illtema

By Oleg Naumov

Howdy! As you don’t know I’m a fan of “Futurama” — a great cartoon sci-fi situation comedy show. It was created by Matt Groening, the very same guy who created “The Simpsons”.
As you might know, “McFarlane” is a great company, became famous for their high quality action figures. But unfortunately they don’t think that “Futurama” is as good as “The Simpsons”, that’s why they don’t bother creating “Futurama” figures. What a shame I gotta say!
Of course there’s a lot of other manufactures, but… wait let’s compare! Here are the main characters from both of the shows, as portrayed by Matt himself:

Bender and Homer as they appear in the show
And what we got in the market today? Check this figures, first created by Toynami and second created by McFarlane:

Bender and Homer action figures.
I bet you can see the difference in quality without even enlarging the picture! Damn, there isn’t a slight doubt that McFarlane’s figure is so much better. I boldly can mark Bender’s figure as “Made in China”, while Homer’s figure is definitely was “Made in USA” (though it was made in China too).
I googled with hope to find something that looks more like Bender, but they all suck even harder!
“Fine, I’m gonna make my own disco club! With blackjack…and hookers…!” — Bender Rodriguez.

I decided to create a 3D model of Bender, making it look “McFarlane style“. Now peep it!
At first, I came up with this:

As you can see, it’s just a model, with default poor lightning. As a character, Bender has some things that are always associated with him: Cuban cigar and a bottle of beer. As a bonus I decided to create large “Futurama” logo attached to the base.

But still, the render looks ugly. Let’s add some texture and materials to our figure!

Now is the sweet part. Let’s turn on a global illumination and put our figure in a 3d studio with advanced lightning.

The render looks much better now, but the figure is “low poly” — we need to smooth our objects. I played with lightning a bit more, trying to make our image look as McFarlane’s.
By the way the texture on the bottle is the same as in the show. Which one are you gonna buy?

3D Bender and Bender action figures.

3D Bender and Homer action figures.
I hope someday McFarlane will release “Futurama” figures, and I wish to other manufactures will create more detailed and accurate figures.

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See the images from this post in higher resolution:

Design, Peep It, Toys

I hate excessive heat. I hate drunks. I don’t care for gambling. You can tell Vegas is for me.

Peep It

Universal City Walk is a fun place to walk around at night, in Hollywood. It’s its own place, so it’s not quite associated with Hollywood Blvd and those attractions. Entertainment-wise, there’s plenty of people places and things to interest you. Here are a few boring things I found interesting. Dodger Dogs, Colonel Sanders, a Transformer, and a Cinnabon. And a lit-up King Kong. Sorry it’s blurry.

Peep It

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

As we all know the most historic inauguration EVER is quickly approaching. Less than a week from now all of the world will huddle in front of television screens and the privileged few will pack in to Washington D.C. to watch the 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama, sworn into office as our nations first Black president…just AMAZING.

In the spirit, street wear company, Undrcrwn, had to add on to their list of shirts related to President Obama with this very dope tee.

The kings of the Obama tee have made yet another banger with this Abraham Lincoln themed shirt. They took a historic American image and melded it with the face of who many are calling the new image of American hope and created a shirt with a lot of meaning and depth that it a welcome addition to any wardrobe.

In similar fashion the Undrcrwn guys dropped this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shirt.

I mean what more can I say? With the tag line “It was all a dream” which gives the shirt a secondary reference to Biggie Smalls whose movie drops this Friday the 16th, Undrcrwn proves to be a group of clever fucks, makes one of the best MLK tributes I’ve ever seen. With Martin Luther King Day Monday, January the 19th and Inauguration Day January the 20th, these are AMAZING must haves. These pieces are currently available on www.Undrcrwn.com.

Keeping in our patriotic theme, Play Clothes has dropped their own inauguration tee.

Get the Play Clothes Presidential Inauguration T- Shirt from www.playcloths.com

FIGHT THE POWER

Diamond Supply Co. yet again drops an AMAZING shirt in their arsenal of tees that speak to you, and at no better time.

In the wake of 3 tragic police shootings, Diamond Supply Co. drops their “Harassment” tee. This is just not another shirt, it’s a commentary on the America we are living in today and its sad that we are no further today then we were 20 years ago. Available January the 15th on their website, www.diamondsupplyco.com, this is definitely the shirt you want have on when thrown in to a squad car. (Editor’s note: The Jakes don’t give a fuck what shirt you have on when they throw you in the squad car.)

ROCKHEAD

So one day Rocksmith decided that they were going to be cool and they dropped a slew of some of the dopest New Era’s anyone has ever seen:

Available at Rocksmith vendors internationally, these AMAZING caps were designed using a slew of different colors and mixing the use of different fabrics, like satin, alongside traditional wool.

CHICKS LOVE HEAD

The first time I saw this purse I looked at it for a couple minutes in silence. I didn’t exactly know what to say. I mean it was beautiful but kind of disturbing. It flirts with the whole idea of what is fashionable, what’s art and what’s kinda creepy. It’s the sort of thing that you never expect to see but when you do you’re happy you know that it exists or happy to know that there are minds out there that lack the boundaries to make something like it… or maybe it’s just a fuckin purse and I’m reading too much in to it? (Editor’s note: Yeah, you are reading way too much into it.)

The person behind these heads is Paris-based designer Natallia Brilli. In 2004 she began making accessories, hand bags and jewelry for men and women all hand made in France and Italy. This is certainly an amazing conversation piece and I’m definitely going to follow anything Ms. Brilli does.

SMILING HAPPY PEOPLE

Pop artist Ron English has never been exactly one to disappoint his fans and I hope he never starts. At first I thought his Grin project was only a set of limited release in association with Made by Monsters, based on everyone’s favorite loser, Charlie Brown.

Then I come to find out this guy is doing a whole show on this “Grin” concept. So I’m like what’s cool about a whole room full of macabre looking Charlie Browns? I was just a tad skeptical. I mean we have all seen it before; an artist goes in to his own world and comes back with something so odd and steeped in his own personal mystery that the audience never relates to it and he becomes another on the long list of artists whose own genius destroyed them. Yeah I was wrong.

As I looked through the screenshots of what will probably be an art show people will remember, I found it AMAZING how pop culture and “the smile” intertwine. I mean a smile can mean so much depending on by whom and how it’s given. Just like when a person looks at Homer trapped in a world of his own artistry or this bust of Ms. Monroe whose bust seems to be inhabited by a cretin smiling Disney rodent.

Ron English’s “Grin” will be appearing in Hong Kong’s newly opened gallery, Garageworks, beginning January 13th. So if you’re in the greater Hong Kong area stop by. I bet you’ll end up with an AMAZING grin on your face…I know this guy does

UPPER DECKS

Every body loves skateboarding now, from the day traders to the dope-slingers. The world has fallen head over heelflip for the sport that is still illegal to do in a lot of places. I can go on about how that is a social commentary on how we really view rebels and the role of the individual in our “very follow the pack” society… But I just wanna talk about skateboards.

So let’s start with the combination of two things I love, models and skate boards.

(In order from left to right: Isabeli Fontana, Lara Stone, Toni Garrn and Edita)

Doodah in association with fashion photographers Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer, who in recent years have done work for well respected fashion magazines Vogue Paris and i-D Magazine, Create four tantalizing, very limited decks.

With only 150 pieces available worldwide I’d say the heat is on so don’t be a slouch and get one… or better yet don’t or the only thing you’ll be pushing is the top of the lotion bottle…YUCK.

When clothing brand Flying Coffin teams up with Manik and Seattle skate shop, Goods, to create this set of decks with matching tee, the results are AMAZING.

These boards where made to celebrate Flying Coffins 2nd anniversary. With only 45 pieces being made and 10 of those going to the Goods Seattle store this is a very limited very dope release that should be on your shopping list. The rest of the pieces are available on www.flyingcoffin.com . If you push hard enough you just might cop one before they are all gone.

PROPAGANDA

If there is nothing I love more than women and skateboarding is black women and black skateboarding. So it was a treat to me to see a big smirking picture of skater Jeremy Holmes for new board company HYPE!

Then I began to look at the site and I began to believe their hype. I watched the footy they have up on www.vimeo.com/hypeskateboards of him and Mike Barker killing it. Then I peeped the merchandise they have and now I really believe their hype. They have started out with some solid pieces that definitely caught my eye.

So keep your eyes out for HYPE skateboards or visit their site at www.hypeskateboards.com. And of course Illtema shall keep you posted.

FURRY BOOTS
There are some people that don’t work, then there are those that work sometimes then there are those who work all the time, but sometimes you cross some one who can’t stop working and those people always create masterpieces with their craft. Thankfully for us Mr. Kanye West isn’t working on WMD’s (weapons of mass destruction) or we would have a problem, instead he’s working on a pilot for his new television show Furry Boots( on top of the constant stream of music and touring and designing shoes for Luis Vuitton and being a guest judge for the Wallpaper awards). I’m not sure what it is about but it sure is funny and a little weird

KANYE WEST PILOT

According to the Hollywood Reporter, West, Comedy Central and Jackhole Prods (the production company founded by Jimmy Kimmel, Daniel Kellison and Adam Carolla) have teamed for a project that is described as “Hip-Hop meets the Muppets.”

Ill keep you guys posted as more info becomes available.

SPECIAL URGENT ANOUNCMENT!!!
NEW MF DOOM
“Ball Skin”
(Click the photo below to listen)

FEELING BLU

The first time I heard this West Coast emcee I was at awe at his mastery of wordplay and flow. After getting over how well he works a track I had to admire his choice of beats. No bombastic hooks, no auto tune, no Lil’ Wayne guest appearance. Just straight un-adulterated Hip Hop. I hope after you hear his new joint Vanity you’ll love his work as much as I do. Click on the photo to hear the track “Vanity.”

CORY SEMI-AUTOMATIC

Cory Gunz earns another spot on my weekly list of AMAZING shit with this new joint. There is very little I can say about this kid he’s just AMAZING. Click on the pic to hear “Crack A Bottle.”

Peep It

NOTORIOUS

So in about two weeks (January 16th to be exact) “Notorious” the Biggie Smalls biopic, and Puff-proclaimed “Greatest movie of our time” will be in theaters. For those of you who have spent the last 15 years under a very large rock, “Notorious” is the movie about the life of Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Biggie Smalls, arguably one of the best rappers who ever lived. So you know Biggie t-shirts will be crawling out the fucking woodwork in the coming weeks, and in AMAZING form I’m going to post as many of them as I can find–good, bad and ugly. I’m expecting a lot of ugly but in this case SSUR doesn’t disappoint. Known in the streetwear world for great collaborations, SSUR has done it again by teaming up with acclaimed photographer Barron Claiborne. Using his iconic (and overused) portrait of Biggie, taken five days prior to B.I.G.’s tragic death, SSUR created three shirts that are sure to thrill any die hard fan of the Notorious one. The shirt will be available for purchase at Ssurplus in NYC, select boutiques worldwide or on www.ssurempirestate.com. This shirt is a must have so cop one before its gone.

WHEN WILL THEY LEARN

Stussy, is back at it again with January’s releases. As you should all know by now I LOVE varsity jackets! They are just the bee’s knees, so whenever I see a dope one I gotta show the world.

It’s simple but oh so amazing. Sometimes a good piece of clothing doesn’t need to be crazy or far out there to be good. Sometimes all you need is something solid and it can go a long way. Unfortunately that was not the direction they were going in with the rest of the releases. So I’ll show you a couple of my hits and misses from Stussy.

This tee is great because for the most part it’s just a logo t-shirt and I like that. Sometimes brands get a little too carried away and forget their humble beginnings.

The cut of this jacket is so dope but that’s about it for me. This is what I was talking about when I said wacky designs sometimes don’t make the cut. Going with the good old Army fatigue color scheme they made a so-so jacket who’s cut doesn’t match its overall look. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a bad jacket, I just expect a lot from a brand like Stussy. Guys I really hope you try again with this one

Yet again another allover print sweatshirt for the masses to have to deal with. Guys enough. Stop. It’s played. It’s wack. It’s just so un-AMAZING especially when it’s UGLY

MINIMIXERS

Australian artist/designer Dan McPharlin shows his handy work with safety scissors by making these impressive miniature replicas of old school synthesizers complete with knobs and dials with nothing but paper and cardboard. Now that is some AMAZING shit. You can see these and more of McPharlin’s work at www.danmcpharlin.com.

CHILD’S PLAY

So on one of my strolls through the internet I stumbled upon these pics of some rather disturbing playthings. I can just remember being a kid and my mother going ape shit ballistic if I asked her for a toy gun. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if I mentioned an alligator eating a baby. I probably would have ended up neck deep in holy water in an attempt to get the demons out. Anyway I’ve never seen anything like this and I’m still trying to find out who makes them and where I can cop one and when I know I’ll let you guys know ASAP.

Peep the Termanology

One of Illtema’s favorite rappers, Termanology, just dropped a mixtape tribute to your favorite producer’s favorite producer, J Dilla, (RIP) titled “If Heaven Was a Mile Away, A Tribute to J Dilla.” Since his untimely death due to complications related to a rare blood disease and lupus, many an Emcee has made Dilla tributes and some of them have been a disgrace, but not this. Termanology destroys every beat on the album. With guest appearances from hip-hop masterminds like Joell Ortiz, Freeway and Skyzoo, to name a few, this mixtape is a definite AMAZING-must have. Click the pic to download.

PART OF THE WEEK

For those of you who don’t know, I love skateboarding a lot. There are so many talented pros out there with banger footage. So I want to bring some of that to you every week. From now until I get fired I’ll bring you one of my fav video parts from the skaters I love. Today you will be treated to Chocolate rider Devine Calloway. This part is from the 2007 Transworld video “Lets Do This” where he just shreds. Click on his photo. Enjoy!

LOVE LOCKDOWN

To make a very long story short I have recently gone through a messy, kind of hurtful, break up. I decided afterwards that until I was in the right frame of mind, I was going to abstain from sex in all its magnificent forms. People who know me know that this is going to be a very, very hard road for me. To put it plainly I’m young, black and attractive with my own place. Who wouldn’t wanna jump my bones? Not having sex is hard in a world that revolves around sex. It’s everywhere. So starting next week I’m going to bring you on my journey through temptation.

Peep It