I've got a particular attachment to Snarl. It all started when I went trick or treating dressed as him for Halloween. It was a Collegeville costume, the plastic smock and mask style that often gets lumped in with Ben Cooper costumes. Amusingly, the character was labeled Dynabot on the box. My cousin was quite impressed and asked me if it transformed, in which I told him it did as I got on all fours (with requisite transformation noise). I pulled the mask over my head and began to snarl and chomp. I understand if you're impressed, he was. He was also jealous, as I suspect you are.
Thing is, Snarl is pretty awesome looking. The way his plates and spiked tail form 'wings' in his robot mode has always looked cool to me. I recently got the Cyberverse figure (pictured above). I'd been after it for sometime now. You're aware I like Snarl, but also liked the resemblance to his Action Master box art. It's a good toy, simple like most Warrior Class figures, but still a good toy.
Snarl's cartoon model got recycled as Armor Geist in Brave Exkaiser. I used to think the Age of Extinction Snarl toy would make a good update of that (and still do), but this Cyberverse Snarl would be a good candidate as well. Maybe with a new head. It's so true to the cartoon model that I could see it invoking the character well. Wonder if some kid was Armor Geist for Halloween and really likes him as a result? I hope so.
Did you really think we'd get through another Halloween season without my raving about PAAS Halloween Make-Up Kits? Admittedly I post this thing a billion times throughout the year regardless of the season. That's because I love them. It may not look like much to some of you now, but at the time they were amazing! There was just something about that cardboard standee at the grocery store holding all the different kits that just beamed "FUCKING AWESOME". I love looking at the make-up kits throughout the spooky season. The packaging, cheesy pics that you'll never quite replicate. All the broken open ones spilled on the shelf, all the unsold ones showing up at the local liquidation stores long expired and usable the following year. Just the visage of them is pure Halloween to me. PAAS wasn't my first make-up kit, or even my last. That PAAS Werewolf kit though, was the best.
According to a Google search, Ziggy and Zon's World was a store that closed in 1997 and apparently was regarded as wacky. I don't know how wacky it actually was, but with a name like Ziggy and Zon... whoa. It looks like a pretty charming little store. All my local stores are big chains, well, except for that weird gas station/grocery store/butcher/U-Haul/restaurant place a few miles away. But I don't go there, smells like farts. Ziggy and Zon's looks like the kind of place that holds onto everything until it sells, meaning you'd probably find some really cool old costumes. The make-up kits are probably expired and cost more than they do at Walmart, but dude Paas WWF kits! Thinking about it, that local store I mentioned may have them too, and they make keys!
We're halfway into May and what to be for Halloween is obviously on our minds. This week Rob talks one of Halloween's most popular costumes, or as he calls it, THE Halloween costume. You've been it more than once and so has everybody else. That's right, a robe with make-up on your face. Probably one color with another color around your eyes. It's as part of Halloween as pumpkins and plastic fangs.
I have an admission of guilt. Even though I am pure in heart and say
my prayers by night, I became a wolf when the wolfbane bloomed and the
autumn moon was bright. Yes, I was once a werewolf. When the moon was
full I changed into a monster and prowled the neighborhood for a victim.
My blood lust could not be stopped, I'd kill and kill and kill. Nobody
was safe, for you see I was a werewolf.
For exactly one night.
In the third grade.
I've mentioned Crestwood House Monsters here before, so what if I told you the stars aligned just right and I got the Wolfman book from the library the same day I first saw Teenwolf? Because that's exactly what happened.
I was prepared to read my book that Friday night when a new movie came on HBO. A cinematic masterpiece, Teen Wolf.
It was then that I was bitten, by the idea to be a werewolf for Halloween. I'll wait for you to catch your breath. So there I had the perfect costume in mind but now with a conundrum. How
was I going to pull that off? The simple answer would be with a mask
and some of those hairy gloves.
The complicated part would be I was in the third grade and what you might call a child.
What I'm saying is, I was still a little scared of rubber masks. I was petrified of them prior, despite loving all sorts of monster toys and movies, having a real one in your face is a different story.
Though after years of my brother reusing his Gamorrean Guard mask, I had matured from pissing myself in abject terror to slight discomfort. However, I still didn't want to wear one.
Ben Cooper mask, sure. Rubber mask, nope. So how do I become a werewolf? All of my costumes up to this point were smock and mask or make up kit based.
I've mentioned how much I love make up kits before, but I don't think you quite understand. I freaking adore them.
I love looking at the packaging and at the examples. The variety of kits from cheap to expensive, I just can't get enough of them on the aisle.
I mentioned it was the weekend right? So of course a trip to the store was in order and wouldn't you know it, the old faithful PAAS make up kit display was standing proudly.
All the kits were there. Dracula, ghost, camouflage... stupid ass clown... glam rock... left over Easter Egg kit... wait...
wait...
A WEREWOLF!
Needless to say, I had my costume in check. Come Halloween night I was dressed as a werewolf should. Blue jeans, black fruit of the loom sweat shirt, and the mind blowing transformation that only a PAAS make up kit could produce! The kit came with several tubes of make up and instructions on how to properly apply. Also included were plastic fangs and on the back of the box were cut out ears and moon medallion (yarn not included).
I don't mean to brag, but I looked badass. My cousin arrived in yet another bullshit bed sheet ghost costume with some of his moms cold cream on his face to make it white. At least he smelt nice. I got so much freaking candy and even scared a few old ladies. Except the ones who never know what you're supposed to be. EVERYBODY ISN'T DRACULA MRS. EDNA. Same assholes that gives out those stale peanut butter chews. Same ones. Same bag from last year.
That Halloween rocked, maybe even more when my cousin threw one of his trademark tantrums and yard spiked his MCBoo Pail into the ground after tripping on his sheet for the millionth time. We got back to my place for pizza and a viewing of Teen Wolf. The perfect bookend to my werewolf saga.
