This is one of those projects that’ve kept me busy in film class.

Justice For All (A DC Universe stop-motion film) | Promote Your Page Too

Hope you guys like it.

- Christophe

We learned these the hard way after many years of trial and error. Now you don’t have to.

A recent custom by the author

For everything that can go right when making your custom figure, there’s probably fifty things that can go wrong. Not just a little wrong, the kind of problem that’s fixed with an extra dab of Super Glue or maybe a touch up. We mean project destroying, off-the-rails trainwreck wrong. While probably nothing can stop those occasional disasters, there’s also ways to reduce the odds that they’ll happen. You can also save money while doing it, and help make your figure look as good as you possibly can.

The seven tips below are in no particular order, but they’re all equally good at saving you time and money, while making your figures look better. And good luck on your next project.

1. Plan out your customizing projects, and coordinate the parts you’ll need.

It pays to be organized. Before you start customizing, make a list of the next five figures you want to make. Many of the figures will likely share parts, or you’ll be able to recycle parts you already have from previous projects – which will save you money and prevent long trips to the store or having to order online. You might find you’ll be able to make, say, five figures from three new bases and some leftovers. But consider what parts you need first, so you’ll know ahead of time.

Don’t be afraid to trade parts, too. The CJ message boads has a whole forum dedicated to helping customizers get the parts they need without haunting the Targets or ebay.

2. Different kinds of paints work better for different colors.

Not all brands of acrylic paint are created equal. Some paint manufacturers are better at making some kinds of colors than others. As a general guideline, use Americana for white and black paint but also for darker shades of primary colors including reds, blues, and greens. Delta Ceramcoat works best for lighter colors and pastels, as well as for orange and yellow shades. Folk Art and Apple Barrel have a wide variety of hues and tints, and they make great topcoats after you’ve applied a base coat of Americana or Ceramcoat.

4. Prep with flat white paint instead of primer, and use white wash as liquid primer.

Primer paint can be sticky, dull, and quick to mildew if left to stand for more than a few days at a time (especially during the warmer months.) By comparison, flat white paint gives a shinier surface and often coats better to plastic compared to conventional primer. It’s also easier to find in crafts stores and even at Wal-Mart. If you’re planning to customize a character using a bright color scheme, flat white paint can give the lighter-toned paint extra body.

For smaller projects or areas where spray priming is out of the question (such as on faces, hair, et cetera), Americana White Wash can serve as a liquid, brushable primer to help prepare the plastic surface for the paint.

For characters with darker color schemes, using grey primer instead of white paint will help give the paint a darker finish.

Plastic necklace tubing was used to make these figures' tunics

Militia, an obscure villain

7. Push the envelope with your customizing choices.

it’s going to be a very expensive November!!

SEPTEMBER

* Ghostbusters™ 6″ Egon Spengler™ with PKE Meter™, stack of books
* Masters of the Universe® Classics Chief Carnivus™ (Club Eternia™ monthly figure)
* Masters of the Universe® Classics Gygor™

OCTOBER

* Masters of the Universe® Classics Roboto® (Club Eternia™ monthly figure)
* Masters of the Universe® Classics Zodac®

NOVEMBER

* DCU JLU Parademon™ 2-Pack
* Ghostbusters™ 6″ Peter Venkman™ with Ghostbusters™ Logo Base
* Masters of the Universe® Classics Grizzlor® (Club Eternia™ monthly figure)
* Masters of the Universe® Classics Grayskull™ (with Orb)
* Masters of the Universe® Classics Weapons Pak Great Wars Assortment

November’s already shaped up to be one heck of a month, but there’s even more in store for you! We’re working on plans for a serious Cyber Monday sale on November 29th at 9 a.m. PT/Noon ET and it’s gonna be BIG! Watch this spot for details to come, and check back soon to see images of the September, October, and November products!

— Matty

this is a JLU toy commercial made by actioncomics. a very entertaining little piece that i thought was funny and brilliant. see for yourself.

Well it’s Sunday and that means that SDCC 2010 is winding down. Mattel really knocked it out of the park with what they revieled for most of their lines. With Justice League Unlimited, they scored major points with the fans by announcing several figures that were on most peoples most wanted list. Plus, there will be 2 JLU Mattycollector exclusive 2 packs in November and December. With DC Universe Classics they told us who was in wave 16, announced a new DCUC sub-line Green Lantern Classics. GL Classics will last 2 waves and Matty revieled who was going to be in the first wave as well as a 2 pack exclusive to Toys R Us. They also told us about a Legion of Superheroes Matty exclusive 12 pack! Retro Super Heroes is going to continue with the next 2 waves available at Mattycollector.com and Toys R Us. The future of Infinite Heroes may be a little more green. Acording to Mattel, the IH line is going to be very Green Lantern heavy. If you read below you’ll find out all the info on these and other DC lines.

JLU

In late fall of 2010, the missing wave of singles will hit the shelves consisting of Omac, Superman red and blue (50/50 split), Martian Manhunter in modern (now outdated) outfit, Captain Atom (comic accurate), Red Tornado (show accurate) and Ultraman. There is no
sign of the Volcana single that was to be released.

Also in fall of 2010, 3 packs containing Gray Ghost/Batman/Joker,
Deimos/Warlord/Supergirl, JSA Flash Jay Garrick/JSA Green Lantern Alan Scott/Hawkman and Adam Strange/Animal Man/Starman (blue costume repaint). According to the leaked list Starman was supposed to be Starfire, but it looks like that part was wrong.

There’s 2 Mattycollector.com 2 packs scheduled of November and December of this year. The first is Destroyer Darkseid and Kailbak and the second is an army builder pack of Parademons. Both are priced at $25.

Then in early spring 2011 we have new singles coming our way consisting of Batman, KG Beast, B’wanna Beast w/ Wonder Pig, Metallo, Cheetah and Hro Talek. New 3 packs hitting around the same time are Guy Gardner/Martian Manhunter/Superman, Blue Beetle (Ted)/Fire (translucent)/Booster Gold, Toyman/Aquaman (orange shirt classic)/Superman and Firestorm/Angle Man/Killer Frost.

DC Universe Classics

2011 will consist of 4 waves of 6 figures and one wave exclusive to Walmart. A Bat-heavy Wave 16 was revieled consisting of Azbats, Creeper, Classic Dick Grayson Robin (including one with a silver age Robin head as a variant), Jonah Hex, Mercury, Classic Jumpsuit Riddler and they all come with a piece to make a Collect & Connect Bane!

DC Universe classics will have a sub line called Green Lantern Classics which will be 2 waves of 6 figures. There will be an exclusive 2 pack featuring a correct height Sinestro in his classic black and blue outfit and Hal Jordan with pupils available at Toys r Us. Wave 1 will consist of Kyle Rayner, Mongul, Black Hand, Manhunter Robot, Low/Maash (which will have swappable arms and head to change one to the other), Black Lantern Abin Sur and a Collect & Connect Arkillo. No news on wave 2 besides a 4 Horsemen created Red Lantern which Geoff Johns will be naming and a quick sneak peak of GLC member Ch’p.

There will be a Legion of Super Heroes Matty exclusive 12 pack available for $180.00. The pack has Superboy, Cosmic, Lightening Lad, Saturn Girl, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Ultra Boy, Karate Kid, Wild Fire, Matter Eater, Timber Wolf and a Collect & Connect Colossal Boy

Infinite Heroes

Not much news on Infinite Heroes other then the line will be very Green Lantern heavy. Toyguru had said there’s “a lot in store for 2011″ regarding Green Lantern and Infinite Heroes

Retro DC Super Heroes

Waves 3 and 4 were shown at the panel. Like the previous 2 waves, they will be available on Mattycollector.com and Toys R Us. Waves 3 consists of Flash, Captain Cold, Wonder Woman and Cheetah. Wave 4 will have Shazam, Black Adam, Martian Manhunter and a really cool looking Darkseid. There will also be DC Retro Super Heroes exclusives on Matty. Starting in February and running until June, there will be monthly releases of Green Lantern characters, the first 2 being a Yellow costume Sinestro in February and a Guy Gardner in March.

Imaginex Super Friends

There some news on everyone’s favorite Super Friends kids line. This year you can expect to see new figures of Flash, Hawkman, Killer Croc and an OA playset that comes with Hal and Kilowog figures.

Action League

Batman: Brave and the Bold Action League is being re-branded into DC Universe Action League. The line will now have added articulation and feature characters from all over the DCU including ones from current and future comic story lines! You’ll be able to look for Superman/Bizarro, Firestorm/Black Lantern Firestorm, Flash/Captain Boomerang, Hal Jordan/White Lantern Sinestro, Green Arrow/Prometheus, Batman/Joker, John Stewart/Atrocious and Tomar Re/Low.

DC Universe VS Masters of the Universe

This line will continue at Toys r Us this year with the next 2 packs containing Hawkman vs Stratos and Aquaman vs Mer-Man. More packs are planned for 2011.

Personally I think there’s plenty for everyone to be happy with here. Seems like Mattel has truly been listening to their fans. I would like to thank ToyGuru and everyone else behind the scenes for all their hard work. It really does show through and it looks like it’s going to be a great year ahead.

it seems like our JLU wishes are coming true. check out TNI for the pics of the DC panel. i think you will like what you see.