Marty Hansen, often called TheGodbeast, has had his figures mentioned several times throughout the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. The Art 200 course highlights his work, and it was even spotlighted in Auction Watch #13. Once again his figures are being noticed, this time in Auction Watch #19.
This auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Custom Figures including Glow in the dark, was most noticeable because it featured 14 figures created by Marty Hansen. However the figures were not the only interesting part of this auction. The seller, woodridge22, was interesting because he had previously been mentioned in Auction Watch #7 and in the A New eBay Problem for Collectors write-up.
The seller’s starting price is also fairly shocking. Auction Watch #13 had featured almost 100 figures created by Marty Hansen and remained unsold at approximately $1 per figure. This auction has starting bid cost which results in a cost of $5.36 per figure. While this is not an extravagant price for a beautiful, interesting, and unique custom figure these figures do not appear to be as beautiful, interesting, and unique as many of Marty’s other figures.
The auction description attempts to explain the figures:
These are rare M.U.S.C.L.E. customs from THE GODBEAST.
Figures include:
#189, Niku, Black Hole Sunshine, Puyo Puyo, Arch Sunshine, Claw & Announcer
They are made of an extremely hard uv resistant urethane rubber.
They are so hard that they do not bend and sound like marbles when poured onto a tabletop.
The white translucent figures glow white in the dark.
Also the flesh colored ones are not similar to the flesh color of flesh muscles. The color is different and looks almost like clay. Also the Black Hole Sunshine in this color does not have his chest drummeled out yet. If you have the tools and feel up to it the chest fitting piece is included and pictured.
The Glow-In-The-Dark feature is nice and the pink and blue figures appear attractive too, but the others look incredibly similar to traditional Flesh figures. The seller would likely have been better served to include some pictures with the “Clay” figures next to some Flesh figures to help differentiate the apparently subtle difference.
Additionally, the Black Hole Sunshine (BHS) figure isn’t completed. The figure’s center piece is full and has not being drilled out and cleaned. So for the BHS to be displayed like the original the buyer will need to be skilled enough to complete the creation process – not likely to be a selling point.
Marty Hansen’s figures are a fun addition to the M.U.S.C.L.E. community, but this lot of them will likely not be an addition to any person’s collection. With the last lot of nearly 100 Marty Hansen figures not receiving any bids, it seems incredibly unlikely that less figures and more money will entice any bidders.
Auction Screen Shot
Auction Picture
Auction Picture #2
Auction Picture #3
UPDATE: Apparently woodridge22 frequents the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. He altered his auction description, included contrast “Clay”/Flesh pictures, and lowered his starting bid based on the suggestions of Auction Watch #19. At a minimum, the lower starting bid has attracted four different bidders and the item is guaranteed to sell.
The contrast pictures do help to differentiate the different shades of the figures. However, based on the pictures, they still appear to be incredibly similar to the Flesh and even Salmon colors. Any difference is likely much more noticeable in person, as the subtlety of Marty’s figures is better appreciated holding the actual figures.
This altered auction will certainly sell and will likely have an ending bid of approximately $40.
New Auction Description
New Picture
New Picture #2
Follow-Up: The auction sold, but for less than predicted at only $20.50. This lower ending price may have been due to several people forgetting about the auction, as stated in this LittleRubberGuys.com thread. (You may need to log-in to view the thread.)
Final Auction Screen
