A few years ago, I stumbled upon CaptCyan’s custom Rookie action figure thread, and I was stunned by the talent and creativity on display. My own art had always been drawing or writing, and working with figures seemed so intimidating. Still, I loved what I saw, and the seed was planted.
Late last year, I began collecting the Plasma Series toy line, and the idea of making my own Rookie finally blossomed. In November, I bought a secondhand Selfie Series figure–I liked the pre-made “Rookie” name tape–and got to work. I finished with him in March, and got started on a number of further figures. I have literally dozens left to do, but I’m happy to share what I’ve finished so far.
THE ROOKIE
With the Rookie’s gear being so detailed, it seemed like a good idea to upgrade the rest of the Boys in Gray, so…
THE GHOSTBUSTERS
Pleased with the results, I decided to do a figure I had never seen before, anywhere. I am pleased to present the world debut of
“Call Someone Else!” RAY STANTZ
Speaking of figures the Plasma Series had unaccountably not released, I decided to do another round with the 'Busters as a group:
“We’re Back!” THE GHOSTBUSTERS
While I was at it, I figured that since it’s Hallowe’en, everyone is entitled to one good scare:
THE SHAPE
Special thanks to Etsy sellers Cee of Creativity and Anthanatos Unlimited who have proven invaluable in my projects so far. Cee of Creativity in particular has modeled and printed a number of bespoke items for me, including most notably the exquisitely detailed Lifegard II PASSes on the Alternate Dark Classic Flight Suits.
I’m working on a number of further figures now, but I am limited by time and my own erratic creative episodes. I hope you all like my work; it has been a delight putting these together, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share.
“Born to Wear This Stuff” LOUIS TULLY
CANDYMAN
“Ready to Believe You!” THE GHOSTBUSTERS
I used 2020 Plasma Series heads and Marvel Legends: Black Panther Everett Ross bodies, repainted the shirts and ties, and replaced the suit coats with bespoke lab coats I made from a shower curtain. The Panasonic PK-750 Color Video Camera, Quasar Video Cassette Recorder Model VP5410TE, ES Mk. I PKE Meter, Bacharach 300 Series Sniffer, stereo headphones connected to a stethoscope, and Radio Shack TR-80 Pocket Computer PC-4 with Radio Shack PC-4 Cassette Interface are all handmade from polystyrene sheets andvtubes, jeweler’s wire, beading cord, staples, painter’s tape, and paper.
“Willing to Believe Anything You Say!” WINSTON ZEDDEMORE
I replaced a Marvel Legends: Secret Invasion Talos’s head with a Plasma Series Zeddemore head mounted on Talos’s neck, replaced Talos’s coat with a Marvel Legends: Black Panther Everett Ross’s suit coat, and added a second breast pocket and flaps to his shirt using paper and superglue. I then repainted the coat and sleeves, shirt , belt, and hands. I also used some beading wire and a staple to make his belt buckle.
The People vs. THE GHOSTBUSTERS
I attached 2020 Plasma Series heads to Indiana Jones Adventure Series bodies (Doctor Jürgen Voller for Peter and Ray and Marcus Brody for Egon) and swapped the suit coats, giving Peter a Marvel Legends: Spider-Man J. Jonah Jameson coat (leftover from my Candyman) and Ray a Marcus Brody coat (leftover from another Egon I’m working on). I modified Ray’s tie and Egon’s waistcoat and then repainted the suits, and detailed their Proton Packs to '89 specs in my wonted manner.
Egon’s tie is actually superglue-stiffened paper on a paperclip, with a small magnet at the collar. This allows his tie to be detached and inserted into his vest, or worn outside the vest as it is during the courtroom fight with the ghosts of the Scoleri brothers.
THE TALL MAN
I attached a 3D-printed Tall Man head from Craniac Studios LLC to a repainted Marvel Legends: Spider-Man J. Jonah Jameson body, modified the collar and attached a handmade tie with tie pin, and affixed a Drone Sphere made from a necklace bead, staple, and paper.
I made a couple of modifications to my classic '84 'Busters:
Peter’s MT500 is now removable from its holster.
Ray’s Muon Trap now has a functional trap holster on his pistol belt.
And Egon now has his Minirad attachable to his pistol belt.
These are great. I love the slime tube on the game pack. And your Ray variants all look especially good to me, I legit want the casper variant now.
Thank you. He’s actually the simplest of the variants I’ve made – swap his lower legs for Venkman’s, lengthen his electrical gloves, add the cowlick to his hair, and paint in the mustache. I detailed the Proton Pack so he’d match the rest, but if you haven’t done the rest, there’s no need to do Ray’s.
The byproduct is that swapping the lower legs turns a Peter into a standard buck with bloused pants and boots, just like swapping for Louis did.
“All You Can Eat Night?” GHOSTBUSTERS
I forgot to photograph it, but Winston’s #410 Protective Cap can be doffed, his sounding line reel is functional, and Egon’s Realistic Sound Level Meter is removable from the pouch on his web belt.
This was actually quite a lot of work.
Are those real tiny O-rings on their belts?
Any chance you’re going to work on a Gozer or Zuul (Dana in red)?
Yes, I used beading wire and staples to create the O-rings and D-rings; I have a set of jewelry pliers to do the twisting. Winston’s sounding line reel doesn’t swing because it hast two points of connection, but Egon’s Sound Level Meter pouch and the sample jars do.
I do intend to do Gozer as it manifested in 2021 and the Minions of Gozer possessing Callie and Gary. I haven’t given much thought to upgrading 1984 Gozer or Minions, since I only have one Louis and I don’t want to modify it.
I have a fairly long list of figures I’d like to make – more than 130 – which is going to take me a long, long time. I had originally only intended to do the Rookie, but things sort of escalated.
I’m not done with the set yet, but I have a preview for the two 'Busters I’ve finished:
Another small modification of my '84 lineup: I’ve given Egon a functional D-ring, lanyard, and key fob rig so that he can carry his Neutrona Wand at the hip as seen in the Sedgewick in '84 and later at the Manhattan Museum in '89.
I used paper and staples to create the belt rig, and sunk a shaped staple into the Wand to give it something to latch.
