This figure was commissioned by friends of Rick Lyon for his 50th Birthday. Rick is a veteran puppeteer and puppet builder with a resume as long as your arm if it was very long. Rick is co-creator and designer/builder/orignal cast performer of Avenue Q, an irreverent puppet-centric broadway musical. If you've never seen the show (and I suggest that you do, it's awesome) the monster torso included with the figure is a character that Rick plays in the show called "Trekkie Monster". I've worked for Rick several times as a puppet builder and I really went to town on the figure and packaging. Being a Star Wars fan I included references to THX-1138, TK421, inserted text in Nabooese and Aurabesh. While Rick's professional story is impressive, I'm sure he'd concede that the best things in his life happened just recently as he became a husband and then a father.

Oh, and lastly, the included beard accessory actually does snap on to the head and looks pretty good. I'm proud of that.

"As someone who has been familiar with Russell’s work for several years, and has had a chance to compare several of his custom action figures, it is without hesitation or humility that I declare that the portrait action figure I recently received for my 50th birthday is one of the most impressive ones he has done to date. Russell’s attention to detail and polished finishing have never been on better display than in the figure he made for me. I am grateful for the care Russell took in creating this amazing likeness, and thankful that my friends conceived of such a thoughtful gift." -- Rick Lyon