Bumblebee--28mm Conversion

"My name... is... Bumblebee,"
-B-127, Bumblebee Movie

Bumblebee reignited my interest in the Transformers franchise. While I have always had some interest or other in the franchise, having owned comics and toys as a boy, I always steered clear of the films despite my interest in them due to their rancid reputation and contradictory lore.

All of that changed with this new prequel/reboot however, which has become one of my favorite films this year, being just loaded with heart.

As a result, while I'll no doubt eventually do a Bumblebee as a Camaro in a more classic look, I wanted a figure that really caught my emotions coming out of that film the second time.



The figure converted was a broken Major Q-10 on a custom 40mm baseplate. I used greenstuff to sculpt on wheels, fenders, and the face mask as well as other small details. Charlie on the other hand is a SceneARama civilian modified to look more like the character from the film and to stand just a liiiiiiitle bit shorter (she was kinda in Bumblebee's spotlight before.)

The film was so motivating to me--after coming out of a flu that really sapped the energy out of my hobby--that I just NEEDED to make a figure, but I couldn't find a cake topper or happy meal that got the gist across (which is what I've done for my other attempts at transformers characters.) I feel like America is in trouble when a movie about the most marketable toy in a line of marketable toys doesn't have enough merch for me to buy!

I've never had a problem converting figures with beards and hair and fur and even robes via green stuff in the past, but metal is a whole other animal. I've only recently felt comfortable making swords for a separate project. Thus, it was truly daunting to add these metallic bits. However, with a whole lot of water (and some plastic bits for the front bumper piece) I created some panels that look like the belong on the character.

I've gotten mixed reviews from the guys in my gaming group about Charlie's inclusion on the baseplate, so I figured I'd have to explain my logic a bit.

Bumblebee since his inception has been the humans' friend on a personal level. From Spike to Sam to Sari to Charlie, Bumblebee has always been the personal pal of the humans, and that's the element of the character that Bumblebee zeroes in on. Thus, in a game, I get the complaint that it looks awkward for Bumblebee to be hovering over this human girl. However, to me that relationship was what made the movie work, and if I wanted to capture that feeling, I had to have Charlie incorporated.

Also, here is his Army Card.



And that's Bumblebee! What do you think of the little guy and also, what do you think of this post, as it is more in depth than what I'd normally do for a figure?

-BG

Bass Reeves--Black Scorpion Tombstone Miniature

Bass Reeves, to me, represents the greatest traits about the American west. If you're not familiar with this historic law marshall, I'd say his story is well worth a Google search, and it is that story that convinced me to make him the first lawman I painted.


The figure is from Black Scorpion's Tombstone range, a lovely range of 32mm Wild West miniatures.

Overall, I'm fairly pleased with the result, but a penny for your thoughts?

-BG

Logan--Heroclix Repaint

"I'm the best there is at what I do."
-Wolverine

Wolverine is not a superhero that I grew up with, but is one that is fast becoming a favorite of mine. After binging Wolverine: The Long Night, I cracked out my paints and snatched my favorite Wolverine heroclix sculpt for some miniature action! I'm more than a little bit pleased with the result.



Being inspired by The Long Night, I wanted to go for a more natural 'Logan' look rather than a superhuman 'Wolverine' look.



I'm very pleased with the blood effects on the shirt/claws. I usually avoid blood effects on minis. Something about it just feels sort of tacky and gory. However, I think it suggests the savagery of Logan,  as well as his stamina, and I think the finished product still maintains a decently natural look.



I also added a little log on the baseplate, to accentuate Logan's connection with the natural world and with the world of animals.

So there you have it! Personally, this might be my favorite Super Hero repaint that I've done, but what do you guys think?

Thanos and Spider-Man Heroclix/scape Repaint

"Mr Stark, I don't feel so good."
-Spider-Man, Infinity War

Two new superhero repaints for your viewing pleasure!

First up is Thanos, a repaint of the 'scape figure. I wanted to add more metallic gold than the original figure and accent the purple more to remind me more of how the character appears in the MCU before he removes his armor and goes into casual friday mode on our heroes.


Next up is a repaint/conversion of a Spider-Man heroclix into his sick new PS4 costume. The PS4 costume isn't super different from the classic costume, so conversion was simple: a little green stuff around the ankles, and a little padding on the knuckles, with a little extension to the spider on his back to complete the look. The rest was up to white paint to differentiate him from the classic costume, and I'm fairly pleased with the result.


Don't snap your fingers!


So what do you all think? Sound off in the comments below!

Indiana Jones 32mm

"For fortune and glory,"
-Indiana Jones, Temple of Doom

If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones, and as a huge fan of the adventure genre, Indiana had to be a character I'd handle. However, finding a specific miniature for the character proved to be a hassle, seeing as though I wanted him to be in scale with the other Heroclix figures that I've repainted rather than in a strict 28mm scale. After some digging, however, I figured the best place to find a fedora is on a cowboy! This figure is a western figure from Black Scorpion, with a few modifications that made him turn out pretty Indiana-ish if you ask me.
Here is is, front and back, on some raiding adventure. Note the R2-D2 hieroglyphics on the base...


Not happy with the bullets on his belt, but I guess you can't win them all, Otherwise, a little greenstuff made for a pretty convincing whip and satchel.

And that's Indiana! Sound off in the comments if you like the choice in mini or if you've found a better one that fits the scale!

Wild West Terrain Gunsmith

Here is the gunsmith's shop, all painted and pretty! I decided red would be a sufficiently aggressive color for the birthplace of every firearm in town!

The shop is simply 'Dziubek and Sons,' a nod to my and my brother's surname. I'm also very pleased with the oxidation details on the copper sign.

Not at all happy with the windows, but it has given me an idea of what to do better in the future.

A few wanted posters adorn the back. It looks a little like barn from the back.

Oh look! The circus is in town!

And a shot of the corrugated metal roof. You can't see it well in the picture, but there is a little picture of a wild west gunsmith on the inside so you're not looking into an abyss when you look through the door.

Penny for your thoughts, pilgrim.

Wild West Terrain WIP

Going back to some Heroscape stuff, I wanted to get started on an old west town along the lines of my pirate town made last year. Here's some wip shots of the Gunsmith shop.

The structure is a simple arts and craft style build: popsicle sticks on cardboard.

The sign is made out of cereal box cardboard, but honestly it looks so rough I've already covered it during the painting process with a new sign.

The corrugated sheet metal of the roof is just corrugated cardboard with the surface removed and some wet paint to smooth down rough edges.

A penny for your thoughts, pilgrim?