[TheBlueMarvel]

I stop by this thread on occasion to see the things people have snagged, but I have never really imagined posting here. Like others on this website, I get many things (figs) in the mail or while I'm out and about. Some of my purchases are mundane, while others might be considered noteworthy to individuals with similar interests to my own. However, this particular acquisition highlights two pretty cool benchmarks that I believe could have only happened here on Toyark.

The first order of business is that I have finally gotten my hands on a Marvel Legends Bi Beast Prototype/Test Shot. This was actually my reason for joining Toyark years ago. After reading a Joe Moore article regarding this prototype and other Marvel Legends Test shots that were not going to make it to production, I determined that Toyark was my best lead in tracking down the figure. This figure, up to this point in time, had been the most coveted figure on a short list of toys I desperately want. Words fall short of how much I have wanted this fig since first seeing it in SDCC photos. I'm a very big Hulk fan and having one of jade-jaw's lesser know enemies made into a toy was almost too tantalizing as a comic and figure enthusiast. The hunt was on....

All of this brings me to the second, and in some ways, more important aspect of this pick-up. I happened to mention my desire for this figure and its elusive nature in some random thread a couple of months ago. A Toyark staffer asked me about what or who Bi Beast is, I link Joe Moore's story in the comments and explain this as my motivation for joining the site. Not even a day later, I get a PM from Byrnes telling me he found one on eBay to which he provides a link. I'm amazed that I missed it because I'm always (daily) trawling eBay for gems, yet somehow this slipped past my feelers. Some negotiating takes place and bada-bing...I get what I want. Byrnes and I are not friends nor had we ever communicated about anything prior to his message. He saw my posts and decided to assist me (a complete stranger) in my search....When I thanked Byrnes he (in a matter of fact manner) replied that this was what "communities" do for one another. I guess what I'm getting at here is a protracted "thank you" to Byrnes...LOL Thanks man! You are 'da man!...and a thank you to this community! Getting a Bi Beast prototype represents some serious wish fulfillment for me and I hope (at some point) I can reciprocate and help Byrnes or some other member of the Toyark community obtain something they really want....

The following pics are after I sent the Bi Beast to a custom-maker for a repair-paint job and some before shots. The person I bought the Bi-beast from nearly destroyed it with a really bad paint job. Best case scenario would have been to get a Bi-Beast featuring the original look of the prototype, but the seller I bought it from customized (aaarrrgghh) it poorly with a bad paint job and filing of the shins (to remove the sculpted seam of the pants featured on the test shot). Anthony of Anthony's Customs provided the new paint app (awesome job too....my pics don't do it justice), he repaired the shins, and added an improved belt. Basically, Anthony saved my Bi-Beast and I am quite happy with the work...I have actually had the Bi-Beast for a bit, but I sent it off to get repaired within days of first getting it and just got it back yesterday....

*first 4 pics* - before paint app / as is from seller
*last 4 pics* - after Anthony's paint app