Supergirl (Silver Age)

Kara Zor-el ,aka Supergirl is actually older than I am, by a full year, having been originally created by Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino for Superman #123 in August of 1958. Yet, her youthful  appearance and warm demeanor are as pristine today as they were those many decades ago (admittedly,    the more modern "takes" on the character over the years have added a nymph-like sex-appeal to Kara, which was certainly not present in the original Silver Age version).

In any case, Superman's cousin, though duplicating his Kryptonian heritage and abilities, survives to this day as a separate and vital character to the DC Universe. (We won't go into that unfortunate element of the original character's "death" in the Crisis on Infinite Earth's Saga, which many say is the obvious division point between the original Supergirl and any subsequent reboot, re-imagine, ret-con or anything new 52 (i.e. the current ... yechh.. DC Universe).

For me, regardless of such literary hocus pocus, there is still an Earth-1 where a Kryptonian girl still happily flies through the sky under Earth's Yellow Sun.

Now, all we needed as a Funko POP figure of Supergirl. Finding none (at the time of this writing), I had to create my own custom. Though she's undergone many costume changes over the years (red skirt, bare midriff, white t-shirt, headband, etc...), this is the original classic Silver Age Supergirl:

And here is our custom Funko POP Supergirl (shown here with Brainiac):

The recipe is as follows:

• The head is from an Ariel POP figure, repainted.
• The body is from a Wonder Woman POP figure, repainted, with the belt sculpted on with Magic Sculp, a decal emblem added as well as a trimmed down Superman POP cape attached.

Note: the custom recipe for Brainiac is contained in the custom database entry for him.

Mister Mxyzptlk

While many of the well known foes of classical Superman such as Lex Luthor or Brainiac might seem to get far more attention (and have a far greater recognition), there's a tiny and annoying creature with a bizarre name, which we can not overlook.

I'm of course speaking of the diminutive alien, Mister Mxyzptlk, from the 5th dimension, a character originally created in Superman #30 (September 1944) and appearing regularly through the 40's, 50's and 60's, as an annoying magical foe to our Man of Steel. Before ultimately being vanquished back to the 5th Dimension (almost invariably by tricking him into saying his name backwards), this little troublemaker would wreak all manner of havoc for our favorite Kryptonian.

Being a fan of Silver Age DC characters, my customized Silver Age Funko POP Superman seemed lacking (even with custom foes like Brainiac and Lex Luthor) if Mister Mxyzptlk was not among his adversaries.  And of course, there is not any POP figure of him from Funko Inc, but we can't let that stop the Funkustomizer.

Although his appearance has varied a little from time to time, here's a basic reference pic of Mxy:

And here's our custom Funko POP of  Mister Mxyzptlk (shown here with our custom Silver Age Superman POP) :

The custom recipe for Mxy is as follows:

• The head is from a Mad Hatter POP, repainted.
• The body is from a Toy Story alien POP, repainted and with costume trimming (from Magic Sculp) added.

Red Tornado

Some folks find it easy to dismiss DC Comics character, the Red Tornado, as that company's answer to Marvel's Vision, an android, pure and simple.  They're both Pinocchio, and like Star Trek's Data, the fun is in telling stories which tweak that progression from cybernetic to cells.

That is absolutely correct ... sort of .. kind of .. maybe.

The tale of the Red Tornado gets increasingly complicated, both Pre and Post-Crisis versions (and if you don't know what Crisis was, you are either not an avid Comics reader, or way, way too young...)  Red Tornado has, at different times, been an android, an air elemental, a tornado-based alien from the planet Rann. In fact, the latter incarnation as the alien Tornado Champion gets his memory wiped as he is encased in the metal body, effectively making him an android (if you think this sounds as complicated as most old television soap operas, you are absolutely right). It doesn't get much easier in Post-Crisis times, either.  We eliminate the alien origin and substitute an air elemental instead, who also gets a soul, a human body, then is trapped in the metal body (which has now been rebuilt).. and ... whew, am I tired.

OK, so the saga of the Red Tornado is complicated, and resembles a stew made by a team of chefs, each one, adding his favorite ingrediants, trying to counteract the others. However, there is ONE thing in common with all of these variations: WE STILL DON"T HAVE A FUNKO POP OF THE RED TORNADO (and that leaves a tornado-shaped hole in our Justice League display).

Enter me, theFunkustomizer (also known to my wife as Compulsive Man!). I had to create a custom POP! figure of Red Tornado ... and I did, but first, the requisite reference pictures:

And here's our custom Funko POP! Red Tornado figure:

Here is the customs recipe:

• The head is from a classic Iron Man POP, repainted (we could have gone with a Martian Manhunter POP, but ultimately decided for variety's sake, to choose the more robotic look).
• The body is from an Avengers Thor POP, repainted and with the hammer removed.

Firestorm

I've always felt that Firestorm was something different and special. Sure, he has nuclear powers and is actually composed of two people (originally), student Ronald Raymond and teacher Martin Stein. Yet, there's more to it than that. Firestorm is on the cusp of the world of "classic" DC and a more modern incarnation of DC comics (the one that just preceded the CURRENT incarnation of the comics, confused yet?)

In fact, prominent artist Alex Ross makes his dividing line of "classic" comic characters Firestorm (as opposed to the Kyle Raynor Green Lantern, who he refuses to draw). Firestorm is on the cusp of  classic vs. (recently) modern DC and the cusp of the Crisis on Infinite Earth's saga (1985).

First conceived in Firestorm the Nuclear Man in March 1978, this sometimes brash but honorable character is actually composed of two normal human beings who combine to form Firestorm. The one "doing the driving", Ronald Raymond is the young and sometimes brash student, while his mentor, teacher, Martin Stein is also their "in spirit".

So why don't we have a Firestorm POP figure?  It's time to resolve that FUNKO oversight.

Here's a reference picture of the classic Firestorm character:

And here is our custom Funko POP version of Firestorm:

 The recipe for Firestorm is as follows:

• The head is from a Funko POP Ghost rider, repainted and with significent sculpted alternations (with Magic Sculp)
• The body is from a POP Wolverine, with the claws, removed.

Now, Firestorm stands ready to take his place with the rest of the Justice League!

Captain Cold

SPECIAL NOTE:  Captain Cold is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show

 I've always seen Captain Cold (a classic villain of the Flash) as the Rodney Dangerfield of DC Comics. He gets "no respect ... no respect at all". Compared to the much more famous and popular Mister Freeze (of Batman fame), this terrible temperature minded villain always seems to be second rate. Still, at least some of us classic Silver Age fans find him to be ....cool.

Making his debut in Showcase #8 in February 1957, the Captain has definitely been around for some time.   Leonard Snart (what a name!) aka Captain Cold is the definitive leader of the Rogues gallery, the group of villains who are the collective nemesis to the Flash and generally make the scarlet speedster's head spin. Yet, unlike conventional supervillains (if there is such a thing), these baddies have a definitive "code" they follow to be counted as part of their club.  While Captain Cold is not superpowered in the traditional sense (nothing shoots from his fingertips or eyes for example), his freeze ray is enough of a chilling accessory to ensure his standing as the classic Arch-enemy of the Flash.

Now, if non comics fans could only remember him as well as they know Mister Freeze.  Poor, poor Leonard.

As usual, we have no stock Captain Cold Funko POP! figure as yet so it's time for me, TheFunkustomizer to use my "cool" customizing powers to create one.

Here's our classic reference pic of Captain Cold:

And here's our Custom Captain Cold Funko POP custom, along with his fellow Rogue, Black Manta (who has a separate entry).

The frosty recipe is quite straightforward.

• Both the head and body for Captain Cold are from a Doctor Doom POP. He has been resculpted (face, hood and shoulder ruff) with Magic Sculpt and repainted.

Black Manta

SPECIAL NOTE:  Black Manta is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show

The Black Manta is the archetypal villain for Aquaman in DC comics.  He is clever, ruthless (and in the Superfriends cartoon) had an awesome voice.

First created in Aquaman #35 (September 1967), Black Manta has had a long history since the Silver Age for acting as an undersea coral thorn in the side of  Arthur Curry aka Aquaman. More unusual is the fact that for most of his history, this was a character shrouded in mystery. It wasn't until 1993 and later in 2003 that there were serious attempts at created an origin or backstory for Black Manta.  Whether he was originally a kidnapped youth or an autistic orphan who grew up in Arkham Asylum, the character is a chilling arch enemy for Aquaman.

Unfortunately, we don't have a Funko POP figure of Black Manta so it's custom POP time courtesy of Charlie Tuna... I mean, TheFunkustomizer (that's me!)

Here's some reference photos:

The first image depicts Black Manta as he is normally seen in DC comics while the second shows his looks as seen in the classic Superfriends Cartoon as a member of the Legion of Doom.

We chose to go with the latter since our Legion of Doom Project is a homage to the characters in that animated cartoon.

Now, here's our custom Funko POP! Black Manta figure, (seen here with another of his Legion of Doom cohorts, Captain Cold, who has a separate entry)

The recipe for Black Manta is as follows:

• The head was originally a Jack Skellington POP was massive resculpting and repainting.
• The body could actually be any less detailed POP body. For irony's sake (and because we had an extra in our custom tool box), we went with an Aquaman body.

 

Sinestro (classic comic/superfriends version)

SPECIAL NOTE:  Sinestro is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show.

While he might have gained a tremendous popularity over the past several years, the classic DC comics Green Lantern villain, Sinestro, actually has his roots set much further into the past.  

Making his debut back in Green Lantern (vol 2), July-Aug. 1961, Sinestro, later revealed to be a former Green Lantern from the planet Korugar stands as not only a classic Silver Age GL villain, but also a complicated multi-layered character, acting as both mentor to Hal Jordan, the classic Green Lantern of Earth but and renegade ring wielder.

More recently, Sinestro's popularity with current comic book readers has zoomed upward and his saga has become increasingly complex and tragic (Yellow Lantern Corps, anyone?)

Still, for fans of the classic Silver Age comics, or those old enough to recall the Superfriends TV cartoon of several decades back, Sinestro remains the archetypal arch-enemy, the perfect foil to Hal Jordan's Green Lantern.

The official Funko POP figure, made in conjunction with the Green Lantern movie, only depicts Sinestro as wearing his Green Lantern uniform, rather than these earlier styles.  

Time for TheFunkustomizer to remedy that, with a simple repaint custom Funko POP Silver Age Comic Book style Sinestro!

Here's a couple of reference pics how Sincestro has been pictured in the Silver Age comics and on the Superfriends:

 And here's our custom Classic Sinestro POP! Figure:

We've pictured him with a few of his other Legion of Doom comrades (check our other Legion of Doom Entries for more),

The recipe is a snap, no power ring necessary:

Sinestro is just a simple repaint.


 

Solomon Grundy

First appearing in All American Comics #61 (October 1944) Solomon Grundy was a classic perennial villain, named after the old nursery rhyme:

Solomon Grundy,

Born on a Monday,

Christened on Tuesday,

Married on Wednesday,

Took ill on Thursday,

Grew worse on Friday,

Died on Saturday,

Buried on Sunday.

That was the end,

Of Solomon Grundy

The DC comics of Grundy is a reanimated zombie (actually the deceased 19th century merchant, Cyrus Gold), originally murdered and dumped in Slaughter Swamp, near Gotham City. Solomon Grundy has been a recurring villain for both Batman and Green Lantern over the years and has been written in a variety of ways, with differing levels of evil and intelligence.

Some Marvel fans have accused Grundy as being nothing more than a copy of the Hulk (minus the Jekyll & Hyde angle). However, that is patently impossible since the Hulk was created in 1962, a full 18 years after Solomon Grundy premiered in the Comics.

Our version of Grundy was patterned after the Superfriends animated cartoon (Grundy's clothing colors might change slightly but the design remains essentially the same). Here are the reference pics:

And here is our custom Solomon Grundy custom Funko POP:

The recipe is as follows:

• The head is from a POP Hulk,repainted.
• The body is from a POP 1950's Elvis,repainted,  with the cape and microphone removed.

Just re-attach, re-animate, and in no time, your custom will be saying,  "Grundy Smash!"

Gorilla Grodd

 SPECIAL NOTE:  Gorilla Grodd is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show

I always wondered how Gorilla Grodd came to be regarded as a quintessential arch enemy of the Flash. I could understand how DC comics created the Rogue's gallery of classic Flash villains (including Mirror Master and Captain Cold) but the last thing I associate with an enemy of the Flash is a hyper-intelligent talking Gorilla with delusions of grandeur (not to mention superhuman strength),

But it works.

So it wasn't any surprise when Gorilla Grodd was added to the roster of the Superfriends' TV show version of the Legion of Doom, the corresponding villainous counterparts to the Superfriends (that's Justice League to savy comic fans).

Grodd has been depicted a view different ways over the years (grey fur, brown fur .. ) and our version happens to be the brown variety, as seen on the cartoon. Here are the obligatory reference pics:

And here's our custom Funko POP Gorilla Grodd:

The recipe could not be more simple.

• Both the head and body are from a Bumble POP, repainted.

Brainiac (Silver Age)

Is everyone familiar with this classic Silver Age version of Brainiac, the nefarious villain of Superman?  He actually began his claim to fame in Action Comics #242 in July of 1958 (and I was born the following year!).

His most dastardly deed is shrinking the Kryptionian city of Kandor and placing it in a bottle (couldn't he just make a ship-in-a-bottle, like most people?).  Over the years, (and especially during the Silver Age of comics), Superman temporarily shrunk himself down (sometimes with friends such as Batman or Jimmy Olsen) and had adventures among the tiny Kryptonians inside.

The original Brainiac, while a robot, appeared humanoid and green (why?) until during the TV run of the Superfriends, it was decided to "ramp him up" and show only his cybernetic parts.

For some reason, I prefer the original version, green skin, goofy outfit (doesn't every robot wear black shorts and a pink shirt?) and all.

Here are the reference pics:

And our custom Funko POP Brainiac (silver age):

Here's the recipe:

• Both the head and body are from a stock Funko POP Martian Manhunter, repainted. We've removed the cape but this time, left the cape lapels.
• We've added Brainiac's famous shrinking gun for effect. 

 SPECIAL NOTE:  Brainiac is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show.

Bizarro (Silver Age)

The reversed, mirror imaged, backwards Superman called Bizarro has always been a character I have enjoyed over the years. With his odd reverse-speak and his "worst intentions" (which are actually best intentions, get it?), he has repeatedly wreaked havoc for Superman and his friends.  In recent years, Bizarro has been depicted as more mean spirited and drawn differently (grey skin, lumbering body, evil grin etc..) That's a far cry from the Silver Age version of Bizarro, depicted here. He's not evil, just misunderstood.

Or in his own words:

"Me am Bizarro custom Funko POP figure. Me am very unhappy you took time to see my picture, which all other bizarros agree am very ugly! No Thank you very much and go away soon!" 

So, here's the classic Silver Age reference pics:

And here's our custom Funko POP of Bizarro (silver age) :

The recipe for Bizarro is very easy.

• The head and body are obviously a stock Funko Superman.
• Apart from the white skin, the suit has also been repainted a lighter Silver Age blue, a Backwards "S" logo added (decal) and the important "Bizarro #1" Sign, crucial to distinguish him from all of the other Bizarro's was created.

Bizarro says:

"With difficult try, me am not sure you will not make Bizarro custom as ugly as this one am."


SPECIAL NOTE:  Bizarro is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show.

Superman (Silver Age)

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a big fan of Superman. Being a baby boomer now in my fiftieth decade, MY superman is the vintage Silver Age variety (and wears his trunks on the outside, thank you very much).

The good people at Funko Inc. made a great Superman POP figure but unfortunately, it is of a later design of Superman. You see, somewhere back in the dust covered eighties, his costume suddenly was darkened to a different shade of blue (at about the same time his almost Godlike power levels were decreased).

Needless to say, I prefer the classic (Curt Swan artistically styled), Silver Age Supes, rather than the more modern one (don't even get me started on the current design, sans trunks ).

Time for a quickie super easy (they don't get any easier), custom Funko POP fix.

Here's a reference comparison pic:

 Wow, what a difference between the Silver Age (left) and the more modern (in this case, drawn in an Alex Ross style) on the right.

So here's a similar comparison, now Funko POP custom style:

Stock Superman (left)  Custom Silver Age Superman (right)

Now ... much better.

And it's Up, up and away!!

Extra: Here's a pic of our "improved" Superman posing with the rest of the JLA at the Hall of Justice. Where's Green Arrow, you ask?  Well, who do you think took the picture?

Lex Luthor custom POP

 SPECIAL NOTE:  Lex Luthor is one of the Legion of Doom. Check our Database as we make EACH of these Supervillains, featured on the classic Superfriends TV show

Whether depicted in a simple black suit,  striped prison togs or (as here) in his classic 80's "Superfriends" cartoon style purple and grey outfit (definitely a fashion sense crime if there ever was one), Lex Luthor remains the primal arch enemy for Superman, the Man of Steel.

Though he's been written as both a businessman and a scientist over the years, one thing has been consistent about Lex, he's "bad to the bone".  An additional angle added to his persona in recent years is that of the jealous geek, a self-styled suspicious defender of his fellow earthlings, against the super powered Kryptonian,, who Lex believes could go rogue at any moment (he even has "death ray" eyes! In any event, you just can't have the Superman mythos without our villainous bald antagonist.

Unfortunately, Funko has not made a Lex Luthor yet (as of Jan 2013), so it's CUSTOM time!

As usual, here's are some a references pic of Lex is his sleek classic criminal "Superfriends" togs:

And here is my   "popified" Custom Funko Pop version of Lex Luthor:

Note the classic (can you say "cliche" ?) arched eyebrow denoting an evil villain!

The custom recipe how to create this version of Lex is very easy.

1. The head is from a Martian Manhunter Pop.
2. The body is also from a Manhunter Pop but with the cape removed.

So this one's just an easy repaint. You even have the criss-cross stripes already there for you to repaint.

Creating an evil genius was never so easy ... or so much fun.

Darkseid custom Funko POP

I remember it like it was yesterday (I'm quite old, you see.. not quite from the Jurassic but close, I'm a Baby Boomer ...). It was  November 1970 and there was a brief cameo in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (Nov 1970) of a new and scary villain to the roster of DC comics... DARKSEID !!

Being a devoted Jack Kirby fan since his classic days at Marvel in the early/mid '60s (I told you I am "older than dirt" !)  I excitedly waited and watched for "the King's" move to DC and I wasn't disappointed.  Central to the colossal cosmic tale of New Gods was the villainous Darkseid, supreme ruler of Apokolips, wielder of the Omega Beams and all around nasty guy. Though he's been depicted in various ways since 1970, both in comics and on animated TV, his grim countenance remains constant.

Naturally, I wanted a Darkseid POP figure but as yet (Jan 2013), Funko has not made a Darkseid POP figure .. so it's TheFunkustomizer to the rescue ..

Here are some reference pics:

And now, the customized Darkseid (with his arch enemy, Superman!

 Yes, I know, he looks "cute".  ALL POPS LOOK cute. Even so, he remains one of the most powerful beings in the DC universe (not too shabby if you are only 4" tall.... the POP figure that is, not Kirby's Classic creation.

So, translating this Evil Cosmic Ruler (ECR for short) was relatively easy. Here's the recipe:

1. The head AND the body actually are from a Funko POP Thing.
2. The head has been resculpted with Magic Sculpt, both on the forehead and the blue "cap" that Darkseid wears (wonder if he has a bald spot?)

So, just sculpt and paint and  before you can say Anti-Life-Equation, you'll have yourself a custom Darkseid POP.