One of my favorite all time robots ever...T28. Picked up this model kit recently and I'm looking forward to painting and putting him together. Got to admit I am a junkie for great Japanese robot box art illustrations!!
Let it be said that man lives a good part of life in his memory. A vast discombobulated account of his time here on this planet, and a questionable recollection of said time past at best. I mean, seriously, where were you in June 1978 at 7:25pm on a school night? You really want to know? I’ll tell you. You’re sitting in the bathtub succumbing to Mommy’s orders, a 4 inch black and white figure clasp inside your little bitty hand while drowning Greedo in haste.. You don’t want to get out of the tub as you’re kicking some rebel scum ass (not realy), but alas the deed is done. “Get OUT! Drop the Stormtooper!” she screams, and it’s over…
Fast forward 30 years.
Sitting in the Hybrid Design conference room at 10:25am on a Tuesday to discuss the progress of a bigger than life Stormtrooper. Enter Super7 visionary Brian Flynn with a handful of what looks like junk, sporting a shit eating grin.. Upon closer inspection, he’s holding geek gold in his arms. The odds and ends of what were to become the stumbling blocks to a real “Picaso” so to speak. A true crossover of two totally different toy families. The Japanese giant Jumbo Machinders and George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise… Dude.. Seriously?
Well, the rest is history now, isn’t it?
Yep. It’s not like it’s news. This hype has been going on for quite sometime. BUT, honestly this project must be given the respect it deserves. This project, will, without a doubt be the catalyst for something far bigger. I for one certainly hope so.
OK, so on to some behind the scenes highlights!
Check out this prototype wax head:
This was one of countless incarnations of what was to become the “Super Shogun”. It’s really always been about the details with this thing. For example the helmet on this wax prototype was 1/8 inch to far forward and was like clockwork rejected much like the countless others that were to follow.. Honestly though, this project was a true labor of love and these small set backs were exactly what brought this masterpiece to fruition.
Stickers and Jumbo Machinders are a torrid match. Don’t get me wrong here. I LOVE the vintage feel and aesthetics of stickers, but let’s face it, they do fade over time. The PINK rubber in this picture is actually a prototype of the black that appears on the finished product replacing the need for stickers. This is two fold, as the actual Stormtroopers sport rubber suits under their armor and long term, as any JUMBO aficionado knows, stickers die..
Below are an army of prototype PINK Stormtrooper Jumbos awaiting the call to participate in the next “race for the cure”. They only run for breast cancer though..
Alas.. I could talk all day about the wonder of this magnificant piece and why you should buy it, BUT… I really feel you need to see it for yourself. It just so happens we are throwing a party this weekend in its honor. Come on down to Super 7 if you can and see it for yourself this Saturday, June 12th at 6pm clickity CLICK HERE for details. Be there or be rebel scum…
In closing I give you these awesome shots to wet your whistle with.. May the force be with us all.
[Disclaimer: The pictures featured below consist of the actual creative process involved in producing this piece and are in NO WAY a definitive representation of the actual finished product that will be for sale.]
At the behest of the Chairman, I’m dropping some Getta-‘bows on ya. Of the missile-firing variety.
It’s criminal that I can’t seem to nab me a boxed Getter 1, arguably the most common of the sofubi brovas. If you got a lead, get at me!
Getter 2!
Getter 3!
Divine sculpts. Pristine paint. Heavenly boxt art. And eye-exploding firepower.
Bandai missile fires are the illest. Got more soul than your tennis shoe, and three times the funk.
Dig it.
Saito’s collection is just amazing.. He sent me these pictures last night giving me a little taste. Speechless…
Battle Fever J is pretty sick. I personally LOVE the “BF” on the chest. A friend of mine recently called it the “graffiti BF” in a negative context. Well, I for one think this is Tokusatsu and Super Sentai Robots at their finest. Featured in this post is the elusive Popy Pura Dera Battle Fever Robo J (ãƒãƒˆãƒ«ãƒ•ã‚£ãƒ¼ãƒãƒ¼ãƒãƒœ Batoru FÄ«bÄ Robo) and a well loved Masao Den (ä¼æ£å¤« Den Masao) / Battle Japan (ãƒãƒˆãƒ«ã‚¸ãƒ£ãƒ‘ン Batoru Japan) mini sofubi both circa 1979. Feel the FEVER…
BEST Sentai costumes EVER!!
Courtesy of my friend Virginio de Angelis. This “Daily Money Shot” will make any base collector fall to his/her knees.. Bring it? It’s been brought..
I mean, c’mon. Who doesn’t love Japanese Spiderman? Now somebody sell me a Leopardon Jumbo Machinder STAT!!
Ozen 15″ Vul Eagle talker from 太陽戦隊サンãƒãƒ«ã‚«ãƒ³, TaiyÅ Sentai Sun Vulcan from 1981. Probably the largest figure from the show. Five points of articulation and it TALKS. Press the button on his tummy and the magic happens. Similar to the NEW Tetsujin 28 talker, also from 1981, the talk box is exactly the same as the Popy talkers leading one to believe they are close relatives. Hmmmm…
For you audiophiles out there..
