As many of you know, Youtube personality and long-time Fwoosher Glenn Webb passed away last week.
While I didn’t know Glenn personally, I always enjoyed watching his videos or seeing the work he posted in the Fwoosh customs forum. Over the years I followed his progress as an artist, watching him refine his painting and sculpting techniques, in time developing a bold, hyper-detailed style unique to these boards. The intention was to feature Glenn’s work in a Make My Mort! article, but unfortunately that never came to pass. However, a Mort article would have only allowed us to look at one of his colossal customs — today, we’re gonna look at thirteen of them!
Glenn loved monsters, and had a remarkable ability to make the unreal a solid and tangible thing. His customs of Miek & No-Name of the Brood are works to behold; grimy and organic, No-Name looks like the worst thing ever found under a rock, while Miek wouldn’t be out of place rolling a ball of dung up a hill. It’s the completeness of these pieces that is truly impressive: the blending of parts, the unique, hand-sculpted elements and the re-engineered articulation are all brought together with a fluid and ironically realistic paint job. But why listen to my balloon-juice when we can dig the real thing?
And speaking of monsters, Glenn’s Dark Beast is a knockout. It’s always impressive when someone’s custom makes you want to learn about a character you’re unfamiliar with. Dark Beast has a nice Bronze Age feel, and wouldn’t look out of place in an old issue of Adventure Into Fear or Werewolf By Night. I certainly would have bought this guy off the pegs if he’d been an official release.
Glenn was always good about sharing his recipes, and we get a get breakdown of DB’s parts in the last pic. I always enjoy seeing behind the curtain and appreciate someone who is willing to share their technique and expertise.
For as toyetic as Marvel’s Griffin is, you’d think he’d have been given hos own 6-inch action figure by now. Glenn wasn’t about to wait for Hasbro to get it in gear, so he crafted his own. Off the chain!
Can you imagine this guy as a Build-a-Figure? I’d be all-in — in the eyes of the classics-based Legends collector he’s an essential, in the way that M.O.D.O.K., Armin Zola, and Doctor Doom are essential. It’s a nifty design and a killer custom, capturing the character’s primal savagery. Glenn’s love for offbeat characters really shows here, doing this Bronze Age beastie justice.
I’ve always dug Stegron the Dinosaur Man. As a kid I was lucky enough to snag a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #166, the conclusion a two parter that featured Stegron, the Lizard, and a horde of reanimated dinosaurs taking Manhattan. The character has always stuck with me, and it looks like I’m not alone.
Glenn really knocks it out of the park here. The translation from page to plastic is truly impressive, the artist managing to capture character nuance thanks to the a dazzling paint job, intimating spiked tail and a movable jaw. Another ideal Build-a-Figure candidate, we’d be lucky if Hasbro’s looked half as good!
When it comes to Morts, Glenn clearly had a fondness for them. His take on Marvel’s Bushwacker was (no pun intended) eye-popping, with a Cronenberg-esque flesh weapons and generally ooky vibe.
Character selection is one of the things that has struck me looking back over Glenn’s work — his love of the comics medium is evident by the diverse cast of characters he crafts. It’s clear he didn’t just read comics, but that they had an impact on him, both as an artist and a person. I mean, who else would give Bushwacker this kind of love?
In the immortal words of Bart Simpson “I want my Monkey-Man!” So did Glenn, as evidenced by this kick-ass Mandrill figure. Having poop thrown at you is the least of your worries with this dour fellow.
To quote Glenn himself, “First appearing in Shanna the She-Devil #4 (June 1973) Mandrill is a Marvel Comics supervillain. He has a freakish, monkey-like appearance and the power to exude pheromones that attract and enslave women. Using this power Mandrill has assembled all female armies in numerous attempts at conquest of the United States. These attempts have been thwarted by the likes of Daredevil and the Avengers!” Featuring a dazzling paint job and that crazy ankle-rocker pivot that he loved, Glenn really nails this D-list favorite.
Glen’s custom Sandman blows the recent Hasbro offering away. Not only does it sport a sharp character-accurate paint deco, but it provides the Sinister Sixer with some formidable weapons worthy of an adversary of his caliber.
Glenn obviously loved Marvel Comics, but he also worked up some customs of different properties. Here are Dead Ted and Anna Banana, from the Garbage Pail Kids card series.
These are great 3D representations of seminal 1980s characters, impressively on-model. I’m amazed someone hasn’t emulated Glenn’s designs — this could easily be a huge line.
And now for something a little different. Let’s take a look behind that curtain and see just what one of these customs is built out of.
Huh. Well, that doesn’t look like it’s going to be much, right?
Wrong.
That’s right, it’s Tik-Tok from Return to OZ. I’m floored by this custom — working with some of the most basic materials available, Glenn creates something dynamic and unique. His understanding of form, color and technique come together to make this a truly standout piece in an already-impressive group of customs.
And then there’s this killer Krang from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He sure is happy — waiter, I’ll have what the brain in the fishbowl is having!
I really get a kick out of ol’ Krang. I’ve never been into the Turtles, but who could resist this guy? I like the cut of his jib, whatever that means. But licensed characters weren’t the only customs Glenn did — one of his most potent works is an original piece. Based on German folklore and then interpreted through his own lens, Glenn brought the child-snatching Krampus to life!
I was blown away by this figure the first time I saw it and am still mad impressed today. This isn’t a custom, this is a one-of-kind work of art. It looks as good as anything NECA has ever released and could easily stand on it’s own two paws alongside any current toy-line. It’s an impressive testament to his skill and imagination and I nod my metaphorical horns to him.
And as great as these are, there’s still so much more. You can check out Glenn’s custom forum thread here for all of the original posts, as well as more pics, recipes and links to his videos. I never knew Glenn personally, but I feel that, in the end, his work speaks for itself. It’s been a pleasure being able to feature it. If you wish to help Glenn’s family in this time of loss, I would direct you to the official Go Fund Me page Remembering Glenn, which is currently short of its projected goal. Remember, every little bit helps, folks. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you all next time. Mm, bye.
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