Revenge of the Fallen Kickback Custom

It takes a keen eye and a ton of creativity to take a character who only got 3 minutes of airtime in a movie and turn him into an instant G1 classic figure.  Jin Saotome has created this Custom Revenge of the Fallen G1 Kickback out of a Sideways figure and the result is simply amazing.  From using the car windows as wings to the black, purple, and yellow color scheme, this figure can fit into either the G1 or the ROTF line with no problem at all!  Let’s read more about how Jin customized this one:

“Well he’s back and deadlier than ever, transformed into the Insecticon Kickback! He has been painstakingly detailed by hand with a deep glossy black paint job, metallic highlights, brilliant shades of color, and intricate detail that will really make him stand out in your Transformers collection. Transform him or pose him any way you want, just take care when doing so as there a lot of moving parts to him. Kickback even has his trademark antennae but you can remove them if you want the slim-headed look”

To see more photos and to place a bid on Jin’s Custom Revenge of the Fallen G1 Kickback, head over to eBay!

Cobra Commander in GI Joe Armor

With all of the money in the world, Cobra Commander is taking things into his own hands and has contracted the talent of Jin Saotome to build him a suit of armor capable of opening a can of whoop ass on GI Joe.  This Custom Cobra Commander in GI Joe Armor is an excellent figure and very well executed.  I love the Gatling Gun on the right arm and the interchangeable claw…very cool!  Let’s read more and see how Jin describes this figure:

“You’ve never seen Cobra Commander like this before, he’s upgraded his battle armor to something bigger and better! This Combat Armor suit with multiple attaching parts and can be posed in all sorts of battling positions. He’s been painted to match your existing custom 25th Anniversary Joes and features plenty of shading, rich colors, and awesome detail. Attach the grappling claw or blast away with the chain cannon. Either way the Joes will be in for the fight of their life here!”

To see this Cobra Commander disciplining one of his Vipers, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Custom Cobra Commander in GI Joe Armor figure.

Jin Saotome is well known for his highly modded and detailed customs and his latest Custom Revenge of the Fallen Sideswipe is no exception.  The paint aps are not only amazing, but he added extra hoses and even scratch built his blades to make them more movie accurate.  This is one of the best Sideswipes I have seen to date from the ROTF line.  Here is more details from Jin himself:

“He’s been given the detail treatment folks, the paint job for my RotF customs is more complex than anything I’ve done before and includes airbrushed shading, weathered detail, blended shades of color, highlights, oil/grease splatter, metallic toning, and more. All this culminates to a super realistic look of a professional miniature model and Sideswipe is no exception here. Included are two new removable arm blades that look more like the ones he sports in the movie, cutting Sideways in half on screen. They are scratch built with sharp pointy tips so take care when attaching them. Various hoses and extra detailing has been added to Sideswipe including fixing his feet to look more movie accurate. He still stands just fine and you can adjust the heel-spurs in the back to allow him different sliding poses!”

If you are in to super accurate movie figures, head over to Jin’s item and check out his Custom Revenge of the Fallen Sideswipe figure.

Jin Saotome is beefing up the Halo army with his Custom Halo Recon Spartan figure.  Halo was a game that made me buy an XBOX so it is great to see Jin paying homage to this great game in this way.  Here is more about this figure:

“This auction is for a custom made 5″ tall Spartan with removable Green USNC Recon armor, magnetically attaching battle rifle, Mauler, and grenade. He has all the great articulation of a regular Halo 3 figure and will fit right in with your current collection.  It’s rare, it’s cool, and it’s sought after by every Halo gamer out there. It’s Recon armor! This is a set that attaches to your Halo 3 Spartan figures, but you get more than just the armor in this auction. You get the figure as well! Precisely hand-painted in a tan desert ‘USNC’ numbered theme, this Recon Spartan has all the equipment necessary to complete any mission. All weapons attach with the M.A.P. system (magnetic attachment points) and if you have any of my earlier customs those weapons are interchangeable too. The armor of course is removable and can be swapped between your figures. So, need to equip your soldiers with the rarest armor?”

To army build a one of a kind figure, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Custom Halo Recon Spartan figure.

Who can turn a mediocre Animated Transformers into a killer looking SWAT vehicle?  Jin Saotome can with his Custom Transformers Animated Payload figure made from Bulkhead.  Jin has totally changed the look of Bulkhead and made him into a Decepticon.  What a great addition to your Transformers Animated collection.

“If you remember the Transformers movie version of Payload, he was an armored truck that I turned into a SWAT vehicle before. Well here’s an Animated Payload based on that theme, an armored police vehicle of sorts. He has a great paint job that has all sorts of battle worn shading, highlights, and metallic effects so he’ll fit right in to your Transformers collection. Check out those claws, they’re articulated and can be used to pick up his Autobot enemies! You can transform him into his alt mode that resembles an armored police vehicle compete with custom decals and effects.”

To check out more photos or to place a bid on this great figure, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Custom Transformers Animated Payload figure.

Always ahead of the curve, Jin Saotome has a treat in store for Killzone fanatics with this Custom Helghast Soldier from the upcoming Killzone 2 video game.  This figure is made from GI Joe 25th Anniversary line and I guarantee that you will never see anything like this come out of that line with this level of detail.  Since these figures are in 3 3/4″ scale, it is really difficult to get very detailed with these figures but Jin manages to pull it off with ease.  Let’s hear more about this great figure from Jin himself:

“Straight out of the upcoming Killzone 2 game comes the Helghast soldier, your basic trooper in their war against humanity. This trooper is painted with an exceptional level of detail such as deep shadows, grimy highlights, and metallic battle weathering. Equip this fellow with his rifle or have him fight it out in melee combat with the trench knife, this soldier is ready for any mission.”

If you are looking to add a unique video game figure to your 25th Anniversary GI joe collection or your video game collection, head over to eBay and bid on Jin’s Custom Helghast Soldier figure.

Who can Cobra trust with their most secret documents or weapons?  Surely they can’t trust the Postal Service so they have acquired the stealthiness of Jin Saotome’s own creation with his Cobra Black Racer Custom GI Joe 25th Anniversary figure.  I see this figure as Destro’s right hand man.  Jin is widely known for his one of a kind creations so let’s get the back story on this unique figure:

“When Cobra needs to move a top secret weapon or document in the shortest amount of time, they call on the Black Racer. This warrior is only comfortable at speeds of over 150 mph with other vehicles whizzing past him on the road. His motorcycle has an experimental stealth device build in that evades radar and even casts a shadow over the bike and its rider, appearing only as a dark blur at high speeds. Nobody knows the true identity of the Black Racer, not even Cobra Commander! But what is known is that you cannot catch the wind… or the Black Racer!”

Enter the Black Racer, Cobra’s speed demon! He’s full of hand painted detail that will match up perfect to the existing GI Joe 25th line. Not only do you get the leather-clad biker but you get his motorcycle as well! It has real rubber tires and diecast parts, decked out in glossy black with Cobra symbols. This is one foe that’s ready to run down the Joes!

If you want to add this one of a kind custom to your Cobra arsenal, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Cobra Black Racer Custom GI Joe 25th Anniversary figure.

Jin has the ability to take you back in time with every custom he makes and these pair of twins is no exception.  Contra is a game that I wasted several weeks of my life playing and these Custom Contra Twins Mad Dog and Scorpion capture the period of time in my life when I had the Contra music running in my head 24 hours a day (those who know the music know what I am talking about).  One the coolest weapons to have in the game was the Spreader and if you got a hold of that baby you were invincible.  To get a peak at the Spreader and to view more photos of these awesome customs, head over to eBay and bid on Jin’s Custom Contra Twins Mad Dog and Scorpion figures.

Yes, you read that right!  Jin Saotome does Jin Saotome!  Bringing the worlds of Marvel Legends and Capcom together, Jin’s stunning portrayal of this Cyberbots great is an amazing piece of work.  The painting technique goes really well with this figure and the way the face was done gives the figure great personality.  Jin always has a great back story on his figures so let’s read more about Jin’s Jin:

“It’s time folks…time to pass on Jin to one lucky person out there in the world. If you’ve been keeping tabs on this figure, he’s been with me for quite a while. You may have seen him at the SDCC up close or perhaps on my web page, deviantArt, or Flickr pics. Years ago, I created him and have slowly been resculpting and adding new features, updating him as my customizing skill have progressed. I can do no more to this figure and that means he’s ready for a new owner, someone who will enjoy him just as much as I have over the years. Jin has been hand painted with all sorts of uniform shading, metallic effects, bright highlights, realistic flesh tones, and a sparkle in his eye that you only get from truly putting your heart into your work. His shoulder spikes are pointy and sharp so watch out! His bandana is poseable as is his real satin cloth scarf that’s wired inside to hold poses. On his back is the kanji that roughly translates to “Number one in the universe” just as his character sports in the Marvel vs Capcom game.”

To own a piece of video game history from one of the best out there, head over to eBay and check out this awesome Custom Marvel vs. Capcom Jin Saotome figure by none other than the one and only Jin Saotome!

Fallout 3 takes place in the year 2277, 36 years after the setting of Fallout 2 and 200 years after the nuclear war that devastated the game’s world.  The game places the player in the role of an inhabitant of Vault 101, a survival shelter designed to protect a small number of humans from the nuclear fallout.  Jin Saotome has filled the void of video game figures with his Custom Marvel Legends Fallout 3 Power Armor figure.  Looking at the concept art for the game (see below), Jin does an excellent job translating the art to a figure you can be proud to display in your collection.  Let’s read more about this awesome figure:

“In the future man’s ability to survive will be tested. The vaults will be opened and it will be time to reclaim the earth. Where will you stand? What will you use to protect yourself? Enter the Power Armor, your last best hope to survive in the wasteland that was once earth. This Power Armor has been meticulously painted with tons of weathered shading, rusty detailing, oily splotches, and metallic shading. This is the figure that’s featured in my new Metallic/worn armor painting guide on my site as well. There’s hand sculpted detail all over him and you can pose him on the battle-ravaged display base with his battle rifle in hand. This is a one-of-a-kind figure never to be made again and will show up in a future issue of Playstation Magazine.”

If you want to own a piece of history and have a chance to display a custom that will be featured in a ‘to be determined’ issue of PSM, head over to eBay and bid on Jin’s Custom Marvel Legends Fallout 3 Power Armor figure.

Fitting in with the GI Joe 25th Anniversary line is Jin Saotome’s Custom Iron Grenadier TARGAT figure.  TARGAT was one of those cool figures that was introduced way back in 1989 and Jin has done a great job getting the colors exactly right on this one.  This version has an updated look and will go great standing next to your other GI Joe 25th figures.  To check out more photos, head over to eBay and view Jin’s Custom Iron Grenadier TARGAT figure.

What a blast from the past!  As a kid, MASK was one of my favorite cartoons to watch and toys to play with.  As I am writing this article, I am staring at my MASK collection longingly and Jin Saotome has brought the nostalgia with his Custom Matt Trakker MASK figure from the GI Joe 25th Anniversary line.  Jin has redesigned this cool figure to be more cartoon accurate and he did an excellent job capturing the feel of the old figure.  Check out Jin’s Custom Matt Trakker MASK figure on eBay to place a bid!

Jin Saotome is adding to Cobra Commander’s BAT arsenal with his Custom Bodyguard Cobra Battle Android Trooper from the GI Joe 25th Anniversary line.  It looks like he has taken the upper torso from the Crimson Twins and went to town on the rest of the figure.  I love the way the figure mixes both realistic looking body parts (e.g, upper thighs and upper arms) with cyborg parts.  Jin as interesting back story on this figure so let’s see what he has to say:

“Destro is the king of black-market arms dealing and in that crowd you need extra protection. Recently our Intel has reported of him travelling with a new type of Cobra BAT decked out to match his team and always standing close by in case some mercenary tries to steal what he’s already stolen. What worries us is the upgrades he’s installed. These BATs have advanced combat training and are more than just the walk-and-shoot type. They are even agile enough to climb up walls and follow a target quietly, drawing a knife when it’s time to move in for the kill!”

If you want a totally unique figure from one of the best customizers out there, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Custom Bodyguard Cobra Battle Android Trooper.

I am so happy with the 25th GI Joe Anniversary line and it is Customizers like Jin Saotome keep the line going with one of a kind pieces and figures like his Custom Scarlett with Iron Strike Mech.  I like the Mechs that Hasbro produced a few years ago but they still could not get it quite right but Jin figured out that if he made his own, he could make something grand that would be a great addition to anyone’s Cobra Army.  Let’s hear more about this great Mech:   

“*Stomp Stomp Stomp Stomp* What’s that sound? It’s the sound of Cobra about to lose a battle! Enter the Iron Strike Mech, the Joe’s newest battlefield addition. The Iron Strike has been painted with care to match the current assortment of Joe vehicles, yet still retains a certain level of detail such as panel lines, shading, and metallic effects which will please the demanding collector. You even get a pilot, Scarlett, all decked out in her new mecha pilot suit. She fits easily into the now modified cockpit, as will most other Joes that have the full range of hip motion needed to sit. Blast away at Cobra with the Iron Strike’s cannons or use the claw to fling those pesky Zombie Soldiers out of the way.”

Head over to eBay and bid on Jin’s Custom Scarlett with Iron Strike Mech.

Jin Saotome has created one of the coolest Marvel Legends figures I have seen a long time with his Custom Marvel vs. Capcom Spiral figure.  The way the arms were integrated in this figure were very well done and flow seamlessly out of the arm sockets.  Let’s read more from Jin about this unique figure: 

“Spiral is the 6-armed beauty of Mojoworld, one of the neater female designs Marvel has ever come up with. Here you get her in all her multi-limbed glory done in Marvel vs Capcom2 style. She has a nice suit shading, multiple metallic effects, fur/hair detail, and highlights just as the game sprite has. I’m doing a whole line of MvC2 customs and she’ll fit right in with them. She has the now correct armored-sculpted half arm, an alternate hand for her seductive pose, and 6 count them SIX swords, one for each hand just like she tosses at you in the game.”

If you want to add a very cool figure to your Marvel collection, check out Jin’s Custom Marvel vs. Capcom Spiral figure.

Jin Saotome brings us a modernized version of Tony Stark’s weapon of the future with his Custom Marvel Legends Stealth Iron Man figure.  What is great about this figure is that it is not seen in any comic and this is Jin’s interpretation of how this suit would be modernized.  The way this was painted really makes the plastic look like metal and this is a great effect that shows off the detail of the figure.

“This auction is for a 6” tall Stealth Armor Iron Man with glossy metallic finish. He has 22 points of articulation and can be put in to all sorts of stealthly mission poses. He’s scaled to fit right along with your Marvel Legends figures and will look great in your display case alongside your existing figures. This variation on the Stealth Armor design isn’t featured in any comic and is a new ‘modernized’ version of the suit.  A couple of reqests for a new Stealth Iron Man were sent my way and I always aim to please. This Stealth Iron Man has been painted with all sorts of glossy metallic details, deep armor shading, brlliant highlights, and a sealed surface against wear. I’m really, really, really liking the new Heroes Reborn Iron Man body as it has an excellent range of articulation and looks great in any pose!”

To view more photos, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Custom Marvel Legends Stealth Iron Man figure!

Shockwave was already a great addition to the Transformers Classics line and, as expected, Jin Saotome goes above and beyond and really brings out the Generation 1 feel to this Custom Transformers G1 Shockwave figure.  Using the purple and pink color scheme from the cartoon, this figure very closely resembles the Shockwave from the 1980’s.  I like the modifications that were made from the Classics figure and it just goes to show you that more is less in robot mode.  In blaster mode, on the otherhand, this figure closely resembles a German Nebelwerfer, a six-barreled (nonrotating) tubular projector, with barrels 3 to 3 1/2 feet long and 160 mm in diameter.

On that note, let’s hear more about this great figure from Jin: “This auction is for an 8” tall ‘Shockwave’ figure with removable arm blasters, magnetic shoulder cannons, and Space Cannon/Ship base. He has multiple points of articulation and in my opinion is the best Shockwave mold ever to come out of the Transformers line. He’ll fit right in with your current Transformers collection and is scaled to Voyager size. He doesn’t come with instructions because of the different Alt mode but you can probably figure it out by the pics.  You asked for him time and time again, the cold and calculating Decepticon with the single eye. Shockwave is back and this time he’s packing an arsenal of weapons! As you can see he’s been decked out in G1 colors using deep shadows, highlights, metallic effects, and the shocking purple/pinkish color right from the show. Shockwave has also been sealed against paint wear and transforms into a Space Cannon or removing the base has him looking like a cosmic battleship of sorts. His arm cannons are removable and fire off missiles while his giant shoulder cannons magnetically mount and can be removed too. So, were you looking for the definitive Shockwave for your Classics/Universe collection?”

To view more great pictures of Jin’s Custom Transformers G1 Shockwave, head over to eBay!

I just watched the Iron Movie again and I was looking around for some inspiration and came across Jin Saotome’s Custom Marvel Legends Iron Man figure.  What I love about Jin’s customs are that he is not afraid step out of the usual repaint and go above and beyond and infuse his own ideas to make great customs.  Let’s see what inspired Jin for this Iron Man:

“There’s so many different Iron Man suits that it’s hard to keep track sometimes! Well I’m adding to that mix with a new suit that’s never been featured in any comic. It’s a mix of modern and classic Iron Man designs and uses a great new body type for the Iron Avenger. He’s been painted with a true metallic gold using burnished metallic highlights that have been buffed in. There is also deep armor shading, panel detailing, and an overall polished look to the figure. Iron Man is ready to be posed alongside your Avengers or thrown into battle with Ultron on your shelf!”

If there is any Iron Man custom you want to own, get it from on of the best of the best and check out Jin Saotome’s Custom Marvel Legends Iron Man figure!

You have to hand it to Jin for creating a mash up of two of the most popular toy lines in history with his Custom Cobra Rattler GI Joe Transformers Universe crossover figure.  Using a great weathering technique, this Rattler is sporting the classic Cobra blue.  The decals make this custom unique as the Decepticon Symbol and the Cobra Symbols compliment each other well on each wing.  Let’s learn more about this great figure:   

“Powerglide has been transformed into the most iconic Cobra aircraft, the Cobra Rattler. He’s decked out in a highly detailed paint job that includes realistic shading, panel wear, flight weathering, metallics, and is sealed to prevent wear. He even sports the Cobra Airforce decals as well as Decepticon emblems. His missiles are removable and he has a rotating center turret that activates his lights and machine gun sounds.” 

To own Jin’ Custom Cobra Rattler GI Joe Transformers Universe crossover figure, head over to eBay!

Jin Saotome is ringing in Halloween season with an excellent version of Johnny Blaze (or Daniel Ketch) with his Custom Marvel Legends Ghost Rider figure.  The shading on this figure really brings out the depth and richness of the body.  My favorite part of this custom is the flame neck engulfing the skull, which is a really cool effect.  Let’s hear from Jin about how he made this great figure.

“Ready to whip all the villains into submission with his metal chain, Ghostie has been painted with deep shadows, dusty gray highlights, semigloss leather effects, and a flaming bone look to his head and eyes. You can remove his chain as the lock magnetically attaches back when you’re ready to store it on him. All his chains are real metal and won’t tarnish or rust. You really have to get this figure up close as even the pictures don’t do him justice.”

If you are wanting the best of the best with respect to quality, craftsmanship, and one of kind concepts, head over to Jin’s auction page and check out his Custom Marvel Legends Ghost Rider figure.

Updating the Tiger Stripe Wolverine, Jin Saotome adds a very cool feature to his Custom Marvel Legends Wolverinefigure in the form of a pair of steel claws.  Here is Jin to tell you more about this classic X-MEN figure: 

“You asked for more steel claws and you got them! The new ‘tiger stripe’ Wolverine that came out in the Target Exclusive Red Hulk wave is by far my favorite Wolvie to date. He’s basically a direct mold of the old ML 6 brown Wolvie which has the best features in my opinion. Well this time around I updated him with my all new recipe for steel claws! These claws don’t simply sit on top of his hands but plug in with powerful magnets ensuring a tight fit however you play with him. You can remove them and plug in the retracted claw nubs for a different look. Wolvie has also been given an updated curved ear shape and some shading to his body for a more detailed appearance.”

To check out more pictures, head over to eBay and check out Jin’s Custom Marvel Legends Wolverine figure.

Jin Saotome continues to add great figures to the GI Joe 25th Anniversary line and his Custom GI Joe Overkillis no exception.  To be honest, I have never been a fan of the Overkill figure but Jin has made some great improvements and modifications to the original Overkill concept.  I like the proportions to the figure as I have always thought that the original Hasbro Overkill figure was disproportionate.  Jin tells us a little more about his Custom Overkill:

“Overkill has been through many character changes over the years and it’s time he was upgraded once again. Here he is created in the 25th Anniversary style, complete with a super detailed paint job including multi-tone shading, weathered metal highlights, and battle-scuffed metallics. You can remove his right arm and attach his arm cannon the instant those Joes show up on his sensors. Overkill too damaged to go on? His head can be removed and saved for a new body, or perhaps installed on a B.A.T. so he can continue leading his android troops in battle! This is one android you don’t want to mess with folks. So, need an updated version of the B.A.T. commander? Know a friend who loves popping the heads off all his figures?” 

I like the fact that you can remove his head and the wires coming out of the neck add a nice touch to his Custom BAT Leader Overkill so head over to eBay and check it out.  After you are finished looking at this figure, check out the multitude of Custom GI Joe figures.

Jin Saotome has his creative juices flowing and delivers a unique, one of a kind Custom Marvel Legends Machine Headfigure from his own imagination.  There really is no back story on this figure but Jin delivers a unique design that will please any Custom Marvel Legends fan.  He explains more about this one of a kind figure:

“Over the past few years fans have written in, asking me to do original characters from my own designs. I have my comedy series ‘Brick Ninja’ but felt it was time for something new. Enter Machine Head. This mysterious character has come out of nowhere decked out in a sleek jet-black suit, bright red neck wrap, and metallic armor details. But who is he? Does he fight for the innocent or for his own sinister purposes? And is there anything human left under that helmet? This figure will leave you guessing for a bit and will include a bonus accessory later on that’s sure to turn heads. It will be added towards the end of the auction so keep an eye out. There is no backstory for Machine head. He has no past, and it’s up to YOU to give him a future. Consider this the ‘prototype’ figure eh?”

You can always check out more Custom Marvel Legends figures on eBay!

Custom Megatron by Jin Saotome

When making customs, Jin not only goes big, he goes above and beyond to create one of a kind pieces that are made to fit in with the genera of choice.  This week, Jin tackled a behemoth and the end result was his Custom Transformers Universe Style Megatronfigure.  He designed this figure to fit in with the Transformers Universe but I do see a hint of G1 in Megatron’s eyes.  The head sculpt defines this figure as Megatron and Jin has done a great job keeping Meg’s classic look and feel.  In Tank mode, the barrel of the canon is huge and menacing.  I also see a hint of Shockwave in the canon, making it a great centerpiece of the vehicle.  The grays and blacks bring out the detail in the figure and red accents are in the right places. 

Custom Megatron by Jin Saotome

For your chance to own this one of a kind Megatron that you will never see anywhere else, head over to eBay and place your bid on Jin’s Custom Tranformers Universe Megatron figure.

Custom Punch Counterpunch by Jin Saotome

Jin Saotome has captured the classic feel of a 1980’s Transformers favorite with his Custom Punch Counterpunch G1 Transformers Universe figure. Part of being able to capture that feel are the colors used to create this figure. The yellows and the blues are dead on and the most unique aspect about this custom is that it is essentially two figures in one. Jin goes on to describe more about this unique custom:

Custom Punch/Counterpunch by Jin Saotome

Jin’s Custom Punch Counterpunch G1 Transformers Universe is available for bids on eBay so head over and check it out.

Adding some spice to Transformers Animated line, Jin Saotome cooks up this bizarre fusion of Optimus Prime and Megatron known in the Generation 1 world as Guiltar. Oh yes, don’t forget to add a pinch of ghost spark from Starscream and you get a pretty cool figure that I will gaurantee will never see the light of day in the Animated line. The molds of Optimus Prime and Megatron were perfect for this creation. When I first looked at this figure, I thought Jin had made two heads for it but when I read more about it, he actually created a movable faceplate that you can operate via a level to show a more rabid look to the figure. This figure looks very well put together for being a fusion figure and one to own for the hardcore Generation 1 fans. Head over to Jin’s Custom Transformers Animated Guiltar figure today for your chance to own this great piece.

More About Guiltar (source)
Guiltar, also known as the “Great-Gun Soldier”, is a bizarre, vicious fusion of Optimus Prime and Megatron, sent to attack both Autobot and Decepticon alike. It is ultimately a lifeless shell created by the Quintessons, animated by the “ghost” spark of Starscream. It has a massive artillery truck mode, as well as multiple gun configurations for its robot mode. Physically, it can hold its own against many of the toughest Transformers.

To ring in the upcoming launch of the new Capcom game, Bionic Commando, Jin has diligently replicated one of the coolest video game figures in Marvel Legends style with his Custom Bionic Commando figure. There are a few aspects about this custom that make this outstanding! First, Jin was able to sculpt the hair and facial features in a very realistic way, which is a tough thing to pull off on a plastic toy. Second, the way the bionic appendages flow into the body looks like these were surgically implanted into the figure. He has achieved an awesome bionic look and feel with the way the machinery is sculpted and painted. The flexible piping and cords add to that realism and also give the figure the ability to aim in any direction you like. I threw in a reference picture from game as a comparison:

Jin goes on to describe this great figure in more detail: “Bionic Commando is back with an all-new look! This figure is based on Capcom’s upcoming remake of Bionic Commando. He has a super realistic paint job with faded cloth colors, deep shadows, tanned skin highlights, and some great metallic features on his arm and legs. Check out his facial features and the tiny logo on his t-shirt, all painted freehand. His bionic arm features flexible piping and cords so you can aim his arm all different directions. Attach the bendable grappling cord and he can grab on to things or hang from objects. The clawed fingers move individually as well. This figure is scaled 6″ to match your existing Marvel Legends figures, not 7″ like the Player Select figures.”
This awesome Custom Marvel Legends Bionic Commando figure can be yours by heading over to eBay and placing your bid! Don’t miss out on this one!

Now that the Transformers Animated Series are in full force at retail, we are seeing some great customs of figures you will never see in stores. Jin Saotome has his take on the evil Autobot with his Custom Transformers Animated Nemesis Prime figure. Painted with a smooth finish, Jin’s choice of colors fit in nicely with the rest of the Animated Transformers in the line. Instead of the typical black and purple color scheme, Jin chose a nice light blue, red, and black scheme. Read more about Jin’s Custom Transformers Animated Nemesis Prime figure by heading over to his auction for your chance to own it!

Jin Saotome boldly goes where no customizers dare to go! He picks up where the toy companies leave off and that is evident with his latest creation: Custom Marvel Legends Hemingway figure. As you can see below, Jin used the original character art from ToyBiz and he did an amazing job! What I love about Jin’s customs is that he makes interchangeable parts to achieve the look and feel that he wants. For example, the photo below show the Hemingway figure with a club hand and Jin also made a regular hand. The bones protruding from Hemingway’s body is a great effect and they are nicely proportioned. The sculpting detail really pulls this figure together and he makes an almost exact match to the drawing but with his own twist. Jin’s Custom Marvel Legends Hemingway figure is available on eBay so head over there now and check it out!

Now that the Transformers Animated figures are out in full force at retail, we are seeing more and more customs week after week. Using a perfect base figure from the new Animated Series, Jin Saotome has given the Lugnut figure a face lift and turned it into one of the coolest minibots with his Custom Powerglide Transformers Generation 1 Animated figure. Although this figure is far from mini, standing at 7″ tall, Jin pays a nice homage to the little red plane known as Powerglide by closely matching the distinct rich red color that the original minibot was painted and also keeping the light gray accents. In the original figure from the 1980’s, the head was cone shaped as the figure did not have much articulation or hiding places for transforming parts so I like the fact that Jin did not try mimic this aspect and give this Powerglide a pointy melon and kept true to the facial features with a new head sculpt. Jin has many talents but one that I really appreciate is he is not afraid to give figures new heads (and sometimes he gives them two) to keep in line with the original designs.

Bid on Jin’s Custom Powerglide Generation 1 Animated figure on eBay today!

Jin Saotome is heating up the Iron Man custom section with his Custom Marvel Legends Iron Monger figure. The cool thing about this custom is that Jin has given this figure the look of brushed steel and has a light up chest but I will let Jin take it away from here:

“Monger has been decked out in a shiny metallic paint job with just a hint of blue shading and great highlights that give the look of real brushed steel! He has full articulation in the legs as well, not static posed like the first Iron Monger figure. Ready for the kicker? Open up the cockpit and flip the hidden switch, Iron Monger’s eyes and chest light up just like the onscreen character! Please don’t stare directly into the chest light, it’s so bright you can use this guy as a flashlight in case of an emergency. The batteries can also be replaced if needed.”

Bid on Jin’s Custom Marvel Legends Iron Monger figure on eBay today!

The custom transformers section on eBay has been a bit quiet but Jin has woken it up with his Custom Transformers Movie Barricade figure. Some of the things I really like about about Jin’s customs are his quest to make it accurate, his attention to detail, and the quality and craftsmanship is light years beyond most. For example, in this Barricade figure, he has added a ball joint to the head, claws, and an LED kit so that the police lights work. My favorite part about this custom are the claws. I know it is a really small detail to be excited about but the original hands on the Barricade figure bugged me (well, most of the figure bugged me as it was not very movie accurate to begin with).

Read more about Jin’s Custom Transformers Movie Barricade figure on eBay today!

Jin Saotome keeps the custom GI Joe 25th Anniversary figures coming with his Custom Ninja B.A.T. figure. The Battle Android Troopers are a mainstay of the Cobra Army and Jin has made them more versatile and more deadly. Keeping in tradition to the style of the B.A.T. line with removable weapons and accessories, Jin adds some very nice touches to this robot of war. With flip out blades on the elbows, this Ninja assassin is ready for battle and his opponent will not know what hit him! This auction just went up on eBay so head over to place an early bid for this unique Custom Ninja B.A.T. figure or check out the other pictures.

The Iron Man customs are heating up on eBay and their is very good reason! Typically, there is a surge of character specific customs that land on eBay before and after the launch of a killer movie. The 2007 Transformers Movie and the 2008 Iron Man movies have given customizers a great canvas to demonstrate their creativity. That said, I would like to focus attention to a really cool cross over figure done by Jin Saotome. Jin has created a hybrid Marvel Legends Sigma Six Iron Man that looks like it could belong in both worlds of Marvel and GI Joe. This Iron Man figure has retained the unique style of the Sigma Six GI Joe line and has married the aspects that make Iron Man a force to recon with. The colors really compliment figure and you can clearly identify this as an Iron Man figure and the black washing really brings out the detail. This blend of worlds has really come together into a great looking figure and boy is this auction hot! To read more about this awesome custom, head over to Jin’s auction and see how red hot this figure is getting! 

Please Note: Items are removed from eBay databases every 90 days so if the item is gone, check out more Custom Marvel Legends figures.

Since there are so many great customs out there to write about, I can’t possibly cover everything so sometimes I will troll around in the Completed Listings section of eBay and come across some gems that I missed. Jin Saotome has created a blast from the past with an updated version of an International figure with this Custom GI Joe 25th Anniversary Red Laser figure. Jin has made a really nice addition to this figure with the wrist gauntlet/backpack and weapon. The addition of the helmet logo pays great homage to the original Red Laser figure. For those not familiar with International GI Joe’s, Red Laser was an exclusive figure that was available in the United Kingdom and Europe around 1983 by the Palitoy toy company. He was available packaged with the Action Force Laser Exterminator – a red and black repaint of the HAL (Heavy Artillery Laser).

Although the auction has ended already, you can view Jin’s Custom Red Laser to find out more about him and also see more photos.  Please Note: Items are removed from eBay databases every 90 days so if the item is gone, check out more Custom GI Joe figures.

Dubbed the Command Oriented Military Battle Android Trooper and keenly acronym’d C.O.M.B.A.T., Jin Saotome once again displays his mad customizing skills and gives GI Joe a much need troop enhancement. The Cobra B.A.T. (Battle Android Trooper) was one my favorites to play with as a kid and as an adult it still remains a mainstay in my Cobra Army. The head sculpt is my favorite part of this custom and I love the tubes that go from the head to the back as it reveals a vulnerable point in the droid. The B.A.T. is the only troop that “dies” in the GI Joe cartoons so I can imagine this C.O.M.B.A.T. figure’s getting it’s tubes severed in battle and rendered useless. Jin goes on to explain more about his figure:

“Cobra BATs are all the rage these days, disposable troopers that Cobra Commander can flood the battlefield with while he cheats Zartan at cards in the Terrordrome. No complaining, no need for medics, what more could you ask? Well what goes around comes around, enter C.O.M.B.A.T. standing for Command Oriented Military Battle Android Trooper. More sophisticated than the earlier models (and based on my Sigma 6 Combat) this trooper is ready to deploy wherever you need him. This Combat unit 055 is ready to handle your basic trooper needs and wields a PDW and machine gun. Out of ammo? No sweat, Combat can deploy its shoulder mounted machine gun for a quick attack. Check out the hand painted weathering, shading, and detail. He even has an American flag to show off his patriotic spirit!”  

 

Please Note: Items are removed from eBay databases every 90 days so if the item is gone, check out more Custom GI Joe figures.

Springer is a wise-cracking, easy-going, sharp-witted and somewhat caustic fighting Autobot. He has an unfailing optimism and good humor and courage beyond known bounds, and with it all, the willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends and the sake of his mission. Jin Saotome brings this G1 Classic figure to life with his Custom Transformers Springer figure. First appearing in the cartoon version of the Transformers Movie, Jin has given this figure a fresh look while retaining it’s G1 nature. The original Springer figure left much to be desired and was a very plain Transformer but Jin has given this figure a new life by using the Transformers 2007 Movie figure, Incinerator.

Read more about how Jin created this great piece here!  Please Note: Items are removed from eBay databases every 90 days so if the item is gone, check out more Custom Transformers figures.

Jin Saotome has created a one of a kind Cobra creation with his Custom GI Joe 25th Anniversary Cobra Reaper figure. I love the creativity that goes into these customs and this figure is superbly detailed and would make a very unique addition to your Cobra army. Jin goes on and describes more about this figure:

“Introducing the Cobra Warlock, one of my newest customs that are based on the GI Joe 25th Anniversary figures. He’s fully poseable and features metallic detailing, deep shading, and highlights that really bring this character to life. This warlock can wield his obsidian scythe or blood-fang into battle and is ready to take on the Joes with soul-rending accuracy! Check out the real metal chains and the cape blades, this is one dangerous foe. The figure comes with a custom base too for display and will look great in your Joe collection, blending right into the Cobra team. So, need a really unique warrior for your staged battles? Know a diehard GI Joe fan who would demand the Reaper carry a firearm into combat? Then don’t pass this auction up!” 

Bid on Jin’s Custom Cobra Reaper figure by heading over to eBay! 

Please Note: Items are removed from eBay databases every 90 days so if the item is gone, check out more Custom GI Joe figures.

With the Iron Man Movie right around the corner, customizers have been going all out and showing how they can make the best Custom Marvel Legends Iron Man figures. Some figure to note this week are coming from customizers such as Jin Saotome (see photo above) and others:

Iron Man Movie Custom Diorama by MK1 Customs

Find these and others by heading over to eBay and bidding on all of the Custom Marvel Legends Iron Man figures (only if your wallet can handle it).

Custom Stealth Iron Man by Kyle Robinson

I am happy to feature Jin’s Custom Kratos God of War figure. In the Sigma 6 style of GI Joe figures, Jin has created a stunning version of the video game character and made it his own in an animated style. Jin continues to go above and beyond when making customs and you know that if you buy anything from him, it will be top notch quality craftsmanship. Let’s hear how Jin has created his latest masterpiece:

“I present to you Kratos from the super popular God of War series! He’s the next figure in my VideoGame AllStars lineup and is done in an ‘animated’ style similar to the GI Joe Sigma 6 figures. Kratos has been painted with various shades, weathered leather and metal armor effects, detailed right down to the scar on his face! He has the body tattoo as well that wraps around his left side and looks quite striking. Speaking of ’striking,’ Kratos comes with the Sword of Olympus and two Blades of Chaos with metal chains that can be wrapped around his arms and swung about just like in the game! Kratos is a good inch taller than normal Sigma 6 figures so he’s scale perfectly to fit in to your collection. This is also the ONLY custom Kratos I’ll be making for my VG AllStars series.”

I just wanted to give the Custom Marvel Legends enthusiasts a heads up that there are many awesome customs up for sale this week on eBay. Here are some great examples:

Custom Stealth Iron Man by Jin Saotome

Custom Warpath by boskoestoys

Custom Brock Samson by kingokrap

Jin Saotome has created a dead on Custom Sam Fisher from the video game Splinter Cell from a GI Joe Sigma Six figure. One really cool feature about this custom is the light up goggles, which, if you have played the game, are used quite a bit and cements the look of Sam outside of the video game world. Like all of Jin’s customs, the paint aps look flawless. Another cool aspect of this custom was that is was featured in Playstation Magazine! Nice going Jin! In Jin’s own words, here is how he created this great custom:

“Here’s my take on Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell, covert black-ops agent and all around tough guy. He’s styled to match the Sigma 6 GI Joe theme and is part of my Video Game All-Stars line that will be appearing in issues of Playstation the Official Magazine. Sam’s painted with various highlights, shading, and texture with hand sculpted sections made from Aves Fixit Sculpt, the best sculpting compound on the market. Check out the straps and pouches all over him, who knows what he’s packing in there! But what’s Sam Fisher without those trademark goggles? And yes folks, THEY LIGHT UP! All three goggle lenses were hand-made and have bright green LEDs. Press the button on his back and you can illuminate a dark corner they’re so bright. Batteries are included and can be changed out when needed. So… ready to sneak around your figure collection with Sam Fisher? Know a friend who owns a bunch of Metal Gear figures that need assassinating? Then don’t pass this auction up!!”

You can own this figure by going to eBay and bidding on Jin’s Custom Sam Fisher Splinter Cell or check out the other Custom Video Game figures.

Hitting theatres 5/28/2008 is the Ironman movie which I am sure will be a huge hit and preempting the movie release is Jin Saotome’s version of Ironman in Custom Marvel Legends Style. Jin’s Ironman is highly detailed with a finish you don’t find on many customs. The figures is painted in a metallic style and really shines, giving the figure the illusion of being made of iron. The head is custom made perfectly proportioned. Another great feature of this custom is the rocket pack, which is originally found on the Classics Jetfire Transformers figure, which was painted great and washed with black detail. I wonder what Jin has in store for a Jetfire sans rocket pack…anyways…here is how he created this great looking figure:

“To celebrate the big screen event of our metallic hero I give you my version of Iron Man. He’s been painted with metallic red and yellow (ignore the somewhat green tinge to my camera lighting) and has a high gloss shine. Different sections are blacklined to show depth and there’s natural shading/highlights when the light hits him. His head is custom made and he has articulated fingers! There’s no Iron Man like this one available and it’s not one of the movie figures either, it’s a one-of-a-kind custom figure. Even though he’s completely poseable I’d handle him gently as his armor has a high gloss shine to it and you’ll want to avoid scratching it. Plug on the Stark MG720 rocket pack and he’s ready to head across the globe, into space, or wherever the Avengers need him! The rocket pack also converts to combat mode by sliding the back sections that reveal two spring-loaded lasers cannons.”

Head over to eBay to find more Custom Marvel Legends figures!

The Generation 1 version of Jetfire has to be one of my favorite 1980’s Transformers. Jin Saotome has revived this Classics Jetfire and made it his own with his Custom Transformers Jetfire Generation 1 style. In his own words, he is “Transformers fan request week” and Jin is delivering some ‘Fan’s Choice’ (Star Wars fans would appreciate the reference) customs. I bought this figure and although the Classics line has done a good job recreating this great figure, Jin has take it to the next level. Here are some details on how Jin paid homage to this G1 icon:

“The entire figure has been repainted with all sorts of shading, washes, highlights, metallic gunmetal effects, and more. He comes with three magnetic hands, one gripping, one open palm (Force effect, hah!) and one “thumbs up” hand to show that he’s landed in one piece yet again.”

Head over to eBay to find more Custom Transformers figures.

“A good shot is worth more than a good intention.”

Jin definately paid homage with this figure and you can have a chance to own this peice of Transformers Generation 1 history with this Custom G1 Warpath figure.

More about Warpath
Warpath thinks he’s a lot more impressive than his comrades do. Certainly, no one would argue with his sharp-shooting ability. It just seems at times he’s more concerned with showing off than the welfare of the Autobots as a whole. But his boisterous, loud-mouthed personality makes him welcome company and his raucous sense of humor can bring cheer to the gloomiest situations. Only one thing seems to upset him: any small nick or scratch to his gun barrel. He’s both very proud and very vain about his weapon. His comrades fear that if his gun ever suffered anything as big as a dent, Warpath might be too depressed to speak for a month!

Who can take a Star Wars Transformers Turbo Tank and craft it into the legendary Generation 1 Ultra Magnus? It is none other than Jin Saotome, Transformers customizer extraordinaire! This week he has stayed true to the classic G1 color scheme with the good ole’ fashion red, white, and blue paint aps. What I like about the paint scheme is the weathered look to the figure, giving him a more mechanical look. This also is not your average run of the mill Optimus Prime repaint, Jin has seriously taken this custom to the next level as he had the forsight to see that a Star Wars Transformers Turbo Tank would make a killer Ultra Magnus custom. Here is a little more about this figure, straight from the horses mouth:

“This auction is for an 8″ tall Custom Ultra Magnus Transformers figure with twin removable smokestack cannons. He has multiple points of articulation meaning you can pose him in all sorts of awesome eat-everything poses and he’ll look great in every one. Transforming Magnusl won’t affect the paint job and he converts from robot to Cybertronian-troop-carrier mode easily.

“This is the first Ultra Magnus custom I’ve done to be honest. I’ve had thousands of requests to do a UM but didn’t want to do a repaint of Prime. So I bided my time, waiting for the perfect base figure to come along…And it did! Ultra Magnus transforms into a Cybertronian style troop-carrier that looks like it could roll through just about any Decepticon in his path. He’s pretty tall in robot form and can wield his twin extending smokestack cannons for weapons. He’s not done in my usual paint style as this time I went for a clean look with panel lines and different shades of color on full sections. I guess he just went through the car wash, he’s brightly colored in the cartoons and why not this time right? He’s still very detailed and fits right in with the normal Classics line, if you can get past the fact he’s not actually a semi. I’m going for something different here! So… need a really unique Ultra Magnus for your growing Transformers collection? Know a friend who’ll be like, “Hey, isn’t that Turbo Tank with two wheels missing?” when you give this to them for Christmas? Then don’t pass this auction up!”

Like Jin said, don’t pass this one up and head over to eBay and place your bid early for his Custom Transformers Ultra Magnus!

Jin dares to do what the American Toy companies fail to do and that is deliver accurate, cutting edge Custom Transformers like this Generation 1 Classics Megatron, which is available on eBay!

Jin Saotome brings us a reincarnation of ‘The Fallen

“This auction is for a 6″ tall “The Fallen” custom Transformers Classics figure with removable side cannons, magnetic removable inferno flame, extra right hand, and spinning turret/claw arm. He has multiple points of articulation meaning you can pose him in all sorts of awesome “I’m one of the first Transformers, bow to me!” poses and he’ll look great in every one.

This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. The Fallen was one of the first 13 Transformers created by Primus and perhaps one of the coolest bots around. Why? BECAUSE HE’S ON FIRE! (Not literally as playing with the figure would result in your house burning down. But his character is supposed to be glowing like a furnace, always burning with flame.) The Fallen is detailed with various shades of… eh… black? Well the inner-furnace detailing are is neat part, done in orange-red-yellow tones for a real burning look! He does feature various metallic tones and weathering too for that been-around-for-a-millions-years theme. Flip out the turret and claw on his right hand and depress the lever on top for flaming-turret spinning action. The magnetically attached flames behind his head can be removed for transformation and the side cannons are removable as well. The Fallen transforms into an assault-tank and looks fairly cool doing so, rolling around and looking quite threatening. So, need a revamped Fallen to replace the chunky Titanium version that keeps toppling over? Know a friend who would bring this figure on camping trips in case of an emergency? (Kidding, it’s not on fire.) Then don’t pass this auction up! This figure will be shipped in time for Christmas in case you’d like to give him as a gift.”

Go over to eBay and bid on Jin’s Custom ‘The Fallen’

At the dawn of time, Primus created new life, the 13 original Transformers, to crew his planetary form into battle against his eternal nemesis Unicron. One of these 13, his original name now lost to the mists of time, turned against his siblings, his creator, and his universe, and betrayed them all.

Now he is a being of power, darkness, and absolute dedication to Unicron. At the end of the first battle between the two Gods, for his treachery, the Fallen was sealed into extradimensional limbo along with his new master.

Who can take a Transformers figure that looked like it came out of a Lucky Charms box and turn it into a piece of Generation 1 Transformers Movie history? You guessed it! Jin Saotome! After Jin’s successful 2007 Transformers Movie Galvatron, he went back to his roots and created this Custom Transformers Cartoon Movie Galvatron out of the ashes of an Energon Megatron figure. I do like the masculine look of this Galvatron as Jin has focused on making him Gray and Blue (instead of the traditional purple). The cannon is a great shade of deep orange which compliments the figure nicely. As Jin states in his auction: 

This auction is for a 10” tall custom Transformers ‘Classics’ Galvatron figure with removable particle accelerator cannon, and space-cannon attachments. Galvatron has multiple points of articulation, far too many for me to count and they all have excellent range of motion even for as large as he is. This means you can pose him in all sorts of awesome Starscream-threatening poses and he’ll look great in every one. Galvatron changes from robot to scrap Space Cannon and transforming him won’t affect the paint job. Just take care when moving his parts around as he’s a very large and hefty figure.
This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Here’s another taken on an old favorite, Galvatron done in a ‘Classics’ feel to him. First of all he’s huge, ten inches tall and fairly wide to boot. He has an imposing feel about him especially with his massive particle accelerator cannon aimed at you! The cannon can be attached on two spots on his right arm, on the side for storage and on his forearm for combat. And wow this sucker is a brilliant metallic gloss orange! Galvatron himself has been hand painted with various shades of blues/dark blues, weathered highlights, shadows, metallic sections, and given the full treatment of detailing that all my custom figures get. Even his eyes are two tones of red and yellow, burning with the need to kick Starscream across Cybertron at a moment’s notice.
But what’s Galvatron without an alt mode? Throughout the years he’s been depicted as different things but it’s back to the oldschool look this time! Galvatron transforms into yes, a massive space cannon, complete with treads. His arm cannon becomes the tip and brings his size to over a foot long. A lot of care and detail was put into this figure to get him the right mix of G1, cartoon, and modern styling here, I hope you like him. So, did you want Galvatron to top off your unique collection of Transformers? Know a friend who would get a kick out of a giant blue robot? (yes, sometimes Galvatron is depicted in purple, but then he’d be competing against the X-men Sentinels). Then don’t pass this auction up!! This figure will ship to you in time for Christmas too, in case you’d like to give him as a gift.

Make sure you check out Jin’s awesome Custom Transformers Movie Galvatron for your chance to own this great piece!

“This auction is for a 10″ tall custom Transformers ‘Classics’ Omega Supreme figure with removable drilling arms, working scrap-magnet, scrap-claw, Dump truck minicon, and flickering light-up smelting furnace. Omega has multiple points of articulation, far too many for me to count and they all have excellent range of motion. This means you can pose him in all sorts of awesome Decepticon-smelting poses and he’ll look great in every one. Omega changes from robot to scrap metal foundry and transforming him won’t affect the paint job. It’s time for more Transformers Classics customs and this week I give you Omega Supreme Omega features two drilling arms that can be detached into separate vehicles. The right claw opens up and spins via a thumbwheel and the left drill extends and spins when you slide the lever. Add two AAA batteries (not included) and you can have the claw-drill light up and make noise when you spin it. Once detached you can transform Omega into a scrap metal foundry complete with a working scrap-magnet for hoisting metal chunks into his minicon buddy and scrap-claw for tearing apart slagged Decepticon wreckage into smaller bits. Inside Omega’s chest is the smelting furnace that lights up and flickers brightly, ready to process scrap metal into raw materials to repair his Autobot friends. (furnace batteries are included and you can replace them easily) Omega Supreme has been painted with many different shades, metallics, weathering, highlights, shadows, you name it. He’s been styled to resemble his G1 form while playing to the modern ‘Transformers Classics’ theme. So… were you looking for a giant guardian to watch over Cybertron while you were out? Know a friend who will keep trying to attach the two arms to form a rocket? (sorry, they’re drilling equipment this time around, heh) Then don’t pass this auction up!!”

Jin Saotome is on a roll with his latest Transformers Movie Custom Battle Damaged Optimus Prime in Voyager Class scale. One aspect of this Optimus Prime that sets it apart from the rest is the removable truck back! With the Voyager Class Optimus Prime, the original figure suffered from hunchback syndrome but Jin has found the key to making this figure tolerable: the removable truck back! Removing the hood from Prime’s back really makes this figure sleek and agile. The paint job reflects one heck of a battle that happened at the end of the movie and what always puzzled me was that Prime’s Truck mode (and all of the Autobots) looked immaculate even after a opening a big can of whoop a$$ on the Decepticons. Jin’s truck mode actually reflects what Prime would look like before he had a chance to hit the car wash. The cracked windshield is a nice touch too (I wonder what auto insurance Prime has…).As Jin states, “This auction is for an 8″ tall custom ‘Final Battle’ Optimus Prime figure with removable truck back (ah hah, finally!) removable gun-hand, and twin missile firing smokestacks. He has multiple points of articulation, far too many for me to count so I’m not even going to try. This means you can pose Prime in all sorts of awesome Autobot-leading poses and he’ll look great in every one. He transforms just like the store-bought Voyager Optimus Prime and changing his form around won’t affect the paint job at all. Instructions are included because let’s face it these suckers are like skill-puzzles sometimes.

This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Handle it, pose it, but don’t give it to your little brother to play outside with. You’ll find that my custom figure designs are durable and look great as well. Now you can have the best of both worlds. Oh man, Prime looked like he was almost down for the count at the end of the Transformers movie, all dinged up and beat to hell! Now you can own a true battle-damaged Prime with a super-detailed paint job that will rival anything you’ll see on the shelves. Prime here has been painted with multiple layers of shadows, metallic detailing, highlights, battle wear, scuffs, mud splatters, oil splatters, burn marks… you name it and he’s been through it. But it’s not just the paint, Optimus Prime’s sculpt has been changed to reflect all the damage he took fighting Megatron, looking like he stepped right off the screen with gouges, dents, and blast damage! His vehicle mode has been given damage, not just his robot form for true movie-accuracy. You can remove Prime’s right hand for an oversized fusion cannon and actually remove his funky truck-cab-backpack that was hindering the original figure. Prime’s head has been refitted with a balljoint so he can look around in all directions now.

From the ashes of the Transformers Movie Voyager Class Megatron comes Jin Saotomes’s Custom Movie Galvatron. Michael Bay should be looking to the talent of the Transformers customizers for Transformers Movie 2 (sequel) ideas. In the movie, Megatron’s remains were disposed of into the Laurentian Abyss by the U.S. Armed Forces, along with the other dead Decepticons. Jin Saotome gives rise to Galvatron, Megatron’s soul embodied into to a new being. Movie Galvatron figure with removable back wings and firing arm cannon/cockpit. He has multiple points of articulation, far too many for me to count so I’m not even going to try. This means you can pose Galvatron in all sorts of awesome Autobot battling poses and he’ll look great in every one. He transforms just like the store bought Voyager Megatron and changing his form around won’t affect the paint job at all. Instructions are included because let’s face it these suckers are like skill puzzles sometimes. This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Handle it, pose it, but don’t give it to your little brother to play outside with. You’ll find that my custom figure designs are durable and look great as well. Now you can have the best of both worlds. By now you’ve probably seen the Transformers movie, right? Then you’re right, there is no Galvatron in there. He may show up in the sequel but this is my own take on Megatron’s second incarnation, mixing movie style and G1 style together with one figure. I created this custom from my own vision, which means you won’t find a figure like this anywhere in the world. He’s unique, purple, and spikey! He features poseable fingers where the wrists extend to give you an upwards/downwards reach, new detailing with spikes and such, a moving containment shield that contains the AllSpark energy that was released when Sam fried a hole in his chest in the first movie (mystical life-creating AllSpark energies not included) and a removable cannon and wing sections. The wings flip out into different positions and he really looks quite menacing despite being a large purple robot. Hey, if the Sentinels can get away with it so can Galvatron!”If you are unfamiliar with Galvatron please read on below:

As Jin states, “This auction is for an 8 inch tall custom

In the year 2005, the Decepticons launched a failed attempt to capture Autobot City on Earth. In the process, Decepticons leader Megatron was gravely wounded, though not necessarily mortally. During their retreat from Earth, the Decepticons had to abandon many of their beaten warriors to cold space, whether or not they were beyond repair. Craving the leadership, Starscream also threw Megatron’s body overboard. Eventually, Megatron was approached by a being of god-like power: Unicron. They talked and a bargain was arrived at. Unicron would save Megatron’s life and provide him with a new body and new troops, and Megatron would destroy the Matrix of Leadership for Unicron. Deciding that a new and more powerful body would be needed, Unicron turned Megatron into Galvatron.

Check out more Custom Transformers on eBay!

Killzone is a first-person shooter exclusively for the PlayStation 2 game console, developed by Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games and released on November 2, 2004 in North America. A sequel, Killzone: Liberation was released on the PlayStation Portable and another followup, Killzone 2 is currently being developed for the PlayStation 3.

One of the classic Generation 1 Transformers is reborn from the 2009 Camaro Bumblebee Deluxe mold. Jin Saotome brings us this Custom Prowl, modeled after the 1980’s classic Generation 1 Style. What really sets this piece off is the new head that was put on the figure. In the black and white style of the older police cars, Jin really brought the features that make Prowl a force to contend with! With these awesome G1 customs hitting eBay, Michael Bay should be taking notes for future Transformer icons to include in the sequel!

This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Handle it, pose it, just don’t give it to your little brother to play outside with. You’ll find that my custom figure designs are durable and look great as well. Now you can have the best of both worlds. What do you mean you didn’t see Prowl in the movie? You missed him? Ah-hah, just kidding! While we wish he was in the new Transformers movie we can only hope he shows up in the sequel. However I really wanted to make him and this is my vision of what he could look like. Obviously he’s modeled after the 08 Concept Camaro as Bumblebee is but styled in a police-theme. Prowl has a super-slick-n-shiny paint job, clear red lights on top (sorry, couldn’t make them light up this time, no room for the electronics) metallic weathering and highlights on his robot form, and awesome police-decals! He has an all-new head too and transforms basically like the 08 Bumblebee. You can adjust his chest section if you want but I leave it flat for a more G1/Alternator Prowl look. I’ll include a weapon or two later in the auction, I was pressed for time and didn’t get them finished just yet. I also apologize about the blinding white on him, my camera really picks up light colors and there’s a lot of detail that’s blurry there. Sorry about that! Trust me tho, he looks stunning up close! So, need a cool cruising cop for your collection? Know a friend with a shelf full of police cars? Then don’t pass this auction up!”

After the blockbuster release of the Halo 3 XBOX 360 game from Microsoft, we are finally seeing custom Master Chief’s showing up on eBay! This spectacular custom is by one of my favorite customizers, Jin Saotome! Like I reported in my blog about the Custom Master Chief Wearable Helmet, my wife got a copy of Halo 3 compliments of Microsoft and my nephew came over that night and we played the game for a couple hours. I must say I was very impressed by the stellar graphics and captivating story line.

Master Chief is back and this time he’s loaded for war! This figure is ONE OF A KIND with hand-sculpted armor sections! I didn’t mold the armor so there’s no more after this one. He features an intricate paint job with airbrushed shading, metallic sections, armor highlights, and a sweet gold-reflective visor! You can pose him in just about any position and he’s eight inches tall, this is not a tiny figure! Master Chief comes with three weapons currently, a pistol, rifle, and energy sword. I will have other weapons for him soon, I just ran out of time and can’t miss Heroes, hah! So keep an eye on the auction throughout the week and you’ll see added pics near the bottom of all the new stuff he comes with. The winner also gets the unhelmeted mystery head that won’t be revealed until after the auction ends! What does Master Chief look like under the helmet? You won’t know until you win! So… want the ultimate, unique, hand-made Halo collectible? Know someone who’s a huge Halo fan and goes to the grocery store wearing a Spartan helmet? Then don’t pass this auction up!!

The reflective helmet gives a very realistic effect to this truly one of kind figure! Go track the progress of Jin’s Master Chief Spartan Halo 3 Custom as I am sure this is going to grab big bucks on eBay! Also, feel free to check out other custom Video Game toys on my ActionFigureCustoms.com website.

One of my favorite parts of the Transformers Movie was when Barricade and Bumblebee are screaming down a stretch of road in hot pursuit of each other. You really get to know Barricade and his lack Frenzy as they hunt down Sam Witwicky to find the key to the Allspark cube, and ultimate power to rule the world! Relentless is one way to describe the pair and Jin brings this dynamic duo to life!

This week, Jin is back at it again with his Custom Barricade figure from the Transformers Movie. There are a few details to call out and Jin is one of those customizers that goes the extra mile to get a movie version that spot on. As Jin states in his auction, “This auction is for 6” tall custom Barricade figure with light-up lightbar, Frenzy, and removable Bladewheel weapon. He has multiple points of articulation, far too many for me to count so I’m not even going to try. This means you can pose Barricade in all sorts of awesome Autobot-battling poses and he’ll look great in every one. He transforms just like the store-bought one and changing his form around won’t affect the paint job at all. Instructions are included because let’s face it, these suckers are like skill-puzzles! This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off.

You may have noticed the store-bought Barricade, while a sweet ride, doesn’t look a whole lot like its movie counterpart. That’s where I step in! Barricade has been repainted to more accurately reflect his look onscreen with multiple shades of metallics, realistic detailing, highlights, and shadows. The proper 911 lettering is there on him as well. He has an all new set of hands and head, including a ball-jointed neck so he can look in all directions. You can also replace the hand to use his blade-wheel attachment that really spins! As mentioned you can transform Barricade the same way and will not affect the paint job.

Now Barricade comes complete with super-bright strobing red/blue LED police lights! These don’t just blink on and off, they strobe brightly and look exactly like they did in the movie, alternating quickly between colors at different intervals. The LED unit doesn’t get in the way of the transformation, you can replace the batteries when needed, and it even has an on/off switch underneath. Just raise the window and click it on for instant lights!”

If you want this bad boy, go check the progress of Jin’s Custom Barricade Transformers Movie Deluxe Figure over at eBay! After you bid on Jin’s auction explore more and check out the latest Custom Transformers!

The Autobots and Decepticons, during the great Cybertronian War, crash landed on earth. Millions of years later, geological activity revives the warring factions – the Decepticons want to strip the earth of its vast energy resources, and the Autobots seek to protect the inhabitants of earth from that fate. And so an endless battle begins!

Only being 11 at the time of release of the movie back in 1986, I was eagerly awaiting the Transformers to hit the silver screen! I finally saw the movie and I left the theatre wanting to buy more toys! The movie was amazing and I still watch it to this day. The Transformers Cartoon subtly introduced new characters into the plot (for those who don’t know, I am being sarcastic here as the cartoon was well known for gratuitously adding characters to support the ever growing toy line).

Welcome Shockwave
One Decepticon worked behind the scenes on Cybertron and when Megatron lead his troops in pursuit of Optimus Prime and the Ark, Shockwave was to stay behind and guard Cybertron while Megatron was out to conquer Earths natural resources. Shockwave was stationed on Cybertron for four million years. Shockwave carried out his tasks on Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons were entombed on Earth. With little supplies of energy the planet had to dwindle. Shockwave briefly came to Earth and joined Megatrons troops in episode but returned to Cybertron shortly thereafter.

Jin Saotome, as only he can, captures the true essence of Shockwave in his lastest custom. The attention to detail is amazing (as usual) and as he explains:

“This auction is for an 8” tall custom Transformers Movie-style Shockwave with… *deep breath* removable right hand with articulated fingers, silver laser cannon hand, clear red laser cannon hand, light-up unit, missile launching claw with 3 missiles, gatling gun arm with six missiles, twin side shields, twin shoulder-mounted plasma guns, and Space Cannon base. You also get a high gloss black base with solid metal Decepticon logo to display him on, WHEW! He has multiple points of articulation, far too many for me to count so I’m not even going to try. This means you can pose Shockwave here in all sorts of awesome Autobot-annihilating poses and he’ll look great in every one. He transforms just like the store-bought one and changing his form around won’t affect the paint job at all. He comes with instructions because these figures can be like skill-puzzles sometime!

This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Handle it, pose it, just don’t give it to your little brother to play outside with. You’ll find that my custom figure designs are durable and look great as well. Now you can have the best of both worlds. It’s time for Shockwave to make an appearance again and this time it’s on a grand scale! This particular figure commemorates my very first Transformer custom ever, a G1ish Energon Shockblast. I have David Willis of Shortpacked to thank for making me realize Shockwave needed a better gun-arm and TFmaster (God rest his soul) for asking, nay, demanding that I host it on Transtopia, thus introducing me to a whole new world of Transformers kitbashes! I decided to go back to my roots and use that same Shockblast figure but needed to make it special this time around. And boy are you all in for a treat!

Shockwave features SEVEN interchangeable parts that attach with rare earth magnets for a perfect fit. His right hand has articulated fingers and can be replaced with any of the weapons too. First you have his classic G1 ‘clear plastic’ laser hand that lights up. Swap that out for a more modern silver laser cannon that also lights up at the tip. Need more firepower? Lock on the rotating cannon claw that fires three missiles! What, need more? Then attach the giant shielded Gatling gun hand that rotates and fires six consecutive missiles! Wait, you need even more than that? Then deck Shockwave out with twin shoulder cannons and replace both hands with his missile-launching weapons. There are tons of combinations here. Shockwave transforms into a massive Space Cannon that you can customize to look as you want it, the twin Gatling gun shields becoming the main laser array and lighting up. It spins, rotates, and looks fairly menacing there on its special tripod stand.

Shockwave has of course been painting with the same detailed applications I’m known for with various shading, highlights, metallic colors, and he’s even been sealed for extra protection. With a little ingenuity you can come up with a gun-mode for Shockwave (check my site and look at the old one) but I won’t show it here because EBay will require me to stick a gaudy orange plug on the end, heh. The light-up unit attaches to his back and can be plugged in to the different laser weapons he comes with. So, were you looking for the Shockwave to end all Shockwaves? I’m not making another like this. Know a diehard fan that would be your willing servant for life if you gave them this? Then don’t pass this auction up! Now for the pics, and there’s a lot of them!”

There is still time to bid on Jin Saotome’s Custom Shockwave Transformer on eBay so get on it!

Having not seen any 2009 Camero Bumblebee’s in the stores, I am tempted to buy this work of art. After being criticized for the poor condition of Bumblebee’s vehicle mode as a ‘77 Camero, he scans a passing 2009 preproduction Camero and Jin has captured Bumblebee’s movie essence with this latest custom. Aside from the immaculate paint job, Jin has made some other additions that compliment the figure nicely. First, he provided a movie accurate head, which many of the current Transformers toys are lacking. Second, he added a removable arm cannon that slips off his shoulder so you can have increased poseability. It is this attention to detail that makes Jin’s customs very sought after. Jon goes on to explain more about his custom:

“This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Handle it, pose it, just don’t give it to your little brother to play outside with. You’ll find that my custom figure designs are durable and look great as well. Now you can have the best of both worlds. It’s Bumblebee! This time the bee sports a new look with a new movie-accurate head and removable arm-cannon. He’s been repainted and detailed to look like the movie character with different effects such as shading, highlights, metallic paints, and weathering to his robot parts. Slip his right arm off at the shoulder and you can replace it with the cannon-arm, also jointed at the elbow for maximum poseability. Tho I don’t have his battlemask-head ready yet, it will probably be included in the auction so look for the added pictures later. Bumblebee transforms like the store-bought toy but it’s best to remove his new head so you don’t get it banged up underneath the vehicle. Oh, and no panel lines in car mode! There, he looks nice and clean this time. So, were you looking for a super-detailed Bumblebee with a face anyone can love? Know a friend that needs a hand? A cannon-hand? Heheh.. Then don’t pass this auction up!”

The cannon hand is a very welcome and much needed addition to Bumblebee. I have provided a side by side comparison of Jin’s Custom and Hasbro’s version. The cannon is definitely an addition that will net this custom big bucks in the auction arena:

Jin’s custom is available for bidding on eBay or you can check out more Custom Bumble Movie Transformers on my ActionFigureCustoms.com website.

Jin is at it again with this excellently crafted and movie accurate Custom Starscream from Transformers the Movie. One thing I really like about this custom is that the gray is spot on to what the military color is and, since Starscream copied a military vehicle for his alternate state, this custom brings that mode to life. Starscream spends a lot of time in the movie in his F22 mode so it is nice to see how Jin brings this aspect of Starscream to life. Let’s see how Jin describes his process for creating Starscream:

This time around I’ve given SS completely new redesigned, fully poseable arms with hands. Finally he can look as menacing as he did onscreen, ready to rip his Autobot opponents apart with deadly digits! The arms can be removed for jet-mode in order to give it a slimmed down look like the real Raptor F-22. Starscream’s head is now on a ball-joint that allows him to look around in all positions as well. The tan paintscheme has been replaced with gray, much like the real F-22’s look and fully loaded with shading, weathering, highlights, and multiple metallic tones on his robot body. Check out his face… Starscream looks downright evil now just as he should! Check out the classic Air Force symbol on his wing in the correct place. So, were you looking for a darker, grittier Starscream for your collection? Know a friend in the Air Force who flies one of these F-22 Raptors? Then don’t pass this auction up!!

I would agree! Do not pass this auction up! The addition of ball joints is a very nice add to the figure as many times Transformers suffer from the lack of poseability. Putting his head on a balljoint was a great detail to add as you can bring Starscreams’s persona to life. You can bid on more Custom Transformers on eBay!

One of the iconic and classic Transformers of the last 20 years, Optimus Prime is the heroic leader of the Autobots. Although not like the original truck and trailer from the cartoon, Optimus has been reborn into a Peterbilt Semi with some attitude.

Jin Saotome, one of the most talented customizers I have seen, has take this Leaderclass Prime to a level many dream of. In his own words, he describes how he has customized this legend:

“This custom has been painted with an exceptional level of detail, and with paint that’s not going to rub or flake off. Handle it, pose it, just don’t give it to your little brother to play outside with. You’ll find that my custom figure designs are durable and look great as well. Now you can have the best of both worlds. You asked for it, you emailed me, you pleaded, and eventually I had to give in. Your Leader Class Prime is finished! It took a long time opening him up and taking out the gears, springs, and other parts to get inside his head. But it was worth the rewiring and now his eyes LIGHT UP BLUE! This was my #1 goal for the figure because his eyes are blue in the movie, however the store-bought toy featured yellow ones. So a high-powered blue LED was painstakingly installed just for you, the scrutinizing collector. But wait.. what’s Prime without his sword? Fold his hand back and attach the nearly six-inch long sword, powerful rare-earth magnets hold it firmly in place! The magnets are buried out of sight in the base of his hand and you can practically lift the figure up by the sword, they’re so strong! Do not get his right hand near your monitor, hard drive, or any other device that can be disrupted by high powered magnets.

Prime has been carefully repainted with various metalics, washes, highlights, and realistic details that bring out his robotic and vehicle form to their fullest. Screw holes have been filled and sanded smooth for a uniform look. Speaking of details you simply must check out Prime’s face! Not only are the inner sections of his eye painted but also you can see the Cybertronian hieroglyphics on his cheeks. All of Prime’s robot parts have various weathering and detailing done to make them look like real metal. In truck mode each of Prime’s blue lights have been detailed, the grille, rims, and whatever else needed to be painted in order to mimic the onscreen look of the vehicle. Prime has real metal smokestacks!! They can be removed for robot form and are slanted at the tip. Be careful you don’t put your hand down on them because they’re fairly pointy and will punch a hole in you. Now we know why Hasbro gives Prime short stacks each time, heh..”

If you want to own a piece of art, don’t let this one pass you by. You can find this custom and others on eBay!