House of Fun Artist Minimates Designs and Prototypes

Apologies for the low-res photo above, it's the only one I can find in my files and I couldn't find hide nor hare of these things on Google. Which makes sense, since this is a pretty obscure item.

Back when Wizard Magazine existed, it had a companion magazine called Toyfare. Sarah and I had done some work for Wizard (comics, a Milk & Cheese holiday card) and had some supporters there, we were on the comp lists and that meant copies of both magazines as well as whatever exclusive Marvel Toybiz action figures got made between the two (more like, repainted). 

At some point, we were asked to do Minimates designs for an indy artist's presentation or something or other. I can't recall exactly what the deal was. It might have been a charity event or a gallery or both or neither(?). It was a non-paying gig but that wasn't a big deal, it would be fun and they were going to have artists put together prototypes of the figures. 

Sarah and I did seven figure designs, using the Minimates design template we were provided with, I drew the characters and we finagled with details and Sarah did the color designs. Being a toy fan this was a lot of fun. Eventually we were sent the above photo of the "line". which we thought looked right on model. They looked just like our work slapped onto actual figures, which, I guess, is what they are. They did a really nifty job on them.

Toyfare ran an article on the figures as part of the overall project. The piece highlighted Deadeye Dick and Surf Mummy and ran several new photographs of the prototype figures and accessories. There was talk of actually producing a set of some of the artist figure designs, including Deadeye and the Mummy. Unfortunately, the idea was ultimately dropped.

Some time after the article ran we were sent a package that contained two custom boxes with artwork and lettering done by the artists who worked on the figures. They contained all seven prototypes as well as doubles of Deadeye and Surf Mummy. We had no idea they were going to send us the figures, it was a very nice gesture and is a cherished set of tchochkes. I have the two duplicates in my office amongst the mess and the rest are packed away safely with our archives. 

Below are the initial designs. Collect all none of them!