The Fellowship of the Spring

Magneto has captured Minimate Headquarters, but three are left behind. Can JP1000, Fake Gold Spidey, and Prototype 401k Man find the spring and save Minimate Headquarters? Find out in January!

The blog portion of Minimate Headquarters will be on vacation until after the New Year. Enjoy the holidays everyone! See you in 2006!

Minimate Headquarters Captured By Magneto!

A festive holiday party turned terrifying this evening when all of the heroes from Minimate Headquarters were captured in a daring and brilliant scheme by the evil Magneto.

“Bow to me and behold my awesome power,” commanded Magneto. “No one remains to oppose me. I shall rule Earth with a mutant fist of iron controlling flesh.”

The heroes, helplessly contained within a metal cage, had few comments. Most were dispirited by what they called the “dark tidings” being brought by this fake Santa.

“Everyone stay calm,” warned Superman. “Especially you Banner. We don’t need any additional headaches because you’re freaking out.”

“Fools!” bellowed Magneto. “I have tricked you with my tricky memo, and lured you to your ultimate destruction. No one can escape now. The only thing that can pop open this cage is a small spring, and I have hidden it far away.”

Who will save Minimate Headquarters? Who remains to save Earth?

Holiday Party Announced

STAFF MEMO

TO: All Minimate Headquarters Heroes
FROM: Secret Mystery Santa
RE: Holiday Party Location

Get ready for an exciting Holiday Party! All minimate heroes are invited! This year’s party will be at 666 Murder Ave.

Directions - Go to the abandoned building in the bad part of town. Enter through the alley and go down six flights of stairs to the dark basement. Enter the metal cage on your left.Note – Don’t be late! All who attend will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win an iPod Mini!

Eight Questions with Boyd

This “Eight Questions” column will be the last at Minimate Headquarters until 2006. Check back in January for a whole new list of questions and all new interviews! This interview is with Boyd, maker of the custom Batroc the Leaper minimate pictured here.

1. Which was the first Minimate you ever purchased?
I think the first Minimates I bought was the Black Costume Spider-Man 2-pack that I found in a Suncoast. The next day I went and bought the rest of the Spider-Man Minimates. But I admitted I was hooked when I made a special trip to Tower Records to get the exclusive Silver Surfer.

2. What is the average length of time in hours does it take for you to make a custom minimate?
It takes me about 3 - 6 hours for me to do an average Minimate.

3. Of the minimates you’ve made, which custom is your absolute favorite?
I don't know if I have a favorite - usually it's the most recent one I've finished. But I really do like how my Batroc the Leaper custom turned out.

4. How much money do you think the average custom minimate is worth?
The average Minimate custom is worth whatever people are willing to pay for it. Though I think there's a good market for well-done customs.

5. Do you own a Gold Spidey?
I do not have a Gold Spidey. By my wife won a Silver Spidey this year.

6. If all of the Marvel Minimates fought all of the DC Minimates, who would win and why?
The Marvel Minimates would win because there are more of them - the Wolverine & Spider-Man variants alone outnumber all the DC Minimates made.

7. What is your best trick or secret for customizing minimates?
Customizing becomes easier with practice and confidence. I'm doing figures now that I wouldn't have tried last year. Which means someday I'll figure out how to do that Plastic Man Minimate that I want.

8. White Queen or Catwoman?
Catwoman.

Review of the Missing: Marvel’s Havok

This week’s Review of the Missing comes from a promotional minimate poster that was displayed with the launch of the Marvel Minimate line. The poster featured illustrations of what appeared to be upcoming Marvel Minimates. The attached poster identifies the minimate to be reviewed today, the black clad Havok from the X-Men.

The Havok character began as a B-Lister within the Marvel universe, but he gained increased prominence during the 1990’s. Havok is the troubled brother of the X-Men’s Cyclops, and consequently has a similar “blast” power.

The illustrated design for a Havok minimate does a great job capturing his classic black costumed look. The hair piece appears to be Havok’s focus helmet and would presumably be removable. Simple and understated, Havok’s original costume was never flashy. His “flash” occurred when he used his power to focus a blast at an enemy.

I am hopeful this minimate will be made. The Marvel Minimate series continues, and Havok has been featured in enough cartoons and comics to be recognizable to casual fans. I expect we will see a Havok Minimate before the series is done.

Lowest Temperature Threshold To Be Tested

Dr. Bruce Banner, one of the lead scientists for the Minimate Institute of Research (M.I.R.), announced plans today to test the lowest possible threshold of temperature that a minimate can withstand. “Dr. Reed Richards and I have modified our cooling unit to drop the temperature to absolute zero. As the temperature drops to its lowest possible point, we will observe JP1000, who will be locked inside. We will be measuring how long it takes to freeze him solid.”

Dr. Richards added, “Bruce and I have a gentleman’s wager on this one. Bruce is certain JP1000’s extremities will shatter before freezing entirely solid. I’ve calculated that he will freeze solid, then immediately shatter. Either way, we are certain to have our answer sometime tomorrow afternoon.”

Admin Update: Comments

Thank you all for the Comments! Please feel free to post comments anytime, I like the feedback. I may not be able to answer everyone, but I do read them all. I also appreciate corrections, so if you see me make a mistake, let me know! I like to keep the record straight and make sure due credit is given.

I am frustrated that I have to monitor comments though. If you submit a comment, please have patience. Although I can get them during the day at work, often times I can't publish until I get home in the evening.

I would turn off moderating comments, but there are these highly annoying spam bots running around spamming blogs. I want to spare the readers of Minimate Headquarters from these terrible ads. Most are just nonsensical gibberish, probably designed to flag crawlers.

Stay tuned this week. More Minimate Institute of Research, Reviews, and Questions are coming your way.

Oh yeah. And the Minimate Headquarters Holiday Party is coming.

401K-Man Prototype Minimate Purchased On Accident

An unfinished prototype for the ill conceived 401K-Man was purchased by accident today on Ebay. “I bought a bunch of loose action figures on Ebay,” explained billionaire Bruce Wayne. “Mostly Marvel Legends Series 9. I guess the Prototype 401K-Man minimate was just thrown in.”

The fantastically wealthy Bruce Wayne was initially unsure of what a 401K even was. “I’m like, a four-oh-one-what? But then the Prototype starts telling me about 401Ks. As it turns out, it is some kind of savings program for poor people.”

Bruce Wayne paused for a moment. “But that’s when the trouble started. You see he doesn’t shut up about it. He keeps going and going and going about ‘flex spending-this’ and ‘savings account-that’ until you finally go crazy. I had to pretend I got a call on my cell-phone to get away from the guy. A few more minutes with him and I would have slit my own wrists.”

Eight Questions with Luke314pi

The “Eight Questions” column will appear regularly at Minimate Headquarters. In it I interview minimate customizers and other fans of minimates. This interview is with Luke314pi, maker of the custom Ultron pictured here.

1. Which was the first Minimate you ever purchased?
The Spider-Man / Carnage set. I told myself I would ONLY be buying this set, and no more. I still laugh about that one.

2. What is the average length of time in hours does it take for you to make a custom minimate?
It usually takes 2 hours total, but it can take more depending on the complexity of the custom.

3. Of the minimates you’ve made, which custom is your absolute favorite?
That is a hard question! I am the most proud of my Brood custom, because it changes the shape of the standard minimate, while still keeping the same style and parts. But my favorite custom is probably my Ultron minimate, since it was my first one.

4. How much money do you think the average custom minimate is worth?
I think most custom minimates are worth around $25. There are exceptions, of course, as eBay has proven over and over again.

5. Do you own a Gold Spidey?
Nope.

6. If all of the Marvel Minimates fought all of the DC Minimates, who would win and why?
Marvel would win through sheer force of numbers. Batman could take Spider-Man, but could he take 6 Spider-Mans at once? I don't think so!

7. What is your best trick or secret for customizing minimates?
Sharpie makes a silver permanent marker that is very helpful for customizing minimates, especially for metal parts or highlights.

8. White Queen or Catwoman?
White Queen. I am sweating just thinking about her!

Admin Update: Site Navigation Now Working

The Site Navigation links should now be working. A special thanks to Ady Carter for hosting my site.

You will notice a lot of "coming soon" pages. I am still working on the second level of the website. This level will contain the upcoming customs gallery.

Tragedy at the Minimate Institute of Research!

Tragedy struck the Minimate Institute of Research (M.I.R.) today. Dr. Reed Richards, one of the lead scientists at the Institute, breathlessly explained, “Dr. Banner and I were testing a new theory regarding Minimate-ivity. It all happened so fast! Our test subject, JP1000, was slowly basting in a tasty hickory meat sauce when it happened.”

Dr. Banner continued, “All of a sudden, JP1000 was snatched out of the pan by what appears to be a giant Canis Lupus Familiaris. It ran off, and we have no idea where it went.”

“Fear not,” assured Dr. Richards. “If JP1000 survives the chewing and gnashing, he will certainly return to us in twenty-four hours with a tale about a truly fantastic voyage.”

Special Edition "Sixteen Questions" with Customizer of the Year 2005

The following is a Special Edition "Sixteen Questions" with the winner of the 2005 Customizer of the Year Contest. I had originally submitted eight questions to a random group of cusotmizers and the winner happened to be part of the group! The Customizer of the Year contest has been sponsored by Fujis and the online store stuckakid. They also put together a number of prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, including this cool trophy you see here. I've been pleased with my purchases at stuckakid so check them out if you haven't already. Also don't forget to thank Fujis when you see him around on the boards for his hard work on the contest. It takes a lot of work to put together a contest like that.

And now, without further delay, I present Sixteen Questions with the winner of the 2005 Customizer of the Year contest - antacost.

1. Which was the first Minimate you ever purchased?
Rob Zombie

2. What is the average length of time in hours does it take for you to make a custom minimate?
Depending on complexity, it takes anywhere from five to fifteen hours... Apocalypse took probably twenty to twenty-five hours over two weeks...

3. Of the minimates you’ve made, which custom is your absolute favorite?
I'd say that it's a pretty close tie between Vigilante and Psylocke... Vigilante's probably in the lead, though...

4. How much money do you think the average custom minimate is worth?
Like anything, "worth" is what someone is willing to pay for something... I've seen customs go for less the price of the materials it takes to make them, and that makes me sad. I try to charge out complexity. If I've got to make every piece for a figure, of course that one is going to cost more than a simple repaint. But I'm not going to sell a figure for less than I've got in it...

5. Do you own a Gold Spidey?
Nope... Probably never will... I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a 2" piece of plastic... I'd love to have one, but that's a lot of money...

6. If all of the Marvel Minimates fought all of the DC Minimates, who would win and why?
D.C. because they have Superman... Marvel has no one close to his power levels...

7. What is your best trick or secret for customizing minimates?
Spend a little more money on your paints and brushes... They do make a difference...

8. White Queen or Catwoman?
Catwoman

9. Where does your handle, antacost, come from?
- I made the word up back in high school... I've been using it online ever since. I just like the sound of it...

10. How many long have you been customizing figures (minimates or other)? What got you started?
- I've been customizing figures for probably 10 years. What got me started? I dunno... I've always liked messing with things and making them unique, one-of-a-kind kinda things. I've been customizing Minimates for a little over a year.?. I really like the block figure style, and the Mini's are the best of the bunch...

11. Do you use decals on your creations? If so, any tips for using/making/applying them?
- I do use decals. I really only use them for logos, and blacks. For instance, I'll just print out the black lines for a face, and then paint the color in... Same thing for chests. As for tips, I really don't have any. Where I work, I've access to a vinyl printer... It's usually used for making decals, labels and bumper sticker and the like. It's a pretty pricy printer, and it takes foils that run about $65 a color... I use it to make toys... I tried Testors water-slide decal paper, and hated it... The blacks looked horrible, and the colors were even worse... I've never tried any other brands.

12. How long have you been a fan of comics, and what was your first comic book?
- I've read comics as long as I can remember. My first comic? Amythest #4 and a Captain Carrot were my firsts... I'm still waiting for that Amythest re-launch...

13. Who is your absolute favorite comic book character?
- That's a tough question... There are many. Big Blue's probably at the top of the list... Superman! You just can't get a better character. I'm also a huge Deadpool fan. Blue Devil, Zatanna, Hellboy... The list goes on and on... The Goon!...

14. You said earlier that your first minimate purchase was a Rob Zombie minimate. Why did you purchase that minimate?
- I like Rob Zombie. Simple as that. I saw the figure at Sam Goody, and thought that it was pretty cool. Took him home, opened it up, and the rest is history...

15. Your profile picture lists a website, TheFMH.com. Did you create the FMH?
- One of my college buddies actually created the FMH. Over the years, I've had a hand in many aspects of the characters, but lately, I've been in the lab making Minis...

16. Your minimate customs are spectacular. Can you tell us about any new ones we can look forward to in the coming months?
Why, thank you... I've got two finished that nobody's seen yet. On the table, are four other figures that I just started working on... Three of those are ready for paint. I've got like ten figures that I've gotta get finished up for commisions, and a lot of those are underway, so I'm pretty busy... I try to sneak in a figure for my collection here and there, but right now, most of my customs are re-dos for other people...

Review of the Missing: Grommet Tony Hawk Minimate

Somewhere, somehow, someone in the universe is broken hearted that a 3” Red Tony Hawk Minimate was never produced. That someone, however, is not me.

There were at least three planned Tony Hawk minimates. I’ve decided to review this red one first because I liked it the best. It is named “Grommet”, which either means, “metal ring” or “young skater”. I will let you decide which definition is appropriate.

I don’t have anything against Tony Hawk, and I even enjoyed playing his first Playstation games years ago. I’m just glad that Tony Hawk minimates were passed over in favor of the 2” Marvel minimates. I don’t think the Rock n’ Roll minimates were very successful, and I doubt a series of Tony Hawk minimates would have been very commercially successful either.

I really like the red color on this figure. It stands out and grabs your attention. The accessories include kneepads and, appropriately enough, a skateboard. A giant white “hawk” is emblazoned across the chest. This minimate really jumps out and grabs your attention.

The minimate’s articulation lends itself to wonderful skater posses. You can pose Tony Hawk doing an Olie, setting a hand plant, or rolling a Chocolate Thunder Daddy. I made that last one up, but if it were real, Tony Hawk would have done it. This minimate could probably do it too.

All in all, this is a fine minimate. I’m not sad because he was never made, but I’d pick him up if he were made into 2” form. But I hope to see many other types of minimates produced before 2” Tony Hawks are ever released.

The EBMLMMD Disbands

Less than twenty four hours after announcing the formation of the Evil Brotherhood Masters Legion of Mordor Mafioso Doom (EBMLMMD), the group disbanded citing irreconcilable differences.

Witnesses say the backbiting and treachery began as soon as the first participants joined the meeting.

“Frankly, I couldn’t take anymore of the Riddler’s mindless puzzles. Riddle me this, riddle me that. Honestly, who talks like that? I guess I just snapped,” admitted Sabertooth.

“It’s the fault of those comic villains,” hissed Wormtongue. “They all have these Napoleon complexes because they’re so small. It’s short villain complex.”

“I got a few good licks in,” smiled Juggernaught. “Too bad we wasted ourselves fighting each other instead of those cursed do-gooders.”

“In retrospect,” pondered Venom, “forming a team of untrustworthy, villainous, murderous, backstabbing cheats was not a good idea. I think most agreed to stick with using teams of unintelligent henchmen for future jobs.”

Evil Brotherhood Masters Legion of Mordor Mafioso Doom

Minimate villains today announced the creation of the ultimate super villain group. Called the Evil Brotherhood Masters Legion of Mordor Mafioso Doom (or EBMLMMD for short), the group represents the largest gathering of evil-doers ever assembled.

Dr. Doom commented, “Minimate Headquarters will be crushed by the awesome force of the Evil Brotherhood Masters Legion of Mordor Mafioso Doom! The universe will fall to me and it will finally be ruled by my iron fist!”

The Joker added, “The Evil Brotherhood Masters Legion of Mordor Mafioso Doom will crush its enemies. And once that Bat-fool is out of the way, all will be mine!”

“The Ring. I shall soon have the Ring,” intoned Sauron. “I shall rule them all.”

“What are you idiots saying?” growled the Green Goblin. “I thought I was in charge here?”

“You? You’re no leader. I’m the leader,” shouted the Leader.

“Stop bickering you fools,” admonished Magneto. “You have a mission to do.”

“Stop trying to tell us what to do, you old goat,” warned Rhino. “I’m sick and tired of taking orders from you.”

At this point, the presentation devolved into a mindless shouting and shoving match.

Fake Gold Spidey Shunned by Other Minimates

Sources reported today that Fake Gold Spidey, purchased by Captain America in an Internet scam, has been shunned by the other minimates. One anonymous source said, “How can we trust a fake guy like that? I mean, it’s bad enough they’ve never made a Gold Cyclops while they have a million Wolverines running around. Now we have to put up with another Spiderman? Someone should give that Fake Gold Spidey an optic blast upside the head.”

Another secret source meowed, “Normally, I find Spiderman to be prrrrr-fect company. But this terrible forgery makes my hair stand up on end.”

Finally, an unnamed source shook his giant rock fist and exclaimed, “I don’t like the looks of that Fake Gold Spidey. He better stay away from me, or IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!”

Eight Questions with Logan

The “Eight Questions” column will appear regularly at Minimate Headquarters. In it I interview minimate customizers and other fans of minimates. This interview is with Logan from Canada.

1. Which was the first Minimate you ever purchased?
The first one was an Ultimate Wolverine/Ultimate Cyclops CDN 2-Pk.

2. What is the average length of time in hours does it take for you to make a custom minimate?
It depends on how much painting etc. is required.

3. Of the minimates you’ve made, which custom is your absolute favorite?
I would have to say the one that I'm working on right now. Can't tell though. You'll just have to wait and see!

4. How much money do you think the average custom minimate is worth?
Same answer as #2. It all depends on that. But on average, I'd say anywherebetween $15 to $45.

5. Do you own a Gold Spidey?
No, and I don't want one. I want a Silver Spidey!

6. If all of the Marvel Minimates fought all of the DC Minimates, who would win and why?
I would say Marvel. Strength in numbers.... and there is way more Marvel than DC.

7. What is your best trick or secret for customizing minimates?
Finding source art to base it off of.

8. White Queen or Catwoman?
Catwoman. Why? Ever read the "Hush" storyline hehehe

Something New Every Day?

I’ve sort of committed myself to putting up new content each day. This will be one heck of a challenge. New content is difficult to come up with on its own, and something new each day will be extra challenging. I’ve devised a strategy to make this successful so only time will tell.

I like websites that put up new content, stay interesting, are well written, and entertain me without clogging my life with unnecessary information. I hope I’ve created that type of website.

If you like my website and want to say thank you, you can check out the Google vendors on the lower right side. They are my current “sponsors” if you will. Checking them out every now and then helps me justify this little hobby to my wife (they apparently track how often a link is clicked). If a certain amount of traffic is recorded, they will send me some money. This is the theory anyway. My wife thinks this is just my excuse to play with my toys. (Do I really need an excuse?)

M.I.R. Discovery – Minimates Fit Inside “Dark Holes”

Among the din of motorized choppers, Dr. Reed Richards of the Minimate Institute of Research (M.I.R.), announced success today while studying the property of what he called ‘dark holes.’ Dr. Richards shouted, “I postulated that based upon my calculations of the curvature of time-space, minimates could enter an unknown dimension of reality by passing through a dark hole. I had to modify my instruments, but I was able to send JP1000 through.” At times the interview was interrupted by loud grinding noises and gut wrenching shrieks of pain. “To be honest,” Dr. Richards yelled, “I wasn’t sure I would be able to jam him down the hole. He struggled quite a bit before he went in.”

Eight Questions with Slythe

The “Eight Questions” column will appear regularly at Minimate Headquarters. In it I interview minimate customizers and other fans of minimates. This interview is with Slythe, maker of this Donkey Kong minimate.

1. Which was the first Minimate you ever purchased?
The first miniMate I ever purchased was the Bark at the Moon Ozzy from the Rock miniMates line. (shameful secret: I so impressed with his design, I used to carry him around in my pocket for months)

2. What is the average length of time in hours does it take for you to make a custom minimate?
Well, I guess on average, 2-3 hours when I'm being lazy.

3. Of the minimates you’ve made, which custom is your absolute favorite?
My fav custom is probably Scorpion with the articulated tail.

4. How much money do you think the average custom minimate is worth?
I have no idea how much the average custom 'Mate is worth, the most I've ever sold one for is $45.

5. Do you own a Gold Spidey?
I do not own a Gold Spidey

6. If all of the Marvel Minimates fought all of the DC Minimates, who would win and why?
Although Batman would kick major ass in the DC vs. Marvel fight, I'd have to give it to Marvel for sheer numbers.

7. What is your best trick or secret for customizing minimates?
Especially when doing new paint apps, try to pick a body/face type that is similar to what you're trying to acheive.

8. White Queen or Catwoman?
Oh, White Queen my friend. White Queen.

Review of the Missing: Batman Begins Batman

Welcome to Review of the Missing, where I review Minimates that were never made. This week I review the Batman minimate based upon the movie Batman Begins.

But before I begin, I need to make two admissions. The first is that I am a novice when it comes to DC comics and characters. For whatever reason, I grew up almost exclusively on Marvel comic books. I never read any DC comics (and I’m old). However, I read my first Batman comic this year, when I picked up the Hush series. Now I’m trying to make up for lost time.

My second admission is that while I hated the original Batman movies, I absolutely loved Batman Begins. It ranks up there with some of my all time favorite movies. It was the best action/adventure this summer hands down. If you haven’t seen it, you need to buy the DVD immediately.

All right, I’ll give you a third admission for free. Collecting minimates sparked my interest in Batman. I know most people collected Batman minimates because they liked Batman. I liked Batman after collecting his multitudes of minimates. Did you hear that DC? Yes, DC minimates made me purchase more DC products.

All of these admissions mean that I am absolutely heartbroken that Batman Begins minimates have not been made. I’m such a Johnny-come-lately to the entire Dark Knight phenomena, and I’m sad I can’t even buy the penultimate Batman minimate.

And a Batman Begins Batman (BBB) minimate would be the penultimate minimate. I say that based upon the only evidence in existance - the Batman Begins designs from a recent Toy Fair. Art Asylum pitched the Batman Begins minimates to the big retailers as part of their C3 block construction system. Presumbably the minimates would have been released along with cool C3 vehicles like the black Tumbler Batmobile. Unfortunately, the big retailers baulked at more C3 this past Spring and instead put all of their eggs in the Lucas film turd basket. Smooth move.

This was such an utter shame. The designs for the BBB minimate are utterly fantastic. The mask head piece evokes the same hard, angular look as movie’s version. The Bat-a-rangs were to be painted a metallic black/orange just like they were in the movie. Other details were planned such as the glossy black suit color.

They even got the facial expression right. I can almost hear the design saying in the deep Christian Bale Batman voice, “Make me. Make me right now.”

Can the world ever have too many Batman minimates? No, not if they look like this dark beauty.

--------Watch This Weekend for a New Minimate Institute of Research! ------

401K-Man Cut from Minimate Line

Citing a complete lack of interest, Art Asylum announced today that it was permanently cutting 401k-Man from its line-up of possible mini-figures. “While contributing to a 401K may be a good idea for United States citizens, we see absolutely no market for a 401K-Man minimate,” explained one of the many Art Asylum spokespersons. “I’m not even certain our foreign collectors even know what a 401K is.”

Although many collectors were unaware 401K-Man was even a contender for a minimate release, many were pleased with the news none-the-less. “Who the hell wants a 401K-Man minimate?” laughed one collector. “What’s next, Waiting-In-Line-Man minimate?”