X-Force: Wolverine - Entr'acte

The right leg is now essentially done--still rough, but the final lines are evident, albeit continuing to emerge. The left leg will be perma- nently attached once I decide on the final conformation of the muscu- lature, and the mounting stump for the boot is finalized: the left boot will be the only separate piece in the lower half of the body.

I would say the head is about 70% done: still a bit more work to do on balancing the cat-eye "wings".

And that's about it for now. Hopefully I'll have some time this week- end to post some ip shots.

X-Force: Wolverine - The first tentative steps

While I wait for my Alumilite to arrive--not a bad thing as it gives me more time to acquire some intimacy with the subject, the model. . . AND the conversion!--I decided to start playing with some putty. To this end, I have roughed-in a very tentative right wing of the mask; filled-in the claw locator slots on the gauntlets; and worked on the top of the right boot. I've also begun to detail the mouth, beginning with grinding off the front teeth.

I have also paused to reconsider the reanimation of the legs. I did not like the pose as provided--it just didn't work for me. I then saw a build-up of the kit by the gentlemen who designed it! Same figure, same pose. . . but relocated on the base and at a different angle.

WOW! I'm not saying I am not going to proceed with my original "design"; however, once the figure is filled and pegged, I am going to have to play around with the pose to see if I can capture some of the same dynamics as the Shiflett Bros.

More to follow. . .

UPDATE - 08.06.11. . . The Alumilite arrived today--excellent service straight from the source!--and the torso, arms, and pelvic girdle are now filled. . .

FOLLOW-UP - 09.06.11. . . The figure is now completely filled. Let the fun begin!!!

UPDATE - 11.06.11. . . This really should be a new post, but there are still some loose ends to address before breaking out the camera. The figure is now reanimated, based on what the Shiflett Bros. did with theirs. It will require a bit more work before everything is in sync, but I am very pleased with what is now before me.

X-Force: Wolverine - Planning the conversion

I thought I would get a head-start on planning the major issues to be addressed in converting Toy Biz's 1/12th scale X-Men Wolverine to his X-Force persona. To date. . .

1. Repositioning of the left leg, and to a lesser extent the right leg and arms. This will include the resculpting of the left half of the pelvic girdle [see update here].
   
2. Elimination of shoulder wings; reworking of musculature of the arms.
   
3. Conversion of boots (nb: bilateral "wings" already removed).
4. Conversion of gauntlets, including reworking of "claws".
5. Head (including resculpture of dentition).
   

X-Force: Wolverine

I can not say I am a huge X-Men fan. And my favourites have always been what I would call "sup- porting cast": Angel/Archangel, Gambit, Nightcrawler, etc. Having said that, Hugh Jackman's por- trayal of James Howlett/"Logan", bka Wolverine, amongst others, on the Silver Screen has been a refreshing and pleasant refamiliarization with old acquaintances.

X-Force is the X-Men's "black ops" strike team, and has been led by Wolverine since its reincar- nation in 2008. X-Force is gritty and "dark", and Wolverine is in his element: it's an intriguing sub- ject.

The main hurdle is the base figure: where would one start? There are three potential candidates, all OOP. Two are 1/6th scale vinyl kits from Horizon. While well done and eminently workable, the scale is way too large for my tastes and display capacity. That leaves the 1/12th scale, polysty- rene offering by Toy Biz, sculpted by the Shiflett Bros., which is fortunately relatively easy to ac- quire--and affordable!--on eBay.


Spectacular build-up by CH colleague Ben Edwards. More views here.
The kit is comprised of 27 pieces: 24 pieces for the subject; 3 pieces for the scenic base. Wol- verine is generally considered one of the poorer TB efforts, and while there are fit problems, it is nowhere near as bad as proclaimed. There are only a few spots that require gap-filling; and this is easily accomplished with liquid cement and the fluffy shavings generated by a Dremel burr. As with the Rhino, the plastic takes to file and burr as well--or better!--than most.

All subassemblies have been completed, awaiting to be filled with PUR. Once it is filled, the reanimation of the figure and the conversion to the X-Force uniform will begin in earnest. . .

To be continued. . .