ARTWORK
I am a geek who likes to make geeky things.
My love of Doctor Who, Star Trek, Transformers, comic books, retro toys and almost all things sci-fi makes me who I am.
Below are some things I’ve made, t-shirts I’ve designed and pictures I’ve taken. You can follow me on instagram at @benplavin or buy some of my shirt designs at www.redbubble.com/people/zenjamin/shop?asc=u
Secret Powers Collection
COMING NEVER to TOY STORES IN 1980-something:
SECRET POWERS from Amalgam Comics!
Once upon a time in the 80s, both Marvel and DC had great toy lines from Mattel and Kenner: Secret Wars and Super Powers.
Then in the 90s, Marvel and DC got together and created a combined universe called Amalgam Comics (not to be confused with the late, great coffee and comics shop in Philly).
Secret Powers is the toy line that never was and that I always wanted!
ToyHawks
Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks has always been one of my favorite paintings. I wanted to put a personal spin on it and nothing is more personal to me than my toys.
TREK WARS
A long time ago on the final frontier…
Jean-Luke… Skywalker. The name struck me as funny but then a whole world of mashed-up concepts came to me. Some were obvious combos like Han Riker, Worfacca, Geordi Calrissian and Princess Deanna. Others less so like Greedi (Greedo + a Ferengi- my son’s idea), Anakin of Borg (Anakin + Locutus), Mr. Kenobi (Mr. Spock + Obi Wan) and Queen Palpatine (Borg Queen + the Emperor).
OPTI-HESS PRIME
Last Hanukkah, my brother gave me a classic Hess Truck.
This year I made him Opti-Hess Prime. Making the box was my favorite part.
SOOPA TREK
This was a fun project that started with a vinyl toy by Eric Scarecrow and ended with the destruction of many of Playmates Toys’ Enterprises. It has lights and sounds which means I had to teach myself how to solder to finish it. It was worth it.
TEED OFF
I have designed many t-shirts. These are my favorites. Most of the designs are available here..
TOY PICS
I was lucky enough to spend time in Hong Kong years ago and had the free time to take pictures of different sci-fi toys in weird places. Over time, I started taking pictures in other places, too.
I call it the TARDIS Everywhere Project. If you don’t know what a TARDIS is, ask your local Time Lord (it’s from Doctor Who).
Other toys include a lightcycle from TRON Legacy, a Tapestry II Picard figure from Playmates Toys (the first toy I ever got made), Ultraman’s Beta Capsule (hard to find but I have three. No, YOU have a problem) and a Dalek from Doctor Who.
