CJ Member Name: Super Powers!
Real Name: Joel
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Age: 33
Sex: 100% Mamalian...sorry, SpongeBob reference!
Main Customizing Interest: Kenner Super Powers (DC Comics characters)
Secondary Customizing Interest: WWE Classic Superstars
Why do you customize: I love the creativity of it. Taking figure A and slowly turning him or her into figure XYZ is a fun, creative process for me. I love the Frankensteining of parts.
Where do you customize: The kitchen table after my children go to bed.
When did you start customizing: I believe my first figure was done sometime in 1993. I remember using some Caddillac & Dinosaurs figures to make the crappy 90's Hawkman and a Lobo figure out of. I also began customizing WWF Hasbro figures at that time.
When do you customize: Mostly at night, especially on vactions and holidays (I'm a teacher by day-bad-ass customizer by night)
How much time, on average, do you spend customizing each week: It really varies. Some weeks I'm able to get a good 5 or 6 hours in, others I can't touch a figure. I takes what I can get...
How many customs have you done: Hmmmm, good question. In all forms, shapes, sizes and brands, probably somewhere over 200. That's just a guess. A few summers ago I was really cranking them out. Now...not so much.
What type/brand of paint do you use: CITADEL COLORS!!! I highly recommend using it! I get very good results from it, and now swear by it! I especially swear when I'm painting eyes.
Have you ever bought a custom: No, I have not. I'd really like some of the work I see out there, but my pride probably wouldn't allow it.
Have you ever sold one of your customs: Many, many figures of mine get sold on eBay. I've taken a few commissions as well.
Are there any other types of customs that you have never done but would like to try: Hmmmm. GI Joe, maybe? Oh yeah, and Lego minifigs. I love those little guys!
Why did you take part in the Customizer of the Month article: Just so I can sit back and reap the many benefits from here on in...wait, what? There ARE no benefits?? Crud. I guess it's nice to be recognized by my peers...<sigh>
What lines of toys/models do you collect: Super Powers (finally scored a Cyborg! Heck yeah!), Lego Harry Potter and some DC Direct. I just bought the 25th anniversary GI Joe Cobra box set (With CC, Destro, Baroness, Stormshadow & a generic guy) and a 25th Ann. Snake Eyes....I can see buying more in the future!
If you could give one tip to other customizers, what would it be: Find your style and stick to it! Oh yeah, and try to pay respects to whomever's work you are ripping off (if you can!)
What inspires you when you do a custom: I find inspiration in many places. Sometimes it's in a base figure ("Man, I see _____ in there!") and sometimes it's from seeing other customizers work. Working in a style & scale that's kinda dead (Super Powers) I kinda have to rely on seeing JLU customs, DC Direct customs, and even Mego customs to get my 'juices flowing' creatively speaking. Thanks to the internet, I can see all this great work out there and find ways to incorporate it to my projects!
What is your favorite custom that you have: I just sold off some favorites (Sinestro, Grundy and Black Manta) so of the ones I currently have...probably Gizmo, the dwarf-foe of the Teen Titans. He'll be shown at Custom Con in October!
What custom do you feel is your best: I'll say Sinestro, only due to the fact that I feel I really 'nailed' his look and made a good piece that didn't really copy anyone else's work.
