CUSTOMIZER SPOTLIGHT UPDATE: PEAKOB1 - RUMI PARAMITA (THE CLONE WARS - SEASON 2: EPISODE 17 "BOUNTY HUNTERS")

Here at home, one of our favorite episodes of The Clone Wars  is "Bounty Hunters"  from Season 2.  The episode is based on Akira Kurosawa's classic film "Seven Samurai" and it did a wonderful job paying tribute to one of the masters.  I'm a huge cinefile, and I collect movies the way Elias collects Star Wars toys so the "Bounty Hunters"  episode will always have a special place in my heart.  This episode was really exciting for me as a Kurosawa fan.  I've acquired almost all of his films over the last decade and a half while working to complete my library of Criterion Collection releases.  To have an episode of The Clone Wars  that not only featured Hondo Ohnaka, my favorite Clone Wars  character, but also paid tribute to one of my favorite directors of all-time was a real treat.  

As I watched the episode for the first time, I secretly hoped that Hasbro would one day release a Battle Pack of the infamous "Seven Samurai" crew from The Clone Wars.  As I saw plans for Embo and Seripas to be released, I started to get really excited that Sugi and Rumi Paramita may not be far behind.  Unfortunately, they never were produced.  While Hasbro did end up producing 5 of the 7, Sugi and Rumi never made it to store pegs.  Rumi Paramita's fate probably had a lot to do with Hasbro's decision on whether or not to produce the toy, but we always felt that Hasbro made a huge mistake not making Sugi, since she had such an enormous fan following.  Their absence left us feeling like we had an enormous hole in our collection that we desperately wanted to fill.

Peakob1 was so successful creating a version of Sugi for himself, that a few months ago I commissioned him to make Elias one too.  The results were beautiful.  Peakob1 is definitely one of the most skilled customizers out there today.  Once Sugi was in hand and posed on Elias' Clone Wars shelf, I decided to get the materials to make Rumi too.  Peakob1 and I spend a lot of time on the phone talking Star Wars together, and when I mentioned that I was planning to make a Rumi, he volunteered to take on the project.  Since he did such a wonderful job on Sugi, and I am already swamped with all the projects I already have started, I felt like it was a great idea.  Was it ever!  

With Hondo's Pirate Gang already created, I can now say that we finally have a completed set of action figures from The Clone Wars "Bounty Hunters" episode, and I can't tell you what a great feeling that is.  Thank you, Peakob1 for helping to make our dream a reality!

"RUMI PARAMITA"

created by Peakob1

QUICK HEAD SWAPS

 These are just two head swaps that you may want to try yourselves at home.

 Head: Star Wars 2012 Clone Wars Action Figure CW No. 12 Obi-Wan Kenobi

Body: Star Wars 2009 Clone Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi (with Freeco Speeder)

 

 Body: Ahsoka Tano (with Rotta The Hutt), Star Wars The Clone Wars Collection, 2008

Head: Ahsoka Tano (Cad Bane's Escape), Star Wars The Clone Wars Collection, 2011

 

Peakob1's "Rumi Paramita" was featured in Yakface.com's "Customizer Mega Spotlight".

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

To go to the ebay page of Peakob1 click below:
http://myworld.ebay.com/peakob1/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

Custom Action Figure News Episode 69 - CAFN goes to Video Podcasting

It has been a long time coming, but Lucasclones and Tamer had a very enjoyable first run as they made the jump from audio to video podcasting. A few of the items they talked about were: customizing highlights around the web (of course!), new announcements regarding Star Wars Collectibles, the latest Episode 7 rumors including that great new Battlefront Trailer, etc. Now I can't promise a totally glitch free podcast as this is their first time out in this format, but they wanted to work out all the kinks before they get back to their live interviews with the best customizers across the world wide web. And don't worry, for those that like the plain audio format, they will be converting all of these videos to mp3's! And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel as CAFN begins this new series.

Its time to get your Expanded Universe on for ISY's next Custom Challenge!

The voting has ended and its time to announce the next custom action figure challenge at ISY! Its time to get your Expanded Universe on! Imperial Shipyards wanted to do something to honor all of the wonderful folks out there who have added so much to the Star Wars Universe during the dark years when we had no toys, no movies, not much of anything as a matter of fact. And while it may be termed "legendary" it is definitely near and dear to many of us at ISY.  Click here to read the full contest details.  You have from now until July 12th to create your custom!

"JABBA's PALACE - DROID TORTURE RACK" created by Hole in the Ground Productions

Not every droid's owner is a nice one, so you better do your job well. If you have the wrong kind of master, you may find yourself disintegrated on a cruel device like the droid torture rack!

This kit comes in four unpainted pieces. A top and bottom in cast resin and two aluminum "pistons" that glue into place. When assembled, it measures approximately 6" wide by 6" tall. This diorama piece was not made to fit a specific action figure, so you will have to decide how best to display it. You may have to modify a figure for best results.

We saw this on Facebook last night and grabbed a set afraid they'd sell out fast.  Grab yours while you can!

PURCHASE HERE

The Realm Recap: Episode #18 - We are a Part of the Vinylmation & Episode #19 - Holy SHFiguarts!

DARTH DADDY'S CUSTOMIZING CORNER: TONY "THE MAD JAWA" DEIDA

Darth Daddy's Customizing Corner featured Star Wars customizer Tony "The Mad Jawa" Deida in the latest Customizing Corner over at The Star Wars Underworld.

CLICK HERE TO READ

So far I have been showcasing the work of the seasoned veterans within the Star Wars customizing community, but I thought it would be cool to give a shout out to some of the newer artists in the community as well.  Tony 'The Mad Jawa' Deida is a 38 year old customizer from New Jersey.  He has been seriously customizing for less than 1 year, and his devotion to the craft is quite evident.  He was one of the first customizers I saw to tackle the Star Wars Rebels characters and it was cool that he made them to fit with the realistic line rather in their animated for.  He has also produced some super creative droids that deserve a look.  The tall Jawa custom that he made from the appearance at the sale of the droids from A New Hope is a figure I'd like to make for my own collection one day.  What a great idea!

His interest in customizing Star Wars toys started because he found that he never had much money to purchase new figures due to the increasing price point, as well as not being totally happy with the look of the figures he was paying for.  Mainly being a flea market and toy show shopper led to a build up of lots of fodder. Heavily influenced by seeing all the incredible artists on Facebook, he told himself, "I can do this!"

Around this very same week, one year ago, he gave up drinking, smoking, TV and all other aspects of the mainstream media the same day, and totally committed himself, and all his time, to learning everything he could about customizing.  Tony said he learned his craft by watching hours and endless hours of YouTube to see how other customizers acheived their results.  Customizing quickly become a passion for him. With his new found time and saved money, he studied paint technique, molding, casting, sculpting, and his favorite technique weathering.  He said he will use real rust, and dirt to get the look he wants.  Tony said while all the technical skills have been necessary to add to his repertoire,  patience has been the most important skill of all.

Tony feels like he never would have made it this far in his skill set without the support of his friends in the online community, and his wife Stacy.

 

TONY "THE MAD JAWA" DEIDA

on Facebook