ever, and, to this day, one of my most treasured childhood toys.

Being an exclusive, I knew I probably wouldn't be able to afford one-- if it was available online-- so I let it be. I later read that Boba Fett would be available in the second wave of Hasbro's The Black Series. While I had a glimmer of hope, I had kinda resigned myself to a Boba-less existence… and, as long as I didn't have Fett, I couldn't see myself starting a new collection in a new scale.

I walked past the Black Series figures countless times. At first, I was kinda thrown off by the larger scale, but the detail and articulation were amazing. I'd never really seen Star Wars figures of this quality at this size from an American company. While I was impressed, I was steadfast that I wouldn't collect them until I got my Boba Fett.

…Then I received a very cool, unexpected gift from a Secret Santa: 

Suddenly, I feel like a kid again. Opening it immediately took me back to my first X-Wing Luke (the original 1970s figure) and my MEGO Spider-Man. I easily spent a half hour at my workbench just messing around, posing him. 

For the first time in years, I'm actually psyched about upcoming Star Wars figures. Every day I check online for any hints of upcoming waves, usually fawning over leaked images of future products, like they were from some lost Sears catalog of yore.

The other night, my lady took me out for my birthday and wanted me to pick out a few gifts at the store. I made a bee line for the Star Wars section and found Greedo, Han Solo, and Boba Fett waiting for me. 

It was the moment I got exactly what I hoped for Christmas; when it transcended and became magical.

SAY MY NAME

Walter White. Heisenberg. Like Dexter Morgan or Don Draper, one of the most complex, real, and best characters to appear on television in the past 25 years. I came to Breaking Bad very late-- like the final season late-- and was introduced by my girlfriend... the person this piece was made for. While I had built her Doctor Who figures in the past ( http://strangelabs.blogspot.com/2013/06/you-will-be-upgraded.html , http://strangelabs.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-doctor-who.html ), I wanted her to have a Heisenberg to celebrate her birthday and the end of the series. 

Completed in October 2013, Heisenberg is primarily a mix of 25th Anniversary GI Joe pieces (upper body) and GI Joe movie pieces (legs, coat), topped off with a random head I found amongst my customizing fodder. It was already primed white and looked like Walt, so I ran with it. 

That is, indeed, a tiny, in-scale plastic baggie of Sky Blue meth. It was a random figure accessory literally chopped up and put into a real plastic baggie from the Strange Labs Kitchen that I hacked up. It's also the weirdest accessory I've ever made for a figure. 

While watching the first season of Breaking Bad and new episodes every Sunday simultaneously, it was fascinating to see how so much ties together, and how so many details from earlier episodes really come into play later on. I was struck by how much Walter White reminded me of Dexter Morgan-- the normal demeanor, solid job as an authority figure, dual identities, illicit activities, etc. Like Walter, Dexter is aware of his Dark Passenger. What I wonder is if, like Dexter, White's dark side Heisenberg has always been there, lurking in the shadows...

NEXT TIME: HOLIDAZE BEGINS

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

In celebration of Thanksgiving, I wanted to post a few pieces that I've given to very important people in my life, ranging from good buddies to my Goddaughter to My Special Someone :-)

This year I gave more figures away than last year, and I hope to continue the trend in 2014. To see the expression of surprise and shock makes it more and more worthwhile...


ULTRAVIOLET

Ultraviolet was a gift for Nya, my Goddaughter. Like myself and her dad Brian (best attorney in the world, PS), Nya loves GI Joes, so Brian asked me if I would create an original character based on her. Inspired by Nya's multi-colored hair and her punk rock mom Sarah, Ultraviolet is Nya grown up. While she's truly a member of the GI Joe team (trained by Snake Eyes, what!), she's also a triple agent: A Dreadnok who works for Cobra spying on GI Joe (she's really giving them misinformation created by the Joes). 

In addition to being a bad-ass spy, Ultraviolet-- like the real Nya-- loves and cares for animals, and works as a vet for all the animal companions on the GI Joe team.  

Ultraviolet was a combination of a lot of different parts-- Mutt Williams from Indiana Jones, Scarlet, and some random female Jedi Star Wars figure. I believe the head is from Angel Forge 

( http://shop.theangelforge.com ), a bonus piece added to an order by surprise... one of the many reasons why they're amazing.

SCORPION

About a year and a half back, my good buddy Moe asked me if I'd ever consider working on one of his favorite video game characters, Mortal Kombat's Scorpion. While I've never been much of a gamer, I'd always liked his design (along with Sub-Zero, Reptile, and Smoke), and had even made a REALLY CRAPPY one out of old skool GI Joes when I was a little kid. If memory serves, I was so nervous about painting the eyes that I cut some out from the Mortal Kombat magazine ad and glued them on his face. It looked as horrible as it sounds. 

Moe's favorite costume for Scorpion was a little daunting, and, before I knew it, a long time had past since his request. But it proved fortuitous; Moe's birthday was coming up and I knew exactly what to give him...

Scorpion is a repainted ninja from the GI Joe Retaliation line. As soon as I saw it, I knew the yellow would work beautifully with that sculpt. Add in the sick articulation and you've got a birthday present to die for... "GET OVER HERE!"

NEXT TIME: Being good, Breaking Bad...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM STRANGE LABORATORIES!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today starts what I really consider to be my favorite month of the year: The month between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve... or, as I like to refer to them, THE HOLIDAZE. In the spirit of the season, Strange Labs has many surprises and fun little "gifts" for you to see all throughout December, full of magic, wonder, and memory.

Can't wait for you to see them...

-Strange

STRANGE LABS' FIRST SHOW FOR 2014!

Strange Labs is thrilled to announce that our first show of 2014 has already been booked! 

A brand-new, never-before-seen piece will make its debut at Bear & Bird's 4th SQUARE SHOW-- I absolutely love the work, and it signals a new (but logical) progression. The past few months have yielded cool proof-of-concept shots, but I can't stop staring at this new one...

Oh, and if you're a creative type in the South Florida area, Bear & Bird is still accepting RSVPs through Friday, December 20th

More info: http://www.bearandbird.com

SNEAK PEEK: HOLIDAZE 2013

It's not even Thanksgiving, but it's already Christmas at Strange Laboratories... well, kinda. Over the past few weeks, I've been planning and assembling props for a very special holiday project that is a combination of everything I love: toys, miniatures, dioramas, and this magical time of the year, and here's your first look!

 More details-- and pics-- coming soon!

CREATURE FEATURE 2013: "IT'S ALIVE! ALIVE!"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM STRANGE LABORATORIES!

As a kid, I was OBSESSED with monsters, aliens, and ghosts-- pretty much anything and everything that could be classified as occult or supernatural was researched, read, and retold, all throughout elementary school. During this time, I discovered a line of classic Universal horror characters in the same scale as my beloved GI Joe and Star Wars figures. I'd seen a Frankenstein first, then a Dracula. In the days before The Internet, I was never able to track down the name of the line. 

Fast-forward 10 years. McFarlane Toys-- my favorite company at the time-- began putting out playsets in the 4" scale loosely based on classic Universal horror. This time, I didn't miss my chance. They're treasured parts of my toy collection, and I still use them as backgrounds to this day. 

While I have a soft spot in my heart for all of the sets, my favorite from the first series (and the first set I bought from the line) was Frankenstein's Monster. Packed with detail and crammed with accessories, it's one of the coolest toys of all time. 

Here, my original creation Dr. Clockwork stands in for Dr. Frankenstein. The original McFarlane Dr. Frankenstein is kinda cheesy, in that very mid-90s "grim & gritty" style. While I loved the concept of a  cyborg doctor who experimented on himself, the ponytail and goatee had to go. Dr. Frankenstein builds monsters... he's not fronting a 90s alternarock band.

While there were literally thousands of ways I could've approached the piece, I ended up creating a straight-up homage to McFarlane's bad-ass original. Part of its appeal was that head sculpt, so I opted to keep it and put it on a new, super-articulated body (from an Absorbing Man). The crooked line of stitches across the abdomen was another detail I always loved about the McF original, so I lifted them and Frank's "Undead Mint" color palette. 

It's a mint you don't want to eat, kids.

The Monster's neck bolts are made from real screws, provided by a GI Joe. They were one of the final additions to the piece, at the suggestion of a friend who stopped by The Lab. He said that it wouldn't be Frankenstein's Monster without them, and I agreed. 

CREATURE FEATURE WILL RETURN FOR HALLOWEEN 2014, WITH MORE TRICKS AND TREATS... UNTIL THEN, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

CREATURE FEATURE 2013: WALKING DEAD

Halloween is bigger than Christmas at Strange Labs, so, to commemorate, every post for the rest of October will be spooky, scary, creepy... and maybe, just maybe, a little celebratory-- THIS MONTH MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE STRANGE LABORATORIES HAS BEEN ONLINE!

Created and shot before my extensive use of dioramas and sets, I always felt my Unmensch deserved a better series of photos than what he initially got. While I've kicked around ideas of doing one more to complete the "trilogy," I still consider this guy to be my definitive statement on the undead.

Image from camera recovered at abandoned German facility

Image from camera recovered at abandoned German laboratory

TOP SECRET: CLASSIFIED IMAGES FROM MISSION DOSSIER, CODENAME: LAZARUS

Photographs taken during American recon mission of secret underground German laboratories, where an experiment had gone horribly wrong. According to eyewitness reports, power in the facility was sparse, so many of these images are lit by a flashlight...

Interior, German laboratory. Subject found by tanks purportedly used to resurrect the dead

East wing hallway, leading to storage area of complex

Hallway leading to laboratory

A number of subjects were found throughout the complex, though no living were among them. It appeared as though all of the doctors, scientists, and personnel were overrun by the creatures in a matter of days. They posed a challenge for trained soldiers with machine guns. Unarmed civilians didn't stand a chance.

CREATURE FEATURE 2013: WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

One year ago today, I launched Strange Labs with a post about my custom, unnamed rookie Ghostbuster... it was fairly straight-forward, but laid the groundwork for where I am today. As a little celebration of the site's birthday, I wanted to revisit him... this time with a new mission, in new surroundings, with one very special guest...

"Rookie to Ghostbusters HQ. Either this is the place, or the set of Sanford & Son. No sign of whoever reported the disturbance."

"Heard something move inside... goin' in."

"This is nothing like the simulations... I don't remember feeling anything like this."

"Ghostbusters HQ to Rookie: Easy, kid. Probably fluctuations in magnetic fields."

"I don't see anything, guys... maybe a crank call...?"

"What do your instruments say, kid? Don't trust your eyes."

"Pretty far into the facility now, HQ. I'm getting readings, but haven't seen or heard anything!"

"Power's out, guys. Repeat, there has been a power outage--"

"Hold on, kid! Get ready!"

"False alarm, HQ. Power's back on... trigger finger still itchy, though. Gave me a pretty good scare--"

"Uh-oh. Looks like I spoke too soon!"

"Ghostbusters HQ! Ghostbusters HQ! I am engaging the entity!"

"Move quick, boy! Shoot and throw the trap like I showed you!"