Just thought I'd swing by and check out the place.
JediMAC was nice enough to give me a personal invitation, which is always flattering. It's like being invited to a party.
For those unfamiliar with me (which might be more than a few since I've been accused of being
private 
), here's some background:
- Picked up a black crayon when I was two to draw - not color - in my
Batman coloring book. Haven't stopped drawing yet and Batman's still my favorite fictional character.
- Saw
Star Wars in 1977 when I was ten; love at first sight. Been collecting the 3 3/4" line ever since.
- Married, two kids, dog, renting a big house but looking to own and probably relocate.
- Worked for
West End Games for two years, helping to develop the Expanded Universe (yes, some of that is my fault). As a designer, I worked on various ship designs and also illustrated a
Topps trading card for their
Star Wars Galaxy II set.
- Currently I'm an art director with
CSS Industries, a
Star Wars licensee that manufactures Star Wars Valentines for kids. It sounds silly but it's virtually identical to the demographic Hasbro goes after and has gotten me beyond the gates at Skywalker Ranch, so I can't complain. The company also has the dubious distinction of owning
Illusive Concepts (the folks who brought us the life-size Han in Carbonite collectible) and
Don Post Studios (a venerable Star Wars licensee until
Paper Magic purchased them shortly before Episode II hit).
- On the 'net, I'm
MisterPL, a nickname given to me by my colleagues. (Sometimes my son even calls me that.) I've been through the CSW/RS/GH transition, having been roaming nomadically through forums like Yakface's Realm (pre-porn era, of course) and SSG. You'll see me stirring the pot at the Official Site from time to time, but I usually stick to GH and RS for news.
- Random opinions:
Stikfas are God's gift to customizers.
The Lord of the Rings is Toy Biz's best line ever. Art Asylum is truly screwing up the
Star Trek license, though its Minimates line has me hooked. And
DC Direct is FINALLY putting out some first-class super hero figures with mass-market appeal and I'm loving every minute of it.
- "
Post sober." That's been my online motto forever. It stems from too many encounters with Jekyll & Hyde posters. One day they're civil and fun, the next they're flaming you while typing with their elbows. It has recently been brought to my attention that "post sober" actually means "drunk," but I love the irony so much I think I'll keep it.
There, I hope that's enough info to tide people over. Thanks again for the invite. I'll be around.
- John
(PS - Han's coat is
blue.)
