JOKER:DC DYNAMICS

I vowed never again to sculpt smoke. But the Joker is such a persuasive fellow, I had to give in just this one last time. Eighth in the DC Dynamics collection and the most fun. I want to thank everyone who has supported our efforts over this past year. There’s a real sense of community and we very much appreciate it. As 2011 looms large, we hope that you’ll continue to join us in our quest to bring the art of pop sculpture to a larger audience. Keep up the good work, all. See you on the other side… of 2010.

TIS THE SEASON

"And it was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice when there were angry words between some dinner-carriers who had jostled each other, he shed a few drops of water on them from it, and their good humor was restored directly. For they said, it was a shame to quarrel upon Christmas Day. And so it was! God love it, so it was!"- A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Status Update: Where The Pop Sculpture Authors Are Now, Part 2

I promised this a few months ago, when I spotlighted Tim Bruckner's upcoming projects, but I wanted to shine the spotlight on a couple of my other co-author Rubén Procopio's in-the-works works! The former Disney animator (and provider of Pop Sculpture's bottomless supply of illustrations) has some beautiful items coming out that showcase both his traditional and digital sculpting, and it was seeing Tron: Legacy and a kick-ass new trailer for Green Hornet that finally inspired me to get off my duff and write something.

Rubén does work for several companies, but I first became a fan of his work through Electric Tiki. He handles much of the creative duties on their Classic Heroes line, and now that the company has the Disney license, the line is firing on all cylinders. His glow-in-the-dark statue of Tron from the original Tron from the original movie (created digitally, of course) should hit stores early next year, as well as the statue of Woody from Toy Story that he created from the original digital files.

I'm psyched for both of those, having really enjoyed Tron: Legacy and Toy Story 3, but I'm also looking forward to Rubén's Classic Heroes take on Doc Savage. Despite having only read a couple of Doc Savage books and a handful of comics, I've still got a weird love of this character, and have been meaning to go back and watch the movie they made about him. This piece looks great, although I kinda wish Rubén had gone with his other concept sketch, of Doc riding a shark, because that's just insane.

Rubén must really be feeling the Tron nowadays, because he's also creative director of Grand Jester's line of Disney busts, which has just added that movie's Flynn, complete with jai-alai hand, to their line-up, along with Prince Dastan from Prince of Persia.

Flynn is based on Rubén's design but sculpted by Dave Cortes, but Rubén handled design and sculpting duties on Dastan. Both should be coming out next year.

Rubén also worked on the digital sculpts for Factory Entertainment's classically styled Green Hornet and Kato action figures, which will act as companions to their toys based on the new Seth Rogen movie, which hits next year. Can't wait -- for the movie and these toys!

Another Electric Tiki piece, this sexy Tinkerbell (designed by Tracy Mark Lee, but sculpted by Rubén), is part of a line of sexy animated Disney leading ladies, including the Little Mermaid, Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and Minnie Mouse. That's right, a sexy Minnie Mouse.

And finally, I can't believe this isn't out yet, but Rubén handled sculpting chores on this awesome animated-style maquette of Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With vamp and non-vamp heads! I love that Electric Tiki is doing this line, and I hope it continues. With Rubén on sculpts!

Most of these pieces are available through Sideshow Collectibles.