Gigan from Godzilla
 Gigan (ガイガン, Gaigan) is a daikaiju from the Godzilla series, introduced in the 1972 film Godzilla vs. Gigan. Gigan is a cybernetic monster sporting a buzzsaw weapon in its frontal abdominal region and large metallic hooks for hands. Gigan is sometimes considered Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent, and has a large fan following.
My well used, well travelled Godzilla pet Gigan finally saw a bit of fresh sunlight. In a spurt of photo inspiration I decided to dust off this well used vintage goodie and put the pixels to print.
 Gigan is one of those crazy old school toys that hides in the shadows of super robots. The relic sports a full chest pop out circle of blades- perfect for kids, arm hooks for gouging eyes, sharp tusks, jagged beaks with teath, and then spikey back fins. Go ahead and add on circular tail blades and hip missile launchers if you must. Vintage saftey hazzards are great.
In case the pictures don't bring out details, note that the tail and fins are a very hard rubber, but rubber, painted to diecast matching perfection. Some of the purple spray reminds me of other Bullmark vinyl work. Most all of the chest, saw blade, feet, head, and hands are diecast. Telecoping arms use some plastic as well as the multi axis shoulder blades.
This guy as well as a few other examples I've seen have brittle arms that easily get cracked.
Bullmark rules, and Gigan reminds me how clunky-cool open seams, imperfect paint, and unrealistic castings can turn out. The soul to 70's Gigan ages well underneath the red tinted, blue horned, spikey exterior.
Ed |
