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Friday, June 9, 2023

Yo Joe June, Day 9: Crystal Ball!

 This is a fun commission from the last year. I've known Aaron Archer since we were both much younger. We grew up in the same area and he was promoting his self-published comics while I was running a local comic book store. This was before he made his way to Kenner and then Hasbro. Now that Aaron's back, I have the opportunity to see him more and that's how this one happened! 

Yo Joe June, Day 9: Crystal Ball by Aaron Archer! 


I'm very aware that Aaron's mostly known for his toy design work for Transformers, Batman and Star Wars. But I also know he worked on GI Joe and he knows GI Joe, I mean he grew up in the 80s and he's a toy guy! 

That being said, I also know Aaron enjoys a character he can play around and have some fun with and that armor, mech and fantasy designs are a little more exciting to him than standard super heroes and soldiers. So, I sent Aaron a few characters to choose from and when he picked Crystal Ball I knew it would be cool. But this, this is a whole 'nother level of cool! 

Aaron nailed the design of Crystal Ball, to a tee! And honestly, Crystal Ball isn't a character I have any real collection to and I was never quite sure how his hypnotist gimmick fit into everything. Aaron's take on the character is fantastic! I LOVE the entire supernatural, ethereal energy with ghosts and spirits and snakes? Is the snake real or a ghost snake? Is any of it real or is it a hypnotic illusion? I have no idea but I think it looks super and  is an awesome concept. The depth that Aaron created with the energy and spirits is something else. This is just a huge win to me! 

You can keep up with Aaron and enjoy more of his work here:

https://archermonster.com/

https://www.facebook.com/archermonsterart

https://twitter.com/archermonster

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheToyArmadawithAaronArcher/featured

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