Hello everyone, this will mark the Radicons' first ever 'Featured Radicon Customizer', which will be a new monthly feature of this site. This is a forum, so you will be able to come here using the sidebar on the right just like all the other new forums in the Radicons area to view current and past entries. The newest entry in the forum will show up on the Radicons' main page, below the list of newest entries. We will be featuring some cool things in this monthly artist spotlight, such as an interview with the 'Featured Radicon' so you can learn interesting facts about them, such as what influences them, how they learned to do what they do, etc. We will also highlight their customs work as well. As this is a new feature, look to see it expand as we move on. I would like to thank both TheDevastator and Superquad7 for helping me get this first feature written and set up.

Our very first recipient of this honor goes to non-other than the famous Lobo! Lobo has been creating customs for a long time now, long before he became a member of this site. His work is not strictly limited to Transformers, although I daresay his best projects have come from the brand. Lobo has customized many things. His work ranges from repainting action figures, to completely building from scratch Transformers that have never been made before.


Lobo Work Area - Click to view full-size image!

Lobo has been an inspiration to many, and I am one of those. He is one of the customizers that got me to want to try my hand at the hobby, although I've nowhere reached his level of difficulty or quality. My custom created character, REDLINE, was only able to come to fruition through the magnificent efforts of this man. And to think all he had to go by was a simple Digibash!

This isn't the first time that Lobo has received honored distinction, for at BotCon in 2006, his scratch-built Hearts of Steel Megatron won first place in the 3D art category!




Lobo has been a very active part of the online Transformers community in the area of customs. He not only has done so by contributing his own work, but also in creating many helpful tutorials. Several of these "how-to" articles have been featured at sites like Transtopia as well as our own site here.

Not only is Lobo one of the most talented and skilled TF kitbashers, but he's always been one of the most helpful as well.

Lobo's Tutorials


Pin Removal

Kitbasher's Tools

Re-shelling Alternators


Instead of reading us rambling on about the man, We thought it best that you get it straight from the horse's mouth!


Interview


*Radicons will be referred to simply as "R" in this interview to ease reading.

R: What got you into the art of kitbashing?

Lobo: The Alternators line really got me into kitbashing. I loved the line and after seeing customs from other fans I decided to give it a try.

R: How did you get to your level of customizing? Did you have any formal training and/or previous experience in your background?

Lobo: Basically learning by doing. I had some experience before making plastic models and radio controlled cars.

R: What are some of your short-term goals as a kitbasher? What is your ultimate goal as a kitbasher?

Lobo: My goals have always been to make the toys and characters that I want.

R: Do you have a dream project, and if so, what is it?

Lobo: My dream project would be making a Masterpiece Devastator and making the remaining Hearts of Steel characters.

R: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming kitbashers?

Lobo: Don’t be afraid to try new things. With every custom you make, you learn new skills and tricks. And remember that there is a wealth of knowledge on the boards if you have questions.

R: What is your inspiration for your projects? What influences your character choices?

Lobo: Most of my inspiration and character choices come from fan discussion and artwork on the TF boards.

R: What figure has been your favorite to work on so far? Why?

Lobo: Definitely Hearts of Steel Megatron. It was by far the most challenging custom I’ve made to date.

R: How long does it typically take you to complete a project from start to finish?

Lobo: Depends on what type of project it is. Simple repaints can take a couple days where scratchbuilds can take several months.

R: Which TF is your favorite and why? Favorite TF character? Favorite series? Favorite toy (non-custom)?[Answers do not need be the same for each question]

Lobo: Megatron, G1, G1 Megatron. Leader of the Decepticons and a gun. What’s not to like about him?

R: What was your first customs project that you worked on?

Lobo: My first projects were repainting Alt Silverstreak and Alt Deadend into Prowl and Sunstreaker respectively. Everyone was making them at the time so it seemed like the thing to do.

R: What do you consider your strengths as a kitbasher are? Weaknesses?

Lobo: I’d say my strengths are in engineering the figures. I like figuring out how all the pieces work together. Weaknesses would definitely be painting and sculpting. They’re not horrible but they could be greatly improved.

R: How would you describe your work environment? (For example, do you like to have certain music going while making customs or do you have certain things set up that immediately inspire you?)

Lobo: Nothing fancy. Usually I just sit at my desk with a movie playing in the background.

R: What are your favorite things about the process of making a custom?

Lobo: My favorite part of the process is the end when my plan comes together and seeing the reaction from other fans.

R: What are things you look for as “cool” in a toy? Describe what you like/dislike in certain Transformer toys.

Lobo: I find the more complex the toy the more I like it. I really respect the engineering that goes into Transformers.

R: What do your non-TransFan friends say about your work?

Lobo: Usually the response is an unenthusiastic “That’s pretty cool” and then they ask me if I’ve seen the movie.

R: How has the new movie affected your customs?

Lobo: It hasn’t really affected my customs but I like what others have been doing as far as making the paint jobs more realistic.


Lobo, Thank you for your insights given us by your interview, and your candor. We'd also like to thank you for taking time out of your day to answer all those questions! We all hope to see you continue on with your craft, and look forward to seeing your next work of art.


Lobo Recieving his 1st Place Award at Botcon 2006


Lobo's Customs


Hearts of Steel Megatron (scratch-build)
Cybertron Shockwave
Cybertron X-men
Alternators Grapple (re-shell)
Alternators REDLINE (re-shell)
Alternators Inferno
Alternators Gears
Alternators Sunstreaker
Alternators Prowl
Alternators Kup (re-shell)
Alternators Trailbreaker
Alternators Perceptor
Alternators Victory Leo
Alternators Star Saber
Alternators Soundwave Re-shell
Alternators Thundercracker
Alternators Skywarp
Alternators Megatron (re-shell)
Alternators Bombshell (re-shell)


Links To Lobo's Customs' Threads


Hearts of Steel Megatron

Alternators Gears

Alternators Grapple

Alternators Inferno

Alternators REDLINE

Alternators Thundercracker

Alternators Skywarp

Alternators Bombshell

Alternators Soundwave

Alternators Kup

Alternators Perceptor

Alternators Victory Leo

Alternators Star Saber

Alternators Megatron

Cybertron Shockwave

Cybertron X-men


I just want to give Lobo a big thank-you for taking some time out of his really busy schedule to participate in our long interview, and for providing us with some pictures. Thanks, man! I'd also like to give a shout to TheDevastator for helping come up with some good interview questions, as well as Superquad7.

Feel free to show your appreciation and thoughts in here as well, everyone.

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