Take a BREAK With the Monkees! Rare 1996 Reunion Article and Pics!

When the reunited Monkees (Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones) hit Charlotte, North Carolina on a concert tour stop in 1996, the local free newspaper, BREAK, was there to deliver the inside story of the band to the uninitiated! Tho mostly consisting of cribbed info from the three books (one by Davy himself) on the group that were available then, this long-form article still delivers the abridged story to the local masses, also priming the pump for the Monkees' shows in the area! During this time, the band also made a "meet-and-greet" appearance at the now-defunct Media Play store, and Micky also held a gallery showing of his artwork while in NC! Click each image below to enlarge and read!

Notice how the above heavily-Photoshopped cover indulges in more than a little
sensationalism, in order to grab the eyes of passers-by and potential readers!

The above pic, tho a reunion photo, comes from
the 1986 tour, not the 1996 concerts.

BONUS! Click below to enlarge these two clippings from NC area papers, detailing Micky's art gallery showing while in Charlotte!

BONUS BONUS! Click below to see me, posing with Micky Dolenz, during his 1996 gallery art display event in Charlotte, North Carolina!

BONUS BONUS BONUS! Click below to see rare video coverage of the Monkees' 1996 NC visit! Their concert! Store signings! Micky's art show!

Cesar Romero as--The Joker! "1966 BATMAN" Fan-Made Model Kit! POW!

ZAP! It's Cesar Romero as the JOKER! Here's the 1966 version of this classic Batman foe, as seen on the fantastic and far-famed TV series! This fan-made resin "garage kit" was painted up in acrylics and enamels! Click images below to enlarge!

Note the manic pose and attitude! The talented sculptor (Johnny Stacks) really
captured Romero's facial features well, even his "painted over" mustache!

Most of the pants stripes were applied with markers, and a light gloss 
was applied over the shoes, hair, parts of the face, eyes, teeth and lips.

Note that the suit actually has very few colors: two tones of magenta, with 
green and black! The facial details also involved some marker, colored 
pencils, and dry washes.

Want to see other rare fan-produced Bat-kits? Just click here!

Above: The unassembled and unpainted kit, ready to go!

1940s "Golden Age" Batman! Custom Mego Action Figure! DC Comics!

Here it is! My latest and greatest Mego-style custom action figure! Here is the "Golden Age" 1940s version of Batman, as he appeared not only in DC comics, but also in two live-action movie serials of the day! Click below to enlarge each image!

Above: My inspiration for this custom figure,
the 1940s BATMAN movie serials..

Above: The custom-sculpted Batman head,
acquired from an eBay auction....

Above: The painted and detailed head! I used acrylics,
as well as ink and light and dark spray enamels ...

Above: The figure begins to come together! I wanted to use an authentic
70s Mego Batman gray bodysuit, to get that  somewhat "baggy" feel.
Custom boots, belt, and shorts from "Dr. Mego" help complete the look...

Above: The completed figure! I used several loose
action figure "weapon" parts to create a futuristic
rifle (seen brandished by our hero in the movie
serials at times)...

Above: I created Batman's chest emblem in Photoshop,
printed on adhesive paper, then cut out and applied...

Above: Batman's cape was made from party napkins! I wanted to use
material that would look somewhat rumpled and rough, and would allow
me to "pose" it on and around the figure!

Above: Batman's glove cuffs were made using stiff bristol board, then
covered in the same napkin material as his cape...I used the same deep
blue spray enamel for all blue costume portions, cape included...

Above: While not exactly matching the look of the "serial costume," I wanted
to achieve the feel of an "early Batman," one who used ready materials to quickly
assemble his garb and battle gear!