A Tribute to Michael Turner

2nd Anniversary tribute to Michael Turner

Is one of my favorites comic book artist way back from the 90s together with others like Jim Lee, Marc Silvestry, Todd McFarlane, Kubert brothers, Joe Madueira and many others. Michael Turner started it all for me on Witchblade with his unique penciling style and detailing to each of his drawings panels and design.

Biography:-
Name: Michael Layne Turner
DOB: April 21st, 1971 – Crossville, Tennessee
DOD: June 27th, 2008 – Santa Monica Hospital, California

Before Michael become a professional comic book artists, and become president of his own entertainment company Aspen MLT, he was a pre-med student at the University of Tennessee. Then moving to Aspen, Colorado before graduation, later he moved-on to San Diego, CA, where he taught martial arts (Yes Micheal is a black belt). It was in San Diego that he developed an interest in comics.

In the 1993 San Diego Comic Convention, Micheal met with Marc Silvestry of TOP COW studios and show him his portfolio. One thing lead to another (CyvberForce / Codename :StrykeForce) and before he know it, Micheal was handed his first project titled "BALLISTIC" a 3 issue mini-series.

Right after "Ballistic", he followed up with Witchblade where he co-create, and which quickly elevated his status to a top-selling artist. From there onwards Micheal continue to products some of the top quality artwork in the comics industries.

Later he would debut his 1st creator-owned series called FATHOM for TOPCOW. From here on, Micheal decided to start his own company called ASPEN MLT with his creator owned titles like SOUL FIRE and EKOS

It was in March 2000, that Turner was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a form of cancer, in the right pelvis. He was treated at UCLA Medical Center with surgery in which he lost a hip, 40% of his pelvis, and three pounds of bone. The surgery was followed by nine months of radiation therapy.

It was a difficult time for Micheal, his family as well as his company as titles were shipped late and took longer to complete due to Micheal conditions. But all is prevail, Michael manage to everything back on track.

Due to his tight schedules, Micheal only manage to do covers art and mini series or story arc for various publishers like Marvel, DC, Image and other independent publisher. Some of his work for other publisher shown below.

DC - TEEN TITANS

IMAGE - BATTLE OF THE PLANETS

MARVEL - ULTIMATE ORIGIN : WOLVERINE

In the end, Michael passed away on 27th June 2008, leaving behind is mother, Grace Crick, his brother, Jake Turner, and his fiancée, Kelly Carmichael.

A tribute art to Michael after his passing and was done by Chasen and Carly from particle9productions.com

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HOT TOYS - The GODFATHER

HOT TOYS MM#091, Featuring DON VITO CORLEONE of THE GODFATHER.

Don is the main character in a very powerful movie trilogy that started in 1972. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola with actors like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan. Hot Toys bring to life 12" figure of Don Vito Corleone in its series of Movie Masterpieces.

The packaging - Cover Box from case

The packaging - Emboss red fabric cover (1st layer)

The packaging - Fold out backdrop diorama (2nd layer)

The packaging - Accessories layer (3rd layer)

Accessories - Foldable backdrop diorama

Accessories - Manual booklet and Base diorama

Accessories - Figure, chair, cat and others accessories (4th layer)

Figure - Don VITO in suit with 3 interchangable hands, Base stand, Wine glass

Figure - Don VITO (Close up) Likeness is Amazing

Figure Accessories - Don's Cat with pose

POSE - Don Vito with pose and with Cat.

Be@rBrick : Series 20 - Secret Reveal Pt.1

BE@RBRICK series 20 already release in Japan and this is the packaging looks for the series. The box is taller and also the series is celebrating its 20th series releases and with that, Medicom's promises a whole new level of fun. With its release, come also the revealing of all the Hidden / Secret Bear in this series, click on pics for larger view. cheers and enjoy..

Hidden Bear # 1 - Basic - GOLD CHROME

Hidden Bear # 2 - Artist 4% - Fragment Design (variant)

Hidden Bear # 3 - Animal (Gremlins) - Stripe (Right)

Hidden Bear # 4 - Sci fi (IRONMAN 2) - WarMachine (Left)

Hidden Bear # 5 - Hysteric Glamour

Hidden Bear # 6 - MOMO

Hidden Bear # 7 - MOMOTAROS (Den-o) - sand ver.

Hidden Bear # 8 - Phenomenon

to be continue..... End of part 1.......

Moose's Mighty Beanz : Collector Case

Now that the new Mighty Beanz has hit the market, how do you the collector store them up for your collections? By getting the Mighty Beanz Collector Case of course. Unfortunately the case only came in one color which is Blue in the local market. The collector case is being sold at most departmental store (except hypermarket).

The case is really plain to look at really, Moose should made them more colorful and more appealing to collector. Once the cardboard packaging wraparound the case has been removed, the case only shown the Mighty Beanz logo at its front only. A handle for collector to carry the case at the side.

The collector case open center side book style to reveal 2 side of the case. Each side is able to hold 25 pieces of the mighty beanz and total of 50 pieces. Basically not enough to store the entire series 1 which contain 100 pieces. The case comes with a sticker sheet with all the names for series 1 beanz for collector to paste onto the case.

Lastly, what made this collector case a good buy is that it comes FREE! with 2 (two) pieces of Limited Edition Beanz that ONLY available in the case. There are a number of difference limited edition beanz available.

Grab your collector case to store all your Mighty Beanz and get 2 free limited edition Beanz added to your collections. Have fun...

Revoltech Sci-fi : Jack Skellington

Kaiyodo's Revoltech releases a new spin-off series called SCI-FI REVOLTECH which showcase some of the Sci-fi Movie Character such as Godzilla, Aliens, Batman and many more.

The series latest offering #005 is from Tim Burton's The NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS's Jack Skellington. Jack is sculpted by TERAOKA KUNIAKI

Front Packaging

Back Packaging

Front Cover open Flip

This new style packaging with the flip cover is only use for this Sci-Fi series and its very well done. Once the flip cover opens, its show scene from the movie and brief synopsis on 1 side, then on the other side is a plastic window that feature Jack and its accessories.

Jack Skellingtons comes with 5 interchangeble heads with difference facial expression which is suited for all form of pose. Also comes with 3 extra interchangeable hands.

Some of the sample pose and display that the figure is able to perform together with its unique head expression and hand pose.

Once open up, Jack and its accessories are in 2 layer of plastic tray packaging in the box. Jack is 185mm in height and comes with 10 revolt joint at neck, torso, shoulder, hips, knees and ankle.

The 5 interchangeable heads Expressions (Surprise/Shock, Threatening, Thinking, Tricky and Normal)

The 3 extra interchangeable hands that looks very fragile and the display tag for Jack

The 2nd and lower layer of plastic tray packaging houses the Base and diorama for Jack. The base diorama is a Run-down gate with wall and a big tree truck with branches. Hanging from the branches is a pumpkin and a skeleton like figure. While on the gate wall are 2 pumpkins.

This figure is awesome and together with a base diorama, 5 facial interchangeable heads and a reasonable pricing, its a must have for fans of Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas.

Tomica Hero Rescue Force

YES!! finally after 2 years of waiting, the DX Rescue Vehicle is in my hands. In 2008, a TV series of metal heroes was being shown in Japan and in 2009, and is called TOMICA HERO, RESCUE FORCE. The shows is about a special rescue task force with very hi-tech equipment and vehicle to perform extraordinary rescue mission (something like the ThunderBirds in the 70s/80s).

The DX rescue vehicle is a series of vehicle with specific feature and functions like a fire enginee, dump truck, driller, wind blower, shovel and many more. Each of these vehicle is interconnect and can combine with each other to become more powerful or multitask in rescue operations.

The 5 DX Rescue Vehicle in my collections are :
- RESCUE STRIKER w/ RESCUE COMMANDER
- RESCUE SAVER
- RESCUE DOZER
- RESCUE DRILL
- ZERO FIRE

Takara Tomy 1/64 scale diecast Rescue Vehicle and they comes with Cards that can be used with Rescue Commander and DX Rescue Vehicle.

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