The PopCulteer
August 1, 2025

Bandcamp Friday

Okay, folks, it’s Bandcamp Friday.

That’s the day when my favored streaming service, Bandcamp, foregoes their usual cut of the money and lets the artists keep all the money spent on their music and merch. However today they make an exception.

The artists get a much bigger cut of the proceeds.  If you scroll down and check out almost any episode of Radio Free Charleston that has a playlist in this blog, you will find that the list of artists have links, many of which take you directly to that artist’s Bandcamp page.

In recent week’s we’ve seen new releases from the likes of The Settlement, Byzantine, Brian Diller, Sierra Ferrell w/Nikki Lane , Corduroy Brown, The M.F.B. , Saycouth and many others. Plus this is a good time to pick up older releases and merch from your favorite local and indie artists.

You know what to do to support the local scene and independent artists.

Defenders of Bulletman at Kentuckiana

Your humble blogger took a bit too many photos at The Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo, and it’s taking me a while to sort them out and get them all presentable for you. today we’re just going to focus on one tiny part of that show.

There was an exhibit commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Defenders of Bulletman, a group dedicated to celebrating what was once one of the most unjustly-maligned action figures of all time.

Thanks to their tireless efforts, Bulletman, the oddball superhero member of the GI Joe Adventure Team, has gone from being the butt of many a joke…a mere punchline…to one of the most ridiculously expensive vintage toys of its era.

The figure wasa bit of a flop when it came out. In one of those “kick yourself” memories that all toy collectors have, back in 1978, at the Murphy’s Mart in Dunbar, I came across a shopping cart filled with carded, unsold Bulletman figures, marked down to a dollar each. Of course this was when I was a broke teen, and was also in that brief phase where I wasn’t interested in toys at all, but had I been wise enough to have bought one (or the whole cart), then I wouldn’t have had to drop three figures to get one loose in 2014.

Over the years, the DOB crew have memorialized Bulletman in a variety of ways, by creating custom figures, custom ancillery merchandise, original artwork, accessory sets, vehicles, and some amazing artwork. This mini-exhibit (which I believe is travelling to other shows) was curated by Brian Becker (seen in our feature image above) with lots of assistance from his fellow DOB members.

So shine up your helmet, we’re going to take a deep dive…

First we’re going to take in the whole exhibit, going right to left (because I numbered the pictures wrong).

The middle part

The other middle part

The far-left part. Now we’ll check some details.

The D.O.B. Paratrooper had a custom parachute

Shirts, a satchel, wristbands…and it’s not really a proper secret society without a fez!

A depeiction of a down-and-out Bulletman, prior to his recent comeback.

A much happier cosmic and/or Disco Bulletman

Bulletman high-tops, not available at a shoe store near you

A Bulletman tote and hat. I believe the artwork (as much of the D.O.B. art is) was by Buddy Finethy.

I know the Bettie Page/Bulletman mash-up is by Buddy.

I’m not sure who made the cool Bulletjet, but it gave me an idea for next year.

Custom smaller figures and vehicles

This adventure set still cracks me up.

Bulletman done up in 3 3/4″ scale, complete with packaging

The D.O.B. pinball machine. I’m thinking this was made by Jack Hall (if not, correct me in the comments).

A better look at the smaller figures and vehicles

A really cool accessory outfit, apparently for Ben Affleck.

Mark McGwire is apparently a D.O.B. member.

We wrap usp this photo essay with a few more items from Brian’s collection.

That is the just one of many Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo photo essays you can expect in the next couple of weeks. Next time we’ll look at the amazing diorama work of Cindy Scott.

And that is this week’s PopCulteer. Check back for fresh content every day and all our regular features…and don’t forget to support local and indie bands on Bandcamp Friday.