This Way #Mothman Cometh…Seeking #Sasquatch…Detecting #Jersey #Devil…Capturing #Chupacabras…
Posted by: Loren Coleman on January 13th, 2013
In my 2002 book on Mothman, I added an appendix at the end discussing various items that the readers could track down and “catch” themselves, regarding this important West Virginia creature.
I created a section called “Mothman Memorabilia.” There I listed, from as much information as I could gather, the most important Mothman figurines to collect. Here’s what I wrote for my pick as the first entry:
“Nevermore Creations has a ‘Legendary Monsters’ Mothman (5 inches tall) figure, with a victim figure, based on Linda Scarberry, and a descriptive card on the sighting. R. Todd Broadwater, Westmont, New Jersey, is the Director of Product Development. 2001-2002.”
What was visible online, in 2001, about the Mothman figurine, was exciting to see. It was totally different than any other Mothman replica being produced. The victim inclusive was dramatic.
I wasn’t the only one who was certain the “Legendary Monsters” were going to appear. Toymania did too (see here). There was even an attractive website, Legendary Monsters, which is a dead link today.
Todd had exchanged several messages with me, asking questions about the various cryptids. He was in the line’s development phrase. He was working hard on his creations. His figurines reflected his art, his insights, and his vision of these creatures. But just talking about his creative process was fun, and I was encouraged by his passion and energy.
Needless to say, after freely giving consultations to Todd, I was honored that Todd wanted to donate a prototype of the Mothman and its companion diorama to me to be displayed in the International Cryptozoology Museum. But the best laid plans of mice and Mothman often go astray.
Todd had some setbacks, and the fully revealed days of the “Legendary Monsters” figurine of the Mothman never appeared. Nor did the ones of the Jersey Devil, Bigfoot (specifically Momo), and Chupacabras, either.
Bigfoot/Momo
Chupacabras
Jersey Devil
But Todd is back. And he’s using a well-known extended version of social media fundraising to try to get his project to bring his unique collectibles to the marketplace.
Todd has posted a Kickstarter offering, with major premiums. My understanding of Kickstarter is that you commit or pledge to a certain donation, and only if the goal of the whole project is met does the individual donator’s money extracted from your credit card. It’s Broadwater’s project, of course, and I wish him the best. His creations are worthy of collectors. That’s why I’m listing it here.
But frankly, I am realistic enough to think that a Kickstarter project of $350,000 in one month is a nearly unattainable goal. I’m sincerely hoping I’m wrong, and there may be something about Kickstarter I don’t understand. Hey, prove me wrong, and help Todd’s project succeed.
Even if this Kickstarter fails for lack of funding, my wish for Todd and his creature creations are that they finally see the light of day and production, someway, somewhen, in the near cryptid future.
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered – not a feather then he fluttered –
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before –
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.’
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.’ ~ Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849), The Raven, 1845
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Loren, I agree that $350,000 is an overly-ambitious goal for this project. It has been going for a week, and isn’t even to 1% of the goal yet.
Indiegogo might have been a better option for this endeavor. It doesn’t have the visibility of Kickstarter (though it’s certainly gaining popularity), but you can also set up a project in such a way that allows you to keep however much money you raise, even if you don’t meet your initial goal.
cool figurines.
ya.. 350k on kickstarter is kinda high… for something not ‘mass’ appeal… but who knows?
Nicely sculpted but way too graphic novel/comic book looking in design as representations of the named cryptids.