jardann

Great stuff there Berttt!

Hey Sundown, looks like we're on the same page again with this subject. My favorite work of Jim Lee's is his first run on X-men. The art in that time period really got the most out of the old printing and coloring methods. And two guys that I think never get enough credit are Marc Silvestri and (?) Green the two artists that had a great run on X-men before Jim Lee took over. I rank the art that those two produced on X-men right up with the best of Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane (before his giant ego explosion) and Frank Miller. There is something about the way the pencil shadings work with the old method that is lost in the new. Crosshatching and color blocking really blended well on the old newsprint paper. Now, every line stands out on it's own and doesn't become a smooth whole. I think it is because every black is stark and 100% black and glossy and there is no fade or blending between the line art and the color. Everyone please note that I am not saying that the art in comic books today is bad (some is, some isn't just like always) I've seen alot of great stuff even recently. But the feeling, the mood is different today and I think the paper and printing method has a lot to do with it.

That is a great description Ace! It seems that comics today have a series of giant compositions that don't really advance the story. Sure, one page of "new" art looks better side by side with one page of "old" art, but the old art really contributed more to the story. I can easily get by with no more than one or two mini-posters in a comic book. The rest of the panels should work more with the story.

You got me with the Rob Liefield comment. I had successfully excised him from my memory until just now. But I loved that paper! I think it was able to give a much greater range of moods depending on the art than what they are using now. It is very hard for me to explain. Actually the long drawn out never finished plot lines are what drove me away in the late 90s, not the 80s. Plus the way it seemed that writers were changing many characters' personalities with no reason or explanation.

This idea popped back into my head while discussing X-3 in the super mega thread of super mega posts down below. A very nice discussion in that thread. While the discussion about the movies were going on several people mentioned how good the X-men comics were in the 80s and I agree wholeheartedly! One thing I think I miss the most was the look and "feel" of those comic books. Especially the old newsprint type of paper that was used in them. I really preferred that paper and the style that went along with it. I liked it much better than the new photoshopped inks and glossy paper that is now the norm. I also hate the cost of the new comic books that must be in large part due to the more expensive paper etc. So, I'm just asking if anyone else feels the same or similar aobut some other aspects of comics and what has changed in the past 10 years or so. Chime in you guys!

I understand completely what LowViz is saying. 1) People in this thread ARE moaning that all three X-men movies could just be called Wolverine movies becasue they focus a lot on Wolverine. 2) Wolverine IS the most popular and marketable character from the X-men. That is why he is featured so heavily in the films so far. I am NOT trying to say that your opinion is not valid. It definitely is and I actually agree with you for the most part. I think what Sundown and myself are trying to say is that Wolverine is made better because of the other characters and the other characters are made better because of Wolverine. I think this is the weak part of your opinion we are trying to point out to you. I would really suggest you take a look at the comics to get a much deeper understanding of these characters and what the writers are trying to develop with them. If you like what you have seen in the cartoons and movies, you will probably love the comics. (At least the older ones, I haven't read any comics in aobut five years or more so I don't know what's going on with them right now) Yes, Beast or Superman may not be as interesting in a movie (or cartoon) setting, but they are not less important. In fact they serve as very important bases for characters like Wolverine to grow from. They also serve to embody many of the virtues most real people wish they could live up to. That is what gives us the ability to relate to all of the characters in these stories. Please note that I am simply trying to expand your thoughts and share my opinions. It is definitely your right to like or dislike any of the characters in these stories and as I said before, I agree with you for the most part. The people griping about too much Wolverine are going to just have to live with it because the movie studios are not going to take too great of a risk with this franchise. Wolverine is definitely the most popular X-men character and they will milk the character (jsut as the comics have done) for all it is worth.

Hey LowViz, I agree with a lot of your points, especially about Wolverine being the more popular character and that's the reason he gets so much of the spotlight in the X-Men movies. That is something we have to accept, because the studios worry very much about making a return on their investment and don't want to take chances with characters in the movies. (As I said before though, I wish the studios would have a little more understanding about the fan bases for these kind of movies.) Make decent movies, and we will always come back. They have plenty of time to explore better, deeper and longer storylines. (Wow, sound like my wife's wishlist there! ) I think you are missing a point about Xavier though, and it is something that almost everyone has complained about in this thread. If they kept Xavier "in character" through out this movie, he would not have done many of the things he did. Yes, Xavier has "meddled" with other people's minds before in the comics, but in the comics it has always been explained that he uses that as only a last resort and he always regrets it later. He also (to my knowledge) in the comics has never had the attitude that "I'm Charles Frickking Xavier and I know best so don't worry about what I do because I can do no wrong and you are a stupid heathen!!!!" Like he seemed to exhibit in the movie. Heck, he almost let Wolverine die in the comics, because he was so torn about whether to use his mind control powers on Magneto or whether that was wrong to do. This has actually come up repeatedly and was probably the biggest point of contention between Wolverine and Xavier in the comics. Wolverine always wanted Xavier to use his powers more aggressively or to let Wolverine go crazy on some villain. Charles exhibits restraint until he has no other choice. It is the classic theme of Might vs Right and that theme exhibited and taught by Xavier has created much growth in the Wolverine character over the years. Also, in the comics they take time to explore the results of Woverine's aggressive nature by showing the torment he goes through when he thinks back of the mistakes he has made in fits of rage or even just when he had to hurt someone to get a more important job done. The movies and comics need the other characters to illustrate those differences. The comics do a much better job. Wolverine also takes many unsavory duties on himself so that he can be sure the other team members don't have to. That way, he can save other characters from the guilt of actions that he himself regrets later. This is a quality that is very hard to express in the movies, but I think X-men 1 actually did a good job with. Anyway, this is a fun discussion. Please keep up the input everyone! OOps, thought of one more thing, In the comics, Wolverine greatly respects Xavier. Much like a father figure. A big reason he can keep Xavier in such high regard, is because of Xavier's self control. Wolverine would do anything for Xavier in the comics and Xavier would not betray Wolverine's trust. The first two X-Men movies worked on setting up this relationship, but X3 really broke down in this department because of Xavier's character problems.

Yah!! too many great kits from great kit makers being pushed out too fast for my wallet to keep up! But I say if you cast it......we'll find a way to buy it. (now how much is blood plasma worth?)

I have to say that I thought X3 was a good movie. Definitely the weakest of the three, but not bad by a longshot. Kelsey Grammer was perfect as the beast. Storm's role was beefed up just enough. Cyclops... who cares, he hasn't been a factor in the whole series, and Marsden is pretty much a choad. This movie shows Wolverine growing into his place with the X-men. Considering there is a Wolverine movie coming out they could have laid off of him a little bit but the character is still awesome. Magneto changes, becomes more evil and aggressive much as he has in the comics. Kitty Pryde was fantastic. Iceman completely icing up was awesome, but too quick. Juggernaut was great and I can accept the changes to him for the movies sake. Using the fastball special was great! Some beefs that I don't think were really that bad. Xavier's attitude is different from moment to moment(This was the worst goof.) Angel's breakout pose (looked ultra-gay.) Whether he or anyone else is homosexual is not the point, I just don't have another way of describing that pose! The attempted love-triangle between Iceman/Rogue/Kitty Pryde was a waste. We needed more Colossus. A couple of the aerial fight moves looked pretty bad. Pyro, I just have never liked him. I have to agree with most people's statements that it was too rushed, but I will go even further by saying that since the end of X2 I had hoped that they would leave Jean/Phoenix out of this movie completely or just bring her back dramatically at the very end. HollyWood has no patience even at the cost of plotlines and the chance of making two better movies instead of one OK movie. They could have played the mutant cure angle in this movie and made a great story while giving hints that something was up with Jean/Phoenix. That she was going to come back changed. Then they would have had a great next movie available by exploring the Phoenix story and maybe even going into space and leaving Magneto out for once. Someone above mentioned that the new Spiderman movie would have four villains. This worries me greatly. Trying to cram too many villains into a single movie is precisely what put the Batman movies into the crapper. Starting with combining the Riddler and Two-Face in one movie and then a bad script and horrible directing nailed the coffin shut with "Batman & Robin" Starting over with "Batman Begins" was the only way of recovering and I'm surprised the studio pulled it off. Now I'm afraid Spiderman will start to see the same decline. You would think the movie studios would want to make more good movies and kee the franchise rolling than to sabotage themselves by cramming too much into one film and ruining the chances for later success.

Hey, I was thinking it would be cool if someone built a 1/72 monster that had been modified as a launcher for the 1/72 valk booster! That would be an incredible all-terrain valk launcher with strike/self defense capabilities! c'mon HWR you know you could do it!

I got my booster kit from the first batch at SSM and it came with a small decal sheet. Very nice. Anyone who is considering buying something from SSM, they are highly recommended. Super service and quality.

That thing looks great and I really like the scheme on the VF-1J! No way you'll get much bad criticism for that work. I would second the idea to use a satin or matte finish after you're done with the heatshield. I'm not sure if it's the pics, but your panel lines look kind of purplish too. I like that too. Makes them blend in a little and be subtle, but still visible. Did you use decals from Devin (Anasazi)? Now show us some fighter pics!

There is only one thing to say..... Woo! Hoooo!!!!!!

Absolutely fantastic! Not that we expect anything less from you by now.

How 'bout the good ol' Rebel Blockade Runner? This is a scratchbuilt model (not mine) Posted over at SSM. See the whole thing here

Hey, congrats! like someone else said, If she let you put those figures on the cake, she is definitely a keeper. Good luck and best wishes for a happy future!

That is an incredibly well engineered little kit! The only issue I see is the gap right behind the intakes that kind of stands out in fighter mode. Even with that one little issue, I looks like this kit has great proportions throughout all three modes.

You mods do a great job so I'm definitely not complaining, but personally I think things like this are much better left in the model or toy customizing thread. I just think it would get more of the "proper" attention in the model section. That looks very cool, are you using a toy or one of the model kits for this? If I remember, there were some larger toys with great accessories and pretty good articulation and then there were some smaller cheaper toys with almost no articulation. I'm intereseted to see it finished up. It looks like you are off to a great start.

Always great to check in here and see some new pics. Great work there HWR MKII and AZRhino. Thanks for keeping us going! HWR, I think a slow building period for you is like a lightning fast building period for me. And always with great results! ps: Love the boombox!

Hey Noyhouser, sorry to hear of your painting woes. I am currently in the opposite situation. I used to always brush paint, and now I have an airbrush that I am trying to learn with. As for your clearcoat problem, here's a suggestion. First make sure that your base coats have a good long time to cure like a week at least. Then, use a clear coat that is of a different type. Best example would be if your base coat is acrylic, then use an enamel clear coat, or vice versa. I think you need to be doubly sure that the base is cured though before putting acrylic over enamel since the enamel paint will continue to outgas and an acrylic top coat will seal all of that in and cause cracks or bubbles. I don't think your decals will look very good for very long without a clear coat.

I like it...a lot, but I can't afford it. As for the organic look. I think it is spot on. I mean, look at the SDF-1 in DYRL. It is much more organic looking in DYRL than in the TV series.That represents the alien technology. The Zent ships are huge, incredibly old badly used and abused and ALIEN. They are supposed to look like nothing else we've seen before. Of course it is one person's opinion vs another's, so no one is really right or wrong. The final decision is yours whether you buy or not. It is very simple, if you make something you can charge whatever you want for it. That is what Wayne is doing. Obviously some people are buying it. small rant over

Those are the small "manipulator arms" that Roy uses to repair Hikaru's VF-1D in episode 2 of the TV series. Those look near perfect too! Do I smell a diorama?

Excellent job! Did you start out with a microman figure? Not to take away form your work which is great, but I think there is something not quite right with the helmet. Maybe the sides are too thick? And shouldn't the bottom front of the visor be open, as in, just the "glass" part with no green block in front? Please take this as some small constructive criticism. I am very impressed with the work you did on this figure and it is a giant improvement over the original.

I don't know what it would take to do the contest here, but I think it would be worth it to try. If that's not possible though, I wouldn't mind doing it over at SSM.

Looks great and welcome to the boards! I'd really love a close up of the boosters and leg armor if you get a chance. What color did you use for the armor? Thanks for the pics. Keep it up!