Alex Rojas Customs
Customizer Alex Rojas is from Mexico . Originally from the world of producing music, video and radio, he now dedicates 100% of his time to his custom works. He tells Eternal Collector, “My hobby became my work”.
What does the word customizer mean to you?
Apart from the technical meaning, customizer means the hope for creating and developing figures in the way we would like them to be.
As a customizer what do you create?
I mainly create film characters. I’m addicted to cinema.
 |
Batman Forever |
Tell me about how you began customizing?
I started customizing since I was a child. I would go to the cinema and enjoy the films then find myself looking for the figures/toys from that movie but I didn’t find them. So I tried to create them by using school materials…that was 30 years ago aprox.!!.
Is there a particular character or theme you like to create more of?
Definitely: Batman, but all characters from cinema too. In fact, I try to create human versions who have real proportions, not only toys.
What is your process when you are customizing, from start to finish?
First, I must study pictures for taking into account faces and details. Then, I start working on heads with sculpy material. I look for a body that fits better with the complexion from characters. And when painting work begins, clothes are being done at the same time. Further, I try to get accessories from those figures that already are in shops. If not, I work them in sculpy material.
Do you make the clothes and sculpt the heads, etc…?
I work on heads together with my great friend Ernesto Flores (he is my master!), I design clothes but there are two persons who finish that work. In this stage, the most difficult point is getting the right texture from clothes.
 |
Snake Pliskin |
What is the best sculpting material in your opinion?
I think its standard for all customizers, I use sculpy for longer works in detailing process and epoxic material for faster works.
Do you keep any of your customs?
I usually try to keep one of each custom figure I have made but sometimes I receive great propositions for selling and there are some figures I haven’t got.
Have you ever sold any of your customs, if so where?
I’ve sold many of them! I mainly sell through Ebay and it has meant a big opportunity for meeting people who become my customers and ask me for commissioned works .
 |
Indiana Jones |
What has been the highest price that you have received for a custom?
I’ve received up to $1,200USD, although it’s not very often.
Do you get requests?
Sure I do! Although costs are higher in that case because these figures become unique items –there’s only one item for the buyer-..
What has been the oddest request?
I’ve received requests from individuals who are interested in their face with Batman armor or Indiana Jones clothes!
What has been the easiest item to customize?
Probably a Jedi Knight Warrior. You can use any figure and just adapting clothes.
What has been the hardest item to customize?
Batman with removable cowl!!. The cowl perfectly fits with the face so it has been a very difficult procedure.
When you are customizing what are the essential tools one needs?
I use dentist tools, motor tools to polish pieces, brushes and solvents for a better result.
 |
| Michael Keaton |
Who in the customizing world or other has been an inspiration?.
Alex Ross’ vision is the most amazing I’ve found. He gives personal vision to each character he has. I know he doesn’t belong to the customizing world! I respect the custom work from Kojun, Eric So and Nelson Costa (although I have only checked his work in some magazines).
What project would you like to take on as a customizer?
I would love to work on Batman development (I mean, all versions: from its beginning until the end).
When you want to see other customizers is there a place where you go?
Unfortunately, there aren’t many customizers in Mexico because it’s very difficult to get nude bodies for custom figures so I mainly use Internet as source of information.
What has been the best creation that you and/or someone else has made?
From my work, I think best creation is Batman Begins-Christian Bale under the mask, it’s almost finished. From someone else? Kojun’s Darth Maul, absolutely amazing!
 |
Sean Connery as Dr. Henry Jones |
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate yourself as a customizer?
Ufffhhh…..7 maybe? it’s a long way until perfection.
What would you say makes your customs different from others?
I try to get as much details and human perfection as possible. It’s not only putting a head on a body, it’s more than that! The main difference is related to country, it’s a very expensive work in Mexico because of the material, bodies, etc. I don’t know if I’ve already mention it but all parts are imported.
 |
The Flash |
Why do you think people started customizing? And where do you think customizing will lead to in the future?
I think we start customizing because big companies with copyrights from producing these figures are not worried about details. And those who care about details are not worried on articulation and…so on! I guess customizing will be increasing while people want to have a realistic and detailed figure similar to their preferred character.
Do you hope to create your own toy line like McFarlane?
I’m really doubtful about it…it requires many invested money and there’re too many copyright fees! but if there’s someone interested, PLEASE contact me
Do you also collect toys or artwork perhaps for inspiration?
All my personal collection is related to film characters and most of them have been customized. I love Indiana Jones, Planet of the Apes (thanks to Sideshow, these figures are really pretty!), and Star Wars stuff. All the rest are figures that I made because they don’t exist – Leon , Back to the Future, Rambo, Hannibal Lecter, etc.
Any advice for anyone looking to get into customizing?
Patience, tons of dedication and criticize your own work.
 |
Back to the Future |
 |
Hanibal Lecter |
