As you can see below, the powers that be decided that my choice as figures, while interesting, could stand a little...improvement ;-) Thus, when a new set of sword figures presented themselves, the head artist jumped on them, and created two rough prototype figures; one in red, and one in green.

Exactly two sets of each color prototype exist; one set of green prototypes was given to some friends of the artist as a goodwill gesture, while the second set of green ones were split up, and one each green figure sent to prospective convention partners (along with one fig each of the red ones). The artist gave the second set of red prototypes to the head graphic artist. Thus, the green fellows are perhaps the rarest of the rare! Think about it. Green set 1: Given to a friend of the artist. Red set 1: Given to Graphic artist. Green set 2 and red set 2: Split among three people: - one green and red fig to prospective convention 1 - one green and red fig to prospective convention 2 - one green and red fig to prospective convention 3 As it is, the red set of figures in its final run amounted to only 124 figures! And 6 green ones in existence. Hmmm... I admit, I'm actually kinda jealous. I'd kill for a complete red set, much less getting to have even one of the green ones...

The prototype artwork; as you'll eventually see, the final artwork underwent a major overhaul by a professional. :-)

A hint pic of the final product for the prospective convention partners; The items were shipped from the manufacturer, to the head artist, to the assembler, and finally to the distribution guys, who gave them out at the conventions.

A final image sent in by the graphic artist, fully a year before the schenanigans finally revealed themselves. :-) Apparently, he has his favs. I put it up here for fun: It is his suggestion that, while certain other conventions fail to live up to their promises (even when they are given money), certain other people can do better, even when creating trinkets for free...