This is the dazzling Basil Gogos boxart for Moebius' latest addition to the dungeon of 1/8th scale polystyrene Universal monsters. While undoubtedly one of the finest releases ever in this genre and medium, is it everything we could have hoped for?
The first thing that strikes you--after the artwork, of course--is the size of the box: it is a whopping 12.5 x 9.75 x 5.25 ins.! Inside you will find 43 pieces cast in pale-grey polystyrene. VG+ casting throughout, with zero flash (yes, it is a new kit and flash should not be an issue; but unfortunately we all know better) and minimal "fade". This is most noticeable on the ears, but more on this later... Rounding off the impressive contents is a 4pp, 4-color refsheet by Jeff Bond and Dave Metzner. TOP NOTCH!
The design of the sculpture is very reminiscent of Janus's l-o-n-g OOP Im-ho-tep and Sideshow's Premium Format "The Mummy and Sarcophagus" offerings. The one telling difference is the price. . . and the fact that this is is readily available!
PLUSES:
1) Excellent styrene! I have taken Dremel and blade to it, and it responds beautifully! You won't be able to ramp up the rpm's--any more than you could on any styrene--but it is hardier than most. Quick response to liquid cement--in most instances, you shouldn't need to resort to clamps, tape, or rubber bands: hold for a few minutes, finalize the position, and set aside.
2) EXCELLENT fit with "positive lock" on many of the major subassemblies. There will be some filler work required, but compared to most "large-scale" styrene figure kits, this one can be described as "filler free".
3) SUPERB engineering/design! I was somewhat apprehensive over how the kit would be broken down, especially as I have "plans" which would have been easily derailed if the kit had been engineered otherwise. No worries whatsoever! The kit is designed to allow us, the modeller, to take it as far as our abilities and imagination will permit.
MINUSES:
Really only one. Unfortunately, it (collectively, they) all involve the titular subject. First of all, it is not a very good likeness of Karloff (I appear to be in the distinct minority in this, as most reviews have raved about the likeness. . . go figure)--and the ears are HUGE! I have already commenced the re-modelling of the head, and I will post images shortly to illustrate. Secondly the proportions are off: either the overall length of the body is too short; and/or the arms are too long. Something will have to be done to eliminate, or at least mitigate, the knuckle-dragging look, and hopefully allow the mummy to fill out the coffin a bit more.
This is a MUST HAVE kit! If it is your first monster model, you're in for a treat! If you're an old 'Monster Kid' who remembers the days when you could pick up an Aurora kit for 8 bits, this will take you back to those halcyon days with none of the downsides.
Augie
Augie,
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to your review since you first told me of your intention to get this kit. The sarcophagus looks especislly NICE!1 I guess we'll soon find out!!
Lloyd
Augie,
ReplyDeleteFrom your review this kit looks to be everything you and I could have hoped for. With your vision of it realized, once it is finished it will be an instant "classic" of its genre!!! I'm looking forward to your future postings.
Lloyd
Hey guy,
ReplyDeleteOn the whole, it certainly is that! I would FF this to a front burner save that it is going to be painting intensive (but more on this as we get closer to that stage! ;-)).
I've got the head about 50% redone. Karloff is challenging enough. . . Karloff with collodion is a PROJECT! As with most of the Pierce (and Chaney!) creations, one is better off doing a portrait sculpt and THEN "applying the makeup". I'm not going that far which makes for a more involved conversion.
Once the head (and neck!) are done, I'll see if I push on with the body and arms, or put it aside until we're ready to launch this project. Either way, the painting will begin this Fall. . .
Stay tuned!