Giant – Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun

I came across some rather shocking, though hardly surprising, news over the weekend: Eaglemoss, as we know it, is no more! This will not be an eulogistic epilogue, though I am saddened by the largely self-inflicted demise of major source for unique and very cost-effective products. Yet another source bites the dust. . . 

As you can well imagine, this got me scrambling through the roster of GoT figurines to see if there were any must/should haves that were not already in the 'great grey army'. And sure enough, I found two at very reasonable prices: GoT Special Edition #1 - Mag the Mighty; and GoT #57 - Ser Davos Seaworth. 

The latter is currently en route; but I received the former yesterday--and it is already stripped and on the work bench, with preliminary reductive grinding well-underway! By way of prologue, this will be a rather extensive "reworking" of the stock figure, and as such a long-term project. . .

There were three named Giants on GoT: Dongo, Mag, and Wun Wun. We met Dongo in Season 3, and was killed at the Battle of Castle Black. (S4E9). "Mag the Mighty", the subject of this first EM Special Edition, was also killed at the Battle of Castle Black. We would not meet Wun Wun until the Battle of Hardhome (S5E8): he not only survived the debacle at Hardhome; but he fought with the wildlings at the Battle of the Bastards (S6E9), where he ultimately was killed.

So much for the background. . . The figure is an exceptional one-piece bonded metal casting that measures 145mm in height (~1/32 to scale; not 1/14th, as promoted by Eaglemoss!). I don't know who sculpted/ designed the piece, but the quality is equally exceptional! Overall, this is the best GoT casting I have seen to date!! As a pre-painted collectible, this offering would be highly recommended.   

 

My only reservation about this piece is the choice of subject: why "Mag the Mighty"? While I am not aware of the release schedule, which might have determined the selection, the optimal release for a Giant subject is Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun (bka Wun Wun). And he will be the subject of this project...

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

The Foreseeable Future. . .

It has been a rather hectic Summer--if not the COVID roller-coaster, then strugging to accurately interpret the flip-flopping directives from upper management. Whatever. . . I am now a short-timer more-than-ready to take the last "freedom walk" out the doors and into the rest of my life.

I have been preparing for that day for the last 3-4 months--cleaning up my studio areas, acquiring my last splurge of figures, and prepping and/or revitalizing a slew of projects to see which one--ones--make their way to the 'front burner'. 

The subject/theme of choice is now HBO's Game of Thrones. I have been acquiring Eaglemoss's 1/21st scale pre-painted collectibles at excellent prices. This series of 60 figures was not particularly well-received--and with good reason!--and is OOP; however, the sculpture--many of them CAD designed--was on the whole very good. Where Eaglemoss dropped the ball was in the painting: "appalling" would be a kindness.

 

The Eaglemoss figures will be multi-figure vignettes of some of my favourite scenes, along with two stand alone figures: Yara Greyjoy (#49) and The Mountain (#52). All the pieces have been stripped, and are at various stages of upgrading and clean-up. I also plan to resurrect my bust of Jeor Mormont, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, though I will replace the base figure with Fan Art Models' bust of "The Lord Commander" (FAM-B014, 1/9th scale).

So much for the introductory prologue. I should be back at it in earnest in three or so weeks. . .

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

Exhuming Smart Max!

The regulars in the readership know what a committed fan I was of Smart Max's product line, es- pecially their SMOG 1888 series. Superb design and sculpture; VG+ to Excellent casting; and above all, creativity and imagination to . . . well. . . the Max! Regrettably, the line is no more. I don’t know the particulars behind its untimely demise. Its denouement was not unlike that of Knight Models, in that the wargaming foundation eventually overtook the miniature edifice, and 
we were left wondering what might have been. . .

My disposable time has been at a premium of late, so relatively little time has been spent at either bench. What I have been doing is reviewing my miniatures’ “bucket list”, and checking on the availability of core figures for future projects. I came across my project list for Smart Max, and two entries immediately caught my eye: Kaïn Finger (LXX) and Mister Honk (XXXIII).

In 2011-12, I kit-bashed two kits of Mister Honk to create a Great White Ape of Barsoom. This has been one of my all-time favourite creations, and I truly wish I had it in my collection. This past weekend I was browsing through eBay when I stumbled across two kits of Mister Honk at very affordable prices; the same seller had one kit of Kaïn Finger. It was time to revisit the past—literally and figuratively. . .

The Mister Honk kits will eventually – hopefully – be my second Great White Ape of Barsoom, and pave the way for the Barsoomian denizens in my ‘great grey army’. Kaïn Finger has been on my project list for nearly a decade, and I am just glad to have the opportunity to bring this crea- ture of the night to the light of day. . .

More to follow. . .

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

Joker: "The Face of Crime" - Pre-Prep Observations

As I mentioned in the introductory posting/review, this iteration of the Clown Prince of Crime is taken from the conclusion of "Death of the Family". For those of you not familiar with this arc, this is a "must read" in the DCU, afaIc! By way of capturing the gist of the story, the Joker is captured by Batman and sent to Arkham Asylum. As it turns out, this was the Joker's plan all along, as his goal was to meet with the Dollmaker, and have him surgically remove his face. The Joker escapes, and a year later, he returns to Gotham City, recovers his "face", and begins to wear it as a mask (NB: this is particularly well-rendered in the figure!). 

The Joker is a VG+++, two-piece casting (+ plinth). It is cast in metallic resin, and herein lies Problem #1. Eaglemoss has come a long way since their first forays into resin-casting, but they have yet to take that final step that would allow, compel even, any reviewer to use the word "mas- terful" in their assessment. Granted, given that these are pre-painted collectibles, what I am about to describe is arguably irrelevant. . . 

The aluminum filler used is too coarse: too big and--relatively--too heavy (albeit less expensive!), especially when used absent a thixotropic filler (TF) (NB: TFs create stratified layering of the resin thus minimizing settling when prepared properly.). This results in a noticeably granular, rough surface in the distal 20%, give or take, of the figure, as the metallic filler settles to the bottom of the mold, while the rest of the figure is essentially pure resin. The aluminum filler they should be using should look and feel like grey talcum powder--this, when used in conjunction with a TF, will yield a 'bonded pewter' casting that one could polish to a high-luster, if so inclined; and be significantly and uniformly stronger. I maintain that such a medium would preclude the use of the reinforcing rods currently being inserted in the legs of their larger (>70mm) scale offerings.

Which brings us to Problem #1A. Using metal rods to support a casting is not an easy under- taking, IF one's goal is to provide a metallic endoskeleton that will reinforce and support the figure. My guess is that Eaglemoss experienced customer dissatisfaction with broken figurines and decided to use wire reinforcements in attempt to avoid such contretemps. The problem is that the rods are not anchored in any way, and thus float freely until the resin begins to gel. Be- ing lighter than the metallic resin, they tend to either freely gravitate to the surface of the mold, or are displaced by the settling metallic filler, thus marring the surface of the casting AND negating any reinforcement they might have been able to provide! Of the last 5 figurines I have purchased, all were reinforced with metal rods. . . AND THREE WERE BROKEN!!

AfaIc, dealing with the above is well-worth it given the price-point of the figure and the overall quality of the sculpture. Not knowing the particulars of Eaglemoss' production, or the production standards vs. cost ratio that they consider acceptable within the context of the marketed pro- duct and/or their business plan, I don't know if this is still a "work-in-progress", or if they have achieved their goal. Given the published reaction of some of their customers, I would say there remains room for improvement, especially as they have been noticeably responsive to the com- plaints received to date. . .  

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

Active Powersports - CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!

I recently ordered a model kit from Active Powersports:

• they allegedly had the item in stock
• they would effect shipment within 3-4 days
• they shipped from 12 warehouses nationwide
• they had the best price by far on the Web

Now, I consider myself a fairly savvy on-line customer; but I guess every once in a while we must get reminded that all is not as it might appear.

After I had not heard from them as to item status, etc. after 3 days, I sent them an email politely inquiring as to the status of the order, which had been 'coded' as "Awaiting Shipment" from the moment I placed my order. No reply.

I wrote them again--and again!--no reply. I even called them, and left them a message--you guessed it--no reply. It was then that I started doing some research as to the reliability and customer service of this company, and it was bone-chilling to read. . . OUCH!

It was not until I requested that the order be cancelled they they replied that it was scheduled to ship on this past Monday. Obviously, that wasn't going to happen as it was a Federal holiday, but I did expect to receive my tracking information via the 'mailing label generated' notification.NOPE!

I finally did receive shipment notification late today--10 days after placing the order! I was pleased to see that they had shipped via USPS PP. . . but wait, that wasn't a PP tracking number! Sure enough, it was a Fed-Ex tracking #!!! If I am lucky, I will receive the order early next week!

Yes, they did fulfill the order, if not on a very timely basis--and not before evincing some of the worst CS I have ever experienced!

FWIW, there are reliable, steadfast, and trustworthy retailers on the WWW that may not offer the lowest prices (though you might be pleasantly surprised more often than not!), but they do offer the highest calibre of CS! The peace of mind alone is worth the extra $10 difference--at most!!!!

Lesson learned! 

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

SS. . . DY

I just read on pF that the one-time flagship of figure-modelling publications, Figurines, an- nounced on Dec 21st that its last issue--#121 (Sept-Oct-Nov 2018)--will be its LAST issue.

I well know that this publication has undergone some painful--and arguably benighted--restruc- turing, beginning with the stepping-down of its stalwart editor, Dominique Breffort. But while, yes, business is business, the loss of publications such as this are an all-too-clear loupe into our little world--and society as a whole!

The "digital age" is here. While in its infancy, the digital age was a welcome collaborator, doing much to shrink the vast spaces separating us, giving us insight into 'worlds' to which we were oblivious. But in the last decade or so, the digital revolution has become a ravenous, devastating marauder that undermines the very foundations of what we do--if not who we are!

I'm sorry to see any national publication shut-down its presses and take down its shingle, for it is a reflection of what. . . who. . . we are as a niche brother/sisterhood. The hobby is still viable, but I would be hard-pressed to deem it 'healthy'. . .

"This is the end. . . "

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

RIP - Stan Lee (1922-2018)

I am at a loss for words. . .The end of an era. . .

MY Fave Figs

This year, I celebrated my 41st year of being a "serious" miniaturist. I painted my first figure over 55 years ago (Aurora's Frankenstein), but it would be another 14 years before any concept of "artistry" would be an element of my "strategy".

In that time, I have painted over 200 figures. This is by no means an extraordinary amount; in fact, that would be considered a rather modest output. But it's not about the numbers. Never has been. It's about the experience--in every sense of the word. And about making the next figure bet- ter than the last!

I know my years at the bench are coming to a close; though this year I am on track to complete more figures than I have since 2002! In any case, after a long week at work, I was reflecting on what are my favourite figures of all time. My initial list numbered close to 40 pieces. I then nar- rowed the scope to my Top 20 of all time--and things got tough. Quite a few of my faves didn't make the cut simply because they were not up to snuff: fun, enjoyable, even groundbreaking;
but in the end, critically "short". So after sleeping on it, and reassessing as a "Judge", I came
up with the following: 

A fun--and enlightening!--exercise. . .

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

RIP--CHARLES E. "CHUCK" ROBINSON (1944-2018)

This past Wednesday was a painfully sad day in the global figure-modelling community, for on July 4th, Chuck Robinson passed away at the age of 73. The worldwide hobby has lost one of its pillars... 

Chuck needs no introduction to the figure-modelling community--domestic or foreign! He was arguably the most well-known retailer of miniature figure kits in the world! And for the last two decades or so, he was a reliable vendor and collector of high-end, 1/6th-scale action figures. Not surprisingly, he was also a knowledgeable collector and agent of-and-for finished/painted miniatures. 

But most importantly, Chuck will be remembered--and never-forgotten!--for his humor, his generosity, and his devotion to his family, friends--and the hobby he made his own.  

I met Chuck in his first Atlanta Show in the early 80s--if memory serves it was 1983. Save for last year, I am hard-pressed to remember an Atlanta Show without Chuck! But I am even more hard-pressed to imagine what a show without Chuck will be like! As long as Chuck was there, the show was worth attending. As a consumer, it was Christmas in February! As a friend, sharing a cream soda with him, taking a smoke break, or covering his tables while he took a well-deserved breather--it made the show an "event". This is the sad end of an era!

I could go on--endlessly; but I prefer to reflect in private. Reflect on the loss first of a friend, but also of a colleague and a patron. You will be, you already are, missed! Rest in peace, Chuck-ie! On behalf of the readership of AMF, I would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Donna and the family. 

AJR 

Update. . . and "El Che" redux

Firstly, a Happy May Day to all!

It has been 6 weeks since my last posting, and things may have been idle on the blog, but, I assure you, not on the bench!

I am currently working on two 1/35 post-war Soviet AFVs, both "M" variants. Thoroughly enjoy- able, to say nothing of challenging, and a needed break from the figures. But worry not, the figures will soon join the AFVs center-stage. . .

First up will be my second turn with Life Miniatures' Ernesto "Che" Guevara. I received the kit today and it is every bit as pristine as my first kit. I have already removed the trademark beret--which will not be present in this iteration. The putty work will begin by the weekend. . .

More to follow!

UPDATE 05.05.2018. . . The hair has been all-but-removed, the calvarium has been roughed-in, and the bust has been pegged and mounted on its work base.

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

Year-end reassessment

As we enter the final three weeks of 2017, there have been some developments that will see a revamping of the benches going into the New Year.

I haven't done much of anything since Thanksgiving. Tis the cold and flu season--AMEN!--and the ramp-up at work has surpassed expectations. The two, along with dealing with the daily vicissi- tudes, have pretty much knocked the wind out of my creative and productive sails.

I was hoping to get a much needed infusion of inspiration in the last fortnight, but none was to be had. And then the news broke that the forthcoming Atlanta Show would be held in Marietta, not Decatur! On the one hand, I am very glad that they were able to secure a location with the show less than 2 months away; but the new venue precludes my attendance. And that in turn removes any incentive to complete the projects currently on the benches.

This afternoon I cleaned-up the work bench in anticipation of two new projects that will hopefully be launched before year-end. With regard to the painting bench, I am going to see where the muses lead me in the days to come. . .

Stay tuned. . .

FOLLOW-UP 18.12.2017. . . I continue in my creative nadir, so this weekend I put away all the historical projects--two busts--on my painting bench. These will be replaced by two 75mm full figures that hopefully will make it onto Santa's sleigh before the Ol' Man departs the North Pole.

More to follow. . .  

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

Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors

Yesterday, I received four colors (of a 175+-color line) by this manufacturer, and I am VERY im- pressed--and pleased!

Originally out of Brooklyn--and still based in NY state--Williamsburg Oil Colors have a diverse range of competitively-priced colors--especially tertiary--whose texture and consistency suit the miniaturist to a T! I wish I had discovered them earlier in my travels!!

As a sidebar note, the two major garments of the current project--gown and cloak--will be painted with Williamsburg colors.

Definitely worth a look-see. . . 

Back to the bench!

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

Mista' J - Painting: Benchnotes

To belabour the obvious, at some point in every project, there is the matter of palette selection. Some select as they go along; others take a break at some point in the early stages--or late during prep--to pull their palette. 

I prefer to do it just before priming. But in this case, given the three distinct sub-asssemblies, I waited until all the primed pieces were before me. While my palette is comprised of the usual trimumvirate--Reaper, Vallejo, and Andrea, they were joined by three stalwart colours from the long-defunct Polly-S Fantasy range: Kirin Yellow/Gold, Bugbear Fur, and Eyestalk Violet. 

For those of you not familiar with Polly-S, they were the first mainstream hobby acrylics. Back in the day, some still undercoated with enamels, but the impermeability of acrylics and the satura- tion of pigment made them the medium of choice as the UC for oils. Polly-S was manufactured by the Floquil Polly-S Color Corp.

Floquil/Polly-S was acquired by Testor's, if memory serves, sometime around the turn of the century: that was the beginning of the end. In 2013, the re-formulated Floquil/Polly-S lines were dropped from Testor's product line, and an era had come to an unequivocal end. . . 

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