Name: John Schlipper AKA Starvbuk Aka DarthHackster
CM: Any Personal Info you are willing to share: (married? Kids? Pets? Occupation? Where from? Other hobbies,/Interests?)
JS: I have a female cat named BeBe and a one winged White Winged Parakeet (Parrot} named Lefty. I'm Semi-Retired (Tilesetter) I was born in a suburb of Chicago moved to Florida just before i turned 18 and just recently moved again. Besides Megos I collect ANYTHING / EVERYTHING Batman related.
CM: How did you get started collecting mego?
JS: Been in love with em since i got my first RM bats .When Ebay first started i got a outfit for my original Green Arrow,After that it was a addiction .
CM: What is your favorite original mego figure and line?
JS: That would have to be Green Arrow ! They got him dead on sculptwise. Favorite line would be WGSH (of course)
CM: What is, in your opinion, the biggest "hole" in mego's original lines. (what figure or figure line is missing that should have been done)
JS: Flash , They did Kid Flash but no Flash !
CM: What motivated you to start customizing?
JS: The lack of KEY figures (see above)
CM: What was your first custom (and do you have a pic)?
JS: The first custom that i remember doing was a Fighting Yank. I painted him up to be Green Lantern. This was back when you could get them for 99 cents .Never took any pics of him tho.
CM: How did it come out? (looking back on it now)
JS: Pretty bad ! LOL
CM: What have you done/learned that has improved your customizing skills?
JS: I used to do alot of models as a kid . Past few years i've been experimenting with Silicone rubber.
CM: What areas of customizing is your strongest points, or favorite things to do?
JS: Hard to believe but i'd have to say Sewing . My favorite thing is painting heads.
CM: What resources make it easier for you as a customizer? (is there a source for parts? Information? Etc. that aids you more than anything else?)
JS: Thanks to the internet you can get pretty much anything you need to create great customs.
CM: What is your favorite custom you've done and do you think it's your best work? If not, what do you think is your best work?
JS: While not what i think is my best my favorite custom would have to be Enik (the Sleestack) He was a fun project. I think my Creech was the best ,He just sorta fell into place .
CM: Why do you choose the projects you choose?
JS: I like the Strange stuff.
CM: What are your favorite customs others have done and why?
JS: That ones easy, That would be Dave Macs B&W Superman. It looks JUST like the Superman on the show i remember watching as a kid.
CM: What is on your "to do" list in the near future?
JS: Once i get settled in I plan on doing a female version of the Creech and a few more Sili-suited Customs.
CM: How do you think customizing affects the mego collecting hobby?
JS: In a positive way, now you can truly "Collect them all!"
CM: Any tips or words of customizing advise to new customizers?
JS: X-zactos are sharp! Buy a Dremel. Proper ventilation is a MUST! If you can't do it someone else can !
CM: Do you sell custom figures or parts? If so, why?
JS: Yes, Mego dropped the ball on removable masks!
CM: What does your family/friends think of your mego custom work/hobby?
JS: My Family is Very supportive of my customs and they are always looking/buying me parts/pieces.
"KEEP ON KUSTOMIZIN' !"
Thanks John, for your participation!
To see more of Buk's work, visit http://starbukz.com/gallery/