Muttpop Blog

Inspired By Gobi

Muttpop — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:36:00 -0400

Yet again, Gobi inspires the Muttpop Crew! The first pic is my homage to Gobi's Butcher book pic, followed by wonderful homages by Ohm (lead artist of our upcoming Tcho By Ohm line), Tanquerelle (artist of Luchadoritos), Jerry, and finally Gobi's original pic.

Just to give you some context, Gobi and Jerry's latest Tequila story has a sequence in a meat butcher shop. Gobi was able to find the glorious photo book of butchered meats from his local butcher in preparation for illustrating the sequence in comic form. The picture was so classic that we all had to chime in with our own rendition.

Actually, reality is we're all exhibitionists that love to share our hairy nipples with the world. God bless the world wide web.

Molly Round 3

Muttpop — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:20:00 -0400

At this stage of Molly's sculpt, Lester and Erick really cleaned her up by transferring their sculpting from Sculpey to Wax and refining all the details through melting and shaping the wax. Wax is great for making things super clean and tight. But there's always a loss in crucial nuances when transferring the sculpt from Sculpey to Wax.

When going from Sculpey to Wax a silicon mold is made to capture the shape of the sculpey form. Once that cools down, liquid wax is poured into the silicone mold and, once it cools and hardens you have a wax recreation of the original sculpey figure. Unfortunately when making the silicone molds, you see anywhere from a 3-5% shrinkage in the shape of the figure... and depending on how the silicone reacts to cooling down, the finer details of the figure and subtle shapes are lost.

We were very disappointed with how the figure looked at this stage. The figure looks very stiff and blocky. The face looked like a puppet instead of a living, breathing being. The posture came across as clunky and stiff (especially from the front). The wrinkles at the knees had a very unnatural sharp edge. The gloves looked super heavy. Even at this stage there were a lot of things to address.

Check back next Tuesday to see how the Sosa Bros. tackled the various problems.

Lucha Libre 5 In Comic Stores Now

Muttpop — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:03:00 -0400

The latest issue of Lucha Libre 5 is now officially in finer comic shops across the US. Below are my comic purchases of the week. Best comic of the week? Lucha Libre Comics 5, of course!

Molly Round 2

Muttpop — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:29:00 -0400

As Lester and Erick Sosa continued sculpting Molly, we felt things were going in the wrong direction. In the earlier stages of sculpting there was an energy and dynamic nature to Molly that was lacking at this stage. The head and hands became unnecessarily large. The arms looked okay from a profile perspective but too thick from the front. Molly's chest began looking like a breast implant job gone wrong. All of these issues were addressed to the Sosa brothers and Muttpop was assured that the appropriate changes would be made to address them.

Lakers Revenge 2009

Muttpop — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:40:00 -0400

Despite a shaky offset in the Postseason, Celtics have rightfully become 2008 NBA Champions. So why is it that we've been hearing more about Kobe and the Lakers since the Season's end?

The Inglewood-native Paul Pierce will forever be known as a traitor who went out like a 3 year old baby who acts all tough after a fall and then starts crying hysterically when he sees a little drop of blood come out a scabbed knee (no man would be carried out of a gymnasium like THIS). Yeah, he came back and knocked a couple of 3's on the Lakes to set the tone of the series... but I'll always remember Pauly as that chump who cried like a baby over a non-injury. Kudos do go to Paul for being such a good sport about the debacle (as can be seen on his hilarious appearance on the Kimmel Show)... but, damn it, if the Celtics are partying for 7 days straight and STILL plan on going to Vegas, it suggests that deep down inside the Celtics know this will be their ONE AND ONLY CHAMPIONSHIP.

If that embarrassing Laker NBA Finals implosion and utter annihilation by the Celtics in Game 6 wasn't enough to teach Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol to grow some bigger huevos... I'm sure Shaq's freestyle rap in which he's got a NY crowd chanting "Kobe couldn't do it without me" and "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes" (see below) will get Kobe and the rest of the Lakers focused for the next NBA season and the many more to come. If anything, all of this just brings more drama to Los Angeles. We thrive on drama, so keep on bringing it. It'll all help bring the focus necessary to win many Championships in the years to come!

Oh yeah, and Shaq, damn you for bringing that vile image into my head!

Molly Round 1

Muttpop — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:11:00 -0400

Great things always have to start somewhere. For Molly, her three dimensional form started with the initial sculpting skills of Lester and Erick Sosa. The figure was super raw at this stage. It's almost like a sculptural sketch... but you can see glimpses of Molly's personality shining through the clumps of clay.

I wonder what Lester was thinking as he brought shape to Molly's more feminine qualities?

Lucha Libre Postcards

Muttpop — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:06:00 -0400

I hate these postcards. It's because of these damned postcards that I was held hostage at Jerry's place at prime Lunch time hours. Luckily, the UPS truck came right as my stomach began it's uncontrollable pangs of hunger. That smile on my face isn't me professing the beauty of the postcards design. It's me thinking, "Delta Taco Carnitas, here I come!".

Perfecting The Molly Pose

Muttpop — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:50:00 -0400

We're proud to announce that Molly's on her way from China. We expect to have her in stores in July or August. Lucky me. Bachelor party, marriage, Bill in the US, SDCC, signings, and Molly. July is going to be one helluva month.

When we started production on Molly, we asked Fabien (artist of Tikitis and our upcoming King Katch figure) to create the perfect Molly pose. We wanted to find a pose and expression that was attractive, cute and sexy but still captured the youth and energy of a teenage female. From the get go, Fabien nailed the pose. But it took a little longer to get the proper expression.

Savin (Molly's creator) felt our original pose and expression lacked the toughness and determination that Molly instilled. After testing out a different pose with a tougher expression, we settled on the original more dynamic pose and a grimmer expression. The sculpt pose is a mix of the best elements from the first one on top and the second one in the middle.

My fiance doesn't appreciate Molly's boobies. Then again, my fiance used to torture her Barbies. Maybe I should start locking up my Toy Cabinet...

Lucha Libre Comics Promo Posters

Muttpop — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:20:00 -0400

As I mentioned earlier, in a few months French editions of the Luchadores 5, Tequila and Tikitis comics from our Lucha Libre Anthology will be reprinted in the Hardcover Album Format. This is a big deal for our Frenchie enthusiasts. Being published as a hardcover album is an indirect way of saying, "Well I'll be damned, we've made it into the big leagues!". Why? Don't ask me, I'm no frenchie... but as an in the closet US-bred comic geek (I'm too cool for that crap!), I assume it's all about ritual. For years, French Comic fans have accumulated collections of these massive oversized hardcover comics. Now they can finally purchase our Lucha Libre comics in a form that they deem suitable to sit alongside the other "treasures" of their collection.

Hmmm... so the French comics "standard" is oversized books to be proudly embellished on bookshelves. The US standard are teeny weeny floppy mini-magazines that US collectors hide in polybag condoms and store in white boxes on closet floors. What does that say about the psychological of the French and US comic collector??? On that note, does the same psychology apply to French VS. American Porn? Any reference pictures for this unofficial study are welcome! :-)

Below are the poster designs mustered up by Jerry with some ancient text by yours truly (Muttpop Bob).

The Lost Art of Hacky Sack

Muttpop — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:12:00 -0400

Forget Skateboards and Surfing. The REAL sport of the 80s is the Hacky Sack. It was so bad ass that I'm convinced it inspired the Crips Walk. What other sport can make gangstas dance?!

Say What?!

Muttpop — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:05:00 -0400

Kozik El Brujo Narco Satanico. Ebay. $400+. Since the photos being used in the auction were created with a much younger Jerry's sweat, tears, and mouse-clicks, shouldn't Muttpop get 20% of the final sale? ;-)

Either way we're shocked, flattered, and awed to see that there's still some demand for the oldest bastard child of the Kozik X Muttpop lovefest. I feel like a 50 year old dude going to his favorite Strip Club, and discovering that his 18 year old daughter is the headlining stripper. Don't expect me to be giving El Brujo any tip$, but I'll proudly watch the show!

MPB Divine Cabinet of Perfection

Muttpop — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:11:00 -0400

Here's a rare glimpse at my "Divine Cabinet of Perfection". Seeing it with your own eyes is equal to things like King Tut's tomb or that fake Jesus towel. It's way better than that overrated "Body Works" exhibit of embalmed dead people.

While the majority of you have generic Ikea display cases made by Chinese robots, my display case was made 100s of years ago by skilled carpenters in the dry lands of India! Each panel of wood has the scars of hardship and Nature's scorn. It's the PERFECT cacoon for our figures (the GUTS of Muttpop).

While I wait to fill the remaining 2 shelves with more Muttpop perfection, I'm keeping those shelves busy with only the finest of Japanese Kaiju and some sentimental Western classics.

Jerry nearly sobbed of jealousy when he saw my cabinet. Photos can do it no justice... but alas there is no other way to capture it's beauty.

I Heart Jack Kirby

Muttpop — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:38:00 -0400

Kirby's work looked like the renderings of a neanderthal who'd been displaced in 1970s America, took way more acid than any homosapien could handle and draw by gunpoint.

If pencils were penises, Jack Kirby's would be a 'roided out monster cock. It'd look like ManDingo on 10 viagra pills after staying celibate for 20 years. The tip of his pencil was the "Dirk Diggler" of American Superhero comics. He left his spunky finish on the industry and no matter how many times the industry tries to wash it out with the harshest of bleaches the residue and smell of his spunk can still be seen all. But only the true fan can recognize it's look and odor...

Here are some Kirby books from my personal collection:

Lucha Libre Masks

Muttpop — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:56:00 -0400

I just received a few nice Lucha Libre Mask I purchased online.

A few years ago, I had a gorgeous Blue DOS CARAS mask... but Gobi fell in love with it during his first visit to Los Angeles and (being the swell guy that I am) I gave it to Gobi. Upon seeing the mask, Gobi's eyes just lit up... and when I'd catch him ravenously putting on the damned thing in the mirror every time I left him alone for a second I had to give it to the crazy feller. Plus he has major issues with drooling and allergies... and seeing the inhuman amounts of snot and slobber Gobi would leave on the mask, I concluded that I could either concede and give the mask to Gobi or throw the thing away. Gobi's excrements are toxic... sort of like that alien from that movie (why do I always forget the name of that damned movie!?)...

Anyways, Bills coming into town in July so I figured I should prepare for his visit. This time I have 3 masks. I'm hoping that I'll be left with at least one of them by the time Bill leaves. But before Bill even arrives I want to make sure I choose my favorite and mark my territory with a ritualistic jock itch rub down... there's no way I can get jock itch on my face, right?

So, what mask makes me look SEXAY? Sexay like bull. No sexay like kitten.

Vote For Lucha Libre Comics!

Muttpop — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:12:00 -0400

If any of you can be considered Comic Book Professionals, don't forget to vote for our Lucha Libre Comics as "Best Humor Publication" in the 2008 Eisner Awards. I know we're damned funny... but we need to prove it to the rest of the world. Let's win this award and prove our dominance in the world of comic book humor. Laugh. LAUGH, DAMN IT. I command you (and vote!)! Deadline to submit your Eisner Award votes is midnight Pacific Standard Time this Friday, June 13th. CLICK HERE TO CREATE AND SUBMIT YOUR EISNER BALLOT.

Super7 Issue 17 Muttpop Ad

Muttpop — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:27:00 -0400

Here's a peak at our ad in the upcoming Super7 #17. We love what Super7's been up to and wanted to show them some support. Some of you may recall us doing Tequila ads in Super7 way back in issues 11 and 12. So in some strange way this is a bit of a reunion.

This time around we took inspiration from the amazing montage Suffy did. The book/magazine won't be out until the end of 2008. But we couldn't help but share it with you guys!

Dr. Destruction Wild Edition On Sale Now Exclusively @ SelectStartNow.com

Muttpop — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:37:00 -0400

Dr. Destruction Wild Edition is now on sale at SelectStartNow.com!SelectStartNow is the exclusive US Retailer for Dr. Destruction Wild Edition. This particular color way is the perfect clown prince to brighten those annoying dark nights...

SelectStartNow is a new kid in the online retail biz who's already got some big things brewing. We're honored that they decided to start things of with a wild bang!

CLICK HERE for more information on how you can purchase Dr. Destruction Wild Edition from Select Start Now.

Dirty Hands: The Art & Crimes of David Choe

Muttpop — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:12:00 -0400

Mista Hippo informed me that the World Premiere of "Dirty Hands: The Art & Crimes of David Choe" will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 26th at the Mann Festival Theatre. I doubt I'll be able to make it to the premiere, but I'm going to do my best to see one of the following showings during the subsequent weekend.

David Choe is amazing. His life is as interesting as his work. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the 1997 Wondercon (shortly after the release of his mind-fucking Xeric-grant "Slow Jams" comic). He was a super cool dude.

If you ever find a copy of "Slow Jams", read it. Best masturbation sequence ever captured on paper (any dude will appreciate Choe's authenticity!).

Since the release of "Slow Jams", Choe found plenty of well deserved attention and success. You can find many of his beautiful illustrations in older issues of Giant Robot magazine. His art has been circulating the fine art world for many, many years. You'll occasionaly find his mural work in various places around the world (his amazing redesign of The Kitchen on Sunset and Fountain is a walking distance from Jerry's house!).

I recall his crazy debacle with Marvel Comics when he had done preliminary work on NYX with Brian Wood. I was blown away to find out that Choe was arrested in Japan for stealing days before an art show and was stuck in a Japanese prison for months only to find God while doing art on napkins with his food and bodily fluids. It was a pleasure to find Choe backed away from his spiritual awakening to find the same thrills he found in stealing by gambling in Vegas and screwing The Man by winning hundreds of thousands in Black Jack. You'd think his life was a big fairy tale if it weren't for the pictures.

Oh yeah, and his art? Raw, honest, dirty, and fuckin' beautiful.

Here's the trailer for the film:

Sexy Album Covers

Muttpop — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:43:00 -0400

Damn these guys are good!

Here's the Cover Art for the Oversized Hardcover Albums of Luchadores 5 (by Bill), Tikitis (by Fabien), and Tequila (by Gobi).

I'm graced with the presence of artistic bandits.

Casanova: The Twins @ Work

Muttpop — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:09:00 -0400

I'm sad to see Casanova go on hiatus. It was my second favorite book at Image (our Lucha Libre Comics will ALWAYS be #1!) while it's run lasted.

Fraction's stories were dense with a manic energy that Gabriel Ba gave a sexy steely cool energy to. After the first story arc was complete, Ba left to do big things with Gerard Way on Dark Horse's "Umbrella Academy". And just as I was ready to proclaim the magic was all over, Ba's twin bother Fabio Moon came in and won me over with his suave brush work.

Now that Moon's story arc is complete, I've decided to accept that the magic on Casanova struck twice. Ba's art is fucking. Moon's is making love. And, damn it, I love them both!

I adore this video because it brings to light the contrasts in the Brazilian twins work. One's right handed. The other is left handed. One prefers inking in pens. The other prefers inking with brush. Ones grungy. The other's clean cut.

Brilliant artists on a brilliant series. Now, go out there, get famous... and come back to doing more Casanova!!!

Oban Star Racer Molly Black Bean

Muttpop — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:52:00 -0400

We've just got news from our factory they they are in the final stages of production on our Molly figure based on the Oban Star Racers Animated Series. The timing couldn't be better since Oban Star Racers is finally available on DVD in the States. It's a great series... and (I may be a little biased) our Molly figure more than does it justice.

We made Molly in scale with our premiere Lucha Libre figures. So if you want a little inter-galactic/universe crossover action to see whether Molly or Red Demon would win in a mano-a-mano brawl, you can. But please do not use our figures to act out some tormented romantic fantasy... you can leave that stuff with your older sister's Barbie dolls.

Here's the first official glimpse at Molly Black Bean!

Girlfriends, Hula, and Wii Fit

Muttpop — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:01:00 -0400

If this doesn't make you a Wii Fit convert, NOTHING will. It's like one of the better episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance"... only nobody's pretending it's Art. God bless YouTube.

Click through to see the video in question. Genius marketing or fan boy posturing? Either way, it's brilliant!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Muttpop — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:40:00 -0400

My college buddy Greg was visiting from Shanghai. At his request we ended up watching the latest Indiana Jones film. I'm surprised to say that I really dug it!

This is the first "Summer" film I've seen this year (nope, haven't seen "Iron Man"). I knew little to nothing about that film which was probably the best thing I did. I'm notorious for spoiling films by reading too much about them prior to their release. Lately, I'm spending less and less time following films and it's indirectly resulted in fully enjoying the films I choose to watch.

The film isn't perfect (what film is?) but its positives far outweigh the negatives. Some of the more CGI-focused visuals were unnecessarily over-the-top but it was all counter balanced with some good old-fashioned physical stunts.

I forgot how much of Indiana Jones is driven by action. At times it felt like a silent film whose story was completely told by the action and reactions of the characters. The fact that all aspects of the action on screen were conveyed clearly and dynamically attests to Spielberg's superior sense of Direction.

I also came to realize the importance of Indiana Jones on our pop-culture psyche. The English have James Bond. We have Indiana Jones. On so many levels Indy embodies the American Spirit. He's got the cowboy hat. He's constantly exploring new ideas (which fittingly come from naive interpretations of foreign cultures). He acts before he thinks and miraculously escapes the most dangerous of situations. I love the purity and timelessness of it all. And when you carry through the symbol of Indy, his discovery in this film is a very fitting one (even if they reveal far more than I would have hoped).

Drixmok Vs. Tequila

Muttpop — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:21:00 -0400

Here's "The Great Escape", a beautiful stop-motion animated short done by Drixmok (from France). Tequila never looked more animated!

Summer of Change 08

Muttpop — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:03:00 -0400

I am surrounded by Mad Scientists!

Obviously, Jerry's a mad scientist. So happens to be my near-future Father-In-Law.

By day, Mr. Capron earns his keep as an Engineer. By night he's tinkering away on his many "mad" ideas like Conversant Car technology, Plankton-based energy creation, or his legendary recumbent bicycle.

He recently submitted his Conversant Car idea to the California Summer of Change '08 initiative. CHECK IT OUT HERE. If interested, vote for his video (it's video 159). I've also included the videos below for your viewing pleasure.

Mad respect for his brilliant usage of Hot Wheels cars. That alone is worthy of the view!

Lost Winds Wii Ware

Muttpop — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:51:00 -0400

While everybody else is lining up to spend 80 bucks on Wii Fit so that they can be told how fat they are by a video game, I'm happily chillin' at home with the wonderful Lost Winds on my Nintendo Wii. Don't bother looking for the game at your local Gamestop. This game is downloadable via Wii Ware only. For $10 purchase on your credit card via wireless internet to your Wii you get a nice short and sweet game filled with whimsy that should keep you busy for about 2-3 hours.

The games a decent mix of Metroid, Okami, and Ico. It's world is a fairly open 2D action game (like Metroid) which uses Wii controller operated wind mechanics (sort like Okami) to control a boy with a funny hat around a serene environment with the occasional puzzle or enemy. As you get more powers and solve puzzles more areas open for you to explore.

I've played about an and hour and a half so far. So far, so good. It all feels familiar... but it's fun and has a nice sense of art direction.

Go Lakers!

Muttpop — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:36:00 -0400

Spurs are going to be tough, but I think the Lakers can handle them.

Lamar needs to be huge in this series. He's been the X-factor in every series thus far.

Call me crazy, but I think this'll be the breakout series for Vlad. Laker fans have been way too hard on the guy. The last two games of the Utah series suggest he's finally finding a nice role on the team...

It's about due time for another Championship. :-)

Lucha Libre Comics and Urinal Video Games

Muttpop — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:26:00 -0400

Two things you can blame those Beer Chugging Belgians for inventing.

Blowing up aliens or bowling with my pee sounds like fun. I'm just not sure how I feel about sharing a urinal with a pee buddy.

CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE HERE.

Muttpop Fan Art

Muttpop — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:53:00 -0400

We just added a new Fan Photo and Art section. Do you have a gorgeous photo of your Muttpop toy collection? Proud of that kick ass Red Demon illustration you just drew? Share it with us and weʼll post it on our site! Send your favorite photos and illustrations to: info@muttpop.com

Muto by Blu

Muttpop — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:50:00 -0400

Muto is an amazing stop animation/short film created by Blu on the streets of Buenos Aires.

It's visions are deeply inspiring. Whatever Blu is working on next, I'll be sure to follow!

Check out his WEBSITE and BLOG.

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.