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01-09-2011, 12:47 AM | #1 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 339
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Hey guys...it's been a while since I've posted about an old custom I had done. I know we have new members every day on here, so I figured I'd share again. Below, you'll see the story behind the character as well as his bio. Enjoy!
*Thanks to Sean Shockley for doing the great custom figure! ** Thanks to Tim Shinn for doing the awesome custom card! Story Behind Shadow Master As many of you know, Hasbro Direct offered a “personalized” mail-away figure in 1987. This figure was part of the Steel Brigade Team, and for many kids, including myself; it was an exciting task to create your own figure. It was challenging to create a Code Name that matched all the military/martial arts specialties, traits, abilities, and personality of the figure that you were creating. After much thought, the name “Shadow Master” came to me. Although it may seem as though I created the name based on the Ninja Masters featured in the G.I. Joe comics, I honestly didn’t own any of the older comics when I was kid. I had bought random issues here and there, but never followed the series in detail. I remember wanting my figure to have an extensive background in the martial arts, but it was challenging to have a “ninja” character since the Steel Brigade figure resembled a pilot, and was standardized for everyone. Since I started becoming an avid collector in 1997, I always wanted to create a figure or character that would resemble what I thought “Shadow Master” would look like. I had an idea of what I wanted him to look like, but never had the skill or talent to start the project of creating him. I thought that this was a lost cause until recently. A few months ago, I was able to get in contact with the agent of a previous artist/designer of the G. I. Joe line. I talked to the agent, and asked them if they could find out whether the former G.I. Joe artist would design a customized figure design based on my input. After a month of negotiations, we both finally came to an agreement.* While the negotiation stage was taking place, I was trying to create a story behind the character of “Shadow Master”. At first, I thought about basing “Shadow Master” after Billy, Cobra Commander’s son. After much thought and inspiration from the Devil’s Due series entitled “Master and Apprentice”, I came up with an original concept for the character. I researched old Marvel issues of G.I. Joe to help with an accurate depiction of the characters backdrop. I also did extensive research on the origins, weapons, and practices of the “ninja”. This helped me in creating the figure, and also making suggestions in the design process. If you would like to read more on the background of the figure, please click here. Once I created the background of the character, the artist read it, and started the design process. There were several stages of the design process. Below is the design of the first preliminary drawing. After analyzing the design, I requested some changes to be made. I didn’t like the shoulder blades or the claws on the character because they reminded me too much of “Shredder” from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I also had mixed feelings on the face of the character, and asked if that could be adjusted as well. PICTURE 1 After several adjustments, the artist sent the second preliminary drawing. It was amazing to see the difference between the first and second preliminary drawings. I loved the attention to detail by the artist. Although I liked this image, there were some things I still felt needed to be changed. To me, the heavy metal arm shields with spikes, the curvature of the sword, and the sandals worn by the character resembled a Samurai Warrior opposed to a Ninja. Although Ninjas wore sandals, I read in my research that Ninjas would throw spiked caltrops on the ground to injure or possibly kill their enemies. After further examination, I asked the artist to change the style of the pants because they resembled shorts to me. Although I liked this head more than the one presented in the first preliminary drawing, in my eyes it resembled Zartan too much. PICTURE 2 To help in the process of choosing a head, the artist created several head shots to choose from. After several days of consideration, I finally choose a head that I thought would fit my character. I suggested some minor changes as far as the mask placement on the face above the eyes, but overall it was exactly what I was looking for. At this time I also requested that the artist make some further changes and additions to the next preliminary drawing. After researching several ninja weapons, I asked the artist to add a weapon in the character’s right hand, change the metal arm bands to arm wraps, and add the Arashikage Clan insignia and the name “Shadow Master” translated in Japanese to the blade of the sword. PICTURE 3 (HEADSHOTS) Below is the third preliminary drawing of the character. I liked the change in the pants and the addition of the arm wraps. I had mixed feelings about the weapon in the right hand, and eventually decided against it. I liked this head better, but thought it was almost too detailed, and requested that some of the detail under the mask be eliminated for the next sketch. I also requested specific stars to be placed on the chest, an extension of the sword handle in the left hand, and that some type of sword casing be placed on the character’s back. PICTURE 4 After some of the suggestions, the artist traced over the pencil sketch in pen to help in determining the final design of the character. He added the metal arm bands over the arm wraps, took out some of the detail in the face, and added the sword casing to the character’s back. The sword casing helped complete the image, but it seemed as though a sword needed to be in it. PICTURE 5 Since he already had a sword in his hand, I knew that I would have to have two sword casings. I wasn’t sure how it would look on the character’s right shoulder, so I suggested putting them side-by-side on the left shoulder. After several discussions on the final design, the artist suggested that I have one casing per shoulder. I debated on which should have the empty sword casing, so I left it up to the artist and his judgement on what looked best. I didn’t want to take away from the detail of the face by placing a sword next to it. After several other discussions, the final design was created and inked. The image below is the final version of the character “Shadow Master”. FINAL DESIGN Although this project seemed draining at times with all the decisions that had to be made, it was very exciting, and I was glad I was able to finally have a design that resembled the figure I always pictured when I was a kid. After receiving the designs in hand, I have an even greater appreciation of the artist’s skills and talent. I hope you enjoyed the read and design process as much as I did. Please email me with comments. I’d love to get some feedback. Disclaimer: * Although the original designs are signed and dated, due to the privacy of the artist and due to a contract that was written up, I cannot reveal the name of the artist. Please do not ask me to reveal the identity of the artist at any time because I will not jeopardize the privacy of the artist or break the agreement stated in our contract. Thank you for your understanding. “History of Shadow Master” Danny (Shadow Master) is the nephew of Firefly. What many don’t know, is that Firefly’s sister was married to Cobra Commander’s brother who was killed in the accident with Snake-Eyes’ family. A short time after her husband’s death, Firefly’s sister asked him to raise her son Danny, who happened to be named after his father. She suffered from depression, and was eventually admitted into a psyche ward. After several months of treatment, she passed away. Danny was too young to remember his mother’s passing, but Firefly remembered the suffering his sister had to go through. A short time after his brother’s death, Cobra Commander contacted Firefly, and hired him to kill Snake-Eyes, who he blamed for the death of his brother. Firefly agreed to the task, and seeks him out. After Master Sato was banished from the Arashikage Clan, Firefly (Faceless Master) stayed in contact with him. After the death of the Hard Master, and in fear of Storm Shadow coming after his only living relative, Firefly took Danny to Master Sato. He explained that he needed to provide sanctuary for his nephew because of some personal matters, and asked him to train Danny in the Arashikage Clan ways. Master Sato was unaware that Firefly was involved in the Hard Master’s death, and agreed to do so. Although Master Sato was banned from the Arashikage Clan, he still respected the Hard Master, and respected the way of the Clan. After several years, Firefly returned to Japan, and frequently visited his nephew. Seeing that Firefly is from the Koga Ninja Clan, he trained and taught Danny the practices of his clan as well. Danny also studied the Bansenshukai, which helped him become one of the most impressive pupils Firefly and Master Sato had ever seen. After being called back up into the ranks of Cobra, Firefly left his nephew again. Danny continued to train, and eventually became part of the Red Ninjas that sought out Storm Shadow, for whom they believed was the killer of the Hard Master. For a brief period, the Red Ninjas were led by Zartan, the true assassin of the Hard Master. After Firefly escaped the freighter that Cobra Commander buried him in, he soon took over the group of Red Ninjas that Zartan had led. He convinced them that he was a Master of the Arashikage Clan, and became known as the Red Master. Neither Danny nor Firefly recognized each other at first because so many years had passed. Danny was also under the impression that his uncle was killed nobly on a Special Mission. After a comment made by Danny about his training as a young boy, Firefly figured out that this ninja warrior was his nephew. Firefly privately approached his nephew, and explained some of the things he had to go through and how he had escaped death. Firefly then asked him to keep his identity a secret to avoid any type of resentment by other members of the clan. During a battle with Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow, and the Ninja Force, Firefly revealed to everyone that he is truly the Faceless Master. Storm Shadow accused him of being involved in both the Soft Master and Hard Master deaths. Danny felt betrayed at first because his uncle sent him to learn the way of the Arashikage Clan, but at the same time had a major part in its demise. When Firefly revealed his true identity, he brainwashed everyone except Danny. He explained to Danny that Snake-Eyes was the true target, and that Zartan was the true killer of the Hard Master. In order to protect himself, he gave the order to Scrap Iron to blow up the cars involved in the accident between the Soft Master, Candy, Billy, etc. Danny listened to his uncle, and realized that he could not turn his back on him. Without his uncle, he would have never learned the skills he now possessed, and possibly would have been raised in the orphanage since his parents both died at a young age. Danny assumed that his uncle had to have a good reason why he would get involved with a man like Cobra Commander. What Danny is unaware of, is that Cobra Commander is his uncle. Once Snake-Eyes broke the brainwashing of Slice, Dice, and the Red Ninjas, Danny was told by his uncle to hide in the shadows, and wait for him. Although he was apprehensive in doing this, he obeyed his uncle. Knowing the reputation of his uncle, he knew that he would not abandon him. Soon after, Firefly did meet up w/ Danny, and they both went into hiding for many years. During this time, Danny and Firefly trained for Danny’s final trial to become a Master. After several years, Firefly came out of hiding, and was being tracked by Snake-Eyes and his apprentice Ophelia. While Firefly was escaping a mission, Ophelia went after him. Firefly turned to her, and killed her in front of her Master. This event created more hostility between Firefly and Snake-Eyes. Firefly went into hiding again, and was not seen for some time. He is then tracked again by Jinx. In the meantime, Snake-Eyes is training another apprentice, Kamakura. Kamakura joins Snake-Eyes (Silent Master) in finding Firefly. When Firefly tried to recruit Storm Shadow, he was attacked by Storm Shadow, Snake-Eyes, Kamakura, Jinx, and Budo. He barely escaped from them, and retreated back to where Danny was continuing his vigorous training. Firefly explained to Danny that the time had come for his Final Trial. And now, the legend of Shadow Master now begins…. Last edited by dansjoes.com; 07-30-2011 at 12:18 AM.. |
01-09-2011, 01:00 AM | #2 |
FITE!FITE!FITE!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UHHHHH.....
Posts: 394
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uhhh....thats so dope you should get a cease and desist letter soon!
2dope to be true |
01-09-2011, 02:36 AM | #3 |
Forever Ronin
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 979
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Bloody f*ckin brilliant!!!!!
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01-09-2011, 02:40 AM | #4 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,330
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Hes got those nipple star jewelry like Janet Jackson got in trouble for. ...got my vote.
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WeEatOurDead |
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01-09-2011, 02:46 AM | #5 |
Tiger Force member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Here with my boy , Jacob , and Mama:)
Posts: 5,374
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Wicked!
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01-09-2011, 10:52 AM | #6 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 339
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I'm glad everyone likes...thanks for checking it out....
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01-09-2011, 10:57 AM | #7 |
Totally lost Techno Viper
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Backwoods of KY!!!!
Posts: 594
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If you are not designing toys already for someone you need to. That is amazing.
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01-09-2011, 07:08 PM | #8 |
Master of Annihilation
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 947
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\/\/ o \/\/ !!!!!
That is awsome, great design dude! FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!! FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!! FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!! FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!! FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!! FRONT PAGE!!!!!!!!
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01-09-2011, 07:22 PM | #9 |
MCC Recruiter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Asteroid M
Posts: 9,872
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wow! agreed, front page this shiz.
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01-09-2011, 07:26 PM | #10 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CT
Posts: 164
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hehe...Nicework
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