Cthulhu Fhtagn! Levus3D Edition.

Levus3D shares a work-in-progress shot of his new Cthulhu bust.  The texture work is shaping up quite nicely.

The Lady of Innsmouth

Noadi brings us "The Lady of Innsmouth".  Most depictions of the Deep Ones are appropriately grotesque, but I think Lovecraft was pretty clear that hybrids appeared normal, if not downright alluring, until the change started to manifest in middle age.  The "Laundry" novels from Charles Stross touch on this a bit, and I've read a few short stories that explore hybrid culture from a sympathetic viewpoint.

Cthulhu Mask

REbirth MxD, a makeup and design company, brings us this full head Cthulhu mask.  It's a very nice sculpt, but it's the color scheme that really stands out.  For reasons unknown most depictions of Cthulhu are green.  Going against the grain with a vibrant red take is particularly eye catching.

Pendant of Shub-Niggurath

I'm somewhat concerned by the recent popularity of Shub-Niggurath worship.  Copper Centipede embraces the Black Goat of the Woods with this carved soapstone pendant.  Just the thing for those neighborhood fertility rite....er, block parties.

High Stakes

I'm in the process of doing a bigger, better version of the mummified vampire heart from a few years ago.  Here's what the original looked like: 

For the new version I want the display to look a little more vampire huntery, if you will.   That means a more stylized stake instead of the World War 1 era tent peg used in the original.  Here's the new stake, all fresh and shiny.  It's turned from oak and measures approximately 14" in length.

As with the original it's a narrow shape designed to slip between the ribs, but the profile is longer and slightly wider.  That means some tweaks to the original mummfied heart.  The general shape and surface texture is fine, but I'll have to reshape the channel where the stake pierces through the tissue. Once I know the new stake will nestle inside that opening I can finish the surface treatment.  That involves a layer of schmutz and some mild bloodstains along the section imbedded in the heart.

Launching the Freya 7

Christian Matzke is looking to finish his "Alien" fan film "Last Flight of the Freya 7". I would really like to see that happen, for a couple of different reasons. First, take a look at his pitch video.


"Alien" is my absolute favorite film. I've seen it hundreds of times, from when it was initially released in theaters, through the days of VHS videotapes, and now in digital form. It's a masterpiece, and the most successful Lovecraftian film ever made. Mr. Matzke obviously loves it just as much as I do. Just look at those props! Taking the time to recreate things like the Rescue Helmet and Gateway shuttle demonstrates not only his attention to detail, but his commitment to getting it right. Browse the project's Facebook page and you'll see more examples like that. Sweet Fancy Moses, he even duplicated the Nostromo's galley!

Beyond his skill as a propmaker, Mr. Matzke also has a track record of actually making movies. As someone peripherally involved in the industry I can't emphasize how important that is. There are a lot of people who want to make films, but actually putting in the work to see a project to completion is all too rare. Given his track record I'm confident "Freya" won't be vaporware.

Last of all, I owe a personal debt to Mr. Matzke.  His "Propping Up the Mythos" site was the direct inspiration for Propnomicon.  Long before I was doing this he was there, offering tutorials and highlighting the work of propmakers and fans.  You wouldn't be reading this if it wasn't for him.

I just finished tossing in a few shekels to the IndieGoGo fundraiser.   If you could help him reach his goal I would appreciate it.  If you can push him past it, I would be ecstatic.

Elder Thing Magnet

Jason McKittrick has a limited run of Elder Thing refrigerator magnets available this weekend.  Just the thing to remind you how important it is to discipline your children.  Let 'em misbehave without a time out and next thing you know they're amorphous, shapeshifting monsters trying to bite your head off.  Ungrateful brats.