My latest commission - The Joker's new hobby - toy collecting?

[icon_uk]

I can't decide on whether to call this one

"Where does he get those Wonderful Toys Boys?"

or "Don't do that! You won't be 'Mint on Card'!"

Al Bigley has been on my radar for quite some time now. As well as being the artist on the independent comic "Geminar", he's done a lot of commercial work that would be instantly recognisable to most, including the packaging art for much of the Batman Animated Series action figure cards.

I love his style, and over time I've obtained a couple of pieces that he did, a sketchcard and a BTAS Robin piece, but I've never commissioned him myself.

So when I decided to take that plunge, I thought it might be fun to play with his toy-card designing past, head towards the meta-textual a little, and have the Joker decide that, since Batman has all those wonderful toys, he should have a one-of-a-kind collectable action figure too!

You know I say that artists seem to enjoy my pieces, and it shows? Well, Al seems to have had a BALL doing this one, the level of detail is INSANE! Much more than I could have hoped for (He even included the logo from Robin's old solo stories from the 1950's!). The trap is lethal, whimiscal and very evocative of the 1970's era (Seriously this is cover art level work IMHO), that's one terrific Joker there, and Robin is in fine form, playing the helpless hostage is for OTHER sidekicks, he's going to get free if it kills him!





Al actually put together a great piece on his blog about the process from start to finish, which I thoroughly recommend

And for legality, the cover of Gotham Adventures #3, which features a mocked up action figure card for a toy set I dearly wish they had made!

Comments

[mola_ram]

WOW!
just.. WOW!

Absolutely agree with you that this is cover art level work
The ton of details, the perfectly captured style, the idea to begin with...

Personally I'd go with the toyboys line.
So, what, and how small parts do Robin have, seeing as the joker took his utilitybelt?

[icon_uk]

So, what, and how small parts do Robin have

I think that's just the Joker mocking his captive, ifyouknowwhatimean, waggles eyebrows

(It probably came THIS close to being "Small pants" ;) )

[nezchan]

Perhaps a "choking hazard" warning?

[icon_uk]

Win! :)

[pallas_athena]

This is AMAZING. Love the details and the Joker's characteristic pose.

[nemryn]

Oh my, that really is cover-quality stuff. The 'Real suffocation action!' is a nice Joker touch, too.

[bradygirl_12]

I agree about the detail. Fantastic!

'With real suffocation action!' That Joker is such a card!

I love the Batman and Gray Ghost toys, too. :)

[star_of_airdrie]

Incredible commission! Love, love the detail!

The title has to be the 'Mint on Card' one - appealing to a true collector!

(Note Icon: My son's Imaginext Batcave came with Robin DOUBLE zip tied in!)

[icon_uk]

You can't be too careful with your Boy Wonders!

As the blog link shows, we did discuss having Robin secured with those ruddy twist ties, but aside from wanting the more dynamic image of the Teen Wonder struggling against the bubble, there seemed to be no realistic way, even in comics, for ANYONE to escape from being secured with those things, even if they HAVE been trained by Batman, and I like to give my captive sidekicks a fighting chance. :)

Your son has good taste in toys by the way!

[star_of_airdrie]

My sister-in-law and I couldn't stop laughing when we realized that Robin was double zip tied in as opposed to other figs. I have to say I thought of you when I took the pic.

Oh, I don't influence him at all with his toy choices at all ;-) ('Remember, it can be 'our' toy, Mommy') As an avid toy collector myself, he's on his way to a very impressive collection. Thank Heaven for eBay!

[nezchan]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned his Kung-Fu Grip!

Well, until now that is.

[icon_uk]

You think that's bad, remember the Super Friends Robin figure. When you squeeze his legs together he delivered a karate chop... aside from ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING little kids to fondle Robin's thighs, that seemed like a perfectly reasonable reaction from the Teen Wonder.

[whitesycamore]

I don't think that I as a kid would've needed much active encouragement to fondle Robin's thighs.

I think the passive encouragement of them merely existing would have been enough for me.

[whitesycamore]

Scratch that, just looked at that link and the toy is FUNNY LOOKING, and most probably possessed.

[icon_uk]

That IS a rather rictus grin isn't it? I imagine introducing a little Joker venom into the bubble in Robins final minutes would have much the same effect! :)

[icon_uk]

A fair point (And why did I say to myself "You know, as soon as I mention thighs, I bet whitesycamore replies to that post over all others"? ;)

[riddler13]

Cover material, indeed!