ZMFTS Update Log (2008)

I'm always making little changes here and there to the site that won't merit a mention in the updates log, but just about anything new that I've added to the site can be found here.  Keep in mind that some links on this page will no longer work as the site continues to evolve.  Always start from the home page to find the most recent links!  

(11/4/2008)

KITBASHES:

• I just rebuilt and repainted a couple of PVC figures of Jazz and Bumblebee as they appear in the pages of Marvel Comics.  Bask in the glory of oldskool Transformers rendered entirely in primary colors!  (Will I ever get tired of painting these little things?  Probably not.)

(9/28/2008)

There are approximately 200 projects I've got on my to-do list (I am not exaggerating), but it's difficult to make any headway when I'm constantly coming up with new project ideas.  Ah, the curse of being a creative genius.

KITBASHES:

• I've got five new PVC figures done for this month.  (If I keep averaging one new project a week, I should finally be done by 2012 or so.  It's nice to have goals.)  The first one is a vehicle-mode version of Huffer towing Optimus Prime's trailer, as seen in "Heavy Metal War."  I also did two of Omega Supreme's cousin robots, a Quintesson-controlled Dark Guardian from "Forever is a Long Time Coming," and a Guardian Robot from the Golden Age of Cybertron, as seen in "War Dawn."  I finally got around to doing a Marvel Comics version of Soundwave, complete with alternate color scheme, goofy pose, and even an interchangeable alternate head sculpt.  Finally, I did a super-shiny version of Starscream as he appears in the first-season Beast Wars episode "Possession."

(8/25/2008)

KITBASHES:

• I just finished up a couple of new Robot Heroes repaints based on generic background characters.  One of them is a Decepticon Triple Changer with a decidedly Aerialbot-style color scheme, originally appearing in "Five Faces of Darkness" part 4, that I've named Commando Raid.  The other is from issue #5 of the Marvel Comics TRANSFORMERS series, and was the Sunstreaker-like Autobot blasted in the crotch by Shockwave; I call him Cherry Bomb.
• Another background character from the comics I've been wanting to do for a long time is an Autobot I've named Crossroads, who appears at the beginning of issue #4.  This one is a repaint of the Brawn keychain in decidedly Marvel Comics style colors.
• I've also uploaded pictures of the custom cartoon labels for all five Combaticons (plus Bruticus) that I designed for Delta Star at reprolabels.com, including an exclusive look at the original prototypes and how they differ from the finished versions.
• Finally, I've ventured into doing Knight Rider projects and recently finished up the first two of what will probably be several.  One is a fairly straightforward rendering of K.I.T.T. in 1/64 scale die-cast format, but it's super-detailed and significantly more television-accurate than most of the existing official toys.  The other is a larger 1/25 scale model of K.I.T.T. by AMT/Ertl that I painted, assembled, and to which I also added some special modifications.

(7/3/2008)

Managed to sneak a few new projects past the baby while he was napping.  (Shhh.  Don't click your mouse so loud!)

KITBASHES:

• I recently got a beat-up old G1 Scourge on eBay and decided to fix it up.  Not only did he get a new coat of paint to bring him more in synch with his animated appearance, but I gave him big, pink claws and the ability to raise or lower his head in vehicle mode!  Check it out!
• I also built a tiny little die-cast scale version of Galvatron in cannon mode.  (I have tentative plans to address all the Autobots and Decepticons from The Transformers: the Movie, eventually.  Wish me luck.)
• Additionally, I finished die-cast versions of Punch and Counterpunch, one of the few characters introduced in "The Rebirth" based on a recognizable (read: Earth-based) vehicle form.
• Several months ago I did a version of Ramone from the Disney/Pixar film Cars with his hydraulic pistons extended.  (I've had all these ideas for projects that Mattel keeps beating me to.  I figure there's no way they could actually sell a toy like this, though, so I'm probably safe.  Maybe.)
• Finally, I finished up my LEGO mini-figure version of April O'Neil.  (Yes, I am very silly.)

(2/26/2008)

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the ZMFTS.  Obviously, this is pretty damn special.  I'm planning to put together a contest or something to commemorate this festive occasion, but I haven't quite worked out all the details.  Watch this space for more.

What have I been doing lately, you ask?  Watching Challenge of the GoBots on YouTube, mostly.  It's about the only useful thing I can do with a three-month-old baby in my lap.  Rediscovering the GoBots cartoon is so much fun.  (Seeing the show again was also required viewing in order for me to continue working on my crossover story "Children of Cybertron," so in fact, I've also been doing fanfic research, too!)

By the way, I have a special request to anyone who may be reading this.  I am in need of a small, plastic turtle for an upcoming set of Ninja Turtles kitbash projects.  Specifically, it was from a series called Wild Life Creatures and could be found in the 88¢ toy aisle at Wal-Mart.  I already have three of them, but my store stopped carrying these toys before I could collect a fourth one.  If you're a toy collector like me, you probably visit Wal-Mart on a regular basis anyway, so could you please look for one of these for me?  The UPC is 8-25131-00871 and it shipped in an assortment with other creatures (snakes, insects. etc.)  As a reward for your dilligent services, I'm offering your choice of either a carded Beast Wars Fuzors Quickstrike toy or a carded Fun-4-All G1 Bumblebee keychain toy.  Please e-mail me if you find one!  (Update: Found one.  Thanks to everyone who responded.)

VOICE ACTORS:

• I've put up an early version of my voice actor list for the Challenge of the GoBots cartoon show.  I welcome and encourage any comments, questions, and corrections you may have.  (You can check YouTube or Veoh if you need to reacquaint yourself with some of the episodes.)  I've also conducted an interview with one of the key actors from the GoBots cartoon, so I'll be uploading that as soon as I get it all formatted and everything.)