29 February 2020

"Gothic Bat - Haunted" - Review

The figure arrived on Thursday; and, at first glance, it is certainly impressive. . . 

The casting is VG+++/A-. There are a few stray air bubbles where you might expect, but nothing to fret over, especially as they are mostly unnoticeable.

This is the "cleanest" and most adequately painted Eaglemoss I have ever seen! Yes, seam lines are still an issue; but on this figure, they are effectively "out of sight". The paint job, while com- mendably "light", is still somewhat erratic (e.g., the right arm was left in blue [i.e., left unpainted], and the seat of the trunks was painted blue only as far as the eye can see). Also, it appears that Eaglemoss is taking advantage of the larger scale to use an airbrush. . .

It is interesting to compare the painted sample used to promote the figure on their website with the figure before me. The bat logo on the sample figure was a painted bas-relief; on mine, the bat logo is a decal (NB: Eaglemoss has taken to using decals on points of fine detail such as eyes, logos, etc. of its larger-scale offerings. It's hard to argue with the results regardless of where you stand on the issue.). The sample figure has a disconcerting rough finish; on mine, the finish is the best I have seen to date on an Eaglemoss figure!

Measuring a sizeable 112mm to the eyes, it is comprised of four pieces (3 resin, and 1--the left gauntlet--in what appears to be finely-cast "white metal", not lead) + the circular DC branded plinth. Eaglemoss has over-engineered the attachment of the cape, so it is highly unlikely that you will be able to remove the cape without damaging the collar area--worry not: easy enough to reconstruct, though you will have to carefully plan your painting strategy.

If I am to be completely candid, I feel Eaglemoss made short work of the cape--literally. Kelley Jones' Bats are distinctive in two areas: 1) elongated 'ears' at least as long as the head; and 2) an organic, seemingly sentient, at-times fantastically long cape. The cape as designed does not convey any of these characteristics. I have yet to decide on if--and how--I intend to address this.
UPDATE -  06.03.2020. . . While I stand by my original assessment, with the now head-cape unit refitted, and given the stock drapery, I do not feel that lengthening the cape would provide results commensurate with the effort required. Thus, I intend to rework the folds and create what appears to be a more voluminous cape. . . 

This is a worthwhile acquisition--recommended +++! 

When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

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