EWOK...THIS WAY

Ewoks. Was not a big fan of Ewoks as a kid. The mystery of the Ewok in the marketing push for Return of the Jedi was confusing to me. No one knew what the Ewoks looked like. Kenner blotted out the images on the action figure cardbacks and I didn't understand why. Kinda the same with Jabba. You didn't see him up until around the release of the movie. Crazy but there was once a world without internet and smart phones. If you are one of those young hipsters, yes, the only tablet was one made of stone...like for an Ewok.

In more recent years, I remember the Godzilla movie released in the mid 90s took the same approach to the look of Big G. You weren't supposed to see him until you went to the movies. The posters and other stuff put out before the movie just had a giant eyeball or an arm or a claw. In this case it was mostly to hide the fact that this incarnation of Godzilla looked NOTHING like the classic monster.

So you go see ROTJ and then you see the Ewoks in all their furry little glory, kicking the snot out of the Empire. I didn't think that they really defeated the Empire so much as they distracted them while the Rebels hit em with the final blow. I mean, if you are a Stormtrooper being attacked by these fuzz balls you'd wonder what in the Hell was going on. Really? These fuzzballs are gonna fight US? Next thing you know Han Solo is blasting you in your helmet and it's game over.

Now I have a better appreciation for Ewoks. Recently, I find the idea of the mix of the cuteness with savage brutality is intriguing to me.  Not sure why but little fuzzy bear people smashing a Stormtroopers helmet into mush is kinda disturbing.

Here's an Ewok I was working on yesterday. I have a bigger idea for the Ewoks but just wanted to float this out there as a teaser. I have an idea I think represents the Ewoks ultimate foe.

RA'S AL GHUL

As a kid I was never sure who this guy was. As I got a little older I wondered why this guy had Wolverine's haircut. Batman: TAS I learned all about him. And then I thought it was OK he had Wolvie's haircut. Sure wish Liam Neeson had his hair for the movies. Here's hoping he returns in the third movie with it.

RA'S AL GHUL

PENGUIN

Probably my least favorite character of all the Dark Knight's foes. Somehow he is an essential character if you go through the entire rogues gallery. Not sure why. I would figure if you asked any random person walking down the street to name five Batman bad guys, he would be among them. Anyone know a really awesome Penguin story? A comic, cartoon, or TV show? Tim Burton's version was as close as it gets I think. Is it possible to have an awesome Penguin story? Maybe I have it all wrong.

PENGUIN