Just Bug Off! Custom Contest

Just Bug Off! - Custom Action Figure Contest!

Contest Winners:

1st

2nd

3rd

View Contest Entries

The object of this challenge is to make some type of insect-centric character. Anything pertaining to beetles, flies, ants, bees, grasshoppers, crickets, lice, wasps, mantises, etc. is what your goal should be. Larval forms, like grubs, maggots, and caterpillars are also legal subject matter.

1) Your figure can be a "real" insect (possibly a gigantic or mutated version of a normal insect), an intelligent insect species from outer space or another dimension, a half-man/half-insect hybrid, an insect-shaped robot, someone who dresses up like an insect (possibly as a superhero or super villain), or anything else you feel fits the theme. Here's a small sampling of possible characters that would qualify: Buzz-off, Mosquitor (Masters of The Universe); Baxter Stockman, Scumbug (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); many of the Sectaurs (Spidrax is forbidden, see #3); Bombshell, Shrapnel, Kickback (Transformers); Thri-kreen, Formians (Dungeons & Dragons); The Fly (Horror); The Magus Sisters (Final Fantasy X incarnation); Beetle, Wasp, Swarm (Marvel Comics); Killer Moth, Blue Beetle (DC Comics); Blast Hornet, Gravity Beetle (Mega Man X3); Weevil Underwood accompanied by any insect-type Duel Monster (Yu-Gi-Oh); Dr. Killemoff (Toxic Crusaders); Mothra (Godzilla), etc. Or, you can just make up your own crazy insect abomination.

2) The figure can be any size/scale and you can use whatever parts/materials you want. But I ask that you please don't take legs, wings, etc., off of real, living insects; it's inhumane (don't laugh or shake your head, there are artists who regularly use parts from once living creatures in their work).

3) Popular media often lumps then together, but chelicerates (spiders, scorpions, ticks and mites) are NOT INSECTS and are not acceptable subject matter for this challenge (i.e., no Marvel Comics Spider-Man, Tarantula, or Scorpion, Transformers Beast Wars Black Arachnia, etc.).

What is the contest schedule?

Begins:	Contest Closed
Ends:	January 31st, 2011 - Last day for submissions. No exceptions! Cut off is at midnight Central Standard Time.
Voting:	February 1st - 7th.

What are the rules of the contest?

Please use the form here to submit your custom figure.
At least a paragraph description is required with your entry. This paragraph, at a minimum, should answer the following questions:

How was this custom customized?
How does the custom fit into the contest theme?

You may submit up to three different entries for the contest.
Please only submit figures that were created for this contest. Do not submit old figures from the Showcase or previous contest entries.
Your entry should not be posted on this website, any other website, or anywhere on the internet until the contest is completely over.
The pictures for your entry will remain hidden until the contest ends and the voting begins.
Your identity will remain hidden until after the voting completes.
Do not include names, logos, signatures or anything on the pictures that will give you away as the creator of the custom. We want to keep the customizer's identity a secret until the contest is over.
The contest is purely for fun... well... and bragging rights!

How does the contest voting work?

Anyone can vote for their favorite customs in the contest, you don't even have to submit anything to the contest! You do have to be logged-in to your Figure Realm account though so we can keep track of the votes. Only appointed Figure Realm staff can see the votes, so anonymity is guaranteed. Voting begins once the entry deadline is met and lasts for a week.

It's hard to choose just one custom to vote on when there are tons of great entries, so Figure Realm has a unique voting system where you can vote on ALL the customs! When you click on an entry to view, there's a bar with buttons on it that lets you give the custom anywhere from 1 to 5 Stars. 1 Star means you think they could have done a better job on the custom while 5 Stars means you think they did a perfect job. The votes for each entry are added up when voting is closed and averaged-out to determine the winners. Also, don't abuse the system. Don't give your own custom 5 Stars and then give everyone else 1 Star to boost your rating. Remember, the votes are monitored.

Some points you might consider when casting your vote: Is the figure well-made? Is the paint smooth or crusty? Are there noticeable fingerprints on the sculpted parts? Is it an original custom? Is it accurate to the source-material (comics, photos, description in a book)? Are the pictures clear enough to see the details? Did the creator take the time to include a back-story or recipe? Is the custom so unbelievably awesome that you'd trade your girlfriend for it?

Craftsmanship and creativity are major factors to consider, but ultimately your vote should depend on how much you like the custom, and how well you feel it fits the contest theme.