Some time ago I crafted a custom action figure of the multi-talented Kevin Conroy, and presented it to him as a gift. You can read all about that tale here. This is the sequel.

About three months ago Mr. Conroy contacted me and asked if I could produce additional copies of the Kevin Conroy custom. Needless to say I was flattered and honored! After some discussion I learned he was hoping for 20 copies. 20!  That was a tall order. I’d made doubles of my creations before, but never 20 at one time!

Of course, the first person I went to was the mighty Stew. Thankfully he was up for the challenge! I would craft a new template from scratch, and Stew would mold and cast the parts. I’d then assemble and paint the final figures.

Preparing the custom Kevin Conroy 2.0!

So I sat down to customize Kevin Conroy version 2.0. The only major change from the original was to the hands, as Stew requested the fists be closed to accommodate the molding process.

Stew’s molding process.

While Stew was busy with the duplication of parts, I set about designing the package art. This presented another puzzle, as version 1.0 used a re-sealable plastic blister used by DC Direct in the early 2000s. I no longer had any of those older cases available. I really struggled with how to create a new package without spending a fortune. I finally settled on the ProTech Star Cases. These are normally used to house carded vintage Star Wars figures, but the size was appropriate.

Now that the outer package was solved, I had to figure out how to secure the figure inside. Unlike the first version, I had no inner tray. Even if I had one, I needed 20. After some time I worked up a mini “box” feature in which the figure would be secured to the card art directly via a twist tie. It was a fair compromise.

“Begun, the Clone Wars, have.”

Stew finished up his work and sent the results my way. I was now staring down the barrel of 20 identical figures to paint. Oy! The process took a few weekends, but they all got painted. And they’re reasonably identical. Probably more so than manufactured toys.

I also wanted to include the Bat-cowl as an accessory, to match 1.0. Again, I had no tray to work with. Inspiration came from my little boy’s collection of Star Wars squinkies, or squeakies, or whatever they’re called. Some of the larger packs use tiny trays for each figure. I had to pilfer a couple of future Christmas presents, but in the end I managed to find 20. Hot glued secured the mini-tray to the card.

Then it was just a matter of assembly and shipping.

Anyone who has followed Mr. Conroy’s career knows he is a class act, and he proved that again with me. He was a delight to work with.

Thanks to Mr. Conroy for the opportunity. It was an honor.

Thanks to Stew for stepping up to the plate with the casting duties. This would not have been possible without you.

Thanks to Misty for the editorial assist on the bio text.

And thanks to Tyke and Peter for allowing me to bounce ideas off of them.

 

About the Author: Casimir Not satisfied with the limited options available at retail, award-winning customizer Cason Pilliod has been crafting his own toys since he was a child. His passion for toys merges with his background as a theatrical prop designer, allowing him to find unique customizing solutions, which he shares with the ever-growing customizing community via Inanimate Objects. Cason is also an armchair pop-culture historian, Swing dancer, DJ, daddy, and was once a Muppet wrangler, so he's got a unique spin on life. He also worked for Microsoft once, but let's just keep that a secret.

 

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