Lobsterman

80's nostalgia SMACKDOWN!

We just have a couple birthdays left for the 2014 cycle, and as always, I appreciate everyone who stepped up to make this another successful year. Before I start a new thread, I wanted to take the temperature and see if there's interest in doing this in 2015?

That... does not look like the Scorpion.

HP, no offense, but I can't fathom how you would call a year that saw the introduction of TMNT, Godzilla, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Mass Effect, and Pathfinder a weak year. I guess maybe you meant a weak year for classic, non-X-men Marvel comics Minimates?

Sorry, I've been really scrambling to keep up with things this holiday season. The camaraderie of the gift exchanges is one of my favorite things about this group, and I feel terrible about not giving my Santa props until this late hour. I got quite the awesome package this year: A POP custom blank, the new DC Collectibles Batman Animated figure, and a 6" scale (or really, really powerful Minimate) impact base, and... This guy! An amazing Star Lord custom, complete with short jacket, orb, and clever little micro magnets embedded in his legs and guns so they can click on for storage. And finally... The presents were great, but honestly, the memory of a hilarious cab ride in Chicago was my favorite part of this gift. Certain members of our merry band will surely get a chuckle out this bit of lore, as well. Thank you so very much, youbastards!

Has anyone figured out how to get Cap's chest harness off? Other than cutting it, I mean?

Good call on the waist riser, YB. I think (hope) Pathfinder will be giving Marvel a run for their money as License of the Year this time around. Heck, there are plenty of new lines that could take that title...

They look like a couple of dorks.

About four hours ago.

Best wishes, pony boy!

That's a bit of a drawback. You can sand it down...eventually...with a lot of work... but I find it best to try to get as close to your desired finish/shape as possible in the sculpting phase. Here's a trick: use a dab of petroleum jelly on your sculpting tool or finger to smooth out your flat surfaces; it cuts down the tackiness of the putty and you end up with a smooth, polished feel.

I recommend Kneadatite, a.k.a., Green Stuff. It's really easy to work with, stays pliant for a fairly long time, and retains a bit of flexibility once it's cured (good for capes or skirts).

Anyone still after a Mutagen Mikey and Leo? PM me and they're yours. --- Sold!

I noticed this issue with the Thunderkittens, too. They are technically a smaller body, but somehow they end up looking the same size as the rest of the team. The shorter legs shave less than a quarter inch inch or so off the original leg length, so it's really not a huge perceptual difference, especially once you add in any extra height added by the waist cap tunic or a hair piece. If you stand an unaccessorized standard body next to an unaccessorized smaller one it's noticeable, but every fraction of an inch added by extra parts really throws the heights off.

Any chance you have an item number, Smashmaster?

Now that we've seen firsthand most of the new licenses announced this year, I have to say 2014 has turned out to be one of the most fun and gratifying years I can remember for Minimate collecting. Marvel has... well... done its thing, continuing to plug along, but on an obviously shifting trajectory towards movies. But the other stuff – TMNT, Godzilla, Pathfinder, Mass Effect, the Tarantino movies – in just the last month or two, we've seen some really amazing stuff in my opinion. TMNT and Godzilla have introduced new levels of add-ons and sculpted parts, pushing the boundaries of the format right to the limit without breaking it, and produced some irresistible figures. On the flip side, Pathfinder and Tarantino have shown how smart part reuse and keeping it simple can also have wonderful results. If I may break from the usual format of expressing gratitude for serious, heartfelt, consequential things this holiday, I'm thankful for the continually evolving, always exciting, and outstandingly fun guilty pleasure that is Minimate collecting.

http://www.comicvine.com/articles/a-new-team-of-avengers-assembles-for-avengers-ultr/1100-150520/ So is Marvel just tossing out continuity completely in favor of ongoing time stream mashups that can be rebooted at any time depending on the movie calendar?

Has anyone figured out a "map" for the case of these yet? If you can get to a fresh case that hasn't been tossed yet, I think it's possible.

Oddly, of the five packs I grabbed with minimal fondling, Illusive Man was the first one I opened.

[weeps a little inside]

Out of curiosity, did you find these in a mall Gamestop or a freestanding one?

Out of curiosity, what's your resin casting setup? Did you end up getting the vacuum pump and pressure pot or are you doing them at normal pressure?

Ah, sick on your birthday, that's the worst! Well, try to get better for the weekend at least!

Having been working with you printer for a little over a year now, how would you assess it, and home 3D printing in general? It sounds like it's really not geared to mass production?

Which would actually be the best Christmas present ever.