Action Figure Friday- MOTU Classics Intergalactic Skeletor!

I have been waiting for this guy for a while! The "New Adventures of He-Man" versions of Skeletor have been some of my favorite design for the menacing bonehead. This Classics version of Intergalactic Skeletor is based off of his first design in the 1989 He-Man toy line. So, like with most of the Masters of the Universe Classics toys, there are good and bad qualities. I am pretty impressed with this one, but do have a few complaints. Lets start with the good. The sculpt on this toy is downright amazing! I cannot say enough about the sculpting on this guy. All of the cybernetic hoses, pumps, and robot pieces sculpted fit so well with the look of a Skeletor that had to use a cybernetic virus to keep himself alive. There are a lot of newly sculpted pieces that really can't be used with any other action figure from the MOTU Classics line which makes him rather unique. Skelly here comes with his newly updated havoc staff that resembles the 1989 "He-Man" Skeletor version very well. Much like the sculpt on the action figure, the sculpt on this piece is fantastic. Lastly, he also comes with a removable helmet that is a beautiful update of the original and is a nice shining piece for this toy. The paint application on all of the sculpt is beautiful. There was a lot of thought that went into the design which kills me when looking at some of the thoughtless problems with this toy. 

Ok, so the main complaint I have for this guy is his neck. Instead of using a new torso for the buck, Mattel used an over armor piece to act as his skin. This is bad in two ways. One, the over piece makes Skeletor look way to big and bulky, and two is that his neck is so thick, it hinders the up and down movement of his head. Since he is no longer able to look up and down, he is constantly looking down. This only works if he is up higher than everybody else and is purposefully looking menacing down at everyone else. 

The next few complaints are minor to the first one. For my minor complaints, the first is that the over body piece is glued at the tabs. In the past, we've been able to take off the body armor or over piece, except on this one. Unless you want to destroy your armor trying to take it off of your Skeletor, it is basically glued into place. I'm not sure exactly why this was a must have decision. The only thing that I can think of is that the tabs don't hold well and had to be glued. The buck could have been changed and that would have fixed this and the first complaint. But, what do I know? Now the second thing is that his shoulders are swapped. They are essentially backwards. It just looks funny and this shouldn't be a problem by now. You wouldn't notice till you really look, but once you see it, its a bit distracting. The third complaint is that his hands are a bit soft, so he has a bit of a hard time holding his staff. This could be a safety fix, and if it is I can live with this complaint. Lastly, his staff does not have the same metallic sheen that his helmet has. Its not a big deal, but it stands out a bit and would have would have been a quick fix. I know its a bit late, but I kind of wish that these things could be straightened up before these go out to ship. For this line being out for many years now and the money that we as collectors pay for these pieces, some of these problems should not be occurring. And that's all for the complaints. 

Now Intergalactic Skeletor also came with a bonus piece. It is the battle damaged head of Faker. Now if I had the battle armor Faker, I'd have a blast with this head! Alas, though, I do not. So I have my extra head in lock up in the Classics Castle Grayskull. I do focus on the complaints sometimes when I look at my new Skeletor. Again, that is due to the cost I am paying for the toys and seeing the silly mistakes that should have been fixed before hand. I will have to say that the overall look and sculpt of this guy is some of the best for what we have seen so far in the Classics line. He is a perfect update to the 1989 "He-Man" Skeletor and really stands out among the Space Mutants of the MOTUC toy line. Now, I doubt that we will get so lucky to really have any more New Adventures characters in the Classics line. It seems that this might be the last year for these Classics run toys. Now, that might mean that they will be released under another name, but I am seriously doubting that we will see too many more of the New Adventures characters. With that being said, I'm a bit bummed because my favorite version of New Adventures Skeletor will probably not be made in the Classics toys. My favorite: Battle Blade Skeletor. Well, I am happy to have this one. Intergalactic Skeletor went on sale with mattycollector.com on August 15th. He is still available on mattycollector.com after almost two weeks. That's usually not a good sign. You can also find his on amazon.com.  


Recently, I was being filmed for a convention documentary called, Unconventional. You can see it here. While you are at it, you should check out Johnathan Paul's other video work here. 

Just to let you know all know, I am taking commissions. If you would like to commission me for original artwork, head over to the commissions tab in store to see how. 

Issue 5 of Xenex the Bug Man is available on indyplanet.com! I have all Xenex the Bug Man comic books available for print on demand. You can see that listing here on my store's tab for comic books. 

I have posted some new shirt designs in my Cafepress store. Head over to my Cafepress store and get a shirt or a couple! 

I have opened a storenvy.com shop to sell my toys. Here's the link: http://taylorlymbery.storenvy.com/

If you have not heard about the Podcast called, "Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff", then it's time I let you know! Jeff and I are on the show where we talk about toys! (Go figure, I mean Go action figure!) Seems simple enough. We pick out a toy line to discuss in each show. We share our childhood memories, our favorite five, and talk about the one toy in the line that got away. Jeff talks about how he cherished his toys and I talk about how they ended up in the garden! The other show is The pilot episode, where Jeff and Cory break down the Pilot Episode in TV series. The shows are great! If you are interested in what we got, go to Marvindogmedia.com  and give us a listen. You can subscribe to the shows on itunes and get up to date info on upcoming shows on facebook:

Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff on facebook
The Pilot Episode on facebook

If you like what we have, be sure to tell your friends! We need your word of mouth to help us keep making shows!

Painting of the Day- Battle Armored Baddies!

I am a big fan of classic illustration works from the Masters of the Universe toyline. Earl Norem, Rudy Obrero, and William George's paintings have inspired me to no end. For this piece, I really wanted to capture the classic look of Skeletor and his great cat, Panthor. I decided to do Battle Armor Skeletor and pair him with the new Classics Panthor helm to give his battle cat an armored look as well. I broke up the proportions a little on Skeletor to give him perspective but to also mimic the squatty-ness of the original toys. Snake Mountain in the background is a nod to how the MYP 200X series took care of the evil fortress. To keep the same classic appeal, I colored the snake in green much like the snake trap of the vintage playset. I have been adding an easter egg to my paintings of recent. I've hidden a tiny gray skull in the piece. There is also a tiny gray skull in my pieces, "Dragon Camp", and "Deep Space Drifter". Why a gray skull? I am a huge Masters of the Universe fan and I love Castle Grayskull! I will offer this piece as aprint at the upcoming Dallas Comic Con in May 2014. This piece is an acrylic painting on a 11" X 17" piece on poster cardstock. You can see this piece in my deviantart gallery as well here. 

Dallas Comic Con is this week! You can find my table in Artist Alley at A229. Stop by!

Just to let you know all know, I am taking commissions. If you would like to commission me for original artwork, head over to the commissions tab in store to see how. 

Issue 5 of Xenex the Bug Man is available on indyplanet.com! I have all Xenex the Bug Man comic books available for print on demand. You can see that listing here on my store's tab for comic books. 

I have posted some new shirt designs in my Cafepress store. Head over to my Cafepress store and get a shirt or a couple! 

I have opened a storenvy.com shop to sell my toys. Here's the link: http://taylorlymbery.storenvy.com/

If you have not heard about the Podcast called, "Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff", then it's time I let you know! Jeff and I are on the show where we talk about toys! (Go figure, I mean Go action figure!) Seems simple enough. We pick out a toy line to discuss in each show. We share our childhood memories, our favorite five, and talk about the one toy in the line that got away. Jeff talks about how he cherished his toys and I talk about how they ended up in the garden! The other two shows are The pilot episode, where Jeff and Josh Taylor break down the Pilot Episode in TV series, and The Loosely Based Podcast where Brynna and Jeff compare the book to the movie adaptation! The shows are great! If you are interested in what we got, go to Marvindogmedia.com  and give us a listen. You can subscribe to the shows on itunes and get up to date info on upcoming shows on facebook:

Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff on facebook
The Loosely Based Podcast on facebook
The Pilot Episode on facebook

If you like what we have, be sure to tell your friends! We need your word of mouth to help us keep making shows!

Painting of the Day- Skeletor's Chest!

Not too long ago, I was approached to make a couple of art pieces for a new program called, "The Artmor Project". This is a new program created by the guys over at NeoZaz.com. The program is sixty Star Wars Artists, Podcasters, Fans, and Community Pioneers who were sent blank Mandalorian armor sets to create custom one of a kind pieces of Art. These original works will be auctioned of as the corner stone of the annual Star Wars in Character Star Wars Toy Drive benefitting Toys for Tots. I am a big fan of Toys for Tots and couldn't pass up this grand invitation! This was the second piece that I finished. It is called, "Skeletor's Chest". You can also see this piece in my deviantart gallery here. 


I will have a table for the Dallas Comic Con: Sci-Fi Expo, February 8-9th. If you are wanting a pre-Sci-Fi Expo commission, let me know and I'll get it ready for pick up at that show. 

All throughout the month of Movember, I'll be continuing to grow my mustache to raise awareness of prostate cancer and I'll be taking donations for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Do you want to donate?! Head on over to my Movember page and donate! 

Issue 5 of Xenex the Bug Man is available on indyplanet.com! I have all Xenex the Bug Man comic books available for print on demand. You can see that listing here on my store's tab for comic books. 

I have posted some new shirt designs in my Cafepress store. Head over to my Cafepress store and get a shirt or a couple! 

Just to let you know all know, I am taking commissions. If you would like to commission me for original artwork, head over to the commissions tab in store to see how. 

If you have not heard about the Podcast called, "Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff", then it's time I let you know! Jeff and I are on the show where we talk about toys! (Go figure, I mean Go action figure!) Seems simple enough. We pick out a toy line to discuss in each show. We share our childhood memories, our favorite five, and talk about the one toy in the line that got away. Jeff talks about how he cherished his toys and I talk about how they ended up in the garden! The other two shows are The pilot episode, where Jeff and Josh Taylor break down the Pilot Episode in TV series, and The Loosely Based Podcast where Brynna and Jeff compare the book to the movie adaptation! The shows are great! If you are interested in what we got, go to Marvindogmedia.com  and give us a listen. You can subscribe to the shows on itunes and get up to date info on upcoming shows on facebook:

Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff on facebook
The Loosely Based Podcast on facebook
The Pilot Episode on facebook

If you like what we have, be sure to tell your friends! We need your word of mouth to help us keep making shows!

Sketch Card of the Day- Skeletor!

Skeletor or Ole' bone head! There are not too many people in the world who do not know the name, "Skeletor". When the 200X series of action figures hit the market, I was extremely excited about the new design that Skeletor rocked. He looked so cruel and evil. I liked him a lot when I was a kid, but due to his new design, he won my heart in 2002. If you know the 200X design well, you should understand what I am saying. So this piece is an older sketch card that I did way back a year or so based on the 2002 toy of Skeletor. You can also see this piece in my deviantart gallery here. 

Big news! I've been invited to be one of the many talented artist to have work featured in a one night vinyl toy show called, "Vinyl Thoughts 4: Free for All" in Dallas on September 12th 2013. If you plan to be in the area, stop by and check out all of the cool custom vinyl toys. 

I'm scheduled to be on the DELol show on Sunday July 21st to have a good old fashioned "Throw down in the toy isle" toy quiz compatition between Jeff and I. You need to tune in to the DELol show that Sunday. It will be fun!

I did buy a table for the Dallas Comic Con: Fan Days on October 4th-6th. If you are wanting a pre-Fan Days commission, let me know and I'll get it ready for pick up at that show. 

Issue 5 of Xenex the Bug Man is available on indyplanet.com! I have all Xenex the Bug Man comic books available for print on demand. You can see that listing here on my store's tab for comic books. 

I have posted some new shirt designs in my Cafepress store. Head over to my Cafepress store and get a shirt or a couple! 

Just to let you know all know, I am taking commissions. If you would like to commission me for original artwork, head over to the commissions tab in store to see how. 

If you have not heard about the Podcast called, "Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff", then it's time I let you know! Jeff and I are on the show where we talk about toys! (Go figure, I mean Go action figure!) Seems simple enough. We pick out a toy line to discuss in each show. We share our childhood memories, our favorite five, and talk about the one toy in the line that got away. Jeff talks about how he cherished his toys and I talk about how they ended up in the garden! The other two shows are The pilot episode, where Jeff and Josh Taylor break down the Pilot Episode in TV series, and The Loosely Based Podcast where Brynna and Jeff compare the book to the movie adaptation! The shows are great! If you are interested in what we got, go to Marvindogmedia.com  and give us a listen. You can subscribe to the shows on itunes and get up to date info on upcoming shows on facebook:

Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff on facebook
The Loosely Based Podcast on facebook
The Pilot Episode on facebook

If you like what we have, be sure to tell your friends! We need your word of mouth to help us keep making shows!

Painting of the Day- Thunder in the Mystic Mountains!

Thunder in the Mystic Mountains by Taylor Lymbery

As I finished up my last painting I took a little time out to get another painting done. I've found that I really enjoy illustrative painting. Painting feels a little more natural than some of the other art mediums that I do. For this piece, I decided to go with Thunder Punch He-Man as the big hero of this scene. The reason why I did this is that I recently picked up a Vintage Thunder Punch He-Man from a local vintage toy store called DFW Vintage Toys. Thunder Punch He-Man pops ring caps when you twist his body and let him swing out a mighty punch. I always wanted one of these He-men when I was a kid. I never got one, but the fascination was always there. Since I got Thunder Punch He-Man, I have had a hard time putting this toy down. I bought a big pack of ring caps to pop in his back pack while I am at stop lights on my way to work. It keeps me entertained while I am on the road. I'm amazed that this toy is still working for being 28 years old now and it's in great shape. I also decided to add one of my favorite toy vehicles, the Roton. I did a review on one not to long ago. If you read that posting, then you know my love for this Masters of the Universe toy. This will probably be the last painting to post for a while. My commissions have stacked up and I need to get them finished. This piece is painted in acrylics on a 13" X 24" 60lb polar matte paper. You can also see this piece in my deviantart gallery here. I hope you enjoy the piece. Now I've got some comics and commissions to finish. 

I purchased a table for the Dallas Comic Con in May. I look forward to seeing all of the familiar faces and hopefully some new people stopping by to chat with us. 

I have posted some new shirt designs in my Cafepress store. Head over to my Cafepress store and get a shirt or a couple! 

I have all Xenex the Bug Man comic books available for print on demand. You can see that listing here on my store's tab for comic books. 

Just to let you know all know, I am taking commissions. If you would like to commission me for original artwork, head over to the commissions tab in store to see how. 

If you have not heard about the Podcast called, "Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff", then it's time I let you know! Jeff and I are on the show where we talk about toys! (Go figure, I mean Go action figure!) Seems simple enough. We pick out a toy line to discuss in each show. We share our childhood memories, our favorite five, and talk about the one toy in the line that got away. Jeff talks about how he cherished his toys and I talk about how they ended up in the garden! The other two shows are The pilot episode, where Jeff and Josh Taylor break down the Pilot Episode in TV series, and The Loosely Based Podcast where Brynna and Jeff compare the book to the movie adaptation! The shows are great! If you are interested in what we got, go to Marvindogmedia.com  and give us a listen. You can subscribe to the shows on itunes and get up to date info on upcoming shows on facebook:
Talking Toys with Taylor and Jeff on facebook
The Loosely Based Podcast on facebook
The Pilot Episode on facebook

Give us a like! And, if you like what we have, be sure to tell your friends! We need your word of mouth to help us keep making shows! And, be sure to give Jeff a hug. 

Taylor and Jeff: Action Figure Buddies for Life!