Oh wait wrong flash. Little known fact, next to Batman, the Flash is one of my favorite super heroes. Okay, maybe it is known. This illustration was done for Tate's Comics in Florida for their Free Comic Book Day stickers they pass out (a different version, this one was an "airbrush" version I did for the fun of it).

If I lived in Florida this shop would get a good portion of my pay check. If you live in Florida you should check them out, tell them Charles sent you and what the hey pick me up something nice from their shop for giving you the tip... worth a try.

click image to see larger... if you can, the Flash is pretty quick!

Speaking of being worth a try, do you my dear, dear readers think that people might be interested in me doing commissions of their favorite pop culture heroes? I have been approached and have turned away a lot of offers, but I think if I do it as a commission it might be okay. Leave a comment and let me know.

Tune in tomorrow as I will be posting the stickers and images of the submitted graphics I did for the shop! Hope you all have a great Free Comic Book Day!

Not often I have one of these, but I had pretty good luck this weekend and found some cool things.

First up I found myself near a Toys R Us that we do not often find ourselves near, this one is located in the big city, anyway on the pegs were about 20 Captain Colds and one lone Flash figure. The thing is his card was destroyed, the bubble was being held on by two pieces of scotch tape on one side, what was left of the original heat seal on the other and the top of the bubble was open to the world. I figured he was either A) a return from a child's birthday party, it was opened and then decided upon it was lame and returned or B) someone really wanted to see what it was all about and ripped it open in the store. Either way since Flash doesn't have any accessories and the rest of him seemed in tack, I bought him. That is how bad it is around here folks, you buy them when you see them, no matter the cindition. Now I will admit I was going to open him anyway and I did feel a little cheated, but at least I found one in the wild... The Action League set was from a trip to Wally World, I was in a Flash sort of mood and wanted to round out the Flash collection a bit.



This next set of toys is from a trip (or two) to the local Grocery Store, well let me back up. The Lego TIE Fighter was from the same trip to Wally World as the Flash Action League. It looked like it was meant to be an Easter thing like Target does, they had the X-Wing (which I already had) and the TIE. These were all tucked away in the very back of the Lego aisle. I had to have a small Lego TIE. Okay now, the two figures were from the grocery store trips, I picked up the Stormtrooper because I have this sickness that compels me to pick up two of certain figures, like Stormtroopers, Jawas, etc. Sort of a mini army builder I guess. I just had to have two of these to put next to one of all those Darth Vaders I have laying around. R5-D4, might live on the card I haven't decide, I sort of dig those Star Wars cards. Now, I'm a little ashamed here as I had already picked up the Luke from this set earlier in the week and I also picked up another "big head" Han Solo, I don't know why besides I wanted another one of these Han Solos for something. I couldn't help myself. STAR WARS!



This last one is from the Toys R Us trip as the Mego-Like Flash, which I should call the "Mr. Miracle Flash" as he was trying to escape that plastic tomb all those Captain Colds put him in (for the record I passed on Captain Cold this round). Anyhoo, check this out, they make a freaking Red Porsche 914! I found out that there was a red one and a mustard yellow one a week or so back. I told myself that Toys R Us is the only place I will ever see the red one and if I am near one I was going to check and they had one on the peg. Again the package is in not so hot shape, but I plan on opening it up anyway. I just wanted to shoot a package pic for all my die cast readers. The mustard yellow one comes in one of those multi packs. I have a plan for that one since I am only interested in the 914, that will be revealed later. It's not illegal, I am not going to swap out a car. Gesh people, my nephew loves die cast cars so he will get all the extras, see now you made me spoil the surprise...



I think that about covers it, plus I think I have pretty much used up my toy karma for the next month... plus maybe my budget : ) I do have some Spockcation pictures to post this week, an awesome box of toys Jboypacman sent last week I need to post (sorry Jboy I'm getting to it) and wasn't there something else? Oh yeah the Cantina Crawl! I still need to shoot my entry! Have you shot your's yet? Oh, and welcome to the new followers... er I mean eclectomaniacs! I woke up Sunday morning and had 67! Sweet!

Just a post to let everyone know I'm still alive. It's funny how things change so fast. I might be spotty on posts till I get going again, but I felt the need to give you guys and gals something.



Anyway, thought I would try and get back into the swing of things with this little guy, little because he's a whopping 3.75" in height. I do not think I have ever mentioned or posted about the DC Universe Infinite Heroes line before, at least when I looked back through my links I didn't find anything, don't you hate that, when you can't remember off the top of your head what you posted in the past. I actually had a Galactic Heroes Greedo all lined up for a photo shoot when I discovered I had already shot pictures and posted about him.

The DCIH line was never really a focus line for me, I figured I would pick up a few of the characters I liked and that would be it, and today I can say I have kept to that promise, though I think it's because I can never really find any of my favorite DC heroes or villains in stores. I don't know if that means the line is popular or if they are just not making that many Batman figures. I did find this Flash figure though and I have to say this guy is all right. I have seen that they have a version being released that has some added articulation, but I think this one has enough, plus his face is not in the "screaming into the distance" freeze face look that the more articulated one has. I can honestly say I was surprised that I found this one, I knew he existed as part of a three pack and I think a two pack, I never wanted the extra figures, so I passed on the sets.



I like to think of this line as I would have when I was a kid, instead of trying to get them all, I'm just going for some of the characters I dig the most, Flash, the Joker (both I have) a classic Aquaman if they ever make one, I would love to get a Blue and Gray Batman but I have never seen the regular version. Did they make a classic looking Robin, if so, a need? I'm on the fence about Hawkman, maybe if he comes in a single pack. I will admit that the Batman Gotham Knight, based on the anime DVD, is a must if I ever find one. That's pretty much it, I'm sure I'm forgetting some obscure character that I would need to have, but until it reveals itself I'm good. Kind of refreshing, not needing or wanting every character in a line for once, maybe a new trend for me.

So that said, anyone ever see a Blue and Gray Bats, then you have a friend for life, plus I'll pay ya or draw something for ya.

Finally! I found a Flash figure from the DCUC. I actually found it a couple weeks back at a TRU, which is weird cause the TRU near our house doesn't seem to get newer figures in, unless its Star Wars then you are set. Though now that I said that I haven't seen an Ugnaught there yet, huh... where was I? Oh yeah the Flash!



Pretty standard stuff the Flash seems to share the same basic body as most of the male figures form the DCUC line, some little tweaks and a new head. Flash came with the stand to use with the "Build a Figure" or the "Collect and Connect" Figure, the parts to build an additional figure came with the other DCUC figures released in this series. I think the figure this time was Atom Smasher. I really do not go for the Collect and Connect figures, though I'm a leg away form completing a Gorilla Grodd, so the stand works good for Flash.



Flash has always been one of my favorites, I mean who wouldn't love to run fast and be able to finish your work in a blink of an eye? With Flash secured I can now complete my Land, Sea and Air set! The Flash, Aquaman, and Hawkman to the rescue! Batman was going to fill in for land duty, but he has his own gig going on.

I actually just found a single carded Flash from the DCUIH line, I didn't know he came singe packed, I always thought he was in a set or double pack. Of course I haven't really been collecting that line, just keeping an eye out for my favorites. I'll be snapping pictures of this one soon.

Here's a Flash I probably will not end up getting. Not that I wouldn't love to have him, just the price is a little much. Interesting though that TRU is getting in on the SDCC exclusive scene.

Oh and for my non toy geek readers here's a list of the abbreviations from this post:

DCUC - DC (Detective Comics, ex: DC Comics) Universe Classics
TRU - Toys R Us
DCUIH - DC Universe Infinite Heroes
SDCC - San Diego Comic Con (Convention)

Sometimes I forget and just assume everyone speaks geek.

you cut me Eric, you cut me deep...

I don't care how bad these Toy Biz Super Heroes are, or bad for your eyes, I'm addicted to them I tells you! I will admit that the Flash here is one of my favorites next to the Toy Biz Batman from the '89 movie. I'm talking the chubly face one too. Anyway the Flash, he was released prior to the T.V. show of the same name, and then again with the "show" logo. I couldn't get enough of that show, and when they released the DVD set I was first in line!



If you follow along, like I know two of you do, the Flash is right up there with Batman in my book, matter of fact I usually ditch Robin and Bats teams up with Flash. Brave and the Bold baby, Brave and the Bold! This Flash has wind up action as did the second release for the show logo package. Later on a third release using the same mold, but having the wind up action removed, appeared this time sporting a nifty little platform that was supposed to simulate Flash tearing up the road.

So what happens when you wind him up, 3 seconds of arm moving action, not much in the leg department. He looks like he's going fast though! Runs about like I do, looks like I'm going fast (in my mind), but not really going anywhere.

Wow, I can't believe it's been 10 years since I purchased this book! Crazy thing was that I could probably figure out how to adapt Bruce Timm's style to the other DC Superheroes at the time, I just am drawn (no pun intended) to these how to draw super hero books. Now this was way before Justice League, but after the Batman and Superman Animated Series had made their rounds. This book along with a magazine published around the same time really got me thinking about the other Justice League majors and minors, if there can be a Justice League minor... I mean they are all super heroes, right?

So, published in 1998 Walter Foster's "How To Draw DC Comics Super Heroes", with your hosts Green Lantern and the Flash, brought to you by Eclectorama, featuring an Aquaman Spread by the Aquaman Shrine! The book is illustrated by John Delaney and Ron Boyd, two fine artists. It was published by Walter Foster Publishing, Inc in Laguna Hills, CA. Printed in China with a finished size of 10.25" x 13.75". Of course under license of DC Comics.

First I appreciate that they had the Green Lantern of the time co host this with one of my favorite super heroes, the Flash. Mainly as the Green Lantern puts it on the first page "In my civilian identity, I'm a professional artist, so I'll teach you to draw well." that and the Flash promises that "I'll help teach you to draw in no time flat!" Sweet and double sweet, I'm going to be the fastest, professional artist out there!



So first up we gather the supplies, now being an artist I have everything on the page, probably in triplicate in some cases, but Joe Average has to get mom and dad to spring for a starter studio. Now wait I already have this stuff, and I'm buying a basic drawing book, not even that it's a starter, but hey it has DC Super Heroes in it! None of my college books have DC Super Heroes in them! I need to know this stuff.

So lets just start with a few of the pages, first thing that struck me and I thought was really cool, no Batman or Superman! That's right it is everyone else's time to shine. Here a short run down of actual instruction pages, though more heroes appear through out the book: Green Lantern, Doctor Light, Martian Manhunter, Blockbuster, Aquaman, Black Manta, Green Arrow, The Key, Huntress, Black Canary, Shazam with Black Adam, Plastic Man, Hawkman, the Gentleman Ghost, Firestorm, the Atom, Steel, Superboy (guess I spoke too soon), the Cyborg, Starman, and the Mist... phew! Mixed in are lessons on Perspective, drawing hands (still trips me up), expressions, bodies, all the basics. It really does cover a lot in a short amount of time.



So here's some favs of mine, Green Arrow, Plastic Man, Huntress and the Canary spread, and the expressions page. Now something of note, Green Arrow was never really big for me when I was a kid and it's not till recent years I really began to appreciate the character, plus the orange hood costume... not so much, but Ollie is represented in the ghost clouds and this page has a dynamic. The expressions page just cracks me up, and how could I not post the Huntress and Canary spread... last PLASTIC FREAKING MAN! Remember this guy? If you are a DC nut of course you do, but I'll say it again PLASTIC MAN! How cool is it that they threw him in?





So I have another favorite spread featuring one of my favorite little drawings in the book of Green Lantern, Scuba Lantern! To see the entire spread though I'm going to ask you to take a trip to the shrine of all things Aquaman, you will not be disappointed, it really is a beautiful layout. A shout out to Rob at the Aquaman Shrine for participating in this fun little cross blog idea of mine, Thanks ole' Shrine Keeper!



In parting I leave you with the last splash page from the book with some teaser shots of other DC Heroes you can draw, so get your pencils sharpened and ready to go and as the Green Lantern and the Flash say "Practice makes perfect!"

Since I'll be away for a few days this week, I thought I would post an oldie but goodie! The Super Sized Justice League Flash.

The Flash here has always been one of my favorite DCU Super Heroes, right next to Bats, and this 10" version is no exception. I originally thought it would be a less expensive alternative to collecting the maquettes, by just picking up these larger figures, since they are really based on the maquettes, but I just picked up Bats and the Flash. Though I've seen Hawkgirl in this format and tossed around the idea of picking her up as well. It would be sort of cool to pick up the original team, hopefully they start re-releasing these again.

The articulation is pretty much the same as the smaller version of this character, head, waist, shoulders, and legs. There is a little movement at the elbow, but just a pivot, not a bending joint. When I see what Toy Biz had done with the articulation on their large format vinyl figure, it makes me wonder why Mattel didn't try to make these a little more articulated. Maybe it has something to do with ruining the lines of the character, who knows?

I remember getting the 10" Flash when it first came out, my wife and son had made a trip to the store and at my son's suggestion, my wife picked him up. I was later told that my son told her that he was sure the Flash was one that I would like, way to listen boy!

Next to Batman, the Flash is one of my all time favorites. So I thought, I spread enough Superman love the past few days, I would continue the DC vibe with one of my favs.

Again from the Mattel DC: Super Friends line, the Flash! I will say whenever new DC Comics figures come out I always snag Batman and then set about seeing if the Flash made the cut, then I work my way to Aquaman, and the rest. I'm usually pretty excited when I find a so called "second stringer", even more excited when I find those obscure "third string" characters! But, they are all top tier as far as I'm concerned!