Over the past few months Marty "The GodBeast" Hansen and I have been working on a number of projects, further exploring the possibilities of making hand cast parts and creating all new characters to play around with. One of those collaborations which has gone from concept to reality is the latest incarnation of the Bio Jumpers!
When Marty and I were developing the recent Infection stuff we came up with a little guy called the Bio Jumper. The idea was that this nasty bugger would land on a Traveler's head and take control by literally "jumping" the victim's biology. The basic theme seemed to resonate and right after the first Bio Jumper release we started talking about what other kinds of chunky insectoids might be fun to make as all new Jumpers. Once I started drawing, the very first thing that popped out on the paper was a Grasshopper based Jumper. This was most likely due to my love of Kamen Rider and the influence of the iconic big round eyes that always adorn those awesome helmets. Microman was also on my mind, sneaking through in the Acroyear inspired "wing-horns" that a number of the new Bio Jumpers sport in the above concept work.
A personal old theme also resurfaced, having appeared way back in the early days of the blog. Once again the oddball buggy race of Glyos called the Eidrallim marched into my brain waves.. Originally appearing in an old Rechlen and Aves story line, these bug creatures were dipped in a super strong alloy at birth, which would grow as the Eidrallim would grow. Basically like Achilles being dipped in the River Styx by the heel (well exactly like that). I always dreamed of one day sculpting a proper Eidrallim figure, but once the initial parts swapping started rolling they popped up in the form of some combined builds. The little silver cricket Jumper with yellow eyes (seen above) is a baby Eidrallim. The skinny tall guy is an adult (rescanned from a drawing I did around 2001).
The pool of influences ran from Bugmen of Insectica, Megabug Gladiators, and Hornetroid, all the way to Nausicaa of the the Valley of the Wind. The process was very fun and going back and forth with a true toy historian like Marty made the references a kick to infuse into the core designs.
When the time finally came to select what designs Marty was going to sculpt, it was the Resin Master's Choice. Marty came out of the gates with the Larva, the Horned Beetle and the Dragonfly! My demented drawings can be more confusing than helpful, so I was psyched when I saw the first versions of what would become the all new additions to the now growing Bio Jumper collection.
Each time we work on something together, Marty and I get to know each other a little bit more, and this collaboration was no different. I feel very fortunate that Marty continues to create these crazy toys with our little crew. Hopefully by the end of the year some more Jumpers (and maybe even a Beast or two) will join the ranks of the Glyos System, and if they do, it will be thanks to the exceptional talent and dedication of The GodBeast.
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