Ever wonder what Luke, Chewie, Han and the rest of the gang would look like re-imagined as steampunk characters? These custom designed Star Wars steampunk action figures open up a whole new world of possibilities for the franchise. If only Lucas would allow other filmmakers to play in his universe. Terry Gilliam could probably pull off an amazing steampunk take on Luke, Vader,  et al. Or how about a dystopian vision of Wars directed by Ridley Scott? (Interestingly enough, artist Ralph McQuarrie's original designs for Star Wars featured a much stronger steampunk flavor, as evidenced by the custom figures seen here.)

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If you were anything like me as a kid, then your toy battles knew no bounds. Transformers fought alongside G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K. vehicles drove over your sister's helpless My Little Ponies. Anyone who relishes whenever fictional worlds collide will get a kick out of the nutty toy-inspired artwork on display this month at LA's Gallery 1988.

A few of the pieces are so wrong, yet so right: Gumby fighting giant robots; the Star Wars gang given the Playskool treatment; He-Man as a lumpy, balding middle-aged man; beloved Nintendo characters sitting down to a Last Supper presided over by Donkey Kong. (I always suspected Mario was a Judas.) Others, such as a portrait of He-Man's wise confidante, the Sorceress, are downright beautiful. And, of course, many of the pieces will have you going, "I used to have that!" (For instance, the painting featuring the blissfully simplistic Battle Beasts. "Wood! Fire! Fire burn wood!" Truer words were never spoken.)