At that time, there was not the amazing variety of masks and mask makers out there and I really thought it was great.
And at the time it was.
But Rusty and SPFX did not keep up with the times, and I wore my "Thug" less and less. The eyeholes were not cut that well, the fit was loose on my head and the neck was loose as well - every time your turned your head, it wrinkled.
And after much thought, I sold it.
But I missed that "Thug" look. Basement FX's "Ugly Man" was a great replacement, but I really wanted something a bit more like the original.
So, enter my favorite partners in crime: Bryan Silva and his wife Mary of Studio135.
Bryan's realistic masks are some of the most amazing ones in the market. Overall fit is excellent, eye fitment is superb, and lip fitment is outrageous - you feel like you're being kissed. Plus the extreme attention to detail when it comes to texturing and paintjob truly makes them come alive.
I sent them pics of my old SPFX Thug and asked them to do their "Brawler" in a similar vein.
And boy, did they deliver.
"Thug II" (still named "Jake" after the stories he's been in) is a splendid re-imagining of the original character. He projects the demeanor of violence kept barely in check, and the head scar (like the original SPFX mask) is indicative of the savage life he lives; I can just envision him in an arm-wrestling contest and after he wins, breaking the opponent's arm - just for the sheer vicious joy of it. He's missing the cauliflower ears and other facial scarring, but all in all, he's all "Thug" all the time.
And if you'll excuse me, I have a few kneecaps to shoot off...
