Urban Saboteur

Awesome display, they look nice like that. I could probably do a picture as I have plenty of Black lego bricks & plates to make a stand display. Something like this?

I got myself some Happy in the Mail this morning. That takes my Minimate total up to 51 I also have a pending deal that will hopefully come through this week for some more to be added to my roster. I'm pretty much up to the amount of Minimates now where I was last time I packed it in. I don't see myself slowing down now, i've learnt my painful lesson. Rich

Thanks so much for this comment!, it's always nice to see people appreciate the time and effort you put into a project. Due to bricklink delivery delays on the sellers part (just an oversight) i'll have to wait longer on the pieces so there wont be any update now for a few days maybe a week. I believe the patterned tiles for the wiring are from Lego Star Wars (I could be wrong) If you want to know for definite I could find out which set they came with, the standard grey tile pieces are available both on lego directly or bricklink they are 2x2 Grey Tiles. Thanks again for your kind comments, i've had plenty of positive feedback on this project, even inspired other friends to build Lego themselves, its rewarding and has its challenges as well. I am planning on doing a pictoral step by step at some point, which i will host on flickr and link back to here when I'm finished, i've had a couple of enquiries on how to build certain aspects but for now i'd probably best wait until i am actually finished with the full build. That way when the step by step pictoral guide is made it will bridge the gap between having a c3 batcave and how to turn it into a modified and hopefully people see much better version. In friendship Rich

I don't personally like the idea you'd have to buy multiples of the same super hero just to army build AIM agents or any army builders. It's rather stupid really IMO, But that's maybe just me not appreciating the sales aspect from DST or whatever, i'm sure if they released army builders in single packs they'd be the first to snapped up by Scalpers to sell on ebay while people get in bidding wars to army build. I don't want hundreds of each, but it would be nice to have at least 3 or 4 to surround a super hero in battle when i'm posing them and taking pictures, its always been a common theme in Action Figure collecting, the most vintage Cobra Soldiers I ever had was 10 (while collecting G.I.JOE), for me that was more than enough to surround Cobra Commander or a GI team member while taking pictures. I do have AIM Soldiers, Doombots, Hydra Agents, Sentinels & Shield Agents listed on my Wants list, but for now my priority remains the Heroes & Villains I don't yet have, like Punisher, Thor or Nick Fury for example. Rich

I thought i'd leave it 24 hours or so before another update, there has been significant updates to continue blogging about it, you can retrieve my comments from my signature below. Added Features *Added the Telephone to the 3rd floor, mounted on a hinge brick so when flipped back it reveals the switch/button to the Elevator/Secret Clock Door. *Added a clothes prop/hangar to the Changing area so Bruce Wayne can change to Batman. *Swapped out 1x2 brown bricks on the base of the secret door/grandfather clock, replaced with a 1x6 brown brick to make the base stronger. *Due to an unforeseen problem with the 3rd floor baseplate, an 8x11 plate I ordered wasn't taking so well to the 2nd floor support beams, i've swapped this out with the original plates i'd intended to use for the study, as a result the 3rd floor is now more secure, the entire plates for the 3rd floor were reconfigured. *finished off the Elevator outer walls and main facade of the building, added the spire at the top. *due to the swap around of plates on the 3rd floor balcony, the facade to the left of the clock has been extended by about 3 studs to cover the corner. Here are the updated pictures. As always to see this development in it's entirety it's best viewed on the project folder at Flickr.com here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superiorraw/sets/72157628767065715/ I probably wont update this for a bit now, maybe a couple of days, i'll need to spend some time working out the width and size of the study, where the furniture will go and install the 1x2 grey corner pieces to finish off the outer section of the balcony to the left. Hope you like what i've done so far. Comments and feedback about this project are welcome, or if you have questions regarding the software or sites I use just ask away Rich

Happy Birthday Bob, Hope you have a wonderful day! :biggrin: Rich

Totally Noob question from me but i have to ask, what are the dates for Toyfair? Is it end of February sometime? I just want to be sure i don't miss out on any announcements :biggrin:

Love it! I was reading and editing my Morrigan Gallery Picture only yesterday, Succubus Rum

This is a really helpful thread, whilst i don't need assistance at the moment, i'll keep it in mind for future customs :biggrin: Great work so far guys. Rich

That is freakin Awesome!!! :biggrin: I'll be adding him to my wants list without a doubt, well that at least takes care of one of them without needing to do a custom. Thanks for the link I honestly didn't know they'd made him. In my own style and preference that just leaves Blackheart & the Caretaker. Rich

I've found this thread through a link from Youbastards from my thread regarding Wave 15. When I posted up originally about wanting the Caretaker, Blackheart & Mephisto I neglected to mention that my preference or tastes would be around the comic book versions. Two Pictures I have for examples. Blackheart Mephisto Out of the original Wave 15 that was cancelled i'd still be interested in remaking the Caretaker, this isn't something I can jump into immediately as I do have my funds elsewhere with DC & the Batcave rebuild. But I do plan on returning to it at a later date. Given that the response by most people on the Wave 15 release was limited interest, I agree in principle with peoples comments about the figures, because it was based off the GR Movie you got Minimates based off the characters in that movie so ended up with a rather civilian looking line, compare them now to figures Like Mr.Sinister and the recent MvC character releases, in terms of detail and design they are way off the mark. Because the Movie has now passed Zach mentioned they have a limited time to make them and once its gone its gone, I'd hope the only accurate way we could get Blackheart & Mephisto would be the Midnight Sons pack mentioned in the thread, failing that its custom alley! For what it's worth i do love seeing the pre-production figures shown by Youbastards, it's great you've tracked these down and i like all the ideas & suggestions posted up by everyone. Even though I am not overly fond of the movie designs i am appreciative of the effort shown to fill the gaps in Minimate collections. Rich

I think that would be awesome. I've read that series, infact when I was into collecting ML figures it was that very story that introduced me to Ghost Rider, Blackheart & Punisher. :biggrin: I also remember specifically using GR to battle Blackheart in the Ps3 Videogame Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I think that's where my 'want' for having both Blackheart & Mephisto come from, it just feels because we've already got Ghost Rider and Punisher in a few waves that the others are loose ends not tied up. I'd like to take the opportunity in thanking those that have commented to fill me in on how things work with DST (also how things have worked in the past releases) especially Zach for posting up at my request. I guess from this point if fans want a Caretaker, Mephisto & Blackheart they would have to be outright customs then? unless the long shot of a Midnight Sons pack came out. Rich Regarding your post here and your thread you linked me to I sent you a PM thanks for the link. Rich

I'm now following this on blogger and just commented, "Without hair on your chin, we cannot let you in" Nicely done!

I second this, the version of Blackheart I recall in my mind is more like the Marvel Legends version. Just scale it down to Minimate proportions :biggrin: I'd like to have Blackheart & Mephisto, those are the two that i would really like, seeing as though we have 3 maybe 4 versions already of Ghost Rider. Rich

Thanks for the replies guys, anyone else want to chime in please feel free? So I take it even with a pre-order quote to produce some of these lesser characters, DST wouldn't do them as online orders only? If that is the case, Blackheart, Caretaker, Johnny Blaze etc, are they resigned to the bin never to be released??

Hey, I was looking through the Minimate Database starting at Series 1 and working my way through them, identifying characters that i'd want to add to my own collection from previous Waves. I then came across Wave 15. http://www.minimatedatabase.com/series.php?i=45&n=Wave+15 To see that it had been cancelled due to 'Low Retailer Demand' It's unfortunate because IMHO, I'd of liked to of seen The Caretaker, Blackheart, Johnny Blaze, Mephistopheles. I remember seeing on the other discussion of Marvel Characters not yet released, along with Baron Zemo & Kang the Conqueror was Blackheart. This would of given us the Blackheart figure I think we'd like to see in our collection. Two Questions for discussion really, more for my own info if anybody can shed light on it. 1. Was there any art releases or figure designs for this wave before it got canned? ~ if so can someone provide a link? 2. In some collectors markets, rather than release at Mass retails some manufacturers offer characters as an online exclusive order only, where by they put up the designs and ideas as a 'pre-order' with the pre-order set a certain amount before they go into production, and the manufacturer will produce as per the quantity required when that quote is met. Is this something DST would consider doing for the more obscure/less sought after characters such as Blackheart & the others we are missing. Rich

Hey, Thanks for the replies, I know in the comic book store Forbidden Planet in Town I've see Minimates on the shelf, perhaps i should call them and see if they can get me them? I don't mind so much that i have to do online orders, i'm used to buying online now anyway, i guess i'd rather know in advance than walk round retail stores or go to my TRU expecting them to be there :biggrin: Would some online stores like BBTS or Luke get TRU ones in? Or would I have to contact someone in the USA to get me the TRU exclusives? Rich

Hey, As you may of seen from my avatar, and from my recent rebuilding of the Batcave, my favourite Minimate collectable happens to be the Bruce Wayne to Batman one I don't have full photoshop, but i can edit photos and do have both Piknik & Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0 that allow editing of photos, if you think i'd qualify for helping you in your project and you don't have any other better offers send me a PM with what you need help with. Sounds like it will be a great story :biggrin: Rich

Well, I just ordered Series 1 of the MvC Minimates from BBTS. Hopefully they'll impress me to no end when they arrive. :biggrin: I have a question regarding the Marvel Vs Capcom product, I noticed the Hulk I got recently is from the Marvel Vs Capcom series, this was part of the TRU releases right? Does this mean that any TRU releases are non-UK? I got my Hulk from ebay and i'm really happy with him, also i know it sounds noob-ish asking but does it also mean future TRU packs are non-UK release as well? One final question, Is it mid-february when Wave 2 of the MvC line is released? Cheers in advance for answering my questions. Rich

As promised here is my update! I really got stuck into the project yesterday, I started by tackling the most highlighted issues with the preliminary design, unfortunately due to the light restrictions and how poor the pictures turn out after nightfall I wasn't able to update this blog until today. The good news though is that I can take you through the improvements picture by picture and the pictures will be nice and clear so you can see everything. The first thing I changed was resize the supporting archway struts on the 2nd floor, this is so that there is more clearance for Bruce to stand underneath the arch, this was miscalculated by me as in the c3 version the studs are x7 in height not x6 as what i done on the preliminary build. Next I set to work on the Grandfather clock, removing the middle pieces and redesigning the hinges so that the door opens and closes as it should. I probably did have the right idea with the brick clips initially but i just didn't have them sorted in the correct order or aligned properly so they could move. I'll have to order another small amount of brown bricks from Bricklink to replace the grey and black you see in the photo. In my next task I swapped out the bricks from the 2nd floor stairs to replace it with a standalone prebuilt stair piece in black, this pretty much takes him down to the supporting strut and i finished off the staircase with a small walkway step leading into the control room. The stairs still aren't finished, i'd like to add some more detail to them yet and its not a certainty they will stay like this. I just thought this would be a better more sturdy solution in the mean time. The real big development from yesterdays build is the computer control room with consoles. I've completely gutted this room, i've rotated the original layout so that the entrance pillars are now either side of the stairs, when Batman comes down the stairs he'll be facing the control room straight away. Next i redesigned all the consoles. I prefer this look to the original, the mismatched blue, black and two tone grey was awful, but it was only ever going to be a temp anyway. I've added more decorated technical tiles and computer screens as well as tiled the computer room floor and added a plug socket to the main monitor & server. The final addition was something i created myself, a mounted two screen comp display over hanging the room. This is used to display various txt files and programs while Batman can be briefed on the main console screen. This final picture shows the Batcave when you rotate the board, you can see the main archway and this is where the Batmobile will go. Obviously I don't know yet how big the Batmobile is, if i'm going to have an encased driveway for the batmobile my thinking is that i'll need a 2nd baseboard to achieve it. I guess the plan is to finish this bit off first but it's good i have some room there to develop it if need be. I hope you liked all the pictures, comments, ideas and suggestions are encouraged. As always if you'd prefer to see the larger shots on flickr the Batcave project folder is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superiorraw/sets/72157628767065715/ Rich

I've actually owned the original c3 Batcave, whilst it was nice to build it, i couldn't always help but think improvements could be made, which is why this time round i opted on a Lego built Cave instead. So I take it by the responses so far nobody actually knows what it is? I must admit I can't think what it could possibly be used as or for. Rich

This is pretty much how I feel about these licenses too. I guess everyone has their own tastes, seeing as though i'm not completist i'm picking and choosing which Minimates I want. I've never played Ratchet & Clank, Never played unchartered or Jak & Daxter.. I admit they do look very cool but just not sold on getting them. I think considering how cool the Halo Minimates look its more likely i'd get them, i'd also be interested in A-Team, Metal Gear Solid & Killzone minimates, but seeing as though I read earlier two of those licenses have gone, and with the A-Team film and figures being released last year i doubt these will happen. I will say this, even though I haven't played the series, i do recognise the characters, DST done a great job of recreating them by likeness. Rich Please oh please let it be... Oh man I would be all over that License. I really like the Street Fighter Minimates, it was these that got me back into Minimates after i'd picked up a cheap Demitri & Morrigan 2pack. :biggrin: Can you imagine how awesome Mortal Kombat Minimates would be??? It's good they've mentioned new videogame licenses, although that could be any. *Crosses fingers it is one i'll buy into*

I thought i'd post this question here rather than on my own Batcave thread, because I wanted to ask a specific question about something actually in the Batcave. In the original c3 design, at the side of the stairs is a stack of circular bricks which are 4x4 studs in size, stacked on top of them is a selection of smaller circular bricks leading from the bottom floor up to the second floor.. Anyone tell me what these are for? I mean i know they are supposed to be in the Batcave but what exactly are they meant to be?? Even back when I had the c3 batcave I couldn't figure out what it was meant to represent. Rich

Welcome to the Minimate Multiverse! What do you think of Megaman Zero Minimate? I don't have him yet but i'd like to get him. :biggrin: Rich

Hey Guys, No pictures at all today, but I am updating it, that is if you can put up with my waffling. The reason why there is no pictures is because I am still waiting on two parcels from Bricklink, these are for the 1x2 Grey Corner Pieces, the blue 1x3 bricks and the 1x1 translucent tiles for the screen. So what did I do today? I spent a significant chunk of build time altering the batcave and making modifications to it. If those 2 Parcels turn up tomorrow I'll add in them where they are needed and take pictures so there is one big update showing todays and tomorrows work, Here is a shortlist of what I have done today: 1. Swapped out the Brick stairs from the Second floor, using a standalone black set of stairs to lead down towards the supporting pillar. I've then added a few 2x4 bricks to create a small step down into the Computer Control Room & Consoles. 2. I've changed the Grandfather clock hinges so the door actually opens now. Some of the pieces are not brown and i'll obviously get them swapped with a quick bricklink order providing that they have them available in Brown. 3. Changed the 2nd floor foundation height to 7 Studs. This is to match the c3 height as i'd originally miscalculated the height of the c3 bricks by x1 stud. 4. I've gutted the consoles in the Computer Control Room, i've redesigned the consoles so they are both two-tone grey with buttons, tiles and plates, i've rotated the control room so that the entrance panels are facing the stairs, so when he drops down into the control room he can walk straight in. I've tiled the computer room and added a plug socket to the main server and computer monitor. I've also added two wall screen computers on a mounted display that move up and down. I still have quite a fair way to go with the actual lift renovation as well as needing more grey bunker pieces for the main building and changing area. The biggest difference is the computer control room, which i hope i will be able to show you all properly tomorrow. I'll take the shots of the updates anyway even if the two parcels don't arrive, but just take them in the morning/afternoon so i wont have to use flash on the pictures. I'm really excited to be doing this project and hope that with some more build time i'll make it a brilliant batcave that I... I mean Bruce can be proud of. In friendship Rich