Customizing has been as much about networking as it has been about the craft. There are some things that I do well and there are others that I have no or little skill to accomplish. That being the case, I appreciate all of the talented people that help me make my imagination become a reality.
Originally, I was most interested in "filling in the blanks." In this picture you can see three of the characters I most wanted represented.
Green Lantern is a repainted Captain Marvel Head and one of the Not Dolls silk-screened suits. The Flash features a Troy Younger Filmation sculpt and the Not Dolls Flash suit. Black Lightning is a repainted SWAT head and a Brian Leitner suit.
My pride and joy and first foray into sculpting was this custom Johnny Storm. I had always thought that the most realistic Johnny would feature the same face as the Mego Torch. I sanded down the flames, added hair and ears and sent him off to my good friend Dave Mc for casting and painting.
Speaking of Dave Mc, I was most dejected when he hung up the needle and thread. He helped me out by customizing this suit for my Gorilla Grodd custom. At the same time he designed and completed a Red Arrow suit for me as well. Red Arrow is whom Speedy grew up to be in Alex Ross' Kingdom Come series. I liked how this one came out so much, I began my current endeavor of Kingdom Come Customs.
Kingdom Come Customs
I have nearly twenty characters in various stages of completion at this point. In these pictures you will see the craftsmanship of many of the Mego Museum artisans. I will do my best to give credit to all involved.
First Group shot features Red Robin, Captain Marvel, Superman, Red Arrow, Hawkman and Aquaman II.
Red Robin is a Brian Leitner suit, Starbuk bandoliers and belt, Not Dolls head. Captain Marvel features a Troy Younger head, a Starbuk Captain Marvel suit and Doc Mego Boots. Superman features a Tom Strong Head from Cory Wood painted by Dave Mc and Doc Mego clothing. The Red Arrow is described above while Hawkman is an original sculpt on a Doc Mego body. I have since added some fantastic Starbuk brown wings. Aquaman II has a Brian Leitner suit and a Reproheads Joe head repainted with a new hair sculpt. All of the figures are housed in Anthony Durso (thetoyroom) boxes. He does fabulous work and is super easy to work with. More of his work is featured below.
Here are some close-ups of the figures described above and a detail of the Hawkman head.
I have since added many figures including Green Lantern with a repainted Rookies head and repainted CTVT armor.
John Jones is a Diver 4 Bruce Willis head repainted by Dave Mc wearing a Doc Mego suit and a Thunderbolt trench coat. Note the Martian Manhunter in the box that looks over his shoulder when he is in there. Anthony's eye for detail is second to none.
Green Arrow is my resculpt of an Ivanhoe head wearing a Doc Mego Pike Man suit.
Nuculoid is Cory Woods Dark Hero head and one of the equally fantastic reproheads custom designed suits. Austin Hough is also fabulous to work with.
The last picture is of the Spectre featuring a Reproheads Punk head and a cape sewn by the talented BlackKnight.
Finally, a non-Kingdom Come custom project. I leave you with the transforming Bruce Banner. Dr. Banner features an original Richie Cunningham shirt with a Doc Mego lab coat and Hulk pants sewn by Mitch Edwards. Transforming Banner has the all of the above plus a repainted Potsie Webber original Mego head.
Thanks for looking and thanks to all who have contributed to my custom collection along the way.