Knightmare Batman (Bust)

I have lost a significant amount of my enthusiasm for superhero movies of late. Disney’s over- sight of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a fiasco; and DC continues its stuttering and waffling, driven by critics and fanboys, ever looking over its shoulder at/for Disney. That being said, Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League offerings—Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Zack Snyder’s Justice League—are the cream of the cinematic crop!

Some of the most compelling scenes in Snyder’s JL movies are those that revolve around the post-apocalyptic Knightmare. These are events in the near future, where Darkseid and his Apokoliptian forces attempt to conquer the Earth, and are resisted by Batman and his allies, the Insurgency. Earth has become an arid, desolate wasteland; and the members of the Insurgency have adopted a Road Warrior-like look, reflecting the landscape. 

Knightmare Batman would make an awesome figure; and if I were a few years younger, it would definitely be on the Projects List! But Knight Models has ably addressed the need with an exceptional bust of the character! 

 

 

The 1/10th scale offering, CAD-designed by the most-capable Jorge Velázquez, is beautifully-cast in PUR in two pieces.

It can certainly be addressed straight OOB. But. . . there are some canon points-of-detail that I wish to incorporate in my rendition. . . 

 

The work has already begun, with an integral plinth sculpted, and the figure transferred to its work- base. The real work on the left side of the collar/lapel is underway, and I will elaborate in the posts to come.

 

Until then. . .

“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

Thraex - Prep 4: Final finishing

The TDL has been effectively completed. There is still some fine finishing to be done (e.g., overall 'texturing' of the fasciae extensions), but these will be addressed in the course of the final finishing of the figure.

I hope to have this figure primed by the end of July. . .

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

Thraex - Prep 3: The TDL

The base figure has been completely assembled [NOTE: the only filler used to-date has been in tweaking the fit of the left arm to the torso.], which means the time had come to peg the feet/lower legs and mount it onto its work base. This is one of a number of instances that one truly appreciates the engineering and design of the figure, as one is pegging the legs through solid pieces, not hollow-cast legs!

 

This is the TDL for this superb figure:

• Undercut overlapping layers throughout. No matter how well a polystyrene figure kit is de- signed, it will require undercutting to varying degrees. This piece requires relatively little undercutting.
  
• Resized the shield, the quad parmula, reducing its length. (see Prep 1)
  
• Removed, resocketed (MS), and repositioned the left hand.
• Extended fasciae to mid-thigh (MS). This in turn required a refitting--and modification--of the loincloth of the subligaculum to accommodate the added thigh rolls.
• The helmet had its crest left off. The kit provides a horsehair crest à la murmillo. Thraeces' helmets traditionally had [ostrich] plumage. As sculpting ostrich plumes is not on my list of favorite things to-do, I decided to leave the crista off altogether..

There are potentially a few more items that might still make their way onto the list; but, for now, this is what will command my attention for the next few weeks. . . 

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

Thraex - Prep 2

Save for the left arm, the 'base' figure--and the equipment subassemblies--are now assembled!

I don't mean to 'gush', but this is one of the best injection-molded plastic figure kits I have ever built! Fit, as I've mentioned, is exceptional and precise--to date, I have not used any filler whatsoever. I have had to tweak the attachment points to maximize the fit (read: contact) of the respective parts, but such is the nature of the beast. 

Before closing, I would just like to make a few comments/observations. What do miniaturists have against injection molded plastic figure kits? And what do they have against ICM and MiniArt (who pretty much have cornered the market with regard to 1/16th scale plastic figure kits)?? I have encountered none of the assembly and/or fit and/or finish problems experienced by reviewers in my example. I will concur that the more experience one brings to the table, the greater the likelihood of an overall enjoyable, positive undertaking. BUT. . . one can say that of any project! As a sidebar note, this figure is quite suitable for a beginner with basic modelling skills who is observant, patient--and passionate.

I have acquired 4 ICM figures since 2016. Each figure is a watershed of refinement, confidence, and evinced experience on the part of the manufacturer. BRAVO!!! I, for one, am definitely looking forward to next year's projected releases; and I can only hope there is a series of gladiators in the works from ICM. . . 

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

Thraex - Prep 1

I'm about halfway through assembly, and I can honestly say this is a truly magnificent plastic figure kit! The design/engineering is noteworthy, and the fit is overall VG+++. The only reason I do not give "fit" an excellent rating is simply because this is a plastic kit: any shortcomings are due to the me- dium, not the design or the production.

My only reservation revolves around the length of the shield. The quad parmula, the rectangular shield, is, IMO, a bit too long. I am not aware of any surviving examples of quad parmulae, so my objection is based on my perception of the size of the item, and esthetics. In others words, these are subjective reservations.

In closing, I will point out that two shields are provided: the quad parmula, in effect a short scutum; and a round parmula. Thraeces are usually depicted with quad parmulae, but there appears to be some evidence to suggest the use of a round shield. What I am hoping is that the inclusion of a round shield would indicate the release of a hoplomachus in the [near] future.

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

Thraex

Ukrainian firm, ICM, has released another 1/16th scale polystyrene kit of a gladiator--a Thraex--earlier this year. Based on the kit before me, it appears that ICM assiduously studied MiniArt's offering, and has released what appears to be a truly exceptional offering! 

While somewhat similar to its predecessor, this is a much more refined, finished kit. My only regret is that it does not scale favorably with MiniArt's Murmillo, thus precluding a somewhat dramatic vignette. Hopefully, ICM will develop a series of gladiators . . .

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

The Wacky Races, pt. 2 (cont.)- The Projects, pt. 2: The Creepy Coupe (#2)

While the post-apocalyptic Compact Pussycat (#5), and the Arkansas Chugga-Bug (#8), are still jockeying for a front-burner on the bench, the Creepy Coupe (#2) is currently the fave of the hour, prompted largely by the Round 2/MPC re-release of the late 60s kit.

As indicated in the original posting, my goal is to create a non-cartoon-ish version of the Creepy Coupe. The basis for this conversion was to have been George Barris's Munster Koach kit (AMT), but upon further consideration--and research!--I decided to replace the Munster Koach with the Advent/ Revell '26 T Sedan. . . a much better fit--literally and figuratively. 

I am currently working on the engine of the Coupe, scratchbuilding the scoops DONE for the quad Weber carbs of the Ford Cobra 289 engine. The frame and suspension are done and in final clean-up--painting of the chassis is next. The modification of the body is well underway: my current focus is the windshield; and I should begin work on the dashboard shortly.

 

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

Deadman--Intro and Review

Constantine is making a run on HBOmax, and though not particularly faithful to the visual canon, it is quite an enjoyable movie. This weekend's viewing had me dusting off the Eaglemoss DCCSHC of the titular subject (#35/115), as well as casting my eyes further afield to the core of the Justice League Dark. I already have Eaglemoss's Zatanna (#57--this is one of my all-time EM faves); and in the next week, I should be receiving Deadman (#74). . .

This is a minimalist, white-metal (nb: the %age of Pb is noticeably lower in this issue) casting: 2 pieces + actual groundwork (nb: in over 300 figures, this is one of 3 with actual groundwork--and the only non-aquatic one!). 

I must have received one of the earlier releases as assembly and finishing were definitely a notch above the norm. The higher tolerances will make for additional reconstructive work, but it should provide for a finer final product.

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

Tank Girl -- Painting: UCing

Save for the "accessory" items (belt, pouches, etc.), Tank Girl is now undercoated. At this stage, this is not a very 'exciting' figure; but I know this will soon change. . .

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

Tank Girl -- Painting: Priming

Tank Girl is now primed, and on the painting bench. Undercoating, the application of acrylics, will hopefully get underway later this week. . .

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

Tank Girl -- Prepwork IV

Over the last fortnight. . .

• Added right forelocks; and stubble to shorn scalp.
• Added dog tag.
• Added fuses to the dynamite sticks.
• Drilled-out magazine-pouch flap.
• Reworked waist/utility pouch.
• Reworked waist-wrap to an elastic bandeau.
• Detailed/enhanced rocket launcher.
• Deleted smoke grenade; reworked left suspender.

 

UPDATE - 05.01.2021. . . Prepwork has been completed!  

 

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

Tank Girl -- Groundwork (3)

The groundwork is now undercoated (via a/b), with the tonal values having been applied as a foundation to the subsequent phases of painting. . .

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