This week's film, The Atomic Brain aka Monstrosity), has just about everything . . . except an atomic brain.  Now, honestly, if I had had more time this week, I might have built one myself, but there is always some distraction to be dealt with in "The Pit," so that little boy scout project will have to wait.  However, if you are hankering for some cranial candy in the resin milieu, I offer you some cool and creepy brain kits to keep you busy in your own mad lab.

Consider this:  You know you have a brain . . . but the only reason you know this is because you DO have a brain.  We are, in all probability, the only animals on the planet that understand that we have minds and that has led, poetically, to a species specific fascination with the brain itself.  From neurosurgery, to psychology, to philosophy to Dr. Frankenstein's little problem with "Abbey Normal,"  we can't stop thinking about our gray matter.

Is it any wonder, then, that horror and science-fiction films have revolved around the brain for over seventy-five years?  So given all that, there are plenty of kits that feature brains in one way or another.

First of all, let me advise you that if you want a brain model . . . that is, a model of a real human brain . . . you can get one.  In fact, there are many available in varying degrees of realism from medical supply stores and scientific hobby sites all over the web.  (I've linked these pictures if you want to see the sites.)  The one to the right is my personal favorite, a giant brain about 2.5 times normal human size.  Unfortunately it is a hefty $760!  Only slightly less is the one beneath it at $597.  But if you are a mad scientist on a budget, why not check out the budget brain below at a mere $29.99? 

Now, for those of you who want a readymade brain monster, you could start with Earthbound Studio's Fiend without a Face.  The kit is about 20 inches tall when completed, though the eyestalks have a ball and socket design, making them adjustable.  Also from Earthbound Studios, comes the Invasion of the Saucermen kit (below left) and the Metaluna Mutant (below right).  It would seem that in outer space it is fashionable to wear your brains as close to the skull as possible.  All three kits run about $150 and are part of the big head series which offer large scale replicas of your favorite b-movie critters.  These are some of the best values ever in the kit world and you can typically find these kits at www.xofacto.com and www.monstersdirect.com.