STRANGE BUT FAMILIAR: A Bit of FUN-KO POP-Culture. An IDOL PURSUITS: SPECIAL EDITION

Welcome back for a FUN...KO bit of POP Culture!

I'm just going to post a quick hit-n-run entry,  But before I do, let me hep you to a few projects that I'm in the middle of for this blog; such as...

1. Writing ALL-NEW blog posts, including; 

1a. A year-in-review post for the current Jason Aaron / Chris Bachalo DOCTOR STRANGE series

1b. Posts involving the (very soon) upcoming Benedict Cumberbatch MOVIE

1c. Assorted deep, introspective thoughts and reviews of other, older published bits of the Doctor Strange library and the swag from 40 years of comic collecting.

 as well as...

2. Gathering the data for updating long-running series on this blog:

2a. The IDOL PURSUITS series (my last entry was for the 1996 Doctor Strange action figure. There have been 20 YEARS of additional figures and statues since then, and I've got them ALL.)

2b. The STRANGE LOVES series (many new additions to the list of lady-loves in Strange's life)

2c. The MYSTIC GARB series (I've since acquired well OVER 100 additional garments, moving the total to OVER 200+, so I have a LOT of photos and descriptions to compile)

2d. the CLEA LOVES SEX series (Seriously. There are a LOT more instances to chronicle.)

2e. The SANCTUS INTERRUPTUS series. (Both Doc's and my OWN Sanctum Sanctorum have undergone destruction / reconstruction again and again since my last entry).

...and MORE besides!

(While we wait for me to get those new updates and posts, you may wish to follow the links above, in order to get started on reading what I've posted before now, so you'll be up-to-date when we really get rolling.)

In the meanwhile, THIS quick entry is a mix of at least three sub-categories of posts:

1. IDOL PURSUITS (as it deals with "toys / statues / action figures" of a sort)

2. GRAIL ITEMS* (actually this is a brand NEW category that I've only just begun to filter some old posts into, as some rarities are indeed, one-of-a-kind "Grail items". I'll filter more into it soon.)

3. FAME and FORTUNE (A tongue-and-cheek category, but valid, as I acquired the starring item via a Twitter caption contest with Funko)

You can find the categorical breakdown of ANY post at the end of that post, and also links to those subjects can be found on the left side-bar in alphabetical order

But, ENOUGH of this pre-amble... let's get to the SWAG!

If you follow me at my tag of @SanctumBlog on Twitter (and if not, why not? It's basically DOCTOR STRANGE 24/7/365 with some animal tweets and other stuff tossed in) you'll know that I have just recently received a rare and coveted PROTOTYPE of the DOCTOR STRANGE - CLASSIC Version- Funko POP!

I won this fantastic item during a "Caption This Photo" contest that was sponsored by FUNKO a few weeks ago. I'll include my entries at the end of the post.

I'll also post the photos of those selfsame Funko Pops from Funko's site.

And now, without further ado, are my entries into the "Caption This photo" contest.
While I have NO idea WHICH one garnered me the win, perhaps YOU'LL all vote for YOUR favorite(s) in the comment section.


THIS was the blank photo that FUNKO tweeted.

And THESE are my entries...
(I was the only person to actually use the photo itself as a mini-comic, adding word balloons. Everyone else just replied with their captions in text form within their tweets. ...slackers LoL).

So? What'cha think? Worthy of a win? But WHICH one? Maybe make your own! Take the blank image and submit your entires to ME. I'll post them in a follow up blog-post. Maybe I'll make a contest of it!
I must have some Doctor Strange swag to send (even if it's a hand-drawn sketch).

So, VOTE for which of mine you like AND/OR submit your own today!
Who knows... you might WIN ...er... something.

And HEY! Don't forget to check out the new additions to the DOCTOR STRANGE-CAST podcast (new posts will be uploaded SOON - [HERE] ), wherein we talked about THESE and MORE of the FUNKO POPs - and other similar collectible goodies.

IDOL PURSUITS: MASTER of the PLASTIC ARTS Part 5: 1996 DR STRANGE “Spider-Wars” Action Figure (Spider-Man Animated Series – ToyBiz)

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Welcome to another entry in the long-running “IDOL PURSUITS” series (and of the “Master of the PLASTIC Arts” sub-series {a complete run-down of previous entries can be found [HERE] or individual links can be found at the end of this post})!

Today’s entry features the DOCTOR STRANGE Action Figure from the “Spider-Man: the Animated Series” line. (AND all its VARIANTS!)

Released from ToyBiz in 1996, as a part of the “Spider-Wars” assortment (along with BLACK CAT, HYDRO-MAN, DOPPLEGANGER SPIDER and CYBORG SPIDER-MAN), this is the first true DOCTOR STRANGE action figure! *(See footnote below)

This figure, like most in the "Spider-Man Animated Series" line, is based upon the guest-appearance of the character (in this case, Doctor Strange) in an episode of the 1990's era Spider-Man animated cartoon. Doctor Strange appeared in the first episode of the "Sins of the Fathers" story arc, appropriately entitled; "DOCTOR STRANGE".

Also appearing in the episode are Wong, Baron Mordo and Dormammu (who, while Doc and Wong are in but this one episode, the two baddies both reappear numerous times over the story arc).
While neither Wong nor Mordo ever got a figure, Dormammu would indeed (at a later time, and not quite as a part of this line, which we'll get to in a near-future post).

I’ll confess, while there have been several other Dr. Strange action figures released after this one – some with far greater detail and points of articulation - this figure is my personal favorite. **(See the 2^nd footnote below)

Doctor Strange possesses 10 points of articulation (neck, shoulders, waist, hips, knees, ankles) , a dynamic sculpt and clean, crisp paint applications. This figure also features a “super-power”: via a specially-designed Cloak of Levitation, due to a clip that fits around his waist and a hidden metal wire in the base of the cloak (billed as a “Mystical Morphing Cape”), the cloak can support the weight of the figure, allowing for “gravity-defying” poses.

Also included are two accessories: a plastic pin / standee, and an “Orb of Agamotto” crystal ball.

The “pin” features a Doctor Strange logo superimposed over the Doc’s head and hands, and a clip on the back that pivots out to act as a stand (or clips back down for use as a pin {one of the many pins and buttons showcased in a previous post [HERE]}).

The “Orb” is a clear ball on a sculpted base that features a demon’s head (as if being scryed upon or summoned by the good Doctor).

Early versions had a monochromatic all-yellow "demon" head in the orb.
The final version had a green head with a full paint scheme.

But I'll get to that in a moment while discussing "VARIANTS".

While variants are a common and popular practice today, they were seldom seen in 1996. Some variants are intended as such; “chase” figures which are short-packed in assortments. Others are the by-product of mid-run alterations. This is the sort of situation that garnered this figure not one, not two, but THREE additional “variants”!

The original-run figure had clear/white joint-pegs in the articulation points of his limbs and the “orb” included a yellow base-color demon-head.

The first adjustment saw the arm joint-pegs colored blue to match his tunic, but the legs pins in his knees and ankles were overlooked and they remained the original clear-white. It still had the one-tone yellow demon head in the “orb”.

The next alteration gave the figure joint-pegs appropriately colored to the paint application where they were located; blue for his arms, black for his legs. However, it still had the yellow base-colored demon head in the “orb”.

The final tweak had not only the appropriately colored joint pegs, but a new green plastic mold and a colored paint-application for the demon head.

Of course… I have to have all four... both IN package as well as loose.
Such is the collector-monkey on my back.

The paint application seemed to start off excellent (the face is exceptionally detailed in the 1^st run; his eyes have been outlined and the mustache is perfectly painted. Each subsequent alteration saw a decline in paint apps. By the 3^rd version, the paint application is a spotty mess. Luckily, by the final version, they seemed to care again and with the appropriate colored pegs, and the painted demon head, the paint application for the main figure also saw a raise in quality.

Designed by famed artist Michael Golden, the figure was originally intended to have an additional accessory: snap-on magic spells, made from translucent vac-formed rubber. In the design notes, Golden also suggests light-up hands and a glow-in-the-dark Eye of Agamotto amulet (both of which would have been awesome additions to an already great figure).

With design drawings by an illustrator of Michael Golden’s magnitude, why his illustrations were not used for the package - instead of the sub-par artwork that did make the card - is a mystery.

I have seen notations that the design of this sculpt won awards, yet I have yet to discover what awards that might be. Most likely, some toy industry award of which I am unfamiliar.

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*Footnote # 1 (FUN FACT: )

After multiple entries in the IDOL PURSUITS series (and of the “Master of the PLASTIC Arts” sub-series {a complete run-down of previous entries can be found [HERE]}) we are FINALLY able to showcase a Doctor Strange figure that is BOTH an ACTION figure AND made of PLASTIC (as opposed to rubber, metal, or paper as have come before). Sure, the 1991 Doctor Strange PVC figure (seen [HERE]) is technically made of plastic, but it is in no way an “action” figure. Oh, I hear you matter-of-factly reminding me that the MEGO Doctor Strange figure was both “action” and plastic, but sadly, while it was originally intended to be a Doctor Strange figure (to cash in on the hopeful success of the Dr. Strange TV movie pilot in 1978), it was never released as such, and became instead (in 1981) a Jordache Male Fashion Model figure (as sadly related [HERE]).

As opposed to the failure of the Dr. Strange TV pilot securing an ongoing series, Spider-Man has always had better luck at mass media exposure. Thus, when the 1990’s SPIDER-MAN: The Animated Series was on the air, it was able to secure a plethora of ancillary wares of the star and his numerous villainous and heroic guest stars – which luckily for us included Action Figures!

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**Footnote # 2 (FUN FACT of  a FUTURE FEATURE):

As a testament of how much I love this particular figure, come back NEXT time to see all the CUSTOM action figures that I made using it as a base. Back in the late 1990’s I was dead-set on producing a custom of every costume and appearance of Doctor Strange. While not every custom used this figure as a base, many did. Come check them out – NEXT TIME!

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Previous entries in the
IDOL PURSUITS (and MASTER OF THE PLASTIC ARTS) series:


Part 1) - 1979 Ben Cooper “dangler-jiggler” figure – [HERE]

Part 1a) - ADDENDUM:  The pre-“Action Figure” figures
(Marvel World standees and "Rub-n-Play" standee) – [HERE]

Part 2) – The DOCTOR STRANGE MEGO figure that almost was – [HERE]

Part 3a) – Gaming figures: TSR Standees – [HERE]

Part 3b) – Gaming Figures: TSR Metal Figurines – [HERE]

Part 4) – The PVC Figurines: DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]

Part 4a) – The PVC Figurines - addendum 1: “MAN-THING” – [HERE]

Part 4b) – The PVC Figurines  - addendum 2: “DEFENDERS” – [HERE]

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SPECIAL EDITIONS:

Idol Pursuits: ROM SPACEKNIGHT "action figure" toy – [HERE]

Idol Pursuits: ROM SPACEKNIGHT model kits: full size and bust - [HERE]

Idol Pursuits: DR. ORPHEUS bobblehead - [HERE]

Idol Pursuits: DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME - [HERE]


Of course, there were OTHER entries in the IDOL PURSUITS series (mostly ancillary and preview posts), but if you want to see ALL of the entries in the series (in reverse order) just click [HERE].

IDOL PURSUITS: SPECIAL EDITION: The DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME (That YOU can now PRINT out and PLAY!)

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Introductory page to:

DOCTOR STRANGE’s

HAUNTED PATHWAYS

The Game of Mystic Mindrot

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“WHAT-the-wha…? A DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME”, I hear the collective crowd exclaim, incredulously.

Yes! And, as a point of fact, a DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME that was OFFICIALLY produced by MARVEL COMICS!

“Who-in-the-WHAT-now?!”, You all stammered, as one….

Yes! I am quite serious. There is a DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME.

“WHY didn’t I ever hear of such a thing? HOW is such a thing possible? WHEN did this miraculous event occur?”, I heard you say, while completing the rest of the ‘5 “W’s” of proper questioning’.

I know what you’re thinking. “Whoever green-lit this project would have to be… CRAZY!”

And y’know what…? You’d be 100% correct!

Printed in the pages of CRAZY # 88 (a “SUPER SPECIAL” issue) by Marvel Comics (magazine division) back in July 1982, there was presented all the makings of an honest-to-goodness paper-craft DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME!

My hand-colored figures and a close-up of my home-made box (from the early 1980's) for
DOCTOR STRANGE’s

HAUNTED PATHWAYS

The Game of Mystic Mindrot

Written by Steve Skeates.

Art by Steve Mellor

Complete with: spinner, multiple decks of cards, the game-board itself (because it can’t really be a board game if there isn’t a game board), rules, game pieces, and, of course, for the very reason that this is an “IDOL PURSUITS” post… FIGURE STANDEES!

But not just any old paper figures of ordinary people. Oh no! These are papercraft figures of:

 DOCTOR STRANGE

CLEA

DORMAMMU

&

BARON MORDO

!!!

(AND the game pointer is the
G’URANTHIC GUARDIAN!!!)

-

(NOTE: For MORE info on the "IDOL PURSUITS" series of posts, and a review of every entry thus far, see the post just prior to this one  [HERE].)

-

And so I present to you, in all its glory…
DOCTOR STRANGE’s
HAUNTED PATHWAYS:
The Game of Mystic Mindrot

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For your entertainment pleasure, I’ve scanned in the entire game pages (game board, pieces, instructions, etc) and digitally cleaned it all up to high-quality standards (available for download below).

You can either save the files and color them digitally (if you have the knack [and art software]) –or- print these out and color them in the more traditional manner (crayons, colored pencil, magic marker… heck, turn them into oil paintings, Picasso).

I still have my original set, which was from when this book was only a scant few months old. There were no fancy computers then, ya young whippersnappers, so we colored things with markers of magic, and THAT WAS THE WAY WE LIKED IT! Uh… sorry. I have the sudden urge to chase kids offa my lawn.

Now where was I?

Oh yes… My old set is shown here (at the top of this post) - for authenticity's sake - in a makeshift box and all hand-colored and pasted together. I have the urge to redo it all digitally now… and since I made these scans, I think I will!

Oh, you want to know what the game is about?

Well, it’s about obtaining perfect enlightenment as a Master of the Mystic Arts - or – falling into the grip of MADNESS and being locked away in an asylum!

See? FUN!

Here, let me allow Doctor Strange himself to explain it all in the accompanying comic strip (before and after the assorted game pieces).

*IMPORTANT: HIGH RESOLUTION SCANNED JPGS CAN BE DOWNLOADED BY CLICKING THE "DOWNLOAD PAGE" LINK, UNDER EACH PAGE.

THE IMAGES SHOWN HERE ARE LOW-RES MERELY FOR YOU TO VIEW.

REMEMBER: HIGH RESOLUTION SCANNED JPGS CAN BE DOWNLOADED BY CLICKING THE "DOWNLOAD PAGE" LINK, UNDER EACH PAGE.

(to download nice, quality scans to color and print)

OR
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE BATCH AT ONCE
AT THIS LINK:
HERE

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 01]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 02]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 03]

[DOWNLOAD GAME BOARD]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 04]

\

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 05]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 06]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 07]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 08]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 09]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 10]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 11]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 12]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 13]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 14]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 15]

[DOWNLOAD PAGE 16]

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The ONLY part of assembling your very own version that MAY be even the slightest bit difficult is to align the FRONT and BACK of the playing cards (POWER CARDS, ASTRAL PLAYIN' CARDS, DISABILITY CARDS & TREATMENT CARDS). Your best bet is to print them out, cut out the BLOCK of cards (ignoring all the rest of the stuff on the page), and then make sure the edges line up. If the edges line up then the cards should line up, front-to-back (-or- hold them up to a light-source - on a window, or a lightbox, to see if they match up). Then use a glue stick or spray glue and reset together back-to-back. Then, cut them out on the dotted lines, and you'll have your cards!
If you're technically adept and want to align them on your computer and print out double-sided, well... aren't YOU fancy?!
And speaking of fancy... I'd highly recommend bringing the GAME BOARD file to your local copy shoppe to have them print it out on nice glossy stock (or even mount it onto some board)!

Anyway, the game is oodles of fun (if frustrating torture is your idea of a good time). I didn’t have anyone with whom to play this game when it first came out, so I pretty much had to play with myself (uh, wait…). It wasn’t until many years afterwards that I tested the love of my then-girlfriend by having her play with me (now WAIT a minute… I mean THE GAME! Perverts). She wasn’t all that excited by the game, but she seemed to still like ME enough to marry me a few years later. As I recall, I won the game and I won her heart.

So there ya have it! Play this game and find true love – guaranteed! (Note: Guarantee of love is not binding or in any way meant as a guarantee. Let’s face it, you’re about to slap together a home-made board game. No one is gonna find that sexy. Not even nerd-sexy. Good luck.)

So what’cha waiting for?

Begin YOUR exciting quest for ENLIGHTENMENT (or INSANITY)... NOW!

ENJOY!

IDOL PURSUITS : "TOYS NIGHT OUT". A RECAP and PRELUDE EDITION

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IT FIGURES... this is going to be a multi-purpose post.

No, I'm not complaining or being sarcastic about anything.

"IT FIGURES" was the name I originally used as a subject header / tag-line for a continuing series of blog-posts that deal with "Action Figures", figurines and statuary. I soon realized that in keeping with the mystic nature of this blog's focus (i.e; Doctor Strange and the various magic characters which I collect), that "IDOL PURSUITS" would make more sense, since I am often in pursuit of these plastic (plaster, resin, rubber and/or paper) "idols".

One of the first series of posts when I began this blog were the "Idol Pursuits", wherein I started an extensive look into every action figure, figurine and statue of Doctor Strange, Man-Thing, Rom; Spaceknight and assorted other "6-Dimensions" characters.
However, somewhere in my 2nd year I got sidetracked into other posts (many epic essays and in-depth looks into the comics) and never got back to the "Idol Pursuits".

While I've been meaning to get back to it, I've sadly neglected to do so.

UNTIL NOW...

Since, as of late, I've been spending what (little) free time I have working on fixing up my "Sanctum Sanctorum" (man-cave), I've been surrounded by all of the many, MANY assorted "idols" that are stored within.

And so I feel compelled to light the candles on those alters and continue to pay homage to them here once again.

Just a glimpse of a VERY FEW of the many figures to be showcased in the weeks to come.


Since it has been a few years since I last posted an entry in the "IDOL PURSUITS" category, I feel it best to give a recap / run-down on what has come before with some pics and links to previous posts.

But then, make sure to continue on and read the comic story "TOYS NIGHT OUT" which was first printed as a back-up story in MARVEL FANFARE # 56 - and then come back next time for an IDOL PURSUITS SPECIAL EDITION deluxe entry!


So now in preparation of the continuance of the "IDOL PURSUITS" series, here's your recap of the posts dedicated to presenting detailed and comprehensive histories of DOCTOR STRANGE (and "6-Dimensions" characters) figures/statues/standees etc...:

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Part 1) - 1979 Ben Cooper “dangler” figure – [HERE]

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Part 1a) - ADDENDUM:  The pre-“Action Figure” figures
(Marvel World standees and "Rub-n-Play" standee) – [HERE]

---

Part 2) – The DOCTOR STRANGE MEGO figure that almost was – [HERE]

---

Part 3-A) – Gaming figures: TSR Standees – [HERE]

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Part 3-B) – Gaming Figures: TSR Metal Figurines – [HERE]

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Part 4) – The PVC Figurines: DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]

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Part 4a) The PVC Figurines - addendum 1: “MAN-THING” – [HERE]

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Part 4b) – The PVC Figurines  - addendum 2: “DEFENDERS” – [HERE]

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Special Editions:

Idol Pursuits: ROM SPACEKNIGHT "action figure" toy – [HERE]

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Idol Pursuits: ROM SPACEKNIGHT model kits: full size and bust - [HERE]

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Idol Pursuits: DR. ORPHEUS bobblehead - [HERE]

Of course, there were OTHER entries in the IDOL PURSUITS series (mostly ancillary and preview posts), but if you want to see ALL of the entries in the series (in reverse order) just click [HERE].

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Well. Before you go up and start clickety-clicking all those links, and (re)reading those previous entries, I'll post a special comic story here for you!

Originally printed in MARVEL FANFARE # 56, this is a story of a kid who can't seem to get his room in order and it's because he spends too much time playing with his... (NO, you filthy-minded people!) Action Figures.

But don't fret... there's a very good reason this story is being showcased here!

But don't worry, I won't spoil it here. I'll recap at the end...

Written by BILL MANTLO with art by DON HECK, enjoy...

 "TOYS NIGHT OUT".

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So, did you figure out WHY this is on my blog?

Not only is it a pseudo-biographical tale of my working on my "Sanctum" (well... except I don't have a mother breathing down my neck about it, and my wife is smarter than to threaten to "take my toys away") but it also comes down to DOCTOR STRANGE (and Dormammu) to save the day!

If only MY action figures and statues would do that.

I've got HUNDREDS of them... it would be a snap for them.

Better go check to see if any of their hands are smoking.

So, remember to come back next time for an IDOL PURSUITS SPECIAL EDITION deluxe entry - where I present the 

DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME 

(Which was OFFICIALLY produced by MARVEL)!!

that YOU can download and print out!

[HERE]