Calvin Ma's Customs
 |
Thanos |
What does the word customizer mean to you?
The word customizer to me means putting your own personal touch or flavor to whatever figure you’re working on and making it unique.
How did you begin customizing?
Customizing began when I was messing around with one of my Hulk figures. I wanted my Savage Hulk from the Hulks classics series to be gray, so I picked up a jar of paint, messed around with some Sculpey to give him more of a lower jaw and the ending result was awesome. From then on, I figured I could even create different characters, let alone painting them another color.
As a customizer what do you create?
As a customizer, I try to always put out something that blows peoples’ minds. Every custom out there is unique in their own way, so I aim to go beyond that by making something that has never been done before, or significantly improving on something that has, with more of a “CAL” (my customizer name) touch to it.
What is your process when you are customizing, from start to finish?
The first step is to lay out everything you need to make the figure (tools, reference pics, etc.). Next, sculpt what’s needed or add whatever accessories on the figure. The last and my favorite part is painting the figure and adding the details.
 |
Galactus |
Have you ever sold any of your customs, if so where?
Most of my customs have been sold on Ebay. Occasionally, I take a few requests here and there when people stumble across my website (www.calscustoms.com) and like my work.
What has been the highest price that you have received for a custom?
Just recently, I sold an Ant Man custom for $205 bucks and that to date is the highest price received for one of my customs.
Do you get requests?
I always get requests when people see a custom that I have on ebay or when they browse through my website. But due to school and work, I can only take a few requests at a time.
 |
Snake Eyes |
What has been the oddest request?
The oddest request I ever got was to make a nude Wonder Woman. I had no idea what this guy wanted with a nude Wonder Woman, but hey, whatever floats your boat. I had to tell him I don’t do that kind of work, but it makes for a good laugh.
What has been the easiest item to customize?
I usually don’t make figures that are easily done, but I found Wonderman fairly easy to make.
What has been the hardest item to customize?
By far, my Onslaught figure with the Mecha Hulk base figure was the hardest custom to put together. It took the most time, patience, and supplies to create that awesome menace.
When you are customizing what are the essential tools one needs?
You’ll definitely need a Dremel, super glue, Sculpey, and a lot of patience to customize.
 |
Ant Man |
Who in the customizing world or other has been an inspiration?
Actorjez is one of the heavy hitting customizers out there who produces great customs that all sell well over $100 bucks. Nice guy also.
What project would you like to take on as a customizer?
I currently have a huge project that I’m working on right now, but I don’t want to release any details.
When you want to see other customizers is there a place where you go?
I’m on my own when it comes to customizing. But every now and then, I’ll exchange a few comments here and there when I see something awesome.
What has been the best creation that you or someone else has made?
When I first seen a Sentinel created by Jin Saotome, it was very impressive. It was a very well done custom.
 |
Maggot |
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate yourself as a customizer?
I’d say I’m a 7 just because I haven’t really impressed myself yet.
What would you say makes your customs different from others?
I would have to say that I take great attention to detail to make sure my figures look great and somewhat professionally done.
Why do you think people started customizing? And where do you thinkcustomizing will lead to in the future?
I think people started customizing because their favorite toy line, mines being Marvel Legends, don’t put out a wide range of characters fast enough. That’s when they take matters into their own hands to make their favorite character that hasn’t been released yet. And I guess some just customize to make a quick buck. My reason is to simply impress people with my work. Honestly, I think customizing may become obsolete in the futures because every figure will eventually be produced. I sometimes find myself racing to make a figure before it’s released.
 |
Cannonball |
Do you hope to create your own toy line like McFarlane?
As of right now, that’s far from my potential, but I would definitely love to have my own toy line. That’s every collectors’ dream, hehe.
Do you also collect toys or artwork perhaps for inspiration?
I’ve always collected toys, but very rarely for inspiration. Comics on the other hand, makes for great inspiration. You can always find different versions of the character you’re trying to make through comics and they’re a great tool for customizing.
Any advice for anyone looking to get into customizing?
Patience is the key, hehe. With that, anyone can customize.
 |
Batman and Nightwing |
 |
Titanium Man |
