Conventions – Lions and Pilots and Bots… Dot Com!

WEP’s Voltron Force Lion Models

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Greg Tyler

At VoltCon 2019, I had the privilege of photographing physical models of the Lions from Voltron Force, the enjoyable but short-lived television program that premiered on NickToons in 2011-2012. The models were the property of World Events Productions (WEP), the company that owns the Voltron intellectual property.

The Voltron Force Lion models were seemingly 3D-printed. They were constructed of hard, gray plastic, except for their tails, which were made from a flexible plastic.

Perhaps uncoincidentally, the Lion models bore a strong resemblence to the neutrally posed Lion models that Mattel had displayed in its booth at San Diego Comic Con 2011. Click here for photos from the SDCC 2011 Mattel booth.

Nearly two years after VoltCon 2019, I’m finally presenting the photos that I took of WEP’s Voltron Force Lion models. Enjoy!

Left to right: Red Lion, Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Blue Lion, Green Lion

Background: Ryan Howe reattaches Red Lion's broken rear left leg. Foreground, left to right: Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Blue Lion, Green Lion — Background: Ryan Howe reattaches Red Lion’s broken rear left leg. Foreground, left to right: Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Blue Lion, Green Lion

Left to right: Black Lion, Blue Lion, Green Lion

Left to right: Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Blue Lion

Left to right: Red Lion, Yellow Lion, Black Lion

Top to bottom: Red Lion, Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Blue Lion, Green Lion

Left to right: Green Lion, Yellow Lion, Blue Lion

Top to bottom: Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Red Lion

Top to bottom: Blue Lion, Yellow Lion, Black Lion

Top to bottom: Blue Lion, Yellow Lion, Black Lion, Red Lion, Green Lion

Top to bottom: Black Lion, Red Lion, Green Lion

Eric Stocker’s Awesome Transformable Voltron Costume

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Greg Tyler

On October 19-20, 2019, I had the privilege of being a guest at VoltCon, the first-ever Voltron-focused convention. It was a lot of fun, and one reason why was an amazing 1980s Lion Force Voltron cosplay by Eric Stocker.

The costume is a great-looking rendition of Lion Force Voltron from Voltron: Defender of the Universe, with light-up eyes and a Blazing Sword. On top of that, the costume can “transform” into the five individual Robot Lions! Black Lion is a costume in its own right, and the other four Lions are impressive display pieces.

Recently I asked Eric if I could spotlight his costume on this website, and he graciously agreed.

Here’s what Eric had to say about his costume:

I made my Voltron: Defender of the Universe cosplay out of EVA foam and hot glue. Although I am not 100% sure, I believe this is the first individually worn cosplay of the mighty robot that breaks down into its lion components. The time spent into making it was about 250 to 300 hours. It is painted by hand with latex paint and primer. The joints are held together using nylon screws, bolts and washers while the covers of the lions legs and a few other places are held in place with neodymium magnets.

I am very proud of the outcome and have had extremely positive reviews. I plan on this being my go to cosplay in the future and will be at every Voltcon.

Thanks to Eric for sharing these photos. (I also snagged a handful of photos from VoltCon.org.)

Costume Under Construction

VoltCon! (A Fan-Run Voltron Convention) – October 19-20, 2019

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Greg Tyler

VoltCon! — a fan-run, Voltron-themed convention, is coming to Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 19-20, 2019. More information will be revealed during the next Let’s Voltron: The Official Voltron Podcast, but registration has already started. Check out the VoltCon website (voltcon.org) for the latest information and to register.

Among the guests announced so far are The Shake-Ups — and Marc Morrell and I, as host and co-host of Let’s Voltron: The Official Voltron Podcast. Marc and I will present at least one panel at the convention. We hope to see you there!