plastik jaya

Brickformers

2011-12-25T10:45:00.001-08:00

So Hasbro's 2nd foray into building block toys after the abysmal Built-To-Rule line just popped in KL: Kreos. And it looks like we have a winner.

First of all, just look at the pricing. A similar sized set (say that 3 times) licensed Lego set would cost 1.5 to 2 times the price of a Kreo set, at the expense of slightly lower quality build.

(Apparently these are by Oxford, a Korean based Lego competitor that does military models.)

Don't get me wrong. I was brought up on Legos. My brothers and i would stay up til 3am just mucking around with bricks all over the carpet. But now that i buy these for my kid i know the cost of brand loyalty and Kreos in comparison just deliver more bang for your back.

I bought Starscream first (was keen on the jet mode). Then went back for Prime and Bumblebee (the small ones, sans minifig) and lastly Mirage. And i'm really looking forward to more of these. I play a bit with my kid's Lego but building my fave G1 character really brings back that feeling from childhood completing my City Lego sets.

Here's hoping they make G1 Metroplex, Animated Omega Supreme and heck, even an Ark/Mount Saint Hillary diorama. Hey, i can dream, right?

2011 end of year update

2011-12-10T12:38:00.001-08:00

December already? Wow.

So i've actually still been picking up the occasional TF but besides the slow down of purchases, the ones i buy i hardly have time to mess with. Hence the lot of em compiled here.

(Bear with me, trying something new here with photography style. Just messing around with iphone's instagram, i love this thing.)

GENERATIONS WARPATH
Missed the boat when he was released locally - it was a short run, pre release of DOTM toys - i got this guy through a US based forum i frequent (thanks, nate!). I dont dig the 4 tread tank design, but the bot mode is practically perfect. Shoulder guns a bit overkill tho, he already has a turret embedded in his friggin chest. KABLAM.

PERFECT EFFECT'S REFLECTOR
I've always preferred the toy version of reflector with the 3 robots that comprise the camera mode being distinct from each other, but its still cool that we finally get something close to something cartoon accurate, even if its non-official. Would've preferred it to be bigger nor do i care for all the accessories but these are done quite well for KO standards, just a notch dowm from fansproject's stuff.

LEGENDS PROWL AND TRAILBREAKER
Prowl's already been done as a deluxe TFU toy but trailbreaker/cutter here finally gets some love, yay! Even if its in legends scale.

TF PRIME CLIFFJUMPER
Not really big on the show nor design, but i loves me some american muscle car! Cliffjumper's voiced by The Rock in the show's pilot (spoiler: he dies!) but CJ gets a bit more face time in the comics. Can you smeeeeeeelll....

TFA IRONHIDE
I actually bought this some time back and totally forgot to update my inventory. Love that smirk. Just need Waspy and Swindle to wrap up my TFA collection.

MP10 CONVOY 2.0
Waited a bit on this guy because of the steep pricing (whereas i've always picked up previous MPs on 1st shipment). Passed up on the previous MP convoy with trailer set and kinda glad i did. Haskatomy really knows how to milk their cash cow. That said, this guy is great. I always felt the original MP convoy alt mode was lacking and this version makes up for it and more in spades. Lose some gimmicks but since i have both version i'm not complaining.

Aww wook at the widdle optimus pwime! Seriously tho, this may be a toddlers toy but it looks good in both modes, the gimmick works great and its G1 inspired. Insta-buy!

RTS GRAPPLE
Yet another old purchase that i stashed away til now. I dont buy all the generations repaint, but grapple is cool guy, he doesn't afraid of designing cybertron skyline and being in cohorts with constructicons!

Ciao #58

2011-10-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

I've been curiously finding myself scouring the internet to read more on MotoGP's Marco Simoncelli's tragic accident during the course of previous weekend race at Sepang. For the uninitiated, Marco, racing on the #58 Gresini Honda made an error early on in the race and peculiarly slid across the track at a turn; Colin Edwards and all time great, fellow compatriot and close friend Valentino Rossi trailing, ran over him: the outcome was immediately apparent, there was nothing they could do.

I've never been one to glorify famous personality tragedies but for some reason this one hit a nerve. I was following it play by play and when it happened everybody following it just seemed to stop, in shock, waiting for a sign that he was going to be okay which deep inside everybody knew was not coming.

I'm a casual fan of MotoGP (though i ride and love bikes) so i didnt really have a strong attachment. But i found the whole thing gripping and compelling for some reason and following the news and responses the outpouring of fans and followers seemed genuinely sincere and heartfelt. I didn't really make the connection until i saw an ad on RTM for Nujum Pak Belalang...

Marco was a hero. I mean, he's not my personal hero (P Ramlee is by the way) but he's somebody else's hero and it must've been heart wrenching to see him went out like that. I mean, motorcycling is dangerous as it is (famously quoted by Ernest Hemingway as the only true sport besides montaineering and bullfighting, the others being just games) so participant and spectator are aware of the risk. And Marco, while a polarizing figure on the track due to his reckless racing style, was well loved off it, a combination of his larger than life stature and (hair)style, approachable star and well humored interviewee. It couldnt have happened to a nicer guy, basically.

But the reason i'm even posting this is because i'm reminded of why we have our heroes, in particular in sports (mine is Chicago Bull's Michael Jordan), because unlike movie or music stars these guys are real supermen, doing things that you dreamt of doing growing up playing, on the field or court or track. And its disheartening to see them succumb to physical situations. We had Mokhtar Dahari. I cringe everytime i see Muhammad Ali in his current condition. At least Senna had hit his prime.

If i was a casual MotoGP follower before, i am fan now. Thanks to the love shown by SuperSIC fans all over the world. Y'all saw the him for the star that he was even before he got a podium finish in MotoGP, i will be lucky to find the next guy with even half the charisma, rest easy #58.
Great tribute piece by Autosport's Toby Moody, here:

http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/3972/toby-moody-remembers-marco-simoncelli/

Reports of my demise...

2011-08-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

Man, work has been kicking my ass.

Things have been slow on the collecting front since I've been trying to get back into an old habit/new hobby:

its a parallel twin kawasaki er-6n. HAPPYFACE. I really wanted an inline four z1000 tho. SADFACE.

But to be honest theres been lack of interesting stuff (read: non-G1). I did get perfecteffect's reflector set (they're tiny!) and generations grapple (yay, another repaint!) but botcon 2011 rolled around and these guys came in the mail:

ANIMATED STUNTICONS

Thanks, jarodimus! Same guy hooked me up with botcon 2008 set, too. New animated characters, g1 homages: insta-buy.

Got this off the internets:

G1 BEACHCOMBER

Like, this dude completes my original minibots collection, man.

Stumbled on these guys, didnt know about them:

Besides TFs, MOTU was as big as TF with the kids i grew up with (not to mention more affordable). I dont care much for hot wheels but i love the art on these. New stuff these days dont invest much on painted toy artwork like they used to. Kinda like die cast...its a lost art. Ba-dum-chh!

I also caught TF:DOTM on premiere night with a buch of fans, but thats a story for another post.

If your gonna ride, daniel...

2011-02-08T00:53:00.000-08:00

...ride in style!

Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy

This guy came out just in the nick of time for CNY Holidays. Otherwise it'd have been a week to wait for shops to return to business. always good to avoid transformers purchase blue balls.

robot mode is very nice. he looks like he stepped right out of the movie. you can practically hear 'dare'. good articulation but the protruding shoulder is slightly limits range of movement.

i'm liking the battle platform mode more than i expected. while i haven't even bothered playing with MP prime's trailer (my dalianjj version is still in its box), the compactness of roddy's trailer is a plus. i'm all like BUDDABUDDABUDDA DIE DECEPTICREEPS up in here, which is kinda funny cuz roddy's always been depicted as emo, he'd never do that (but he would do anything for love!).

car mode is damn slick, i just love the retro futuristic look.

just can't get enough of it so i take 2 pics from the same angle. Whutup KOToys.com?!!

never dug the ol' space winnebago but they do a good job combining the car and trailer. i normally dislike fake bits (the cockpit and hood is actually part of the trailer) but its done creatively.

If you're considering getting this and have been hearing nothing but whining (even from people who don't actually have it *rolls eyes*), heres my take:

- aside from paint chipping. mine only has 2 real problems: one arm exhaust doesnt tab as well as the other in car mode, tho not floppy. one feet spring has started to show uncoiling, tho its still in there.
- transformation is very finicky from robot to car and car with trailer. feels like youre gonna break something just before everything lines up. but with familiarity you get better at it. just gotta get over the steep learning curve.
- torso/backpack tends to easily untab when handling in robot mode, so the trick is to hold it at the torso, keeping pressure. the problem is due to super tight shoulder ratchets so the force it takes to move the arm around tends to cause the torso/backpack tabs dislodge.

i can't say its worth rm500 or usd200 as per current market price (i usually go for 1st release on principle) but despite its flaws and shortcomings the bot mode is awesome and the vehicle mode's a beaut. you can win...if you dare!

2011 CNY haul

2011-02-08T00:10:00.001-08:00

seems like with the impending movie stuff coming out there's a spike in the rate they're pushing current stuff. die, wallet!

RTS Perceptor, G2 Prime

'Scuse the pink backdrop. It's my kid's make up table! Perceptor was thought to be the weakest of this wave but he turned out pretty solid. Once you can get over his half-track mode that is. G2 Prime's kinda weird in that the original was already a modern toy to begin with gimmicks/ articulation wise, but deluxe Primes has always been fun and this guy is no exception. And no, goddammit, robot boys don't have camel toe...only fembots have robo-vuhjayjay.

RTS Wreckgar

I almost never buy 2 of the same mold/deco... so much for that. I'll be buying doubles of the Junkion repaint too, yeesh. Dare to be stupid!

RTS Windcharger

Guess who's my hundredth bot? This guy! Hasbro's been hitting it outta the park with their recent scouts (Breacher, Hubcap), notch this guy up as another winner for this size class.

Some non-recent release stuff:

G1 Chromedome, Brainstorm

I actually used to hate the HM's as a kid but after completing most 84-86 bots, i'm turning my attention to the post-movie bots and the driver gimmick is actually pretty cool. next thing you know i'll be looking for Prentenders. Ack.

G1 Roadbuster

Dude is missing some parts but i've been looking for this guy for quite some time. Lovin' the pre-TF origins, kibbleforming aside, he just looks like a badass.

2011's 1st haul

2011-01-11T22:08:00.000-08:00

happy new year!

Generations Kup

gotta love the slew of season 3 bots we've been getting. considering i'm THIS close to completing my g1 movie cast, quite stoked about matching it with these modern versions. this batch impresses again with some neat/innovative transformation. there's this whole thing you do with kup's cab section where you flip it around and you're like, whoa! where'd the torso come from? the shoulder joints are a bit too fiddly for my taste, and i don't dig the open mouth sculpt. but i'll be damn if i'm giving more money to these 3rd party parts maker companies just for a more cartoon accurate sculpt. what next? robit butt inserts? geez.

Generations Scourge

scourge here is another geezer: he's got facial hair! i was more keen on kup initially but this guy was a nice little suprise. i particular like how the wings form a cloak. they could've just stop at making the wings hinge but nooooo. they had to make the wings fold out and bam! robit cape.

RTS Legend Prime, Megatron, Starscream

i have a little WST collection going on; gotta love itty bitty robits. you can tell its the halcyon days for the TF franchise when theyre pumping out remakes of marquee characters. its cool that we're actually getting a gun megs and prime is kinda okay. but i love what they've done with starscream despite what i call cheating: fake parts that dont transform into what they represent - the robot cockpit is fake, the real cockpit folds behind the torso. and they flipped the limbs arrangement in plane mode - where the arms used to be at the sides of the plane and the legs form the thrusters, this version has it the other way around. yet they somehow retained the signature/classic look. pretty clever, actually.

Stuff i forgot to post

2010-12-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

Getting senile in my old age, totally left out updating on these guys despite taking their pics.

G1 piranacon

After initially released as a club exclusive, this guy finally gets a regular release! Not that big on this mold but always great to get another reissue. The colours are FABULOUS.

Perfect effect's rumble and frenzy

Pretty dinky despite being pricy (smaller than scout, cost more than a deluxe) but these are pretty well done as far as KO, oops, i mean, 3rd party stuff goes. Makes the musical label version redundant but i still value stuff thats official.

P.s. I posted swtf yoda before but broke out death star vader for this shoot. Haters can kiss my swtf lovin butt :p

I hate impulse buying...

2010-12-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

...but these were a bargain.

Festive season = sales! I happened to be at sunway giza, kota damansara for a meeting so i dropped by http://famitoy.blogspot.com and found these on offer: TFA jet twins and TFU dinobot both for rm100! Been putting off these guy for quite awhile and this was a good time as any to finally pick em up.

TFU dinobot

Even at fricking 30 ringgit i still balked at picking this guy up; i mean, i like the beast wars cartoon and dinobot is a pretty cool character supported by one of the better written story for any TF media (spoiler: he dies!) but i just never really got into non-mecha animal robots. And its utter fail that even this updated version still has those vestigial claws on his raptor chest. Still, i did get this mode out of him:

Of which he will stay in this mode FOREVER.

TFA jetfire & jetstorm

Probably my least liked character design from TFA, but they looked kinda cool in concept sketches in the TFA almanac book, so yeah, i got suckered buying this. Eh, been meaning to complete the line anyway.

December 2010

2010-12-16T02:58:00.000-08:00

"Reveal the Shield", huh? Bleagh.

New stuff coming in thick and fast. Been quite a while since we had a glut of actual good stuff to buy like this... which, if you're inclined to agree with means you're a geewunner :p)

RTS Jazz and Tracks

Paying homage to the original Autobot cars, these guys are pretty spot on. Jazz clearly is an improvement over the car hood-as-robot chest body type as seen last with Generations Prowl while Tracks, with his auto-transforming torso, has a nifty transformation scheme. Don't like the flappy looking feet but overall it's a good enough to make you look forward to the upcoming remold/repaint, Wheeljack.

RTS Skullgrin and Thunderwing

Wasn't that keen initially on Skullgrin (bought mostly motivated by wanting to give Bludgeon a pretender buddy) but it's a very nice colour scheme on an above-average mold. Thunderwing is slightly underwhelming when you consider its such a simple design for a fan-fave character, more so considering his stint in Decepticon leadership: he's tiny! But the original character design has always been distinctive (much like Bludgeon) and this toy does great justice in giving it an update that's long overdue.

November 2010 Update

2010-11-11T00:47:00.000-08:00

Greetings and salutations!

I always wanted to say that.

G1 Seaspray

Just need Beachcomber to complete minibots up to Season 2. Never had Seaspray as kid (did have BC as a kid) so was really looking forward to this guy. Glub glub.

G1 Scourge

Had this guys as kid. Hated him, fricking soap bar robit. But now I'm one TF from completing movie guys. Fricking Ebay inflating mah Sharkticon prices.

HFTD Breacher, IGear Arcee

Took the longest time to get Breacher, had to wait for the Takatomy one to come out cuz local Hasbro pushing them crappy Powercore Combiners. More like Powercrap. But this guy is so worth it, even at import prices (JPN scout = US deluxe). Pound for pound might be the Best Transformer Ever.

IGear's Arcee is a bit too pink for my taste but at last! G1 Arcee. Meanwhile my ARC kit is still unassembled, collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. Not as good as a Fansproject joint (front wheels can't turn properly on mine, lack of clearance from feet in alt mode) but still okay-ish.

september-october (2010) hauls

2010-10-11T01:57:00.001-07:00

these were actually bought separately, i've just been lazy with updates. didn't help that the local hasbro distro were holding back the good stuff to give more space for powercore combiner crap :P

Generations Blurr

don't normally care for repaints but habsro been doing right by fans recently. i still prefer the TFA version but this version kicks ass in no small measure due to the killer accessory: a combining weapon gimmick with smaller weapons forming the tripod for the larger gun.

Device Label USB Hub Blaster (Broadblast)

a bit underwhelming and not as good as mp3 player soundwave, but still decent. not worth overpaying if you have to import tho.

Generations Straxus (Darkmount)

not that big a fan of the comic character but always good to see obscure robits getting some spotlight. worth it for the "mercy is not dispensed here..." image meme on fan boards alone.

TFA Rodimus (japness version)

i know he's supposed to be a homage to the G1 cartoon color scheme and i'm supposed to geek over the glossy finish...but i really do prefer the hasbro version :(

WFC Megatron, Soundwave

still havent finished the goddamn game (got bored once i got to the bits with the autobot jets, video movement nausea didn't help either) but am loving these designs. couple'a weeks and yet to transform these guys into alt modes, megatron is awesome but screw that flying cannon table thingie mode. come on, hasbro!

July '10 update

2010-07-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

Stuff i bought this month:

SWTF Yoda

I was actually looking forward to this guy...i mean, just look at 'im. So goofy.

WFC Bumblebee

Hesitated at 1st cuz i'm not that keen on the design. Gotta say the game (which i've been playing recently, more on that) sold this, i think the game character looks cooler (while the toy looks too gangly) but it warmed up to me after a bit of fiddling. I mistranformed the lower legs so he looks more proportionate.

HFTD Hubcap

Another toy i was looking forward too. Love the oldies hot rod alt mode. Pretty solid bot mode too for a scout.

My Generation(s)!

2010-06-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

W00t! New line is out!

Generations Drift and WFC Prime. War for Cybertron (from the just released game, not waffle and fried chicken). And just like my ARC kit, my SGCollect Drift kit is still sitting on a shelf, unassembled *facepalm*. Very cool stuff, based on these figures alone. Relatively lotsa parts and joints for deluxes. I haven't found Hubcap tho', the red hot rod roadster, looking forward to that. Leader Starscream (ROTF) and Voyager Seaspray looks good too. The Power Core Combiners looked like crap tho'.

And as of posting these just saw early pics of Reissue Piranacon. Good times. Except for my wallet.

Ba Weep Grana...

2010-06-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

W00t! G1 Wreckgar! I've been working on my '86 movie toys and stumbled on this guy while browsing ebay. I even knew the dealer from forums and previous deals. So i hit the BIN button even when i'm not currently in the market for the old stuff (considering there's some current stuff i wanted to catch up on). The stickers are pretty worn but it's in decent shape. Never had him as a kid (plus the fact he's kinda goofy-looking) but the Animated version was pretty cool so i was kinda hankering for this version.

So, yeah. Just need Scourge and Gnaw to complete the '86 movie cast. And Cyclonus and Springer since the ones i have are KOs. Don't judge me!

DIABEETUS

2010-06-15T02:36:00.001-07:00

Seen pics of this guy for awhile (almost a year i think) and thanks to Takatomy it's finally released: Animated Blackout. Tho he appeared only for lil bit in the season 3 opener, he's kinda popular with a following from the '07 movie. The design and transformation is very similar to the movie version, which is not a bad thing.

Proportions in robot mode is similar to guys like Bulkhead and Lugnut. And like Lugnut the weapon forms the rear end of the alt mode. Fans got a kick out of seeing 1st pics of this guys head design which resembles Wilford Brimley (known in the US for his work as a diabetes spokesperson but otherwise is notable for his role in John Carpenter's The Thing).

TFA Arcee

2010-05-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

Finally! An Arcee that transforms into a car!

Fans have always wanted this gu...gal, since forever with an alt mode that represents the 86 movie. Both times Hasbro did her (eww) were as bikes, 1st in the Energon line, than in the 07 Movie line. I guess they thought there was already a glut of Autobot cars so lets make Arcee a bike! Cue 'riding' Arcee jokes.

(There was also a beast mode Arcee, a Blackarachnia repaint exclusive. And the Binaltech repaint of the Windcharger mold. But these kinda don't count since they're repaints. Yes, fans are weird, I know).

Cut to the chase, it's a very nice figure, on par with the better molds from TFA thus far. Meanwhile, my ARC kit is still unassembled. And will prolly remain that way especially with the upcoming Impossible Toys version. D'oh.

Car mode. They gave her oversized...wing-thingies. Is she supposed to be a flying car? I DON'T KNOW.

Kinda like her look sans-wings. Looks more like the 86 movie version. Or so my rose tinted glasses memory tells me.

Robot mode lookin' demure n shit. No squatty poses here. The 'pink' looks very tricky on screen BTW. Some pics online due to lighting make the pink look more brighter. Both the US and JPN version are the same colour actually so don't be fooled.

Robot mode lookin' badass n shit. She was just a teacher in the cartoon! They prolly gave her swords on account of the IDW comic version where she's this psycho chick...who was originally a guy? Goddammit, IDW.

Drink n' Draw May '10

2010-05-15T00:36:00.000-07:00

Attended my first DnD session yesterday at McD's drive in, Subang Jaya. Couldn't stay long but long enough to chat up some new people and even snuck in a quick sketch.

Thanks for the invite, Sheldon! http://www.sheldongoh.com/

Dude I interviewed for Transmy.com (couple'a post back) was there too, Chee. The theme of the session was Frazetta, to commemorate his recent passing. I drew this:

May '10 Haulage

2010-05-06T23:08:00.000-07:00

Dropped by Toy Workers last week and picked up these:

Justitoys WST Shockwave

SDCC Baroness (G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra)

Passed by a mobile repair shop and bought a new screen protector for my iPod Touch and lo and behold they sell the iPad. I was apprehensive at first since they didn't carry a model in-store for testing but bit the bullet and paid a deposit of RM100. 5 hours and a trip to the ATM later, BOOYAH: i has iPad :3

XD

As posted on Facebook, a review requested by a friend:

i was looking fwd to this when it was announce (being a ipod touch fan/early adopter) - not so much because i'm a mac fan (most work apps i use are pc-based) - but because i like the touch screen technology. i've had experiece with a BB storm and apple's touch UI just feels 'right'.

my ipad is the 16g version. no 3g. bought for 2k plus (note that US price is actually less than 2k, hopefully apple MY keeps it that way) from a local 'free-enterprise' importer.

initial impression:
good battery life. nice ergo/feels good in your hand but the alum backing is a tad slippery. no hot laps with this. keyboard layout a bit sparse. great novelty, even amongst ppl already familiar with ipod/iphone. decent sound.

apps:
comes with the following
maps: works great but not as cool if u had 3g
notes: basic note writing. can copy pics from album/web and paste pics in it. can save to either ipad or sent as email.
calendar: with organizer/planner functions. can add events/reminders n stuff.
contacts: duh
youtube: works great. got multi pane function now so can see info/related/video in same layout

and it has ipod/photo (album)/video function. the ipod function can see more stuff like youd see music collection on the pc/mac, video you'd need to ramp up ur usual encoding to something like 600x400+px from the usual 400x300+px. i use dvdvideosoft.com btw, which has nice presets.

free apps from itunes:
- there's adobe ideas, which looks pro sikit, but for non arty type paperdesk is good. u can combine diagrams with text to be saved or directly emailed within the app.
- freebooks has some lit classic like art of war, dickens, etc. havent tried ibooks tho.
- games: nice for novelty but nothing to shout about
labyrinth - nice for showcasing gyroscoping capability
godfinger - strategy type game
- u can store and display doc, excel, pdf, ppt using smileydocs
- edit photo with photopad

summary:
cool gadget to show around. especially in my line if i want to show folio. no need boot up laptop, just whip it out like a handphone. good for recreational use to (browsing, video, music) which works even better than a regular laptop for informal use. its got a bit of heft tho so u can hold it single hand for so long like you would an ipod. if never use ipod or iphone before dont jump into it tho. the streamlined functions may be oft-putting for some.

Recent Haul: April '10

2010-04-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

April haulage:

ROTF Legends Arcee and Jolt. Still need to find Wheelie and Soundwave from previous wave.

FansProject's Warbot Defender aka Classics Springer. Benn looking forward to this guy. Expensive and delicate but worth it. Excellent design, sculpting and engineering.

Very solid in both modes. I like how the copter is very reminiscent of the cartoon model while the car mode is different yet familiar at the same time.

Never did took proper pics of my Magnus Armor so here's a chance to show off both of these FP creations.

Also got Justitoys' Communication Liaison aka WST Blaster. At this point I'm just buying em for completist sake.

Finally picked up TRU G1 Perceptor. Had him as kid and I actually think it's a boring if good looking toy. Waited for clearance sale, motivated only by wanting to do thi joke:

Super Duper Overdued Update

2010-04-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

Been busy over at Penciljack.com with drawings and stuff, so been neglecting toy stuff for a bit. Here's an update on what I've picked up since the last post:

Married...with tapes.

Movie guys (not that Bayformers crap LOL).

Sentinel Prime (more like Douchimus Prime, amirite?) here with the Elite Guard.

Got Alty Bee of a art commish. Great figure, if awkward looking.

Dunno where this Bats' from but he's Mego scale. Too bad about the doofy head, woulda fit nice with the rest of my Marvel figs. Coincidentally, I've been watching some Batman: The Brave and The Bold; great series.

Missed out G1 Wheelie in the movie guys pic, so he's here with his Legends version.
"U SUCK! NO U!"

Device Label USB Ravage

2009-11-17T23:36:00.000-08:00

I was initially hesitant with this guy's price tag; ultra class price tag for a dinky lil guy who's G1 version still stands up today amongst better articulated non-bricks? I mean, come on, the universe freebie we got was crap and the alternator is too big for main line stuff.

So anyways I was pretty underwhelmed when I got him...until I found out about the interactive app feature! DESKTOP KITTEH! Its such a frivolous add on and still doesn't qualify the price of admission. But its so much fun to have a 3D Ravage jumping around your screen. Buy this at retail price if you like novelty.

ROTF Bludgeon

2009-11-02T00:58:00.000-08:00

This was the toy I had been looking forward most since MP Grimlock and it delivers in spades:

Check out the half rotated turret, revealing the short sword sheath at his back.

His skirt needs messing with but you can get him in some cool poses, despite the non-rotating waist.

How cool is that he can pose pulling out his sword like that?

BANZAI!

TIME TO DIE!!!

Lunge!

Parry!

That's cuz you a...

2009-08-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

These guys may be abomination unto primus...but they're hella fun.

I was thinking of picking up the deluxes down the line but I might find myself contented with the legends version. Seen pics for Arcee, Wheelie and Jolt (Electrify!) and I can definitely live with a legends-only ROTF collection. Gotta get Fallen, Sideswipe and Sideways from the current wave too.

August 09 update: I'm a little teapot...

2009-08-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

Just an update on some recent pickups:

Universe Inferno

Like animated magnus, I had put this guy off for some time. He just looked kinda boring but this guy's solid all around actually.

ROTF Legends Prime and Jetfire

Jolt! Electrify!

That bit where he went "let's roll" in the movie was so awesome. Doesn't make sense, but still awesome.

ROTF EZ Devastator

I like this guy despite the horrible face thing but argh! The clashing green bits really kills me. Just keep to the red and yellow, dammit!

The 86 movie for kids gave us "one shall stand, one shall". What does the 2009 live action sequel give us? "Give me your face". Seriously, guys.

Additional pics:

Robit mode group shot. They're so cute! -.-'

Comparison with G1 mini (not WST) KO.

Chee Yang Ong Interview (for Transmy.com)

2009-08-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

While Malaysian artists doing work for American comics is not a new phenomenon, the recent issue of IDW's Transformer All Hail Megatron #13 showcased for the first time ever work by a fellow Malaysian in the pages of an official TF comic: Chee Yang Ong. The following is a transcript of an online interview with him:

All Hail Megatron #13 cover

Tell us a bit about yourself; how long you've been working, past/current gig.

I've been working pretty steadily in comics since 2002, I think. Here's a list of my books:

George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (Steve Niles)
Wake the Dead (Steve Niles)
Tag (Keith Giffen)
Tag: Cursed (Mike Leib)
Second Wave (Michael Alan Nelson)
Ward of the State ( Christopher E. Long)
The Foundation (John Rozum/Kody Chamberlain)
American Freakshow: The Terrible Tale of Slothboy (Niles)
Challenger Deep (Andy Schmidt/Andrew Cosby)
Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (Andy Schmidt)

All Hail Megatron #13 interior artwork

You're one of the few Malaysian artist in the field (Billy Tan, Tan Eng Huat), how did you get your break?

Steve Niles (the co-creator of 30 Days of Night) hired me to work on Wake the Dead. And that put me through the proverbial door.

Did you do any work locally (Malaysia)?

I did do some comics for a local comic magazine called Komikoo.

Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan

How do you feel and what's it like being one of the few local artist to break into the US market?

It's been somewhat lonely, LOL. There's only a handful of us here who do that and we usually stay at home and work.

Regarding Transformers, are you a Transformers fan?

I WAS a fan, LOL. I used to watch the cartoon all the time and I could sing every tune from the TF movie. But then I grew up and never got back into it. So having a chance to revisit all these characters by drawing the TF comics has been a trip down memory lane for me.

Freakshow interior artwork

Unlike recent fan favourite TF artist you didn't come from the fandom (Don Figueora, Guido Guidi). Nor is your art associated with anime style/mecha subject (EJ Su). How did you get picked up for the gig?

Thanks to Andy Schmidt. I worked with Andy on a comic called Challenger Deep at Boom! Studios. And when he became editor at IDW, he was nice enough to bring me over to do some Star Trek and TF comics.

Cthulhu Tales cover

Your style and orientation has so far been towards genre/pulp comics, e.g. horror/scifi. How do you feel transitioning towards more mainstream subject and a different kind of audience?

It's been challenging. And it keeps my job fresh and interesting. At one point I think all I was doing was zombies. But now, I'm all over the place. I like it.

We've only seen a single story by you so far but there seems to be precedence in your work which evoke early UK Marvel. Your style could easily be mistaken by somebody who's worked for 2000 AD and the way you combine toy/cartoon aesthetic. Conscious or incidental?

Hmmm.... A bit of both? LOL! I'm not sure. I think it's because I read the old TF comics. I've never read the Dreamwave run or before I started drawing TF, the IDW run. But I didn't consciously go out and try to emulate the old comics either.

Chucky cover

Any more upcoming TF work?

The Bumblebee miniseries with Zander Cannon.

Favourite TF character and TF story you would like to draw most.

Soundwave! I guess that already tells you what TF story I want to draw.

All Hail Megatron #16 cover

Chee Yang Ong's Deviantart account: http://chubbychee.deviantart.com/
Chee Yang Ong's art blog: http://chubbychee.livejournal.com/

Interview by K.A. http://plastikjaya.blogspot.com/

Exclusive sketch for Transmy :)

ROTF: post-movie update (and a magnus that can deal with it now)

2009-07-22T03:15:00.001-07:00

Just an update on some recent pickups:

Legends ROTF Jetfire

i actually thought it was funny when it was revealed that they were making jetfire into a crotchety old guy for ROTF. With a cane, even! But then when I saw him onscreen I thought he was actually kinda cool. Looking forward to the leader version - his supermode with prime is looking awesome - but I'm really impressed how well the design translates into legends scale.

ROTF Ravage

...is actually my first deluxe toy from ROTF, which basically means I passed up wave 1 entirely. I'll get sideswipe and sideways eventually but I was actually stoked about this guy since his last good toy was the alternator (the 2nd one! Stupid cat head) - the universe version was crap. I don't even mind the one eyed drone look. If only they gave him an actual Alt mode.

TFA Ultra Magnus

they actually did it. They made an ultra magnus toy thats badass. "don't try to be a hero, optimus. Its not in your programming." badass. Until he gets owned by shockwave anyway.

ROTF Depthcharge

I've always loved scout class toys and they really did a good job with this batch of early ROTF toys. I really dig the detail they put in the shoulder design, how the launcher when not deployed integrates seamlessly. Also, a boat tf that isn't a shellformer. Heck, I even like his tard hands. Derp.

By the way, the movie itself was a lotta fun. Helped that I watched it at a fan screening. Robot heaven, suckas!

DFT01 mini comic for sgcollect

2009-07-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

I hardly do commissions but when a buddy at Sgcollect invited me to do this I couldn't say no. It's kinda funny since I have no love for the character, especially Mary Sue's (Strong silent type, badass with swords? Come on.) but I gotta admit, I enjoyed the idea of hijacking the origin of somebody else's character out of spite ;p

I went for cheesy 80's action flick feel, with the inane banter and anti-heroic quips. Actually feel kinda proud of that "I hate your guts" line. TIME TO DIE!!!

Animated Ends...Revenge is Coming!

2009-06-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

Just a li'l update of recent purchases. Catching up with some Animated; I'm liking both Soundwave and Shockwave more than I expected. Gonna miss looking forward to the show during weekends.

The new movie's coming up and I'm excited about that, got preview tickets booked and everything (23rd June! Woo!). Not digging the toys so much...except these guys! I mean, come on. It's a forklift and a bi-plane. How can you not get into them, ya soulless bastard.

Jurassic (Front) Yard

2009-04-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

I love taking outdoor pics. Only thing preventing me from taking more are the weird stares I'd get from bypassing pedestrians. It's actually quite tricky to take these pics. You have to really get low on the ground to get these angles and even then you can't use the viewfinder; the bottom of the camera is an inch or two from the ground, it's just not physically possible, so you're basically shooting from the hip.

The first 3 pics are old, featuring Cybertron Jackshot - hehe - and Undermine, the last 2 are new, Masterpiece Grimlock, Universe Overkill and Cybetron Undermine again. Both shots are actually in my front yard. Think I'll let it grow out a bit more like in the 1st 3 pics. The shrub makes for nice diorama. A nice... shrubbery!

Hasbro's 12" Talking Indiana Jones Figure

2009-04-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

I was SO stoked for Indy 4. Even skipped work to watch it, last time I did that was for POTC3. Bought a buncha the 3 3/4" figures even with the horrible paint apps, the kiddie props (hat plus whip) but this guy is my fave merch. Sure he's not as hot as the premium stuff by the likes of Sideshow, but he talks! NO TICKET!

Emo Plane Bots

2009-04-14T02:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big fan of a) post-movie (the '86 one dammit!) designs and b) exclusive robits, but this was one occasion where I was superglad I bought the figure of a character I'd otherwise didn't care for: Botcon '08 Dreadwind. It'd have drove me nuts to pick up TFU Darkwing and have the nagging feeling that I was missing his partner-in-crime. I like both recolours so much I'm even thinking of passing up TFU Silverbolt. Sure they're missing their Powermasters (TM) partners and they're horribly out of scale with each other but I love the combined colour scheme. Post-movie TFs generally shied away from primary colours, which combined with futuristic modes make them look unrealistic but as a whole, the variety in colour made them look great on the shelf.

unicron & cronies

2009-03-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

having recently picked up TFU cyclonus, finally got around to taking these pics. was really looking forward to cyclonus (along with hound), such a great design. previously picked up TFU galvatron out of morbid curiosity, such a maligned a figure. he's better than i expected. titanium scourge really looks dumb here but i thought, eh, what the hey. unicron i got cheap from my bro's bro in-law, cool guy. he got it in a lot and was like, hey, you want this? he offered it FOC but i'm not that shameless XD

space bridge...with kids!

2009-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

wanna know what's the best thing about this haul? IT'S FREE!

winning a transformers picture contest at TFW2005, i got this 100 bucks gift voucher from BBTS. the statue cost 80 bucks...but the shipping cost 50 (rassem frassem rassem). coincidentally, the guy who was runner up was a buddy (mistah cheebs!) and i did a commission for him so he help me made up for the difference. what a nice guy.

serious fanart is serious

2008-10-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

occasionally, i draw serious art.

i read very few fanfics but the ones i do, i hold them in high regard. two of them are skyshadow's 'best first' and merytneith's 'means of persuasion'. the former is whimsical, full of mirth, while the latter, for lack of a better word, is pure epic.

look them up at transformersfanfic.com (formerly lexicon.tf) and thank me later.

(i actually goofed this one up: it's not supposed to be squawktalk on the right, d'oh. i just liked the idea of a birdbot playing fullstatis/chess for robots.)

the other, other big, green and purple

2008-10-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

scorpy here is the crowning jewel in completing my original g1 basebot collection. he was initially the least desired basebot, for me; a garish colour scheme that's outshined by its repaint, black zarak, an illl fitting counterpart to the much more awesome (not to mention bigger) fort max and I generally find the headmaster gimmick kinda meh.

so I basically took my time waiting for a decent condition one (with a fair price) to come up... and one pops up low key on ebay UK - I've always relied on local sources (or familiar, non-auction, online sources) for procurement of big bots, just to be on the safe side, but I thought, hey, this could be my last big purchase, what the heck.

(to motivate myself I'd familiarize myself with the character, reading back the old comics - this guy was pretty cool as written by furman - basically just trying to endear myself to the toy considering I'm getting him mostly for completist sake.)

luck was on my side and the transaction was fairly smooth. thing looked like crap on arrival, all dusty and grimy. but with a lil elbow grease, bam! minty g1 goodness.

the base mode is kinda iffy, but the beast and bot mode is solid...zarak looks a bit pinhead-ish as a headmaster - something black zarak rectifies. but its still a pretty cool toy thanks to its size, heft, detailing and relevance/prominence of the character. I could definitely live without a black zarak (tho that black, gold and red is hella sweet) but if I were to choose between the two...I'd choose scorponok. with a lot of deliberation, of course :) hey! its frickin black zarak, I can't front XD

faction: artistbot, function: satirist

2008-10-07T07:25:00.001-07:00

the bulk of my artwork has been - unsurprising based on my irreverent outlook towards things in general, even more so towards something as trivial and silly as adult collecting childrens toys - spoofs/parodies and humour-related. the subject varies from pop culture reference (the peanuts and calvin & hobbes ones were some of my earliest works), situations based on cartoon/comic canon (like the jenga one with devy, hoist and grapple) and of course, good ol' plain crazy/weird/randomness (toaster soundwave, pretender bakery).

with the emphasis of the art on the content rather than technique, I've developed a personal style that espouse speed while maintaining a degree of presentability - which in plain english translates to I draw 'em fast but try to make sure they still look good, durr. I almost have to; if I have to spend time on it for more than 2 days, 3 days tops, I start losing interest. its less to do with me having a short attention span and more to do with me finding that funny idea I had 3 days ago lame in retrospect, in part due to declining sense of spontaneity - which in plain english goes something like, that idea I had 3 days ago ain't so funny now when I think about it, durr.

enough with the rhetoric, I make with the funny now, yes?

the wilson car bros.

i see a little silhouette of a man...shell.

inspired by japanese' arbitrary use of 'god' in convoy naming conventions.

buncha guys were outlining their MP5's to make it more anime accurate.

dutch dude was considering a theme for his local con and i jokingly submitted this.

dude(ette?) at allspark suggested this. bizzare.

a commission. SERIOUSLY.

from that g1 episode where these cons and bots were hobnobbing. scandalous.

fire in the sky

2008-10-01T23:37:00.000-07:00

jetfire is another TF toy that i was ambivalent about getting: he was an entirely different design from his cartoon version (who was renamed to skyfire) and being familiar with macross/robotech at the time, i was like, why'd they use designs from that other cartoon? :( :( :(

not surprisingly for a toy i wasn't really anticipating, i was pleased to find out he was much cooler than i've ever given it credit. for one thing, he's huge...and i'm not even a big fan of large toys, well articulated for a vintage mold with nice accessories and no matter how you look at it, the toy is an exceptionally well designed toy in both robot and jet mode.

i still hate gerwalk modes tho. stupid in between configurations, rassem frassem.

i has a fanfic

2008-09-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

i don't try to write much, creative writing that is, in that i think i suck at it. you're probably thinking, nah, you can't be that bad...wanna bet?

cowboy prime: a western TF fanfic

"a desert. a vulture circles around the remains of beast of burden formerly known as cow. the rock outcrops afar shimmer in the blistering heat. a tumbleweed rolls by. tumble. tumble tumble tumble. tumble. the vulture screeches. a lone figure appears in the horizon striding a... semi trailer? the silhouette looms larger as it approaches the carcass. slowly, but surely..."

read the rest of part 1: intro

"...one building caught his optics in particular; a few micromaster mobile bases (and a deluxe pretender vehicle shell) was parked in front of it with a large sign hanging over the entrance - "BAR". as the big red and blue robot steer the trailer towards it, a staccatto of gunfire ring from inside the bar. the trailer halts in its tracks. unperturbed, the big red and blue robot snaps the reign, gesturing the trailer to continue on its way. the big red and blue robot had just dismounted and was about to park his trailer when a loud crash came from behind him, as a blue, six-wheeled scout vehicle flew through the bar front window and landed with a splash in the oil feeder (for parked transport vehicles). the big red and blue robot raises an optic brow, and addresses the trailer. "roller." the big red and blue robot sighs as the trailer rolls its eyes (which is remarkable in itself since its head is comprised of a cockpit which has no eyes, much less pupils)..."

read the rest of part 2: roller

"You boys must be the welcoming committee, I reckon", drawled Big Red and Blue, cocking his hat. "You could say that", the red and light blue robot annoyingly quipped. "We're usually quite the friendly bunch...but we don't take kindly to strangers. Especially ones who send in nosy reconnaissance drones." "Drone? You mean li'l ol' roller here?" Big Red and Blue retorted mockingly. "Didja hear that Roller? They called you a drone." Blue rover whined a long, deep whistle in mock dejection (Amongst respectable folks, drone is somewhat of a euphemism around these parts. Some say it's almost as bad as calling somebody a Gobot). "Tsk, tsk," sighed Big Red and Blue. "I do believe you folks hurt my friend's here feeling. We don't want to impose so we'll be on our way...just as soon as y'all apologize to li'l ol' Roller here."

read the rest of part 3: starscream

i did get some neato fanart out of it: WIN art + FAIL fic = DRAW

ambassador of destruction

2008-09-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

that may be the most awesomest TF robot function EVAR. I mean, seriously... why overlord, you smell like success, what do you do? oh, I'm an ambassador... of destruction! ferrero rocher?

I'm generally not into japanese TFs, but when I was deep into basebots, overlord really piqued my interest /srs cat. trypticon and scorponok are more popular characters but unlike those guys, who have to include a third mode and thusly compromised, overlord has the most practical/playable base mode. and while duocon-type combiners are generally lame, this guy kicks ass in all modes. just look at the plane guy: he's as big as frickin jetfire.

I guess his only cons (ba dum cha!) are he's a partsformer and the Japanese bio for powermasters is kinda lame (double suicide couple? yeesh) but on its own, overlord is a fantastic toy.

a friend let me took pics of his euro version. dude teased me a couple'a times about selling it to me before I got my jpn version... I still want that box tho, baaaaawww :(

cheesecake? in my TF?!!

2008-09-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

you'd think the subject of cheesecake might be the furthest thing that comes up when discussing TF.

WRONG! /spacey

despite the sparse opportunities it presents, still find things about TF that i manage to cheesecake...ify? misplaced persistence: i has it. it could be worse. i could be prominently drawing robo-boobs. ugh.

charlene from the g1 comics...you know what? after posting this i'm surprised i haven't tried to draw carly, chick from fire in the sky and chick who loved powerglide. cheesecake sense tingling!... oh god, alien chick with the jones for squatty robots with speech impediment! a reason to draw seaspray finally! glub, glub.

because the fangirls luuuuurve starscream. WHY? :|

sari and professor princess from animated. mmm, jailbait...D'OH!

a sig art i did for a dudette at a board/forum.

the logical next step to KISS play TFs...what? its been cancelled?!! :( :( :(

when i grow up... i wanna be a fembot.

the citybot who could

2008-09-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

did i tell you guys how much i love WSTs?

i LOVE world smallest TFs.

so much so, that i buy basebots to complement them, not the other way around.

i always thought metroplex looked undersize for a basebot. sure the minibots and combiner guys fit with him, but i dunno. keenly trained scenes from my architectural background just can't get over how disproportionate his building parts are to the general populace of metroplex: autobot city.

WSTs meanwhile, are a PERFECT fit.

gamma radiation, magical cleavage window, furry bikinis, OH MY

2008-09-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

i got back into comics around the same time i got serious about collecting. i was focusing on TF titles and the odd adult-themed (read: non-costume) series but i got over the whole spandex stigma and actually found the genre fun again.

something i never would've bought back as a kid were superheroine titles. there's a lot of post-modernism (post-post?) in comic writing these days, and in some way female characters have become more interesting to tell stories about; i think it's the whole buffy TV series fallout. anyways, 2 of my fave superchicks are she-hulk and power girl. i always thought they were bland in the 80s but they've been updated to be more spunky/in your face. not actually going for the feminist agenda, but not just eye candy either.

here's some eye candy.

i also got into the pulp genre (crime, horror, etc.) and picked up titles like shanna the she-devil. frank cho was drawing it. SOLD. this is not really shanna, but i just thought i'd have a go at the whole jungle chick in loin cloth dealie-o.

ode to motor(ized)

2008-09-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

i think one of the things that i miss about modern TFs are the motorized toys. these days that gimmick is associated mostly with another tomy brand, zoids, but back in the day, TFs had quite a few neat toys utilizing the gimmick.

i've always wanted omega supreme. not so much for the gimmick, but because he was one of the underused yet cool characters. so the day i got him, while i was generally underwhelmed by the toy - too many parts, brick-ish bot mode - i was pleasantly surprised by the fun-ness of the motorized feature. i must've cackled a good minute as the tank dude wheeled along the track circling the rocket dude: there was just something about motorized toys that tapped into the primordial psyche of our inner 8-year old kid.

so next thing i know i was hunting down trypticon (which i always considered cool) and sky lynx (which i always considered goofy): one of these days i should do the obligatory 3-way foot race. you know there'll be no winner because it'll be just like the specialympics.

peesstop?

2008-09-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

i love pixar's cars. like, i really, really love cars. like, really. i think its due to the stuff about revitalization of traditional values, about having a conscience; basically all that hippie nonsense.

so anyways, this is what happens when a guy who loves TFs, also loves cars, has mad drawing skillz... and also some play-doh.

2' tall of plastic goodness

2008-09-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big fan of post-movie (1986, natch) TF designs. So despite being a holy grail amongst collectors, fort max was kinda meh to me.

Until I stumbled upon unicron.com's FM page.

Then I was like, OMG, wants. I like lil bots, I'm very much into WSTs, and FM is the ultimate platform amongst the basebots in showcasing the variety in scales of TF toys. So after some passive-aggresive hunting, I stumbled across one over at SG yahoo. it was less than perfect, but it was complete and had a decent price tag (the advantage of dealing with a seller who's much more content at already owning grand max too). I actually had to go down to Singapore for the transaction, even had a blunder to start the trip by mixing up the seller's number, but before you know it, there I was on the bus back to JB with 2' tall kids toy in my lap. Awkward XD

80's rock chicks

2008-09-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

whatever happened to rock chicks? we used to have the likes of lita ford and stevie nicks and what do we have now? frickin' avril lavigne. sigh.

so i raise my goblet of rock to you, women of rock: heart, joan jett, et al... hell, even you, pre-mugshot tawny kitaen: ROCK ON.

guh-guh-guh-geewun!

2008-09-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

the pride of my transformers collection, despite having big guys like fort max, overlord and scorpy, is actually...the original 84-85 cast. i love that bunch of kooky characters from season 1 and 2 (more so in season 2, that buncha autobots were hella neurotic). it took a while for me to complete them; i generally go with reissues, which gaps i fill with vintages (rather than KOs) and when i got around to finishing them it was a great feeling. as a kid you mulled over the catalogs knowing that you'll never be able to COLLECT THEM ALL! so now you're like, hah! take that childhood! how you like me now?!!

and then childhood's like, b-but i poop from there? and i'm like, not right now you don't *grin*

GI joe cheesecake pinups

2008-09-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

if there's one thing i love more than drawing robots, its drawing babes. they're fun to draw and drawing feminine proportions and curves is hella tough, so its always an artistic challenge.

also, bewbs.

so awhile back i set out to do these monthly pinups ala those whatchamacallit, aircraft art chicks painted on WWII bombers but it never panned out to a set for 12 months. furthermore, i lost a few of the PSD files to a hard drive crash. argh. still, it was a nice exercise in homage of one of my fave artist: adam hughes aka AH! i discovered this guy in the pages of those kooky JLA comics back in the day and he knows how to draw the female form. i'd even rate him higher than the more highly-touted frank cho.

why the crossover with TFs? well, TF has a history of crossbranding with GI joe and i thought the whole hard metal/soft flesh contrast was a novel idea/concept for a crossover.

i <3 SW vehicles

2008-09-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

back in the 80's, i had few SW action figures, much less any of the vehicles, which to me were the real stars of star wars. being a fan of han and chewie i loved the falcon and of course, its baddie counterpart, fett's slave 1. when i grew up, i'd read up on SW's behind the scenes guys and found out they were designed joe johnston (i'm also a fan of the sound guy, ben burtt). along with the likes of mcquarrie, it was really an eye opener on how big a creative collaborative it was. i get stoked over this kinda stuff.

anyways, the 2nd best thing back then to the full scale vehicles were these smaller version made of die-cast, where they had this battle damaged gimmick at the push of a button. when the SEs came out in the 90s, the action fleet line was launched (along with collector fleet featuring the larger vessels) and i loved the scale of these things. they're detail enough without taking too much space and the mini figures were a bonus. i bought an at-at back then and when i discovered the secondary market post-AOTC, really got into collecting them. they were also reissued in saga packaging but sans mini figures. bummer, but it did give me a chance to fill in some gaps in my collection.

after five years...

2008-09-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

...only now i'm making an actual post. geez. i was actually uploading stuff for wifey's design blog and i was like, hmm, i should really do my own blog... oh wait. I ALREADY HAVE ONE FROM FIVE YEARS AGO. d'oh. so here's some things about me:

I collect... stuff. I've always collected the odd collectible, here and there since uni (i gave away toys quite late in the game, at 14) but i seriously collected toys after sw: attack of the clones in... 2002? after picking up a copy of toyfare with a '25 must have SW toys' feature. these days i collect transformers but i still have a soft spot for the SW franchise.

I also draw, specifically fanart. you can check out my stuff at deviantart. i mean, i've always been able to draw, but this guy in particular really turned me on to fanart. his drawings are not just pretty pictures (dude's polished, has had his stuff used by hasbro) but they actually have narrative quality; check it out, you'll see what i mean.

i love basketball. i mean, like really. my game's like john stockton except the fact i'm a chucker and don't pass very much. just give me a pair of short shorts and it's on. online, i usually get my hit from slam online.

besides the above, you'll see me posting on stuff in general; entertainment, music, design/architecture, current events/issues, stuff happening in my life...*cricket sounds*

so, yeah! check up on me and drop me a line, 'k? holla!

intro

2003-08-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

welcome to plastik jaya home of all that is plastic (and some die cast metal i suppose). enjoy your visit! (how droll)