(okay not actual action figures, just OOAK customs. But a brotha can dream...)
All images and designs Copyright(c) and TM 2000-2010 Shawn James
Way, way, way back in 2002 I was quite passionate about my first published book Isis. So passionate I had plans for action figures. Looking back at the merchandise I designed I was a little overzealous.
These crude custom action figures were my interpretations (yours may vary when you read the book) of what the main characters Isis and E’steem looked like. I did my best to maintain the spirit of my sketches as I translated the designs I drew into three dimensions.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOnskAk36ieOj5QDTgj-rlzy0ojwuY6BeMJD6nqiMsQV7RSpn8bxklmSCgw0Z1YVBqcC773zps7CSSzuHPcmL5KA9TJs8-gFBvK0ccSsuCRtYK7JEV8SDv0Di72IbtXFaw5vGkAcY4rCh/s400/ISIS+Custom+action+figure.jpg)
Isis is made from an X-men the movie 2-pack Movie Storm.I went with the Movie Storm because back then because I thought Halle Berry would make a good Isis (Then I saw Catwoman and changed my mind). The head was shaved and re-rooted with Autumn Brown Curly Hair. The kilt and blouse were sewn from an old shirt. Gauntlet bracelets were a metrocard, epoxy putty and painted over with chrome nail polish.
Concept sketches and final product. (Note the shirt was changed to a more conservative design)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1H1R7g4nazUoUSz7tLZWttVcvuykDtiJX2ok5xrcpNBGSTDFP5TpZunD7NCjwCcDqrqg7o_MLA-Obi7YQHmRMTxUNqJt_Yazzu58V_0GYTVdNJ8tHK7RsazmjuMJFiWhWB_uvnNdWNNB/s400/isis+concept.jpg)
E’steem was the Storm from that 2-pack and some Famous Covers Psylocke feet. I chose that figure because-well-it was there. The head was shaved and re-rooted with black hair. Strangely, once rooted with black hair it looked kinda like the actress who inspired E’steem, Salli Richardson-Whitfield (E’steem always sounds like Salli Richardson when I’m writing her). Eyes were re-painted, along with finger and toenails. Horns were sculpted from epoxy putty. A dress was made from an old T-shirt.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GUrSs7gFu6GyZQ-2Xnnr0i3YgSGUBuUzgJNaB7Bj6YsQ02-xwN1HMPRSM-b_WrfoXvxV2kJCa_MWb_bouhbuCamauVOLcPWq2pQWzT3yOtexX0NGzO_yTHP72a7bDhCO_z5U816Nz53F/s400/E'steem+Evolutionconcept+to+figure.jpg)
More concept sketches and final product. Those Horns they are a changin! (mostly cause Shawn can’t sculpt for crap) Oh yeah, the paint has REALLY faded on this one; it’s over eight years old. The sketches are ten years old. I’m so ever expedient!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HNjhB_vixi9x1kHX4h9wLacJsWWwqOiFQOkMvU3h7d4yYDO3gVcq85J7TwxgGZw9AeRqJ01PCbtalF3AmU8El51E9LBmdzeyxmDidAOpbHQB9OQ_EBAFeilaz_KwM_RfZDvy7HSuj0QK/s400/E'steem+evolution+2+copy.jpg)
I also made a “deluxe” Final Battle E’steem a few years later using the same recipe but with a pair of Annhilus wings from Marvel Legends screwed in the back.
This figure has a HUGE 24" Wingspan! It was hard to get it all in the photograph!
No Concept sketch on this one. Designed it from an idea in my head. Used a new paint and drybrush/wash techniques on Final Battle Esteem; that’s why her fleshtone matches her head!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ScSiwvapzGAnbIC2CBwpv23eyF_zDfZe6lxSbRUx4byk9rk87gYCOcyP_3tOOzRahHAYWQq09I7xMN2G5OuSa8C3KCPEL4lHNDZiajYNb-p0qPM_rXCIdSFk2eaI1WQiIFiS9tOWAhtG/s400/winged+E%27steem+final+battle2.jpg)
Also a deluxe "Modern Age" Isis in her "black costume from a concept sketch:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomjheqcPUIEoiGJzXr4QqHvop77C9fd9mitp4zwbErqYqYnC5UIIlhlk39sn3rG-l7u55bA8rI3thNXMLeWIMcqzHO4A5VynpJ3Mnn9SAs5p_vd_B8Ra82wU6jvz-B9fgC-dtZXv5e9YB/s400/Modern+Isis+collage.jpg)
I thought they were cool when I made them and they still reside atop my bookcase with display copies of my novels.
I still get asked if I’d make a Cassandra Lee (with Muffin) or a Marilyn Marie (CENSORED) to join the goddesses, but it ain’t gonna happen. I’ve since outgrown doing stuff like this for my books.
But I have to wonder if people would the pepople who bought the book buy Isis action figures If I were able to have them mass produced?
hi, new to the site, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in buying them my email is luckycheckered@aim.com