Behind the Times: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Hello all and Happy (belated) New Year!

First thing first: my customs have been posted at the Hobbit Central, go an check out their site it's awesome and it has a lot of cool news especially about upcoming bridge direct figures. Thanks guys for putting up my work!

Second thing: Currently working on some more Dwarf and Orc customs: they should be up by next week

If it's your first time here I suggest checking out the customs section and go over and check out Dr Syn's Blog The Smuggling Cove there are some awesome Hobbit customs there too as well as some cool G.I.Joe Stuff!

On to the review:

I have officially now watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey three times! Each time in 2D and I found that very interesting, because every person I watched it with preferred to watch it in that way! I did want to check it out in 3D in the 48 fps, but I’m not really a big fan of 3D anyway, maybe for the Desolation of Smaug.  Apart from the Likes and Dislikes section, I have added two other sections ‘predictions’ and ‘Toys I want’. But more on that later, I found the film very entertaining and the changes in these films did not bother me anywhere near as much as those made to the Lord of the Rings, I wonder if this will remain the same for the other two films. On to the Likes and Dislikes!

Likes

- The inclusion of chapter titles straight from the text

-The mention of the Blue Wizards, though I would have thought Gandalf would remember their names!

-Radagast was great! For years I’ve been  wanting to see him on film, I always thought he might make an appearance in the LOTR films. I think he crossed his eyes one too many times and he really could have gone without the bird poo on his face!

-I really enjoyed the white council scenes except for the fact that  Galadriel seemed to outrank Saruman, which I found weird as he’s a Maia and she’s an elf, a Valinor elf, but an elf none the less. I thought Saruman was overshadowed a little too much after all he was the leader of the group. I really hope that the next film shows the white council clearing out the Fortress at Dol Guldur sending Sauron to Mordor. It would have been good to see Cirdan and Celeborn but this would have extended the scene too much. What about Elrond’s sons?

-I enjoyed the difference between the Goblins Goblin town and the Moria Orcs/Goblins? I’m still not sure where they are from!

-The flashbacks were awesome! I’ve wanted to see epic Orc vs Dwarf Battle since I was a kid! Not to mention the Great Kingdom of Erebor and the coming of Smaug, of all the scenes in the film these are the ones I wanted to see over and over again.

- I really liked the Design of the Dwarves,  except for Thorin, a Dwarf of his status needs a better beard. It really served as a way to differentiate otherwise identical characters, not to mention the comedic elements presented by Ori,  Oin and Bifur.

-I liked the Green Wood (Mirkwood) Elves, and while I loved the armour and helmets, I couldn’t help but think that they were wood elves and they would be more lightly armed, then again they were marching to war. and what’s up with Thranduil’s eyebrows!?

- Ian McKellen as Gandalf is awesome and I’m so glad he decided to return to the cast, but the real stand out is Martin Freeman’s Bilbo. Riddles in the Dark was an awesome scene!

-The appearance of Figwit as Lindir. I love the Flight of the Conchords!

-I liked the inclusion of Songs from the text, they did it well without turning the film into a musical, especially with the Goblin King

Dislikes

-The battle of Azanulbizar was awesome! But I would love to have seen Dain Ironfoot there as well as having the other Dwarf kingdoms represented.

-The fact that Thrain’s story wasn’t explored or mention in depth. Gandalf found him in Dol Guldur a prisoner of the Necromancer. Maybe in the second film? Though I don’t see how as Radagast has had the first encounter with the Necromancer.

-The discussion of the Grave of Angmar, I’m not sure Angmar was ever killed, that’s why there’s a prophesy as to how he’ll be defeated.

-I’m not sure about Azog, wouldn’t Bolg  seeking revenge have been just as effective? Also was Bolg in the battle of Azannulbizar? I’m sure I saw him at least two out of the three times I watched the film

-I’m glad Azog comes from Moria and not Dol Guldur as I had earlier guessed. But I am confused as to what he is meant to be, an Orc or a Goblin? He is called the ‘Pale Orc’. But what about his followers? Are they Orcs or Goblins? And if they are Goblins why do they look so different to the Moria Goblins in LOTR? The Wargs were cool, but I actually liked the LOTR ‘Hyena’ Wargs! I think I need to get my hand on that ‘Hobbit chronicles’ book.

All in all I think the film was amazing, anyone comparing it to The Phantom Menace is flat out wrong, I am very much looking forward to the other two, but I fear that they may depart a lot from the source material.

I give it 4/5 Behind the times!

Predictions

I just wanted to leave a note on things that I think will happen in The Desolation of Smaug and There and back again.

1. I don’t think Smaug will be killed in the Desolation of Smaug, I think that film will end with Bilbo’s encounter with Smaug, There and back again will start with Smaug’s attack on Laketown.

2. Just an opinion, Legolas featuring in the second and third film makes sense, he is Thranduil’s son, I just hope that he doesn’t overshadow the other characters!

3. I’m guessing we won’t actually be seeing Bolg again, he was in the first film, very briefly. I think that’s it for him, there really isn’t any need for him if his father’s still alive!

4. If they feature the attack on Dol Guldur, I’m sure it’ll be in the second film, that’s when Gandalf disappears again.

4. I can’t wait for Beorn!

5. I don’t think the spiders will talk, however, we did get the talking Trolls so who knows?

Toys I want from the film (in order of Preference)

3 ¾” scale

Dwarf armoured warrior from Prologue and Flashbacks

Armoured  Green Wood Elf from Flashbacks (could be in a two pack with the Dwarf?)

Balin and Dwalin from Flashback

Thranduil on the Stag

Imladris elf on horse

Elrond in armour on horse

Soldiers from Dale (Prologue)

More army builder Orcs and Goblins

From the news that are coming from Toy fair UK it seems that we will be getting the remainder or the Dwarves as well as Azog and his wolf and Radagast.

The contest submissions

Asphalt's Battleground Submission

Hello all!

I can see there are a couple of people added to the 'flock'. Welcome, welcome!
Unfortunately, the contest wasn't as popular as I had hoped!

There were two entries for the 'best squad' category and one each for the other two. Rather than cancel the contest. I decided to come to a solution that rewards those who chose to enter. Please check that out here.

Asphalt's 'in battle shot' Ouch!

all the details are there so read through it all, I hope it isn't too much writing : P
I know this is a problem for some...

You will find all the images below, if you would like to the stats, check out the link above. If anything this contest was all about quality over quantity. Asphalt and Daremo, did some amazing work, check it out for yourself below. I hope that this contest got at least some more people playing the game.

As always, I would really love to hear from you all, what do you think? have you played the game? got a battle report to submit? Why do you think the contest didn't work out?

Now don't despair, for the few of you out there who enjoy the game, I do plan to release a few more additions to the game, mainly for the 'basic' rules. The advanced will remain on hiatus for a while. I have a bit of sulking, I mean thinking to do...

Enjoy the entries below:

First up Asphalt's SLAYERS

In my opinion, a very creative use of parts, the weapons really stand out. the post apocalyptic feel and battle scars make this a one of a kind squadron, I'd hate to go up against these boys, they seem to really like to get into their opponents faces! Check out the pipe bombs on Erik! I have to say Jack is my favorite, the top hat and cane are awesome!

Asphalt has told me he'll submit a battle report in the future so we can see these guys in action!

L to R Iron horse, Erik,  Ocho (leader), Shrike and Jack

The Second entry was Daremo's JADE DRAGONS
This squadron is very cohesive, the hats and the use of green is very striking, this group looks like they like to work as a team! This squadron looks right at home in both the distant past and the future. Shi is a real stand out for me. These figures look like battle hardened assassins, striking from the shadows! Yet they do not fit the stereotype: check out Peacemaker, a real mix of east and west!
Daremo has stated that they have links to the Yakuza.

Bruiser, Shi, Oyabun, Peacemaker and Fukiya

Finally the contest!

Hello all,

Having heard from a few of you with relation to running a contest (just putting the finishing touches on the Zombie Missions for those interested) through here relating to the game.

There will be three categories and the first prize for each of them will be $100 US. Sorry but I won't have second or third place prizes.


How to enter:

Simply send an e-mail with pictures to this e-mail address: g.i.jac0001@gmail.com
Clearly state in the Subject box for what category you have chosen to enter in. You can enter as many times as you like for as many categories as you like just make sure that you send separate e-mails for each entry and category.

Please also include your name and a way to contact you if you win. If you would not like your real name used simply include a pseudonym and clearly state that you would prefer to be refer being referred to by this name.


There will be three categories:

1. Best Squad

You must create a squad based on the rules for the game. The figures must be customized that means you can't simply take existing figures and photograph them. Since the game doesn't truly specify a particular genre your squad can look however you like: Vikings, Aliens, Swat Teams or whatever! The only rule is that they are equipped according to the rules.

Maximum 6 Photos




You must also include a word document outlining each characters equipment and attributes as outlined in the rules you can download the document here



2. Best Battle Field

Once again relating to the rules (you can see a theme here) you need to create a battle field and photograph it. The rules require the battlefield to be 1metre by 1 metre in length and you must leave room for 'set up' zones. Again this is all explained in the rule book. Apart from this however, the sky is the limit as to what you may wish to include. One final note: there must be a way for figures to move around the scenery. Like the squad entries must be customs and must not have been previously featured elsewhere

Maximum 3 Photos

I'm sure you can do better than this!

3. Best In Game Battle Shot

If you have read my battle report you may have an idea of what I mean. When you play the game you'll find certain points in the game very exciting such as when the two squad leaders face off or a single character slaughtering a whole squadron by themselves. Maybe you've got a sniper hiding in the bushes causing mayhem! This category is really a way to encourage you to play the game and chronicle your progress. Unlike the other entries please only submit a single picture for this entry. In addition to the image please include a brief description of how the situation came to pass: some context to help us understand why that particular picture was the highlight of the battle.

Rules

Above each of the categories will be explained in detail. Please note there are a few key rules that you must follow for all categories.

1. The category you choose needs to adhere to the rules outlined in the game rules which you will find here. There is an expectation that you have read the rules and played the game.
2. Your submission should not have featured in another website
3. All submissions will be presented anonymously
4. While you do not need to join my blog to submit an entry you do need to be a member to vote. This will hopefully eliminate cheer-leading and potential cheating!
5.If your entry wins 'payment' of the prize will be made via paypal
6. If there are less than 5 (for any category) the contest will be cancelled

I really look forward to seeing your entries and posting them on this blog. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me at g.i.jac0001@gmail.com (please use this e-mail address and not the one on the cover of the rule book) or via facebook.

Dates:
You have  from today until the end of May to submit your entries. I will begin showcasing them in June and voting will occur late June or early July. Anyone who is a member of this blog by that date will be allowed to vote.

Good luck!

The Game: CONTESTS! PRIZES!

Hello all,

As you know the main purpose of this blog was to discuss the game I have been developing for a while now. I am happy to say that the response on. the survey I ran for a month as it was very positive only one person thought it wasn't any good. However, I've not had too many responses to my requests for your own squads and battle reports.

Now since the response has been so positive I now realize that perhaps the need for incentives is in order! It's just a brainstorm for now but I am thinking I'll be running a contest of some kind. I can't quite decide what type of contest. I mean it could be one of the following:

-Best custom squad
-Best Battle report
-Best Battlefield (terrain)

It will have to be game related though and the truth is it wouldn't have many other limitations. Now I don't know whether to run it through this blog, Joecustoms or in conjunction with Slayer Design Studios. As for Prizes I am thinking of some sort of voucher from an online store. Maybe Marauder gun runners, SDS, Big bad toy store or some place like that.

Now I haven't contacted any of these sites and nothing's official yet, but I really want to promote the game further as interest will lead me to put extra effort into developing (more like refining) and publishing the finished advanced rules. Look out for the contest some time next year. Feel free to contact me with any ideas for the contest.


In other news....

1. I have spoken to Slayer Dave from slayer design studios and he has demonstrated great interest in the game and we are currently discussing what we can do with it.I haven't heard from him for a while but he is a very, very, busy man! I have provided him with some ultra secret documents and I'm sure I'll hear back from him soon....

2. I have been thinking a lot about the current G.I.JOE wave with the Zombie Vipers and while I am not a big zombie fan, I have some great ideas on how to integrate zombies or other similar creatures into the game, even if it's just for a single mission (I'm sure people want more than the stand alone mission that's currently included in the basic version of the game). Imagine wielding a chainsaw or a shotgun while trying to resist wave after wave of zombies...

3. On the customs front, I am currently working on a nautical themed Cobra unit, I've been watching too many WWII U-Boat documentaries!

4. On the toy-buying front, I am currently only waiting for the Dreadnok and Marauders pack to become available so I can click 'ship my loot now' for my massive order over at BBTS. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Anyways,
Thanks for reading and like I wrote earlier feel free to contact me here at the blog or the following:

g.i.jac0001@gmail.com
Google+
Facebook
I need to add people to my circles! So very lonely...

One last thing: I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God Bless!

Spindoctor's Customs II

Riot Gear

CHiPs

Last month I posted photos of the AGP and custom Nullifier I purchased from Spindoctor from Joecustoms. I mentioned that I had purchased another two figures from him as well in that post and they arrived last week. The figures are Highway, a police officer based on the old C.O.P.S toyline and Gnawgahyde a Dreadnok. Like the Nullifier, I love the work he put into these two figuresI really like this version of Gnawgahde more than the pictures I've seen of the upcoming BBTS version. I'm still buying the set though!

Not only are they great customs but it's like I purchased two POC figure, they each came wit a lot of accessories. Gnawgahyde came with a bow, quiver, machete, pistol and removable hat, necklace and custom painted vest. Highway came with a removable vest, helmet, glasses, pistol and coolest of all a bike.

The Highway custom is great and I think it fits right in with the custom police squad I made for Mr E, I have added a few photos of Highway with the other police officers (above and below). If you want to see some more pictures of the police officers in action check out the battle report.  The cool thing about the two figures are the paint application and the fact that they look as though I purchased them from a local store, they even came with a custom base. I have made only a slight modification to Highway, I added 'Police' Decals so he could fit in with the other officers. Just one final note about the figures: Although some of the parts that Spindoctor used are instantly recognizable, I love that he has modified them enough so that they look like brand new characters and figures. Spindoctor usually sells his figures through ebay and I suggest you have a look, just don't outbid me at the next auction!

Below you'll find more pictures of the figures.

1:18 scale tabletop wargame

Hello Slayers!

Welcome, some of you may be here because of the good people at Slayer Design Studios. I have been talking to SlayerDave, discussing the game's potential. I am a big fan of theirs and I am honored that they have played and enjoyed the game. Please check it out (It's free to download) for yourself and give it a go. You should also check out the stuff SDS has to offer (if you haven't already). Their parts are perfect for the game as it is based around customizing figures and squads.

An advanced version of the game is in the works and this will allow for greater customization of your squads as they gain more experience and upgrades. Stay tuned....

In this site you'll also see a lot of my custom work, many of the parts come from SDS.

You can read a battle report here.

Custom Females: Iron Grenadier and Crimson Guard

Attention Followers!

Before I get onto my latest posts I want to thank the people that have signed on to my blog as followers. Thank you! it gives me hope that some people are interested in the game. I am now your follower as well and have found your blogs very interesting and I have commented on a couple. I must say however, that the company Bulletin's methods, while morally bankrupt, get the the job done!


An Appeal

The reason I set up this blog was to share the game with you all, now that I have I would love to hear what you think. That's why I have the poll running, so feel free to vote. You can also contact me on g.i.jac0001@gmail.com. Feel free to send me your custom squads using the rules in the game. I would also love to read your own battle reports, send them to me with pictures and I'd be more than happy to put them up here on my blog for the others to see. Anyway hope to 'hear' from you soon!

Custom Female Crimson guard and Custom Female Iron grenadier

Both of the torsos and the head of the Iron Grenadier come from Slayer Design Studios. As per usual the sculpts are amazing! These figures are by no means original ideas as many people have tried them in the past. I hope in the future to order more of SDS's female sculpts, they've got a Viper, medic and I think a televiper

WIP

Female Crimson Guard
Torso: SDS
Head and Legs: 25th Python Patrol Crimson guard
Arms: Modded 25th Scarlett

Female Iron Grenadier
Head and Torso: SDS
Legs: ROC Scarlett
Arms: ROC Baroness
Sword and Scabbard: 25th IG

Complete

Overall I am very happy with these figures, I used Citadel Blood red for the crimsonguardswoman so she turned out more red than the other CGs in the picture. For the Iron Grenadier I used some gloss varnish for the boots and goggles, I am very happy with the result. Below you'll find some pictures.

The Iron Grenadiers

Crimson Guard

Just a couple of things

Thanks to everyone who came over to my blog to check out the game and I hope more people will. I have so far heard some positive feedback relating to it and hope to hear more so please stay tuned. Unfortunately I'm back at work and uni so I may not be able to post as frequently. Just putting the finishing touches on my Red Ghost custom and hopefully I'll have my friend Mr E come over so we can do our first (photographed) battle report using the basic rules.

Acknowledgements 
Another thing, you'll notice that most of the photos in the rule book are of my customs, I have made all the customs and scenery. However, the brick building I got from RPGnow!  a website that specializes in miniature war-games and scenery, the publisher I purchased the 'brick walls' from is fat dragon games.  The walls you'll need to print out and then stick on to cardboard, it's not too much work and if you purchase the set it comes with instructions. Obviously the doors and windows aren't to scale with 1:18 figures so you'll have to enlarge them, I highly recommend them.

Book Report
Some other news, finished reading  IDW's G.I.JOE and G.I.JOE Cobra, have to say I loved them! but my favorite was G.I.JOE: Cobra, really cool storyline and the death of cobra commander was just amazing, I really can't wait until I get the comics based around Cobra civil war. I hope this is not like the death of Captain America where he was trapped in the space time continuum or whatever.
The one thing I don't like about IDW's interpretation of Cobra is the whole, the Commander is elected deal. What's up with that it's an evil organisation everyone knows evil isn't elected!
I also like that they killed of Xamot. Like I wrote previously I simply cannot wait until the collected volumes of IDW's Civil war lines are released!

Until then, I'll leave you with this: Why does everyone hate the Smurf's film, people seem to forget it's meant to be for kids.

Similarly why do people seem to dislike the Thor film movie line action figures I think they are awesome and really want to get my hands on lady Sif!

IDW G.I.JOE and other stuff

Now you'll notice that I'm usually pretty behind on trends especially when it comes to comics and games. I usually buy comics when they come out in a collected volume and I don't buy games until they are on special or I get them as a gift. The reason being that my principal hobby takes up most of my time and money!

Anyway... I just finished reading IDW's Volume 1 G.I.JOE and Volume 1 G.I.JOE: Cobra comics and I have to say they are amazing. I never really had much of a connection to the original comics, instead I watched the cartoons and collected the toys. G.I.JOE is an amazing update to the cartoon in my opinion. It has a sci-fi feel and yet it's what I imagine a live action version of G.I.JOE would be actually like, with Joes dying and Cobra being a secretive and a realistic threat. This version of Cobra is very similar to that of G.I.JOE: Renegades, a cartoon I took a little while to get into but now I love it!

Just to go off topic for a sec and on the topic of G.I.JOE Renegades, I've ordered the figures from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com as well as the POC VAMP and POC Crimson HISS, just gonna let my pile of loot build up a little bit more and then I'll have them shipped.

Anyway... Of the two comics G.I.JOE: Cobra was my favorite and because of it Chuckles is now my favorite Joe. I have to get the G.I.JOE Attack on Cobra Island pack now! Hope I find a cheap one on eBay. This story is a very realistic story, well at least how I imagine a very realistic spy story might be.
It turns 'Chuckles' into an intriguing character who has a lot of depth and it provides an insight into just how difficult infiltrating a terrorist organization actually is. He has to make some very tough choices. Wish the Joe movie had been like this....

Out of all the character re-invented or re-imagined in the series Chuckles is the one that stands out the most in my opinion. However, Destro's origin story is pretty cool, I must say that I like all his origin stories including the ROC version at the beginning of the film. I can't wait to meet the Commander! Anyway.

Don't know if anyone is reading this, but either way I am really enjoying it for some reason. A couple of final things I finished Batman: Arkham Assylum last night and really enjoyed it particularly once I had all the Riddler Trophies thanks to a lot of help from Youtubes' OniBlackmage
When I get some more free time I'll play as the Joker.

CUSTOM UPDATES

Currently working on a Red Ghost and his Super Apes. I used a Smurf's Gargamel head the body from one of the Indiana Jone's and the temple of doom figures and a 'snow mission' or whatever coat and arms, I think it looks pretty good. I got a Gorilla Grod as the, well Gorilla and some hard plastic figures to represent the Apes including an anatomically correct Mandrill from Schleich.

For the Orangutan I wanted to make an articulated version so I got a Spidermonkey figure from Ben10 that I want to modify, I don't really want to cut up the Papo Orangutan which is hard plastic cause it costs a bit and I don't want to ruin the figure cause it looks cool. Anyway, I'll include photos at some point and then as per usual put them up on joecustoms. I got some pretty good feedback from my Cesspool and Che. Now I'm not big on making my figures look exactly like the original figure or character, rather I'm big on interpretation so I've added some reference pics for the Red Ghost and his super Apes, don't expect my ghost to be an exact representation.

You'll also see some pics of the hard plastic Apes I got on eBay, wait I think one is an Ape and the other is a Monkey? 

First ever!

Hello all!

I have decided to create this blog in order to display my 1:18 scale custom creations and to bring to your attention a game based on the scale I just mentioned. I've been working on it for a while now and I'm currently 'play-testing' it. I am also working on terrain to use in the game. Hopefully I will be uploading a few pictures of the progress and hopefully, when I am happy with the final version of the game, I will share it with you.

WHO IS G.I.JAC?

Just like many action figure customizers out there I am a product of the 80'sgrowing up collecting action figures and watching cartoons. Except one day it was no longer ' socially acceptable' for me to lay on the floor playing with action figures and making machine gun noises. So I turned into a collector, except that I was never very good at it as I couldn't keep the toys in their package! What was I to do? All these figures ended up doing was collect dust on a shelf or remain hidden inside a shoebox somewhere. It was then that I discovered the world of customizing action figures, so I got a dremel, a hobby knife and some paint and created new characters! But now these guys are collecting dust so now I am creating yet another way to bring my toys and creations to life...

WHAT IS THE GAME ABOUT?

For now I am just calling the game 'the game'. Which isn't very original, I know but soon I will come up with a really cool name. Now if you are interested in 'the game' then I better give you little background. In 'the game' you basically form a squadron of action figures, now these can be from any toy-line available so long as they have an adequate level of pose-ability you then battle it out with a friend and depending on who lives and who dies, the figures gain experience and their ability improves.

Now there are a lot of games out there like this, especially miniature wargames. However mine is, I think, the first ever 1:18 scale version. On top of that, it is a game in which the figures ability to move or to be posed plays an important part. Anyway, I hope that this has got you a little interested and that you may continue to read my 'posts' and follow the development of the game...