Here we are at last: the end of Metroid Series 1. And who better to send off the first wave than the baddest pirate in the galaxy, the terror of the stars, Samus Aran's arch-nemesis, Ridley!

Let me clarify one point about these figures. I always envisioned my Metroid figures as an entire line, like Marvel Legends or DC Universe Classics (an idea that Nintendo should totally implement, but likely won't). As such, I specifically planned them out in sets, as complete toys, with action features and multiple accessories (most of which I haven't posted, due to restrictions in pic size and quantity) and variants and vehicles and the works. And one thing everyone loves about Marvel Legends is the Build-A-Figures, the large characters that would be impractical or overly expensive to produce and release solo. So, I created waves, each with a theme, and each with a part of a Build-A-Boss toy! Metroid, as with many Nintendo games, is known for its epically huge stage bosses. And though he's not the biggest, the best known of these bosses, the enemy that Samus has fought in 8 out of her 11 games (yeah, I'm even counting Metroid Prime Pinball!), is the dragon-like Ridley, leader of the Space Pirates.

Appropriately, to make my Build-A-Boss, I used a Marvel Legends BAF, Annihilus from the first Hasbro wave. Bi-pedal, lanky but muscled, armor plated, and with giant, clawed wings, there simply was no other choice. With only limited sculpting, removing a finger from each hand, adding ribs and a back hump, and splicing some rotational joints into the wrists, Ridley's body was quickly completed.

His head came from a Jurrassic Park Pteranodon toy (not sure which one precisely), as did the poseable claws in his feet. His neck was fashioned from a Spider-Man leg, to give it multiple joints for a full range of motion. The thigh ball-joint was even just the right size to fit in Annihilus' neck socket where his original head went! Finally, Ridley's tail was made using a screwdriver flex joint attachment. The flexible metal spring center was encased in a segmented plastic sheath that looked exactly like a jointed, armored dragon's tail. I don't have a flex joint in my screwdriver kit anymore, but I bloody well have the perfect Ridley!

The next few customs I post are going to be stragglers (Metroid figures I built that don't really fit in the series set list I have planned thus far) and even a vehicle and a playset! Don't leave, I'm not going anywhere yet! This is just the beginning!

See you next mission!