Q: Are these Figures for sale?
A: No. The custom figures featured on this website ARE NOT for sale.
Q: Can you make me a custom figure?
A: I cannot. But there are many terrific customizers that will. Many of the customizers who are affiliates of the Custom Coalition specialize in creating customs that they will sell to you.
Q: What
is a Custom Figure?
A: A Custom Figure is a figure that is usually created
from parts of other action figures to create a new
and unique figure that has not been mass produced.
Q:
Does Mattel Endorse this Website?
A: No,
this website is not endorsed, sponsored or authorized
by Mattel in any way.
This is a NOT FOR PROFIT,
FAN SITE created
by a fan of Masters of the Universe.
Q: What
is your relationship to He-Man.org?
A: I am a regular registered member. You
can be too. Register at www.he-man.org/forums/boards/
Q: What
is a Base Figure?
A: A "Base" figure is an action
figure used as the foundation, or main component
of a custom figure.
Q: Why
are sections incomplete and inconsistent, and
how come some character entries are really long
and others are really short - what gives?
A: This website represents what is currently
an open ended project. Beginning
with the basics, I intend to build a consistent and
in-depth presentation. It will take a while but keep
checking back - things are changing all the time!
Q: Why
do some figure descriptions describe the figure
and the idea behind making the figure and other
descriptions tell a story?
A: See the answer to previous question.
Q:
What are the six boxes in each character
description area, the ones with the different
symbols like the he-man cross, snake, crossbones
and skull face?
A:
These are place holders for thumbnail images. Eventually
they will be replaced with thumbnail images that
when clicked upon will link to more images of the
character. Look around the site - some characters
already have additional images available - and keep
checking back for regular updates!
Q:
Can I submit my email address so I can be
notified when there is an update to the website?
A:
There is currently no newletter or email list - however
- updates and news items are available as an RSS feed
- so if you check the feed you'll be able to easily
find out about the latest updates! the URL for the
official RSS feed of this site is: http://www.jsunscustoms.com/news/rss.php
Q:
Why haven't you made custom Figures of any
Evil Horde Characters?
A:
I have made one - Calix the rock warrior! But aside
from him I don't
plan on making any other Evil Horde customs. The
Evil Horde characters were among my most favorite
when I was younger - I have high hopes to see officially
licensed 6" Statues
of the Evil Horde Characters. Hordak and Grizzlor
are already confirmed for release!
Q:
Why don't you paint your figures with washes,
like a black wash?
A: It
is a personal preference. I really liked the simple
bright color palatte of the original figures... and
I really like the simple bright color palatte that
the fourhorsemen paintd the original designs for
the figures with and for the most part the entire new
line was produced with. Also since I strive to create
custom figures that fit in well with the actual figures
blackwashing the figures is out of the question.
Q: I
am having trouble viewing the website properly
is there a browser you recommend?
A: Although Internet Explorer may be the
most commonly used browser, this site loads and functions
BEST in Firefox, Safari and Netscape... all of these
browsers are free so go get them!
Q: For
each of your figures you list the "recipe" but
all I see are ingredients, can you list the full
recipe?
A: Look closer! some of the recipes are
listed and there are more to come! Ultimately more
complete and detailed information will be listed
- stay tuned!
Q: Can
I read the story that you came up with regarding
these customs and this website?
A: Not yet. The complete story is still
under development in the form of a Fan-Comic.
Q: Why
don't you just make customs of classic characters
that were not made into figures?
A: I actually enjoy making customs of characters
that don't exist in the Masters of the Universe canon
much more that creating customs of existing characters.
Sure - creating customs of existing characters is
challenging and I have created a fair share, but
I find that making clean, crisp, believable figures
of unique characters to be a lot more fun!
Q: When
did Tuvar and Badra become separated from each
other?
A: That is how the started out before they
became Two-Bad. They never did separate in the comic
nor the cartoon... But in my own story they did.
Q:
How much sculpting do you do to create your
custom figures?
Some custom figures are built/sculpted completely from scratch. Most
of my custom figures are conglomerations of other figures chopped slices
sanded with bit and pieces that are scratch built/sculpted. So it depends.
As the recipes for each figure get more fleshed out you will be able
to see how each figure was created.
Q:
How do you "cure" or harden sculpey
onto a plastic figure without melting the figure?
A: For starters I NEVER put my figures or ANY plastic in the oven. Not
only do you risk destroying your figures and your work, but you are also
releasing harmful vapors into the air you breathe by putting an action
figure in the oven at high temperatures. The way that I go about hardening
the Sculpey is by dipping the figure into boiling water.*see next
question
Q:
I heard you boil your figures to cure any sculpey
addition you have made to them, doesn't that
ruin them?
A: I don't actually boil the figures - what I do is I bring a large pot
of water to a boil - TURN THE HEAT OFF - and then dip the figure/sculpey
into the water for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending
on the amount of Scupey. This process works very well for me. It may
require some patience, trial and error for you to get good results...
but hey what doesn't?
Q:
Isn't cutting plastic with razors dangerous?
A: Yes it can be. Working with any tool whether it be blunt or sharp
can always present a hazard. Always practice your crafts safely - and
wear safety goggles whenever cutting or drilling. You never know what
is going to snap off and shoot right into your eye.
Q:
Aren't safety goggles a little excessive?
A: Only if you consider having two eyes excessive.
Q:
How do you get your sculptural elements so
smooth?
A: When working with sculpey, before curing, I often use a little rubbing
alcohol applied gently with a Q-tip (or just use your fingers) to smooth
out areas. The rubbing alcohol acts as a solvent for the sculpey so be
careful not to apply too much or you will dissolve away all of the details
you have worked so hard to create!
Q: What
kinds of tools do you use to create your customs?
A: Primarily I use Razors and Glue. You
would be amazed at how much you can do with these
tools alone. I also use a Wizard which is a rotary
tool similar to a Dremel. When it comes to sculpting
I use various picks, dental tools, pins, paper-clips
all of these things are part of my customizing arsenal...
You'll find that all sort of objects make great sculpting
tools!
Q: Do
you make custom action figure for other toy lines?
A: No. Masters of the Universe are the toy
line I customize. I do make custom figures and sculptures
for all sorts of other things... but Master of the
Universe is the only toyline I presently customize.
Q: What
kind of paints do you use?
A: I use acrylic craft paints - the kind
that usually comes in 2 oz. plastic bottles. I prefer
to use BLICK, Apple Barrel and DecoArt brands but
I believe that most any brand of Acrylic Craft Paint
will do.
Q: Do
you seal or apply gloss to your customs?
A: Sometimes. When I do I rely on Testors
Dull Cote. I should probably use it more often as
it does a great job protecting the figures paint
jobs and such... trouble is the stuff is rather toxic.
So I fully recommend using Testor's Dull Cote - just
be certain to spray it with adequate ventilation
- or better yet if you can spray your customs outdoors,
and allow the Dull Cote to dry before bringing your
work back inside.
Have
a question? Ask it HERE!
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