Time has fuzzed over how it happened that, as a kid, I had one action figure but clothes for Captain Kirk and Captain Marvel. Interesting how they're both military, huh and interesting too that I didn't think anything of undressing and dressing each of them at various times. If that's not foreshadowing about my big gay life as an adult, I don't know what is. :)
But now, thanks to the Tom of Finland guys (and specifically sculptor Norm Lloyd), you can put away that sad excuse for an 'adult action figure' aka Billy, and get instead their newest erotic release - the Rebel action figure which stands 13 inches high (so size queens will be happy) and comes with three interchangable penis' (yes yes yes I know ... but it's almost too easy, you know?). The figure has the Tom bod, the cocky smile and leather clothes. Yum.
It's a limited edition and so if you want the world's hottest man staring at you all night long, best to purchase now.
BTW I wanted to mention here something that I think is interesting - I've been out and having gay sex for a long long long time. I've always felt like kind of a super nerd because I believe that men can be sexual beings/pigs/whatever and still be kind and caring to each other and smile and have a great time.
Kind and caring things, like you know, like telling each other your sero status before playing or helping someone on the dance floor who has done one too many party drugs and needs someone to lend them a hand.
It's sad (and shocking, even to me now, this many years into my adult life - I 'should' be used to it by now, right?) to report that I have seen many people turn a blind eye to someone in need or someone tell me that they didn't tell someone they were fucking that they were positive because 'they didn't ask', which is, by the way, one of the most cowardly, weakest things a man can do.
And we've all seen guys who just seem to approach having sex as a grim and depressing thing they have to check off their 'to do' list.
When I was doing porn, good God, people were so drab and grim about it. I always had fun. Always. Even when my co-star was a dud (and there were a few of those) and even when I realized that I was on my own (ie I was with a straight guy and he wasn't going to lend a hand or kiss or anything.. ok well, he was straight identified.. but that's a whole other conversation).
Anyway, I bring this up because on the Tom page, artist Lloyd says:
"The images and ideas floating around in the art world are like elements of a surrealist dream to me. Tom's dream-like world of "perfect" men who are not only great and proud slabs of beef that are ready to enjoy themselves, in any way, at any moment - but are also good natured and caring - has to be a turn on for anyone."
And one of the things that I can always say about the Tom of Finland folks, the guys in charge of the legacy is that they know how to be sexual, know how to have fun and are definitely caring about others.
So the next time you're out and about and think that 'being a man', specifically a 'Tom of Finland man' means being a mean-ass dick, think again.
To get the Tom action figure, please write to alexshep@yahoo.com I wrote this morning and the email bounced back to me. If that happens to you, try calling the Tom offices in L.A. at: 323 251 6249. Tell 'em that Will sent ya!
****UPDATE: the email is now working and they tell me that each doll er action figure is $50! ***
