October Toys: Z.O.M.B.I.E.

Zillions of Mutated Bodes Infecting Everyone!!!  These 1 to 2 inch figures are incredible.  After going through my old M.U.S.C.L.E. figures and painting a few of them, seeking out more little rubber people has become another one of my obsessions.  I discovered October Toys through Rue Morgue Magazine a few issues back and have since gotten a hold of their O.M.F.G. line as well as these Z.O.M.B.I.E. guys.

I found a deal on Ebay for 25 zombies, even though there are only 5 per series.  I received 5 figures each in black, red, flesh tone, clear, and glow in the dark.

Of course I couldn't keep myself from painting a set.

http://octobertoys.com

What was so great about the 80s? M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures!!!

I was born in 1979.  Eleven days into the 80s decade my parents celebrated my 1st birthday.  My childhood was spent collecting, eating, watching, and listening to whatever garbage the junk food and entertainment industries could pump into my tiny hands and head.  I plan to celebrate this delectable garbage in future posts dedicated to the decade that helped form who I am today.  I will start by giving praise to the little pink men who invaded my birthday cake on my seventh birthday back in 1986.  These miniature people were known as Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere, or M.U.S.C.L.E.

Love at first sight

They infested my brother's cake too.

Fast forward 26 years later and I'm going through an upstairs room in my parents' house looking for some toys to complement the rock house my four year old had built by the pool.  Overcome by joy and nostalgia, I bring down the 200 or so little figures my mom had kept since the days I used to build rock houses, and so my obsession begins...

I took the little figures home and began to search for more on Ebay and discover their origins via YouTube. I learned that these inch and a half creatures originally came from Japan and were called Kinnikuman.  They were based on a comic series that later became a cartoon and finally action figures.  When Mattel picked them up for the U.S. brats, their story was left overseas. They were given the name M.U.S.C.L.E. and their individual names and personalities were left up for us to decide.  Here is an informative video I found for those who'd like to know more:Personally, I was a little disappointed to find out the whole story behind these guys.  I liked being the one to give them names and decide which ones were good and evil.  But it's still pretty cool to find out that their beginnings go further back than my birthday cake.  I've also discovered that some of these figures go for a pretty hefty price online and there are many sites out there dedicated to reminiscing, trading, painting, and creating imitations of these collectible little gems. Here are a few of my favorites that I've painted.  Some collectors believe a paint job might devalue them, so I only painted my doubles.  Thanks for reading.  Thanks for looking. 

Custom Painted M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures by Joe Whiteford

For even more information and close up pics of all the M.U.S.C.L.E. characters check out http://nathansmuscleblog.blogspot.com and http://blog.uofmuscle.com

STARBURST MAGAZINE Issue 378

http://www.starburstmagazine.com/store?page=shop.browse&category_id=2

Here's a comic I illustrated for the July issue of the British magazine STARBURST, the world's longest running magazine of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy.  The writer P.M. Buchan and I have been talking about collaborating on a comic for a couple of years now and I'm glad we finally got the chance to work together.  He's a good writer specializing in the sick and perverse.  We've talked about doing more Zingo comics, but only time will tell, for he's pretty busy lately and I'm just lazy.  This issue also features an interview with the talented director Ti West.  Click on the link to order a copy.

For more info on Mr. Buchan visit http://PMBuchan.com and follow him on Twitter@PMBuchan.

Lewis was an Odd Boy

Harley Poe will soon be releasing some b-sides on cassette tape through a Canadian record label called You Look Like Shit Records. While going through some old recordings to put on the cassette, Gregg found this song I had laid down two or three years ago and had forgotten about. I still have the artwork that the song is based on, so before Gregg spices it up with bass and keys, I've went ahead and made another video like the Herschell one I did last winter. This one is a little weirder and was recorded in one take, so please take it easy on the criticisms. Thanks and enjoy.

MARTYRS (2008)

I watched Pascal Laugier's Martyrs (2008) last night around midnight.  I viewed this one a few years ago.  I don't remember what I thought about it at the time (maybe disappointment due to not getting what I had expected), but it's sure fucking with my head now.  Even while I'm writing this post I'm thinking to myself how pointless everything is.  Why am I doing this?  Why do I do anything?  I can't talk.  Everything has just stopped. I feel like praying, but I have nothing to say.  And to whom would I pray?  Who would be listening?  When a movie has the ability to mesmerize or trap someone inside his mind, that movie surpasses entertainment.  I don't know how anyone could find this film entertaining anyway.  I didn't.  It bothers me.  It takes me away from my blessed life.  If only for a moment I realize how pointless I am.  I didn't exist then, and I won't exist soon.  I'm here for this blink and that is all.

This has been my second viewing of Martyrs, and knowing what to expect this time around, it has had a much deeper impact than when I watched it a few years back.  If you care to give it a shot, I suggest watching it alone, putting it away for a month or two, and then watching it again.  I feel like this film has just ripped apart my insides.  It has taken my mind to a state in which I have trouble articulating through writing.  Maybe it's just me.  You'll probably hate it.  As repulsive the imagery in this film is, it has permanently affected me.  It has accomplished its task.  It has succeeded in its purpose.  Recommended.

It Conquered the World

This obscure 1957 Roger Corman flick has been under my radar for some time now, but I still haven't had the pleasure of experiencing its glory.  I've seen parts of its end via the movie Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1987) and have viewed its trailer several times.  I've seen photos and read its synopsis, but continue to wait for an official DVD/Blu-Ray release.  Lately Shout Factory has been giving special treatments to old Corman movies and I'm crossing my fingers in hopes they'll get to this one.  I'm not thrilled about paying over $20 for a bootleg, but I feel myself slowly breaking down and fear I may soon give in.  If there is anybody out there willing to send me a copy, I'll return the favor with a print of the title's Venusian creature that I illustrated a few years back along with a set of my 1950s movie monster buttons.  That's a fair trade, right?

Regardless of having never seen the film, it's hard to ignore Paul Blaisdell's unique and very silly vision of what a creature from Venus might look like.  In the photos above is my rendition of his creation, made from polymer clay.  I finished it just days ago.

Here's my first homage to Beulah through watercolor back when I had first read about the movie in the pages of David Earl Worth's very informative Sleaze Creatures (1995).

SOLD

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

I would check out these books from the school library when I was a kid.  They introduced to me some of the classic spooky songs and stories I know today.  At the time, some of the tales really freaked me out, but what really made me uneasy were the incredible drawings by Stephen Gammell.  That artist must have really dug deep into his nightmares to create such haunting imagery, because his illustrations are absolutely bone chilling.

I made this video this morning.  The boys and I got up to watch our Saturday morning cartoons and then pretty much sat around all day, so I scanned some of Gammell's drawings and made this video.  His visual nightmares play to a song taken from the first book in the series.  It can be found on Harley Poe's new album.  Our version is a combination of lyrics stitched together from several sources.  Enjoy.