Asp

In 2012, I broached the theme of two Marvel super-villain teams, the Serpent Society (SSo) and the Serpent Squad (SSq). It was also my initiation onto the world of Eaglemoss's pre-painted collectible figurines. . .

The other day, as I was exploring the Eaglemoss Marvel and DC collections, I decided to order Blink (CMFC #97) as a potential base figure to convert into Maxine Hunkel, bka Cyclone, one of my favourite JSA characters for any number of reasons. But upon arrival (VG+ 4 pc. casting, BTW), it occurred to me that this figure would be the ideal jump-off for a conversion to Cleo Nefertiti, bka The Asp. Cleo was an Egyptian (human) mutant exotic dancer whose unique abilities attracted the attention of the SSo.

And so, for the time being, it appears that my Serpents project has been resurrected.

To date, I have begun reworking the hair; reworking the breasts and bodice; and resculpting the shoes. So far. . . so GREAT!
 
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

King Cobra - UPDATE

At the risk of jinxing things, this piece is coming along quite nicely!

The hood is now all but done. Aside from some minor tweaking of the shape, all that remains to be done is the interior detail and the cobra "crest" front and center. I've never been particularly enamored of this embellishment: about the best that can be said is, "overkill". But it is iconic to the character, so. .

The hood-shaped mantle is next. If all goes as planned, the hood will be permanently attached to the mantle, and the unit will be removable for painting. Worst case scenario, the hood and mantle will be separate pieces that will be permanently attached once their respective ventral surfaces have been painted.

More to follow. . .

FOLLOW-UP - 30.05.2012. . . The sub-mantle has been roughed-in with SSFine and the contouring of this "negative" surface has begun. If all goes as planned and time permits, I hope to have the epoxy putty "positive" done by the end of the weekend.

UPDATE - 02.06.2012. . . The mantle is done! Done--but not yet 'finished'. All in good time. . .

Notable Acquisitions May 2012

FIGURES
This month has been essentially focused on assembling the base figures for my Marvel Serpents and my select DC Lantern Corps collection (all Eaglemoss, ~85mm +/-):

Classic Marvel #136 Snowbird
Classic Marvel #143 Radioactive Man  

and. . . 

DC Super Hero -- Blackest Night, Brightest Day Special #1 Black Hand
DC Super Hero -- Blackest Night, Brightest Day Special #10 Bleez

King Cobra

The long holiday weekend has gotten off to a productive, if not great--long story, start. . .

While I still hope to have at least one figure ready for priming by Monday, I'm not pushing myself. I'm going to follow my Muses, adopt a 60s zeitgeist, and just do what feels right.

First up. . . Klaus Voorhees, bka (the original) [King] Cobra. The project is inspired by this panel (Captain America #367):


As I indicated in my introductory post, this figure would use the Hobgoblin (CMFC #102) as its base...


You might recall from my review of the Hobgoblin that it is comprised of 6 pieces, all white-metal: I have retained 4 -- the head, body, and 2 gauntlets. To date, I have begun rough modelling, reconforming (read: grinding); and pegging. The lower legs/boots are being resculpted (more at reshaped), and the upper third of the pectoral girdle, formerly incorporated into the mantle, is being resculpted. I will hopefully have the figure pegged and mounted on its workbase by the end of the long weekend.

More to follow. . .

UPDATE - 27.05.2012. . . I have repositioned and permanently attached the head; and I have pegged and repositioned the right gauntlet. Last but not least, the figure is now pegged and mounted on its workbase.

FOLLOW-UP - 28.05.2012. . . I have roughed-in the cowl, and begun working on the face. I've also roughed in the ventral half of the anime-like "armour". ADDENDUM - I have just finished roughing-in the cobra hood.

Serpent Squad & Society- A Sampling

I love reptiles, especially snakes. With that as a given, it is hardly surprising that I am a huge fan of two Marvel Super-villain teams, the Serpent Squad (SSq) and the Serpent Society (SSo).

Being a fan is not easy, as their histories are somewhat patchy, if not outright convoluted. To make matters worse, some of the characters are barely fleshed out, as if it wasn't worth the bother. Thus, selectivity becomes key.

To the matter at hand. I've been reacquainting myself with the SSq/ So, and since it does not look like any of the them will make/made the final Eaglemoss CMFC cut, I thought it was time to indulge in some customization.

My line-up of female associates to date is as follows (subject - base figure):

• Anaconda [Ultimate] - Mystique
• Asp - tbd
• Princess Python [Ultimate] - Gamora (tbr)
• Coachwhip - Moonstone (tbr)

I have special plans for Death Adder [Ultimate]. The remaining femmes fatales are of no interest as of this writing; however. . . I do have plans to create my own character -- Nāginī the Cobra Queen -- using the Eaglemoss Snowbird as a base.

And the men:

• King Cobra - Hobgoblin
• Puff Adder - Radioactive Man

I have special plans for Cottonmouth. As for the rest, the only one that remotely piques my interest is Bushmaster.

And that's it for now. Anaconda is on the bench, ready for the putty work to begin. More to
follow. . .