Mattel, DC Direct, and FAO Schmartz To Produce Final JLU Exclusive

Customs by John Bodin e-mail jbodin@sbcglobal.net Web Address none

Recipe:

The head is totally scratch-built using Super Sculpey. I used a Superman torso as the base for the figure with arms and legs from a clear phasing Martian Manhunter figure that I happened to have on-hand. I chose this combination to make Cap a bit more heroic height-wise than the JLU Superman (who seems a bit short), and by using the Martian Manhunter legs I didn't have to sculpt any boot cuff details, which freed me up to do more work elsewhere (like on the arms, where I went ahead and sculpted on Cap's gauntlet/cuff thingies).

I used Kneadatite ("green stuff") two-part epoxy putty to sculpt the torso details, the cuffs on the sleeves, the cape, and the rope that holds the cape in place. I definitely don't enjoy working with this stuff as much as I enjoy working with Super Sculpey, but I like the fact that it is more durable than Sculpy and it doesn't require any baking. I used a Dremel tool to inscribe the outline of the lightning bolt emblem on Cap's chest. The Kneadatite worked great for the cape, and I was especially pleased with how the "collar" turned out.

This really wasn't all that difficult as far as customs go, but given the fact that the head and the cape were done from scratch, I'd rate this as a moderate-to-advanced custom.

-- John Bodin