5 replies to this topic

[edbrisson]

I know it's been raised here before, but was hoping I could get some info/names on creating some custom M.U.S.C.L.E. figs.

When I'm not trying to complete my M.U.S.C.L.E. collection, I write comic books for a living. I have a new creator-owned series that should be debuting in late 2017/eary 2018 and was thinking that a great bit of promo would be to have 3-4 M.U.S.C.L.E. style figs to sell alongside the book while at conventions.

 

Late 2017 is a long time off, but I want to get an early start investigating just to make sure that there's plenty of time to prepare.

 

I'm completely new to this side of things, so any advice on costs involved, people to talk to, ANY advice etc... would be greatly appreciated.

[Maxrez]

Do you plan on making them yourself or make someone do them for you?

 

Also do you have a link where we can see your work?

Edited by Maxrez, 10 January 2017 - 10:28 AM.

[edbrisson]

I'd want someone to make them for me. Honestly, I don't know how the process works, so not sure if it's something where I get a sculpt/mold made and bring it to a manufacturer or if it's something that's done by an individual.
 

You can read a few of my self-published stories for free online here: http://www.murderbookcomic.com/

 

A listing of my bibliography is here: http://comicbookdb.c...or.php?ID=18716

 

Currently working on Bullseye and Iron Fist for Marvel. In the past, I've mostly published with Image, but have also worked with DC, Dark Horse, BOOM, IDW and others.
 

The book that these would be for is a horror series that I currently have in development.

[ironmask]

It honestly depends on what you are trying to go for. How many unique sculpts? Is the sculptor also going to handle production duties? Size, color, quantities... if you have turn around done already, that's helpful... and then you'll probably have better luck getting legitimate help on this project.

[edbrisson]

I'd want 3 (maybe 4) unique sculpts.

 

I'm not sure if I'd want the sculptor to handle production or someone else. Honestly, I don't know how it works and am looking for a little guidance in that regard.

 

Size would be same as MUSCLEs, so 2" tall. Same "flesh" colour.

Quantity would depend largely on cost. I know that doing a smaller run with one sculptor producing them would have higher per unit costs than going to a manufacturer, but of course the manufacturer would require a much higher minimum order. Looking at both options.

 

I don't have any turn arounds as we're still working on designs for the book itself. Once the designs are done, I'm happy to hire someone to create turn arounds or do that with the sculptor.

 

I know little about this end of things and am here mostly to find out from those who've done it about the process. Before becoming a full-time writer, I worked in print production for a long time, so understand print and suspect that there will be some similarities with toy manufacturing in terms of quantities (if doing larger than a small custom run). I also understand that it's going to cost.

 

As mentioned, this isn't something that I'd need to have in hand until near the end of the year, so am just investigation my options at this point. 

[ironmask]

Shoot me a pm, and I'll happily talk to you about some of my experiences in this realm.