Judge Death (Bust) - Prepwork

As we have come to expect from DWC, prepwork is minimal. There are seamlines, but you will have to work to find them. Given the nature of the hobby in this day, most people will not bother... Which suggests to me what little respect they have for their canvas--and we, in turn, should have for their work! 

I am anxiously awaiting the release of the return of the Dark Judges in Judge Dredd: Dark Jus- tice later this month, so any serious mods will have to wait until then. In the meantime, however, basic prepwork can be addressed and hopefully completed. . . 

This morning, I have fitted the right pterosaur pauldron to my satisfaction, and permanently at- tached the left arm. As to the latter, save for the left hand, that is as far as I intend to go with pre- assembly, as the fit is seemless, and I have no inclination to compromise the painting. I have also all-but-completed finishing of the helmet and the lower head.

Once the basic prepwork is completed, I will begin work on the coarse lacing that will replace the jumpsuit zipper. . . 

Movin' right along. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . In order to created a more unique, less derivative look, I decided to reposition the left hand. The final position has yet to be determined, but the wrist socket has been expand- ed and the hand has been pegged (.063" tin solder).

While still very much in a design stage, I am examining the possibility of modding the helmet slightly. DONE!

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

And the bussssttt isssss. . . DEATH!

This year, DWC has ventured into my favorite miniatures' genre--BUSTS! And two of their three offerings to date are in their 2000AD sub-line: Ol' Stony Face himself, Judge Dredd; and his Deadworld nemesis. . . the lisping lich. . . Judge Death!!!

I am in proud possession of both of these gems; but for now, we will concern ourselves with Death. As a brief aside, each bust comes with a finished hardwood display plinth/base by Bespoke Bases! And lest I forget, each bust will be strictly limited to 100 issues worldwide.

This 1/10th scale bust is exquisitely cast in 7 pieces. While both of the 2000AD offerings are "cut-downs" of their 70mm full-figure counterparts (one of the advantages of using CAD to create design prototypes!), they have been significantly re-engineered to complement the larger scale. For example, Death's head is comprised of two-parts: helmet and lower face--PERFECTION!

Before moving on to the project itself, I can only say. . . HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

As with the full-figure, the bust will be an exercise in hue and tonality.  Do I go with a greenish skin, a bluish skin, a deathly flesh tone. . . or a custom mix of all three? The gear--how faded/ worn should it be depicted? Should it be predominantly green or buff. . . or something in-be- tween?  And so on, and so forth. . .  

And as with the full-figure--not surprising given its provenance--this Death is obviously based on the iteration found in the Batman/Dredd crossover, "Die Laughing" (hence the chained badge, etc.). It too will be reverted to canon, and to this end I have already removed the chain and the zipper-tab.

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