Clea's Cave

You Had To Be There

w00t ~ Eternity Project is Complete!

i'm w00ting my own horn because i helped do this.  Check out the Mego Museum Board, where Dr. Strange überfan Howard Hallis has posted photos of the custom Eternity figure, an eighteen month project he just completed.  i made the costumes with amazing cotton celestial prints Howard located, but discovered in the process that there is a damn good reason superheroes and vast cosmic entities usually wear spandex.  The 13 inch Lex Luthor figure used for the custom was extremely musclebound, with tiny wrists and ankles and a wasp waist.  In order to get any degree if fit, the entire inseam of the outfit had to be velcroed.  But the two fabrics  and the reversible cape and cowl make him able to recede into the cape, or move into focus, as you can see in the photos.  HH's father-in-law, Michael Blair, did the fine custom paint job.

And the packaging, which pulls the illusion off, is the real deal.  My favorite bit is the back of the box, with all the other Dr. Strange related toys we deeply wish we could have, including other Strange-related customs and the Defendersmobile.  Yesterday it was decided that i completely love the Living Tribunal custom, and must make one myself.  Hey, i don't even have to sew clothes!

Thanks again, Howard, for the chance to warp time and space!

Technorati Tags: Dr. Strange

Introducing The New Guy

A while back we had BJD Portraits #3, Hypermaniac Na-Hu, introducing my doll Bero.  He has become Grisha, and now lives with my friend, so this fellow could come from Korea as part of an elaborate transaction which felt more like a very friendly hostage exchange than a sale.  A sacrifice was necessary to get such a rare doll, and if Bero couldn't have gone to a friend, i would have passed on obtaining Lander. But eventually everything turned out for the best.  Lander is a Hypermaniac Omicron, the doll i've most wanted and been unable to obtain until now.  Much of the info about Na-Hu applies to this older Hyperdoll, but Lander is taller (67cm), heavier, and more mature in appearance.  His unique faceup is by Mikiko, who also did the face on my Volks MSD Margaret.

Wearing nifty gear and circuit board eyes.

Playing rock star.

His 'everyday' look at present.  i can't stop looking at him.

Mr. X From Wales

From the I've Got A Secret TV show, 1963.

Thanks to the wonderful Fear Is A Mans Best Friend and Here Comes The Flood. Mr. X does indeed have a whim of iron.

Boo! New Was (Not Was) CD

In Stores April 8th, or ORDER HERE.  Check out this review of a recent L.A. show.  They are one of the best live acts i've ever seen - sure wish i'd been there!

Jack Parsons in Make Magazine

Another near  miss, my brother alerted me to Make Magazine 13, which has a great piece by Gareth Branwyn on the rocketry of scientist/magickian Jack Parsons.  As Keith knows, i'm kind of obsessed with Parsons, and this is a great introduction to the geeky side of Jack.  Much of the research came from  George Pendle's Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons, which is one of two Parsons bios.  Like Aleister Crowley, he really needs to be viewed by more than one biographical perspective, so i'd also recommend the pseudonymous Sex and Rockets: The Occult World of Jack Parsons, for the big picture.  Parson's own writings, Freedom Is A Two Edged Sword, is currently out of print, but you can read good samples around the web, like right here.

The coolest thing for me about Branwyn's article is the fantastic "Rocket Scientist of Satan!" comic book cover by friend of Clea's Cave and Dr. Strange superfan Howard Hallis.  You can see this 2003 lenticular digital collage amusingly animated here.  Prepare to wander his website for a while... and do not miss The Picture Of Everything.

Regis Is Really, Really Basque

Since i'm unemployed, i really should be getting up in the morning and watching Regis and Kelly. Years ago it was a goofy guilty pleasure, and i miss stuff like this, courtesy of the New York Basque Club, the oldest Basque club in the U.S..