Space Bunny arrivals!

I just got a pretty exciting package in the mail... two crisp resin figures from Space Bunny Arts: 

I'd been following the slow birth of this new studio for a while and really wanted to support Peter's venture, not to mention get my hands on a couple of his sci-fi figures, suitable for use in whatever space conflict game one might be into :)  These two, "Sola Haru" and "Jehn Kibo" should paint up nicely as "Rule 63" versions of a couple of favourite characters I have painted before.  He's got a few other sculpts as well, they all look great and honestly, only budgetary constraints prevented me from buying the whole set...

A Dark Lord Unmasked

So I don't often do blog posts about other people's blog posts, but I recently came across something too cool to pass up.  Matt S. at Oldenhammer in Toronto recently posted this conversion of a Star Wars Imperial Assault Darth Vader figure which blew me away:

He has a bit to say about it too:
If there's anything scarier than Darth Vader in his mask, it's Darth Vader with the top down: the bruised eyes, the long unhealed wounds, and the skin pale as a moonscape. There is no better subject if you want a miniature as a portrait of a person in pain.

It's a powerful portrait of one of our favourite sci-fi villains in all his hideous glory...  If you like it, don't just tell me.  Tell him!  (He's also posted some other really nice Star Wars stuff more recently, so check that out too.  I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this blog from now on.)

Ten Years of Painting Agency!

What?  It's the tenth anniversary of my first post here?  How is this possible?  That's positively ancient in internet years.  To put it in perspective, in 2005 there was no Instagram, no Twitter, Facebook was for students only, and "Cool Mini or Not" was still my hobby website of choice.  I'd never painted a 15mm figure in my life, and this was my first work posted:

There have definitely been some changes over the years: fewer trivial WIPs and "look what I bought" posts, more comments and followers (thanks, guys!).  I got started painting smaller figures when I tried "Flames of War" WW2 models, and now I don't often paint 25/28 mm figures.  The 15 mm sci-fi renaissance has provided endless material that suits my new interests and time constraints.  On the downside, I think my technique has stagnated a fair bit from not being pushed, but I've also shifted my style to one which complements smaller sculpts.

Will I still be doing this in a few years?  I don't know, life goes on.  I certainly hope so, and right now I enjoy the synergy of painting/posting, and definitely appreciate all the feedback I get.

Jen Haley MURDERS Khurasan's Paranormal Investigators

I don't normally post about other people's paint jobs... but damn it, woman:

"Something's spooky out there Mulder, and it's Ms. Haley's brush control."

I was still am pretty proud of my paint job on this set, but yet again, Haley shows me why she's soaring with the eagles while I'm still ****ing with the ducks.

According to Jon's TMP post, Khurasan will begin selling these with a new wave of releases starting next week.

I saw "The Wolverine"...

Artist's impression of about half the film.

The wife took me out to see the new Wolverine film for my birthday.  Without getting into plot too much, this is a solo story about Logan after his self-imposed exile from the X-Men and human society following the death of Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix.

Though it is based on the 80's comic miniseries, what you do not get is this:

... as a film.  Most of the same players are there: Mariko Yashida, Yukio, Lord Shingen, ninjas, the wounded bear etc.  But they are changed substantially in their actions, interactions, alliegances and motivations.  Also, there are (spoilers, highlight to read) the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, a toxic/power-stealing mutant, a fight on top of a speeding bullet train, a freakin' giant robot samurai, and Wolverine losing his metal claws... but growing back his organic ones. I rather missed the more pronounced good girl/bad girl contrast between Mariko and Yukio from the comic, it paralleled the two sides of Logan's character. Here the women are as close as sisters (and that's nicely done), and Yukio helps Logan as much out of loyalty to the Yashidas and her best friend as anything else.  And as reviewers seem to have noticed, it can't seem to decide if it's an action drama about a character tormented by his own inner nature... or a summer blockbuster spectacle with the requisite over-the-top special-effects-driven finale.

But I liked it anyway, and if you like Wolverine, you probably will too.

(Hmm, I should re-paint that Clix figure some time...)

Dragon's Treasure

Guelph's very own FLGS and comic book emporium The Dragon has won the prestigious Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award!  Amazing!  I'm certainly not their most frequent customer but it really is a great place - welcoming, bright, extremely well-stocked, great staff, and no lingering smell of unwashed neckbeard or angry teenage Magic fanatic.  Really, everything a comic book store should be. 

The Guelph Mercury's article

Star Wars Blog Extravaganza

I just came across this Star Wars mini blog via the Lead Adventures forum... "Scotty Speed" apparently has about six hundred SW miniatures, some WEG, some custom conversions and sculpts of his own!  He's a really good painter too:

I've painted the middle pilot figure myself.  Never seen the others before...

Sy Snootles and the Max Rebo Band, aww yeah!

 
Hmm yeah.  Nice!  Seriously worth checking out if you're even a quasi Star Wars fan.

Objective...ist.

I'm in the middle of some things now, so: a "look what I found" post to keep the blog flowing while I paint away...

I'd never heard of Lead Bones before... but this is pretty cool. Anyone who enjoyed "Bioshock" should recognize these 15mm heavies:



Sure to keep your underwater temple to Ayn Rand safe and secure from any pesky players roaming around out there! They're available at Recreational Conflict, along with a 28mm version! I'll have to pick up a set someday, when I've finished painting everything else in my stash. It's a pity their shipping charge to Canada is $12; it's enough to make me "Go Galt"... :P

EDIT: the seller posted on Lead Adventures to clear up the postage thing, you should pay less for small orders that fit in an envelope instead of a box.