Emma in the sky with…
I was watching Cosplay! Crafting a Secret Identity and saw a stunning Emma Frost (of the X-Men books) AKA White Queen cosplay photo:
I just love her Canadian Lynx! That led me to Googling other Emma Frost cosplays, which led me to this:
I thought this mid-transformation-into-diamond Emma was so neat! Many cosplayers have done it, but this was the first time I’d seen it. So I decided Barbie was going to cosplay in one-sixth scale. Presenting my custom Emma Frost Barbie:
I always liked Emma’s costume when she was co-leader of Generation X the best. So that’s what I based my doll on. Her diamond power manifested later, but, hey, it was the whole reason I even decided to make the Barbie. So I basically did a mashup of sorts ;)
I regret that my camera’s not the greatest quality. I’d really love to show off her sparkle. That’s why some of the shots are a bit dark. It’s an attempt to really highlight those carats!
I have the power originating from the left side of her brain because (spoiler alert for the Age of Apocalypse comics — highlight between the following brackets to view) [that’s the side where Emma is lobotomized in order to render her powerless].
I’m a real scaredy-cat about painting my Barbies, but there wasn’t another good way to do the Diamond Queen. You are looking at a minimum of 20 layers of paint here!
Some other fun I had before Emma starting shifting into diamond:
Why do you think it’s run by a woman called Frost? (I sometimes enjoy how snobby Emma is, founder and CEO of Frost Enterprises. And I always enjoy her furs.)
“If that’s your boyfriend, he wasn’t last night.” (Emma smack talks Jean Grey.) To be honest, though, Jean+Scott = Marvel’s X-Universe OG OTP. So I’m a tad bothered by how things have panned out for the couple.
It is way more difficult than I envisioned to find a corset/bustier for Barbie. Corsets with chokers are so ’90s, but I’m tickled by the look.
Ms. Frost simply had to have these boots with the très cool zipper detail.
This will probably be my last X-Barbie for a while. I have five other dolls/figures to finish, from the genres of horror, science fantasy, fantasy, and Japanese science fiction — and one who doesn’t readily fit into any category. Time to get back to work ^_^
Equestrian Psylocke Barbie
I got the idea for this doll after I completed this drawing of the X-Men’s Psylocke riding her horse Imogen side saddle (but off-side because Betsy likes to keep things ~*challenging*~. (Quick note: I made all this up, including what she’d name her horse, for funsies ;))
This custom was no work at all because I simple redressed my OOAK Psylocke doll in — who else — English Barbie’s side saddle riding habit. (Even if she currently inhabits a Japanese body, Betsy is English born and bred.) In fact, my Betsy’s been going around saying, “Who’s the real English Barbie now?”
Shall we ride?
How Betsy looked as she was getting ready.
Like I said, this “OOAK” was way too easy and almost cheating, but I am really happy with it because it was a way to sort of bring my drawing “to life.” =)
Children of the Atom’s Eve
Rounding out the trio of OOAK dolls that is a tribute to my X-Men fandom is my custom Jean Grey Barbie:
Professor Xavier’s first student and the first female X-Man, Jean is the de facto first lady of the X-Universe. She is (obviously) one of my top three favorite X-(wo)Men. Even though Ms. Grey has a very operatic and convoluted character history, I’ve always liked her personality. She just seems like a shining example of a Good Person — making the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix sagas all the more shocking, IMO. Her strength, integrity, and love for her family (birth and adopted X-version) endeared her to me.
I love her powers, which include telekinesis, telepathy, and astral projection. Jean also comes across as very graceful, something I first noticed with her balletic moves when playing Mutant Academy for PlayStation. In fact, I had originally decided to do this Barbie in the classic green Phoenix costume based on how comely I thought she looked in that game. But my plan changed.
As you can see, I ended up making Marvel Phoenix. Or Phoenix Girl. <grin> I took the elements I liked from Jean’s Marvel Girl and Phoenix costumes and combined them. My decision to use Marvel Girl’s costume was inspired by this wonderful artwork by Morry Hollowell (the first photo in this post is an homage to his image).
Jean springs into action!
As you can see, the Phoenix symbol securing her sash is actually based on the symbol from the chest of the classic green Phoenix costume.
I don’t usually go for the toothy smile Barbie face molds, but this one is so girl-next-door and lovely and Jean-like. I’m really happy with it. I believe it is a Generation Girl head mold. The red hair, green eyes, and natural looking makeup complement Jean well, too.
So there you have it: the three X-Ladies that I admire…for their strength, loyalty, resilience, and perseverance.
Comments always welcome, no matter how old this post is.
Slice like a ninja, cut like a psychic blade
Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of the X-Men film U.S. premiere. Twenty years ago I got into the X-Men in a big way. So I’ve declared June, July, and August the Summer of X as I celebrate and enjoy being an X-Fan. I’m currently reading the very first issues of the comic with plans to dig out my collection for a re-read. I just finished viewing for the first time(s) the X-Men Japanese anime, Wolverine and the X-Men, and X-Men: Evolution Season 1. I’m in the middle of my umpteenth rewatch of the classic ’90s X-Men animated series. Tomorrow will begin a three-day movie marathon of X1, X2, and X3.
I’m also celebrating the X by making Barbies of my favorite X-(wo)Men. I started with Rogue. Now, Rogue’s my girl, but I’ve been a casual Psylocke fan since she was heavily featured in the 1991 title relaunch. Her powers are cool (psi-blade!); her story is tragic but crazy in a soap opera-y way; her purple hair and leotard-cum-ribbons costume are striking; she’s a telepathic ninja wielding katana/swords. ‘Nuff said.
I describe myself as a casual Psylocke fan only because at the point in the comics when I got into the X-Men, Betsy was hyper-sexualized. That’s a hazard for female characters, period. And the X-Women have it done to them in spades. It’s not easy as a female reader to trudge through that. But Psylocke’s portrayal was over the top, obviously fan service (or worse). So I kept the character at arm’s length, but still considered her one of the X-characters I liked.
And then I ran into a purple-haired Barbie…
I wanted her uniform to have that darker blue look it sometimes had, like in this Jim Lee drawing:
I also thought the darker color was better camouflage for a ninja. Didn’t want her too matchy either. So the gloves and boots match but the leotard is a different shade as well as the thigh and arm ribbons. I never had a problem with a ninja wearing such an outfit. I can imagine it really allows for maneuverability.
A lot of people seem to think Psylocke’s arm and thigh ribbons are “ridiculous.” They don’t bother me in the least. In fact I quite like them and think they are distinctive. Note that a similar design on the thighs is found in Cyclops’ X-costume (as well as the full team costumes that seem to be based on it).
Ms. Braddock, Ms. Braddock, let down your hair…
I decided to go with a more modest leotard for my Psylocke.
I love when my Barbies need swords — or in this case, katana.
For fun, I did her Crimson Dawn eye tattoo. While I liked the eye tattoos in the Age of Apocalypse storyline, I’ve always been ambivalent about Betsy’s.
Alternate version with pink sash.
When telepaths attack…
I have one more X-Lady in the works. Very much hope to finish her before my Summer of X gives way to autumn.
Going Rogue
The X-Men may just be my most cherished superhero team. The Justice League of America had my heart as a child in the form of Super Friends, but JLA is full of Big-time Heavy Hitter Super Heroes: Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman. (I’m a huge Wonder Woman acolyte, too.) The Children of the Atom feel more like a team and family.
Hands-down my number one X-Man, X-Woman, mutant of female type is Rogue. She’s physically strong yet emotionally vulnerable, a reformed baddie, and a sweet Southern belle with a sassy/funny side.
I discovered the X-Men about 20 years ago. (Oh, my. That’s a lonnnnng time back.) My brother got me into the 1991 re-launch of the title. The animated series was on TV. Then my local Toys R Us had all 599* issues of various titles that comprise the Age of Apocalypse storyline on clearance. I became an X-Fan in a big, big way.
*estimate only
Of course I wanted X-Men merch, but more importantly I wanted Rogue merchandise! Too bad this was the official Rogue action figure at the time:
Oh, Toy Biz. Never stop doing you. And by never, I mean always.
As you can already guess, I far preferred Barbie dolls to action figures anyway. Well, imagine my delight and surprise in perusing the aisles at Toys R Us nearly 20 years ago and feasting my eyes on this jewel:
I was so excited. They had Storm, too! They were one-sixth scale like Barbie! They came with civilian outfits to wear to the mall to run into a Chinese American teen mutant with pyrotechnic powers! My enthusiasm was out of control…until I got a closer look.
While the head mold used for this official Rogue is fierce and intimidating, it wasn’t really my ideal when I envisioned a Rogue Barbie. And the boots. *Sigh* They are these weird bootie-type things that in no way approximate boots. They’re like the feet of footie pajamas.
But even though I was disappointed, I bought one. I should’ve bought two because since circa 1996 I’ve been wanting to put this Rogue suit on a Barbie — and this was before I even knew that customizing dolls was a thing and long before I gave myself “permission” to do so.
Thank heaven for this official Rogue 12 inch Collector Hero, mostly for that suit! I’m not the first to make use of it.
A custom Rogue Volks doll by setsunakou.com
A custom Monster High Clawdeen Rogue by (AFAICT) eBayer garnetredfox
A custom Pullip Rogue by WhiteNoise_85
I love all of these custom Rogues. Here are a few more of my favorites that don’t utilize the Toy Biz suit…Rogue Leader to Rogue Squadron…
I believe the outfit is handmade. Amazing work by Siansonea.
X-Men Legacy Rogue by robabella
A custom Tonner Rogue, also by setsunakou.com
(Tonner also released a Rogue)
Another Legacy Rogue, but this one is by mikestimson2003
I would love to have all of the above in my collection. And the official Rogue releases (including action figures and statues) have improved. But I HAD to have my very own 11.5-inch Rogue.
I went with my favorite Barbie face mold, the Steffie face. I adore the natural/no-makeup look of this one.
Here’s Rogue all suited up. I upgraded her headband (partially), belt, gloves, and boots. I also rooted the white streak(s) meself.
These boots are made for kicking butt. (I had to give her heels. Thankfully my girl is nigh invulnerable.)
Come fly with me…
Back view. The cropped jacket from the official doll is perfect.
Reach out and touch someone. Or maybe don’t.
My goodness, I love this doll! (Can’t you tell by the xillions of images I’ve included? ;)) She was a long time in the making. Not only have I been planning to do this since around ’96, but I actually started working on her in 2012. Yep, you guessed it: the hair was the holdup.
It’s very fitting that I finally have my Rogue on the 20th anniversary of my X-Men fandom.
Comments always welcome, no matter how old this post is.
The Barbie Aisle 