CUSTOMIZER SPOTLIGHT #45: "Garouf Lafoe" created by CRIMSON DYNAMITE

Garouf Lafoe was a male Human from Tatooine. He was an ice trader, fetching ice from the rings of Adriana and bringing it back to Tatooine. Lafoe was a patron in Chalmun's Cantina when Obi-Wan Kenobi took Luke Skywalker there. After witnessing Obi-Wan whip out a lightsaber at both Ponda Baba and Cornelius Evazan, he went outside and informed sandtrooper Davin Felth of the incident.

We figured Cantina month would be a great time to share this Mos Eisley related custom in our newest Customizer Spotlight post.  Garouf Lafoe was a character we didn't have represented in our diorama, so when we saw a rendition of him available for sale on eBay we jumped at the chance to add him.  We had many figures made by the artist CRIMSON DYNAMITE so we knew the figure was worth the investment.

CRIMSON DYNAMITE is a seasoned veteran in the customizing community. Before adopting his new monniker he had one of the most popular Star Wars custom action figure blogs in the community.  The blog in fact that inspired the creation of our own.  His weekly eBay auctions were eagerly awaited on Sunday evenings.  Custom action figure collectors were elated when the listings returned after a long hiatus.  We have over 30 of his customs here at home.  Be sure to check out his eBay page and save him to your favorite sellers.

"Garouf Lafoe"

created by CRIMSON DYNAMITE

 

CRIMSON DYNAMITE

eBay Page

CUSTOMIZER SPOTLIGHT UPDATE: Peak-OB1 Custom Creations "Clone Wars Gregor - The Dishwasher"

While we have plenty of completed custom action figures ready to be posted up on the blog, we still have plenty of picture editing still left to do.  We were going to try and get it done before the holiday, but it just didn't happen.  Truth be told, it was a good thing, because if we completed the task, we would have forgotten to do a Customizer Spotlight this month.  

Peak-OB1 is probably the most featured artist on the blog other than ourselves and for good reason. We own over forty of his Star Wars custom action figures.  In fact this is the second custom action figure of this character in our collection that was made by Peak-OB1.  The first version of the character we acquired was of Gregor in his Republic Commando armor.  This time we obtained a version of Gregor while he was employed as a dishwasher that suffered from amnesia.  It was another wonderful addition to the Clone Wars collection!

"Gregor - The Dishwasher"

created by

Peak-OB1 Custom Creations

 "D-Squad" created by Wraithnine 
(except for WAC-47 created by Peak-OB1 Custom Creations)

 "D-Squad" created by Wraithnine 
(except for WAC-47 created by Peak-OB1 Custom Creations)

"Clone Commander Gregor"
created by

Peak-OB1 Custom Creations

"D-Squad" created by Wraithnine 
(except for WAC-47 created by Peak-OB1 Custom Creations)

WAC-47" created by Peak-OB1 Custom Creations

Peakob1 on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Peakob1

Peakob1 on Yakface.com:
http://www.yakfaceforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5631

Peakob1 on Droids & Ewoks:
http://droidsandewoks.forumotion.com/customs-and-art-f13/

Peakob1 on Jedi Defender:
http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=20796.0

"CUSTOMS FOR THE KID"

THE CLONE WARS COLLECTION


This video was recently updated to include the newest Peak-OB1 custom action figure that was added to our collection.

Customizer Spotlight # 44: Pimp2-D2's Pimp Speeder + Exclusive Chauffeur Action Figure by MANLY ART

MANLY ART did an exclusive release of Pimp2-D2's Pimp Speeder + Exclusive Chauffeur action figure for DKE Toys to debut at 2015's San Diego Comic-Con. The run was limited to 30 speeders total. There were no more Speeders or Chauffeurs made in this colorway and they completely SOLD OUT.

Each speeder was a re-purposed vintage 1970's Kenner Land Speeder with custom cast resin windscreen and custom resin seats. The set comes with a custom Chauffeur action figure, sticker sheet and instructions. The sticker sheet includes 3 different designs for the hood in addition to cockpit controls and hood interior.  

This vehicle was a fun addition to our custom collection and one of the most unique gifts under the Christmas tree this past holiday.

"Pimp2-D2's Pimp Speeder 

+ Exclusive Chauffeur Action Figure"

by MANLY ART

The packaging for this was really beautiful and very well done.

http://manlyart.bigcartel.com/

Customizer Spotlight #43: Parintachin73

Parintachin73, aka Blaise Bear, hails from Kingston, NY where his time is divided between working full-time, being a parent to a beautiful little girl, freelance graphic designing, and cramming in as many hours at his customs workspace as possible. He has been doing custom figures for about 7-8 years now with an emphasis on Star Wars figures. Although he has been known to delve into the world of superheroes from time to time, his primary goal these days is to expand his skill set and take on new challenges. 

Parintachin73 is a veteran with powerhouse skills. We added this particular figure to our collection over a year ago, but we weren't able to post the Jedi Temple Guard on the blog until now. Hasbro has only released a version of this character with five points of articulation, so having Parintachin73's super-articulated version is a real treat.  We love the soft goods he added to the figure.  The handmade keys positioned along the waistline is probably the coolest detail on this figure.

We really love his paint work. His colors are so rich and warm. Very nice on the eyes!

"Jedi Temple Guard"

created by Parintachin73

Link for his work on rebelscum.com:

Parintachin73's customs thread

For commissions please contact:

blaisebear@yahoo.com

Customizer Spotlight # 42: "STAR WARS REBELS - SABINE's TIE FIGHTER" created by MirkoFx Studio aka Mirko Martinovic

When Star Wars fans wrapped up Season One of "Star Wars Rebels", viewers gazed at one ultra cool variation on a Tie Fighter via the artistic stylings of The Ghost crew member, Sabine Wren. Many fans hope that Hasbro releases a version of the vehicle from the "Fire Across the Galaxy" season finale, but as of now we're still waiting for an official announcement that it will happen.  Mirko Martinovic's painted Tie Fighter was probably the best exclusive giveaway at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, because it is one of the only manifestations we have seen of Sabine's Tie Fighter so far. One lucky raffle winner walked away with the prize on the last day of the convention.  

When the convention was over, a fan commissioned Mirko to recreate his convention exclusive. The custom took him 3 whole weeks to complete. A true labor of love! Lucky for us, the person backed out the deal at the last minute. 

Mirko was getting ready to list this masterpiece up on eBay when Dad sent him an offer.  I turned 12 yesterday, and I was in complete shock when I came home and saw this beauty hanging from my ceiling with all my other Rebel ships!

"STAR WARS REBELS - SABINE TIE FIGHTER"
created by MirkoFx Studio aka Mirko Martinovic

("Sabine Wren" action figure created by Darth Daddy)

PRESS PHOTOS
FROM
STAR WARS CELEBRATION ANAHEIM

Customizer Spotlight Update: "Tantive IV Passageway" created by Boutros77

Earlier in the summer, we showcased two really beautiful Star Wars dioramas we purchased on eBay.  One was Ben's House and the other was Yoda's Hut.  They were both created by artist Carl BouMansour who goes by the handle Boutros77.

His talent has caught the eye of Star Wars blogger/historian Tim Veekhoven who tweeted the artist's work, and Boutros77 has been interviewed by From 4-LOM to Zuckuss.com.  His Cantina and Jabba's Palace dioramas have gotten some serious attention too.

A few weeks after we wrote our feature on the new additions to our collection, we had the opportunity to add another one of Boutros77's dioramas to our shelves. This time the display was of the inner passageways of the Tantive IV ship that carried Princess Leia and the Death Star plans.

The craftsmanship on this piece is most impressive. The opening and closing door feature is strong and sturdy, and we really love that one of the wall panels can be removed to increase the angles from which you can take photographs. These design choices really increase playability. The tabs that were engineered to hold the removable wall in place are just some of the fine details that make this a top shelf piece.

We advise checking out Boutros77's Flickr page.  Drool worthy!

"Tantive IV Passageway"

created by Boutros77

 Grooves and a tab are present to keep the removable wall firmly in place when completely assembled.

 The tab near the top locks the wall in position.

Commissions welcome:
http://carlboumansour.co.uk/boutros77.htm

Flickr Page:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/boutros77/albums