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Post by Figuremaster Les on Sept 1, 2006 23:15:12 GMT -5
JASON: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! STUFF FROM WHEN I GOT BACK INTO COMICS! Jesus H. Tapdancin’ Christ! You did a KGBeast!!!!!!!!! Hell yeah! I LOVED Ten Nights of the Beast! Got all the originals bro! KICKIN’!!!!! And that Gunhawk rules! That NKVDemon is too scary bro! Dude, as always, your sewing is beyond reproach. No issues there. None anywhere really. Your sense of drama is growing too. ROCK ‘EM my friend! Take us out! Perfect!
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Post by Figuremaster Les on Sept 1, 2006 23:46:11 GMT -5
Will...Will...Will....... You showed us all bro!
THAT got to me! You did Bob. "The Forgotten"....man, you deserve an award or something man. Bravo. That is so....DUH! Obvious!
[glow=red,2,300]Bravo Will. [/glow]
And thanks. That's terrific.
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Post by martingb on Sept 2, 2006 4:25:55 GMT -5
I was so excited about getting up this Saturday morning. I rushed down to check out what the rest of you fellas had posted during what was for me 'bedtime'. I am not disappointed!!!!!
Troy I had no idea that these old 1960s JLA characters had been re-introduced for BATMAN BEYOND. They look ace(Sorry!) and I know that they must look exactly like that in the show. The clean line down Ten's outfit is a breathtaking piece of work on its own in my book!!! And the 'Ace' on Ace is beautiful. As ever these just look like you strolled into a store and bought them although I'm sure you spent many arduous hours slaving away over them to get them looking like this. Stunning stuff.
Anthony Now these are 'forgotten' chaarcters from Batman's world! Firefly is to me the closest in style to a real deal Mego along with Zodiac. The others are, and I know you won't mind me saying, too good. Not that these aren't but they are kinda goofy and simplistic but that is what Mego was all about in many respects. I love the mask on Zodiac. Is it a Plastidip kinda thing. That whole process fascinates me so if you did it like this bang on top marks to ya. Calender Man and Signal Man go way above the Mego detailing ratings. Each and every aspect of these characters has been thought through and you have pulled off a great job on them both. Jason's work obviously can't be overlooked and it is fair to say that he is the tops for Mego style costuming. No question. I rate the guy all the way. Your box designs as ever hit the mark like we expect and they look like a real deal 'new' line from the period.
Jason If ever there was a character you needed to try your hand at it was Gunhawk. A fella I don't know at all but what with the equipment and belts and stuff he had 'Jason' written all over him. The paint job on the helmet/skullcap is amazing. A real neat job which again I know you'll understand actually goes too far beyond what Mego ever did to be placed in that category. You are flying away from that arena with work of this standard. KGBEAST looks bang on. Not much more to be said. Smooth lines, clean paintwork incredible attention to detailing too. You just hit the target all the way with this guy. Does look kinda kinky but in 3D many comic book characters look like that. You ignored this aspect and went for a 100% miniature representation of the guy and it is superb. DEMON. Now this is a fella I don't many meet in a dark alley. Or even in a crowded sunny main street!!! This guy is one of the best you have ever done. It looks like a store bought thing no question. Reminds me of Tim Curry in LEGEND of course but with some super hero whackiness as well. The face paint is really nice and of course the outfit!!!!What can be said? Bloody lovely!
Will What a way to finish!! The man who in many respects brought this group together along with yourself. A fitting tribute if ever I saw one. The gallery diorama is a great touch and it does look like Bob but as a Mego type of figure. His debonair smile and pose is totally how I see the guy in my mind and from the 1960s press shots when he was promoting his art and the TV show. What was the base head you worked from? Your work has enhanced whatever one it was to the max but I am blown away as to what one you spied and saw the essence of Bob in. The outfit too reflects his casual but dashing nature that we all kinda see in Bruce Wayne too. Love it mate!
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Post by thetoyroom on Sept 2, 2006 7:06:57 GMT -5
WOW! Fantastic work by everybody! Kevin- Having the "inside track" on what you were doing I was still surprised by the finished product! I love your presentation here...the pic of Batman running after K9 kills me! The Bats figure is super but I really love the K9 suit (with great removable head!)...reminds me of "Bob Dog" from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" when I was a tot! Another great addition to the "Weird and Wonderful World of Wahl"! Glorbes- Exactly the kind of Elseworldy dark sinister take I excpected from you on an admittedly lighter, sometimes sillier character from the Batman mythos (though a personal favorite of mine). Congrats on taking someone who is often considered "lame" in today's modern comic book world and upping the ante and making him down right evil and nasty looking. This is what DC should have done to boost the character's potential instead of turning him into the man-moth Charaxes. Martin- If I didn't know better I'd swear this was another project turned in by Kevin! It seems right up his alley. Bang-up job!Thanks for reminding us of the untapped potential of the old super-hero movie serials! This is better than what Mego would have done and very authentic looking to the character. Les- Another concept I was privvy to, although not the details! Shocked? Astonished? Those are mere understatements my man! You OUTDID yourself with this one. A whole cast of characters AND an actual story presented for our viewing pleasure in comic book form...hats (or Bat cowls) off to you for a simply stunning presentation! Oh yeah the figures are okay too. lol (Yes I'm sure you're already aware that they kick ass!) Batlaw- I'm familiar with the Royal Flush Gang as JLA comic foes but I never knew they appeared in the Bat-animation universe (cause I just didn't watch Batman Beyond). But that doesn't stop my from appreciating that these look like they'd fit in quite nicely with the other JLU figures out on the market. Are you going to do the other 2 card members? It'd be a shame not to finish out the quintet. Cool job! Jason- Yet another set I knew about. It's cool to know what someone is doing but even cooler to see it unveiled for the first time and simply stand back and say...WOW! You make these guys, like Gunhawk, even cooler than they actually are and also remind us with others, like with KGBest and NKVDemon, how cool their visuals actually were. You nailed all three with your usual sense of detail and attention to eye candy. No stone goes unturned with you and you never take the easy way out. And thanks again for your great sewing jobs BTW! Will- A complete surprise on this "character". A nice way to end it all (Is that it? No more contributions?) Looks like Kane and yet also looks like a Kane-drawn villain (if that makes sense). I'd love to see him alongside his own creation as a set. That would be cool!
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Post by phantom11 on Sept 2, 2006 10:16:30 GMT -5
Well!! Just had a look this morning at what's been posted since and man, oh man am I BLOWN AWAY by the talent and creativity on display here! Martin- Gotta agree that this is probably the most overlooked character on display here, and perfectly realized here from head to toe. Outstanding work on a VERY difficult cape design; exceedingly clean and yes, definitely captures that "Hangman" look. Like Les, I'm going gah-gah for the 1930's era stuff, so seeing this guy REALLY is an inspiration... and if you don't give him to Les, I'LL take him!! ;D Les- buddy, what can I say? You delivered the goods and THEN SOME!!! Simply BRILLIANT rendition of the Detective #27 Bat-Man, tackling some major 2D to 3D conundrums with skill and artistry. There's not a detail out of place, and I'm EXCEEDINGLY curious how you solved the cowl/neck joint issue and maintained flexibility. The lines of the sculpt of his ears and face are just sheer perfection, the CAPE is stunningly beautiful, and the chest logo? Man, the Bat-gods were smilin' down on you when it dropped into your lap like that! As for the good Dr. Death, he's an equally perfect realization of the character! The reworking you did on the Duvall head brings him completely in line with the character's appearance in the comics, yet shows us how a "living" person playing the Dr. might look. Excellent sculpting and detail work, no question. The Henchmen? A great addition to an already fantastic couple of figures, and again nicely detailed, and as for Ms. Warren, I had no idea that a Fay Wray Barbie existed; did she actually have the eyes painted like that or is that more of your masterful work? Either way, she's a perfect addition, as well. And setting them in a story like you did just made the entire presentation skyrocket through the ceiling, bro! Last but certainly not least: the box! Couldn't have been a finer way of showcasing these two wonderful pieces; the colors, images, and design are stellar, no doubt. All in all? A double grand slam, way, way, WAY outta the park, buddy! Troy- superb work on the Royal Flush gang! Each is very clean, and the paintups are sleek and well done. I'm not too familiar with the characters (they are "forgotten" after all!), but now I'm a bit curious as to what they're all about... Anthony- these guys are just a hoot!! LOVE 'em all, and they do have a distinct "Mego" feel! Something about the costume colors, and the strangeness of these guys... They're just the sort that I could actually see Mego producing! Jason- KILLER work on all three of these guys! I remember reading both the Gunhawk and KGBeast stories, but the NKVDemon is totally infamiliar to me; another Aparo rendered character? They all look terrific! Will- Damn. This one is just... wow. Talk about a forgotten character who is more or less in plain sight. Will, my hat is off to you, bro. This was a beautiful idea, and very nicely realized! The figure looks great, and I love the inclusion of some of Bob's paintings! I actually saw some of his work like this for sale in a Rodeo Drive art gallery in 1989 when I was living in L.A. and Batman fever was running HIGH. I think Bob would have been moved by this.
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Post by aburabusimbutu on Sept 2, 2006 10:35:11 GMT -5
Anthony- Boy you don't mess around! These four villains really capture the spirit of this event as they ARE the low-men on the Rogues Gallery totem pole for sure! I of course love your choices here as nothing says retro-fun to me like some colorfully garbed bad guys with narrowly-focused "themes" Each of these has their own unique costume challenges as customs and your solutions are clever and attractive. I love the way you managed Calendar Man's cape despite your stated misgivings- though I'll bet it was tough getting him into that box! Gotta love the enormous amount of details that went into the complicated patterns covering Signalman and Zodiac Master. Each of these also had a unique headgear dilemma to address and you managed each one- my favorite being Firefly with his antennae and wide open-mouthed smile. You really make great use of your printing skills on so many details too-Firefly's belt, the chest emblems, all of those great little details on the two mentioned above. Everything looks like a legitimate Mego product with just a bit MORE than they would have done, and this is sealed with your totally slick boxes. AND if that weren't enough- your contributions to this event also include boxes for me, Les, and Jason!
Jason- You really fill a niche that nobody else does. You have escalalted the Mego format into something much more- you do this by selecting modern characters and giving them modern details and exceuting them in much greater detail and with more flair than MEgo ever had. It's like what Mego would be doing today if they had stayed in business and really wanted to seriously compete with Toy Biz and McFarlane for the action figure business. Your sewing is now legendary so there's little more I can add to that- but the rest of the assembly process is just as sharp. These figures each boast heads which, though Russ provided a strong base to you- were dependent on your skills to revise, revamp, and redesign. So you add sculpting skills to your arsenal of talents and what a beautiful and professional job you ended up with! By far my favorite here is Gunhawk despite all three being beautiful work. He is now my favorite figure I have ever seen you make.
Will- I think I actually sprang out of my chair when I saw a figure of BOB KANE sitting in front of me. I can't think of a more original or clever idea than this- you are the big mack daddy! He looks great and as has been commented on, looks a bit like the characters he drew which may give us some insight into how Batman came to be who he is. The outfit he's in looks very "period" and also warm and friendly- seeing him sitting there looks very inviting. "Hi I'm Bob Kane, won't you join me by the fire and we'll roast some marshmallows together and discuss how I created one of the greatest pop culture icons of all time...." I have seen the photos of him with those paintings you have him posed with- and got a big charge out of seeing you reproduce them and that setting at 8" scale. The whole thing is just a great idea executed with style- a wondrful tribute to Kane-and a great way to cap off the event.
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Post by BlackKnight on Sept 2, 2006 12:35:55 GMT -5
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Post by Wild Willy on Sept 2, 2006 15:11:20 GMT -5
Kevin, first of all I need to comment on the wonderful collage which you made for this event. Your photoshop skills along with your seemingly endless resourse' really hightens the mood for what is to follow. All the hard work which you do for us behind the scenes is beutiful and very much appreciated. On behalf of CBF I'd like to say thank you for being who you are. [glow=red,2,300]Kevin:[/glow] Wow! what a "treat" this entry is, I remember so clearly these Hostess comic adds. They always made me want a fruit pie but they were not available in Canada at that time and when I finally got to try one.... well they looked tasty'R in the comics. The K-9 character is really & truly outstanding! the material used there looks perfect and the general shape & style are bang on. I am super impressed that you were able to make the doggy mask removeable and the alterations to the Mego head turned out great!. Including the silent dog whistle proves that you leave no stone unturned, brilliant work! The Batman is awesome! you have your "signature wired cape" there and I really love when you do that. Jason's work on the costume is killer. Nice job with the bat ears and head paint. The moc-up add for these figures is excellent!, looks like the real deal (if it had truly existed) another example of going way beyond the expectations of your growing group of fans. I love the packaging design, it is colorful, clean & shows everything perfectly. The inclusion of the full colored comic-add on the back really sums the whole project up and explains the origin of the set to those whom are not old enough to have witnessed these adds first hand, & it's a warm reminder for us older stiffs of some fond memories. [glow=red,2,300]Bruce:[/glow] This is the most serious looking Killer moth imaginable. The head/helmet is awesome! & the leather over the canvas looks totally believeable. Very unique design for the rocket pack & the wings have a real vintage style to them. A very striking custom. [glow=red,2,300]Marty:[/glow] I have serials volume 1 & 2, havent watched them in a few years but I cannot recall this character in them. Regardless you did a bang up job on recreating him in Mego form. from the reference pic it looks like you covered all the details. That collar looks tricky indeed yet you executed yours perfectly and true to your reference material. Great job on the transmitter and excellent use of a common button. Youve captured the same contours of the head as that of the ref pic and I'll bet that was no easy task, even the shoe style is fitting and correct for that era. Bravo! on this one Mart, Take a bow. [glow=red,2,300]Les:[/glow] Once again proving that "Les is more" you took the time to entertain us as well as dazzle us with your artistry. Dr. Death looks great realized as a 3D character and the modifications to Duvall are perfect, The glass eye thingy is terrific! I love the acdcessories here like the cigarette extension as well as the syringe. All top notch and professional looking additions. Great utilization on the wardrobe too. That Batman is beyond cool. I can't believe you made that head although I know you did. just spectacular work there broh! perfectly sculpted with an excellent choice of head under the cowl. (me wanty) ;D The added thugs along with the Damsel in Distress make the story complete and what a story it is. The story boards are way cool and the photgraphy here is second to none, (love the boot tread shot) Great job Les Master. [glow=red,2,300]Troy:[/glow] You are truly helping to bring the Animated characters into the spotlight. These choices are obscure enough that I havent heard of them whatsoever. King is awesome! from the perfect lines to the cut of the loin & crown, very exacting work done here. 10, well I'll give her an 11, she has the curves of a criminal seductress as well as the athletic atributes to thrwart off any crimestoppers. Ace is super clean and his symbol is flawless looking. All in all this Royal Flush gang is a definite Pro job all around. ( I always though a Royal flush is when Prince Charles uses the toilet) ;D [glow=red,2,300]Antony:[/glow] Now here is another very obscured lineup. FireFly is nicely rendered here in Mego form. I really like the emblem & the belt. Callender man looks to have been a handful especially the cape but you did a wonderful jon re-creating it, The suit is awesome, looks perfect and I'll guess its a Jason job? extreme details herein this figure. Signalman, yet another whom I've never heard of and from the box art, youve really captured the essence of the hero, all those emblems must have been tedious work on the back of the cape. The Zodiac Master, At first glance his costume remined me of pj's which I had as a young lad, only mine had cowboys but they were the same color blue. ;D This one is probably my faveorite one due to the vibrant colors and the zodiac symbols throughout. Excellent costuming and the head looks great. Awesome boxes for all and together they really pop as an obscure set of heroes. [glow=red,2,300]Jason:[/glow] Just look at the different colors and sewing details in GunHawk's costume. talk about "extreme sewing" The sewn in black shoulders & chest is awesome! I'm sure making a straight suit is hard enough but to b3e able to di-sect one & piece together with different colors is truly something not for the weak. Nice job on the head paint, I really dig the 5:00 shadow. KGBeast looks kinda "kinky" But very well excecuted. probably my fave of the bunch, the head painting looks perfect as does the costuming. I am always impressed with the fitting of your costume work Jase, Not only are your seams nice & clean you always get a great snug fit. Cool weaponry acsessories, Love the sword & nunchakus, the spiked brass knuckels are just Badass! NKVDemon, again exceptional costuming here and I really get excited when I see your signature padded accents like the shoulder straps in this case. Your an originator, an instagator and a true Pioneer in this hobby. truly Masterful work.
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Post by faithfulbutler on Sept 2, 2006 22:22:30 GMT -5
Just posted my entry,sorry about the delay. Unfortunately i have to take off,it's Fathers Day here and my Family's been very patiently waiting to take me out so i'll leave my comments a bit later. May i just say quickly though that you have every single one of you blown me away!Fantastic job guys,Detailed ravings to come soon. Congrats to you all!!!!!
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Post by aburabusimbutu on Sept 3, 2006 1:55:40 GMT -5
Andy- So glad you were able to squeak your figure in! Ironically you were the first to post last time and the last to post this time. It was worth the wait! I don't know this character but I sure do recognize a beautiful figure when I see one. The most stunning thing to me is the cloth garment and the very natural paint job- your color blending really makes the folds supple- the whole figure is very tactile. Despite your misgivings about manipulating these particular colors the use of red and gold here makes this a stunning "regal" figure and you have suceeded in giving it depth, movement, and life instead of looking like a big red blob which I believe would have resulted in lesser hands. The hat looks machine-produced with such clean lines and shape- really nice meticulous work. The whole figure is top-notch and makes me find the character very appealing despite not having a clue who he is (which of course fits this theme perfectly).
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Post by faithfulbutler on Sept 3, 2006 3:02:53 GMT -5
Oh boy do i need to seriously gush here!
Kev:What can i possibly say?First we get the treat of the wonderful collage and introduction to the Project then straight into your absolutely wonderful contribution. To tell you the truth i had to stop and really look to figure out where the old advertising ended and your stuff began which proves the mastery that you and Anthony have over making a dream reality.And what a dream indeed,a blend of 2 of your most favourite and cherished interests in the one extravaganza.Bravo! I can honestly say you made me laugh openly with joy at your concept and the execution is flawless.Batman to me looks perfect and K-9,what an absolute classic.Only you would make a little guy in a Dog Suit and make it look so damn good.I really have to applaud you on a wonderful exercise in fun,nostaligia and a serious helping of your talent.
Bruce:Well,da master of the truly unique is back in da House!As usual your vision is a treat that requires close study to truly appreciate the blend of your unique eye for Fodder and sculpture. I love that he has such an"Industrial"feel to him and as you say"homemade",the colour blending is perfect and there is a real menace to the eyes coming through the Mask.Once again you show all us 6"ers how it's truly done.
Mart:To be honest i kinda thought we'd be seeing King Tut or one of the TV series lesser Villains so congrats on throwing us all off scent.You once again prove your mastery of this Hobby and youre chosen medium s becoming quite legendary to us all.The simple,yet i would hazard,complex design of his costume is flawless and that wonderful piece of Technology around his Neck is absolutely perfect. Big kudos to you on this figure,i'm really getting a kick out of everything you produce and this is absolutely no exception!
Les:You absolute lunatic!!!!I just don't know where i could possibly start with you.Is it your fun serial-like photographic extravaganza,the fact you spent way more time on this project than i could possibly imagine or is it just the fact that your figures are all things of beauty? I was absolutely confident that we would get some sort of showcase of your talent and enthusiasm and you turned it up more notches than i thought possible.I could rave on but i'm just going to list a few words that i feel sum it up all aspects of your contribution for me: UNIQUE,INSPIRING,ENTERTAINING,CLEVER,PLEASURE.
Troy:A very worthy Member of our community and a hell of a talent!Like most modern DC Animated shows i've only been lucky enough to see portions of Beyond.However i do know the original RF Gang and i do know high quality work when i see it.Mate,your precision and ability to translate these very 2D characters into 3D continues to fascinate and interest me greatly.I've always enjoyed your work and i do agree with everyone that you are one of the best!How you have such a steady hand and manage to make your figs all look so clean is still a mystery to me.Well done!
Anthony:Not only do you enhance everyone else's work so admirably but damn you do some amazing figure work yourself.How do you find the time? When you capture a character in a specific era you really do them fantastic justice.The detail you manage to put into the figs with all those little logos etx shows true dedication and a hell of a lot of patience.Really cannot give you enough kudos for the time you put into other people's work and still manage to do so much yourself.You are one of a kind!
Manly Sewing Dude:Not only do you do amazing Costume work but you are the King of accesorising as well and the fastest worker i know!I can't believe you cranked out that Gunhawk so quickly and as with the rest of the characters it's a visual feast to your dedication and mammoth efforts.I really admire your commitment not only to your own work but your assistance to so many others!
Will:All i can truly do for you is give you a standing ovation!What an idea and what a beuatiful figure to boot,you sir have paid a fitting tribute to a man who has given pleasure to so many.Although in this Project it's next to impossible to give Karma i definitely award you one for such a grand piece of work!
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Post by Figuremaster Les on Sept 3, 2006 8:53:50 GMT -5
To the last poster (so far? ) FB Andy: First off, No FOFB today! ;D NO WAY! This figure of Anarky is...in a word... SWWWWEEEEET!!What a custom job! I am very familiar with him and I was seriously into collecting Batman comics when this fellow appeared in his two issue cover story. You have captured him perfectly and have done a magnificent job! I love that between you and "Manly Sewing Guy" (love that!), that some really personal collecting era comics characters were represented in this Challenge. That means a lot to me. It is a sort of forgotten era, all post 1989 Batman movie, ...but I liked it and still have many of the comics I bought then, in my fury of interest and post movie fanaticism days. And, this was a favorite villian, as far as image goes, of all of them. So, again, thanks Down Under Bro! You've brought us full circle with a style of work that only you can bring here. Oh, and you made a really good point there Andy... It's not so easy to bestow karma points for this Challenge, as every single person's work deserves them. Absolutely! But, if I had to step back, and give one, to a single entrant, and that is a toughie, it would be to Will. His Bob Kane really touched me and made me appreciate the "forgotten man" to whom we all owe our ultimate Bat-respects to. And, since I can't give one to Bob himself, (I did my best attempt at recognition with my early era entry...), I give it to our Fearless Leader, The Big Dog!, who brought us all together and then showed the ultimate in style in his choice of Challenge contribution and the work it represents! Here's some K to you Will! ;D Thanks Big Guy!! Keep lighting the way for us!
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Post by BlackKnight on Sept 3, 2006 10:25:23 GMT -5
FB ! Man ! now thats a good One ! ;D If truth be told , I also had him on the brain. ANARCHY ! What was it,... Detective Comic's 609, 610 or 611 where he first appeared ? Anyhow you captured the Magic of the The Character, remarkably & he look Most Impressive. Nice Homage to the "Great" Norm Breyfogle,.. I believe he drew the character first. Very Nice figure, he's a fav of mine. Glad you showed up, wouldn't have been the same without ya.
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Post by martingb on Sept 3, 2006 10:37:34 GMT -5
ANDY Very impressive mate! Worth the wait for sure. I know this guy and you have captured completely my recollections of him. The start point of an LOTR figure is a great idea however any trace of its origins are lost amongst the beautiful stuff you did to it. The colours look vibrant and lovely to me so any concerns you have should be left behind. Just tops! I love the hat and the head too and again its origin is not evident at all. This is an original looking piece all the way. Really like the shot against the graffiti wall. I can see this in a mail order catalogue or something and the kids just going mental for them. Terrific work mate.
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Post by Wild Willy on Sept 3, 2006 15:00:00 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]FB[/glow] in spite of your new job & busy family life, you managed to pull a rabbit from a hat for our enjoyment.
Can't say I've heard of this character but it is very impressive to say the least. The textures color and flow of the cloak have the beauty and grace of the ancient Ghiesha. I love the hat, it is a great style and youve executed it perfectly.
Will
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