The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #336 and Like a Hood Ornament #42: Toymaking Updates, Dave Stevens Fundraising Update, Rocketeer Cards, and Working on the Backing Tracking of a New Song

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #336 and Like a Hood Ornament #42: Toymaking Updates, Dave Stevens Fundraising Update, Rocketeer Cards, and Working on the Backing Tracking of a New Song

https://archive.org/download/podcast-336/Podcast%20336.mp3

In the first part of this show, I share a bit about a new song I’ve been working on for the upcoming Thirteenth Hour soundtrack LP, Once Upon a Dream.  It’s called “No Hero.”  I’m currently working on cleaning up the keyboard riff in the background since I’m old school and have to learn to play everything first before I can record it.  One of these days, I’m going to have to go digital!  

This past week, I’ve been working on putting the Thirteenth Hour action figures together.  So far, here’s what they look like:

Logan …

Aurora …

Logan and Aurora …

I still have a few to fix / assemble.  The ones in the center right are the original prototypes that I made the molds from, and I think I’ll go ahead and paint them as well also.  Here are all the pieces and figures along with clear coated parts from the Lego minifigure Rocketeers I’ve been working on.  These pieces, when done, will be auctioned off, with all funds collected donated to The Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (the complications of which took Dave Stevens from us) and Hero Initiative, which supports comic book artists.   

Speaking of the Rocketeer, my brother gave me some vintage Rocketeer cards recently, which I’ve been slowly opening up.  Here’s the next batch:

On the back, there is an ad for this souvenir magazine …

Inside, coincidentally, there’s an ad for the cards:

I recently discovered that the game Microsoft Flight Simulator X has a skin for the Gee Bee that is the same as the NR77V Gee Bee highlighted in the film (the one that crashes in the first few minutes of the film), which is the one that Dave Stevens showed in the comics (itself modeled after the City of Springfield model that crashed in the early 30s … though presumably, Cliff and Peevy found the remains and built it into the Gee Bee that was used the comics and the film).  Nonetheless, check out these graphics!  I know nothing about this sort of thing but next time this baby goes on sale …

 

@13thhr

Opening another pack of #vintage #Rocketeer trading cards my brother got me as a bday gift.

♬ Rocketeer To The Rescue: End Credits from The Rocketeer – Dan Redfeld

Lastly, if you have questions for the show, 1/31/22 will have a listener Q and A segment.  Thanks to all who submitted questions already!  Get your questions in by 1/24/22 for inclusion in this month’s show! Email or anywhere on social is fine.  

Thanks for listening!

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This winter, if you’re looking for an adult of child mask, check out Thirteenth Hour mask combo package on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812) which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course.)

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #335: Upcoming Plans and Updates on Current Projects

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #335: Upcoming Plans and Updates on Current Projects

https://archive.org/download/podcast-335/Podcast%20335.mp3

In this episode, a few updates:

1.) the last episode of the month for the next few months will have a Q and A segment.  Submit your questions via email or on social media (or if on Patreon, via messaging me there or commenting on the most recent post) to be a part of the show.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be Thirteenth Hour or 80s related – anything you like or think would be interesting to discuss.  Have fun with it!

2.) A few pics of the Lego Rocketeer minifigures I’ve been working on.  They’re about 95% done.  Just some touch ups needed then will begin work on the packaging.  

3.) A picture of the current state of The Thirteenth Hour action figures.  Just a few paint touch ups there, also, and then will start assembling the figures. 

4.) Speaking of figures, I was thinking I’ve used this little bookshelf to take some pictures before, but I thought I’d use it more since it has a lot of my influences in book form! 

5.) Introducing my kids to resin over the past few weeks has been entertaining (and messy).  We’re making keychains here with a combo of Thirteenth Hour illustrations, Batman 1989 pictures, and Rocketeer stills.  The kit we received came with these little molds perfect for making keychain and charm pendants (and just right for small fingers).

The finished products!

@13thhr

Experimenting with translucent resin and some #ThirteenthHour novel and the #Rocketeer cartoon for keychains. And yes, #createdonthate 🌈 #booktok

♬ The Thirteenth Hour Theme (Synth Orchestra) – Joshua Blum

6.) Lastly, check out this meditative youtube playlist.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEw1Y93zEv0qIPKp444imEBBASYxNrPYU

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Protect yourself and others with the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course.)

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #334: 2021 Year in Review and A Look at 2022

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #334: 2021 Year in Review and A Look at 2022

https://archive.org/download/podcast-334/Podcast%20334.mp3

Welcome to 2022!

In this episode, I’m reflecting back on the last year and planning for next.  2021 was a good year for the show (despite being a difficult year globally).  I’m going to focus more this year on planning out episodes (including the more intentional scheduling of guests) to make it all a bit more systematic and organized than it has been in the past (which, up up until ow, was basically just an extension of whatever I was doing creatively at the time).

I’d also like to engage my listener base more, so if you have any suggestions, questions, comments, or requests for the show, please let me know!  I’m going to try an experiment for a few months, making the last show of the month (1/31/22 in this month’s case to have a Q and A segment).  More to come in the coming weeks.  Listeners can also leave messages via voice on the main website (found on on the audio –> Thirteenth Hour podcast section):

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast

A few updates on a few creative projects I’ve been wrapping up:

These were some resin bookmarks I made with my kids – their first introduction to resin art and mica powder:

A few pictures on the Lego Rocketeer figures I’ve been slowing working on.  The packs are almost done; just wrapping up some details on the painting.

The figures will probably look something like this (an early draft):

Speaking of painting, the Kenner style Thirteenth Hour figures are almost done.  Some heads of Aurora and Logan:

What Aurora will probably look like when done (she is in her outfit from the part of the book where she fights a dragon):

I also added little magnets to Logan’s boots to allow him to easily connect to Lightning, his hoverboard (which will be his accessory).

Wishing you the best as you begin a new year!

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Protect yourself and others with the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course.)

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #333: Let’s End 2021 by Wrapping up the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization (Part 19) and Talking Toy Updates

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #333: Let’s End 2021 by Wrapping up the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization (Part 19) and Talking Toy Updates

https://archive.org/download/podcast-333/Podcast%20333.mp3

This is the last show of 2021!  We’re finishing up the year with a few toymaking updates and finishing the reading of the Howard the Duck novelization.

If you celebrate Christmas, hope y’all had a good day.  We tend to follow the Latin American tradition of extending Xmas to at least Three Kings’ Day in January since, with young children, it seems to work out best to not give ALL the presents on one day.  And it make it a bit more relaxed.  Speaking of the holidays, check out this cookie my brother, Jeremy, decorated showing a soaring Logan.  There’s even an infinity sign lest yon man soaring over and through lofty peaks be mistaken for a mere snowboarder.  

Speaking of Logan, about a year ago, I made my first real custom action figure – a fairly well articulated Logan from The Thirteenth Hour from an old GI Joe and the head of a character from Treasure Planet (I think). 

This year, I’m about 80 percent done a similar, but in some ways more complex project – casting and making a number of copies of Logan and Aurora in Kenner-style 5 points of articulation form.  The fine detail and touch up work is still yet to be done, but even so, it’s a simpler look with less moving parts.  The simplicity allowed me to think about being able to cast all the parts and attempt to piece them together.

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A post shared by Joshua Blum 📘🎨 Author & Artist (@the13thhr)

I still have two more separate figures to make as well as accessories and packing to figure out but will discuss more next week when discussing 2022 goals.

One goal I had this fall was to read a longer movie novelization on the show (I read a movie novelization of Spacecamp before, but it was pretty short).  I was wondering if a 200 page book would drag.  But done in little bits, it was fun to do, especially this one.  After 19 episodes, reading roughly a chapter a session, we have finished reading the Howard the Duck movie novelization.  It was quite an enjoyable experience, as I’ve mentioned before.  In some ways, similar to the comic – part satire, part social commentary – as well as a healthy dose of existential angst exhibited by Howard almost making it part philosophical treatise – clearly, this Duck is more than meets the eye.

A few excerpts I liked:

And (spoilers ahead), you can’t beat this ending:

It’s been a nice activity to complete while working on the Beverly figurines. 

Next week, the first episode of 2022!

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Protect yourself and others with the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course.)

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #332 and Like a Hood Ornament #41: Toymaking Updates, the Christmas Rocketeer Episode (20), Rocketeer Unboxings, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 18

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #332 and Like a Hood Ornament #41: Toymaking Updates, the Christmas Rocketeer Episode (20), Rocketeer Unboxings, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 18

https://archive.org/download/podcast-332/Podcast%20332.mp3

This week, we’re getting ready for the holidays by opening some presents my brother sent, watching the Rocketeer Christmas episode, discussing a few toymaking updates, and, of course, reading the next section of the Howard the Duck novelization.

As far as updates go, I’ve been sanding and painting, then sanding and painting some more.  I’ve got the parts laid out for each figure and have been painting parts of them piece by piece.

This is a preliminary idea of what Logan will look like.  Not all the colors have been painted in, obviously, but that will be the fun part – when all is painted and it’s ready to glue it all together.

Speaking of toys, my brother, Jeremy, who was last on for the Red Sonja episode, sent some Rocketeer gear, and I thought it might be fun to open it up on the show:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joshua Blum 📘🎨 Author & Artist (@the13thhr)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joshua Blum 📘🎨 Author & Artist (@the13thhr)

Then, we watch the Rocketeer cartoon Christmas Star episode.  A few screenshots:

Now, check out the Hughesville Mayor’s Rocketeer sweater!

And check out these ornaments!  Disney, take note!

Speaking of which, if you’re looking for a holiday gift, please consider checking out the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course.)

Lastly, we are also reading the next section of the Howard the Duck from the movie novelization.  We are almost done!  Only two more chapters to go.  This past one has some humorous mid 80s satire/commentary on politics of the day (Ronald Regan economics and priorities, the Cold War, etc).

Next week, we finish Howard!  Have a good holiday, everyone!

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #331: Toymaking Updates, Shoutouts, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 17

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #331: Toymaking Updates, Shoutouts, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 17

https://archive.org/download/podcast-331/Podcast%20331.mp3

This week, we’re discussing a few toymaking updates, reading the next section of the Howard the Duck novelization, and thanking some people!

Last week, my daughter and I tried our hand at making a resin bookmark – it worked (kind of), though one half of the resin still is a bit tacky.  I’ve been letting it sit in the garage, since day by day, it get less and less sticky, and it can do its stinky off-gassing there!  I probably didn’t mix it thoroughly enough.  However, in the meantime, another kind of resin came in the mail, and this kind is a lot easier to use (plus, it’s odorless).  So we’ve tried again, with better results.  This batch also came with a bunch of little jewelry and charm molds, which was pretty sweet (since there is always extra resin left over after you’ve poured what you intended to).

Here are all the different Thirteenth Hour action figures primed and ready for painting.  Same with the Beverly Switzler figures.  Painting is the part I like least, but I think that once I get started, it will go fine.  I’m going to do these all assembly line style – painting all the arms, the legs, the shoes, etc. rather than each figure head to toe.

One other thing about priming is that it helps bring out the details when the resin is translucent.  Compare these two Rocketeer packs – the primed one on the left, the unprimed one on the right.

Now, some thank yous.  Thanks to Colin from I Used to Like this One for leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.  If you haven’t checked out their show, please do so; Colin and Shawn cover a lot of the same kinds of films I talk about on here, they do good work, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them over the years.  You can listen on their website or on most of the major podcasting platforms.  If you like what they do, consider supporting them on Patreon and become a producer of their show.

Another show that you may want to check out, this time a martial arts one, is First Cup with Jeremy, the founder of Whistlekick.  Jeremy and I have worked together for a number of episodes for his main show, Martial Arts Radio, but this little morning show is one I only recently discovered.  I really like the community that Jeremy and the other folks at Whistlekick have worked to create – one based on curiosity, focusing on the positive, open mindedness, and the sharing of information.  Have martial arts questions or ones that might make for interesting discussion? If you join the Facebook group, you can leave a question for the show!

Jeremy recently modeled one of The Thirteenth Hour masks and gave the pod a shoutout.  Glad it fits well and hope it helps this winter!  

Speaking of which, if you’re looking for a holiday gift, please consider checking out the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course.)

Lastly, we are also reading the next section of the Howard the Duck from the movie novelization.  This part of the novel has some really great writing.  The author really beefed up what would have been a pretty thin novel with some humorous bits that elevate the usual pot-boiler status of these kind of books to something actually unique and fun that can stand firmly on its own, even if you haven’t seen the movie.  

And in this section, the word “chowderhead” is mentioned (Rocketeer reference!  Though, to be fair, Howard the Duck predated The Rocketeer by 5 years)

Next week, the Rocketeer cartoon holiday special!

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #330: Toymaking Updates, Resin Bookmarks, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 16

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #330: Toymaking Updates, Resin Bookmarks, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 16

https://archive.org/download/podcast-330/Podcast%20330.mp3

This week, we’re discussing a few toymaking updates, reading the next section of the Howard the Duck novelization, and talking about a new resin side project. 

My daughter recently got interested in making resin bookmarks as gifts, so after making an initial mold, we made a trial bookmark with Alumilite resin.  I don’t know if that’s the best one to use, since I find it overall difficult to work with, but it’s what I had and does dry hard and clear, which I think should work.  

Alumlite is messy, viscous to use, and smelly, so we did this outside and went though at least 4 pairs of gloves.  This is what we ended up with, so hope it cures!  I did order some more resin that is often used by jewelry makers, that will hopefully be a bit easier to work with, so if this is a fail, we’ll try again.  I think it’ll be fun it we can do it!

It’s tedious, but I’ve been making some slow progress on the Lego Rocketeer figures!  The Cirrus X-3 packs now have attachments to go over the Lego minifigure neck peg (instead of magnets, like I originally thought).  They are now primed and ready for silver paint.  I have to cast a few more, but my goal is to make at least six minifigures.  There are always a few that are collateral damage, so to speak, in the creation process (parts get broken, something doesn’t go as planned, etc).

If you’re looking for a holiday gift, please consider checking out the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package I recently put on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course)

Lastly, we are also reading the next section of the Howard the Duck from the movie novelization.  This part of the novel has some interesting commentary on 80s attitudes (I’m guessing, added by the author, since it’s not really part of the movie).  Here’s the section in the film (the part with the ultralight plan / car chase):

We’re just a few chapter away from finishing the novelization!

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #329: Toymaking Updates, Aurora Inspiration -“Saving the Best for Last” by Daniel Horne, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 15

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #329: Toymaking Updates, Aurora Inspiration -“Saving the Best for Last” by Daniel Horne, and Reading the Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 15

https://archive.org/download/podcast-329/Podcast%20329.mp3

This week, we’re discussing a few toymaking updates, discussing one of the inspirations for one of Aurora’s outfits from The Thirteenth Hour, and reading the next section of the Howard the Duck novelization.  

As I was preparing the first run of Thirteenth Hour action figures, I was reminded of where one of Aurora’s outfits came from.  Back when I was a kid, you’d occasionally see fantasy art used in advertisements for video games and TSR Dungeons and Dragons material.  This was one that I think was used in an ad in this copy of a tattered DnD magazine I think that was called Dragon.  I’m not even sure it was credited, so I didn’t know the name of the painter or the painting for decades.  But I loved the painting – the tension, the imagery, the fact that it tells so much in just one picture.  Eventually, I somehow learned the name of the painting (I think by eventually figuring out who painted it), and learned it was done by Daniel Horne, and the name of the piece is “Saving the Best for Last.”  The title, too is perfect (referring to the archer’s last arrow.  I can literally feel myself tensing up internally seeing the threat looming up in front of the archer and the fact she has no more visible armament left).  Here is the transcript of an interview I found with Daniel Horne back in 2011.  

And if you like this picture, you can buy a copy of your own on the artist’s website (just like I did).

I recall sketching the hell out of this picture when I was a teenager, trying to capture the dynamic nature of the story depicted in the painting.  I was inspired by the setting, her outfit, her bow, the big hair (it was 1987, after all), the “oh, snap” expression on the archer and wanted to pay homage to this painting and how much it meant to me in The Thirteenth Hour, just like all those other 80s influences I’ve talked about ad nauseum on this podcast and website. This character in Daniel Horne’s painting is probably the only other visual inspiration I had for Aurora other than Beverly Switzler’s hair in Howard the Duck.  Even before I had written this part of The Thirteenth Hour, I had already created the scene and background for it in my mind and sketched out an early draft of the picture that would later become the one that would show up in the book below:

The same outfit showed up in the magnet dolls I made about a year ago (I still have to figure out what to do with these; I think some will come with a future Thirteenth Hour special edition album). 

 

@13thhr

Magnet dolls of characters from The Thirteenth Hour w/ outfits & gear. Made from a magnetic sheet. For an upcoming special edition LP. #craftingideas

♬ Keyboard Cat (Synth Cat) – Technix

This was the first custom action figure I attempted – a tiny rendition of Aurora in her archer’s garb, the same one in the picture with the dragon above and, of course, the one inspired by the archer’s outfit in “Saving the Best for Last.”

And here is the Kenner-style 5 POA versions I’m in the process of painting.  The parts are primed so far, so it’s just sanding, painting, repainting, and the final process of fitting the pieces together.

 

@13thhr

At this point, I’ve made 8 figures plus a few trial ones, so now comes the rough part – painting! #customactionfigure #toymaker #actionfigures

♬ The Thirteenth Hour Theme (Synth Orchestra) – Joshua Blum

You can now find the Aurora and dragon picture as a 4″ x 5.5″ flexible magnet on The Thirteenth Hour Arts store.

On the same store, you can also find the Thirteenth Hour mask combo package I recently put on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course)

We are also reading the next section of the Howard the Duck from the movie novelization.

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #327: Toymaking Updates and Reading The Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 14

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #327: Toymaking Updates and Reading The Howard the Duck Movie Novelization Part 14

https://archive.org/download/podcast-327/Podcast%20327.mp3

This week, we’re discussing a few toymaking updates and reading the next section of the Howard the Duck novelization.  Some toymaking stuff first: 

I recently finished the resin hoverboard for the mini Logan I made awhile back.  Lightning, Logan’s magical hoverboard, has this shiny aqua console in front that I wanted to make out of resin but wasn’t sure how to do.  I eventually got a passable result with Alumilite resin with blue mica powder mixed in.  After a fair amount of fiddling and polishing, then painting, repainting, etc Lightning came out all right.  I’d like to do something similar for the 5 POA Kenner style figures I’m making, since that’s Logan main accessory.  I’m not yet sure if it will be similar or different, but this was a good trial run.  You can sort of see it below next to one of said Kenner style figures, which itself is made from parts that didn’t really work for the other figures I had.  The resin in some of these limbs came out too squishy to really be used, but can’t let it go to waste, now, can we?  I’m still going to put this one together and paint it.

Below, you can see how Aurora’s torso comes out of the mold.  As you can see, there’s a fair amount of clean up needed.

Some of the figures made so far, prior to priming and painting.  I’ve made two others since and am working on a third.

Some shrunk down rocket packs done with bits of resin left over casting the limbs to the figures (more to come shortly).  This technique uses mineral spirits added to the mold mixture.  The mineral spirits slowly evaporates away, shrinking the mold.  You can see here how much these Rocketeer packs shrunk down compared to the original one made for a Reaction Rocketeer figure.

Since there’s always leftovers, I often pour them into other small molds, too.  The hoverboard above is actually the one of the left, minus the paintjob, front console, and the peg for the figure to stand on.  The synthesizer on the right is the same one I used to make one for Logan to play on – the first custom action figure I did – and used to make crayons and recycled plastic keyboards: 

I added QR codes on the back of these miniatures for songs from The Thirteenth Hour soundtrack and figured they could be kind of like 3D business cards.

For example, I thought they’d be fund additions to a Thirteenth Hour mask combo package I recently put on Etsy.  This fall, it became really hard to find good quality masks for our kids as they were going back to school.  There are still long wait times for some of the companies we like best, so I thought, why not try to find an alternative?  I eventually settled on the triple layer masks available for printing on by the company Flashbay.  They were one of the few companies I found that were transparent about their third party safety data (Junior: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Junior_REACH.pdf?v=1617870020, Adult: https://static.flashbay.com/images/certificates/Sky_Performance.pdf?v=1603078812), which is nice.  I was impressed by how well these masks performed on the filtration tests, even after repeat washings.  Also, I really liked how both the ears and nose piece could be adjusted for a good fit.

The Thirteenth Hour mask combo also comes with Thirteenth Hour hand sanitizer! (But of course)

We are also reading the next section of the Howard the Duck from the movie novelization.

Next week, my brother, Jeremy, joins the show as we talk about the 1985 film, Red Sonja.  Stay tuned!

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