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 Post subject: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:00 am 
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This is a new villain, sparked by one of Iron Will's contests (that I didn't win :cry: ). I may have to rework the bio a touch to fit him more squarely into my EXCAL verse, but this is how I posted him, in the form governed by the contest. Pic heavy.

“THISSSSSSSS ISSSS NOT WHAT I EXSSSSPECTED. YOU DO NOT LOOK LIKE AN ASSSSASSSSIN.”

“With all due respect, my dear Commander… isn’t that the point?”


---
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When George Herman “Babe” Campiti received word through his underground connections that an international enterprise was willing to pay insanely large contract fees for skilled persons in his profession, Campiti, aka “The Bambino,” felt he had no choice but to apply. While the organization in question, Cobra, had been riding high on its many recent successes in the ongoing Cobra Wars, Cobra Commander knew that he must take swift steps against the Joe organization in order to maintain the upper hand. Enter the Bambino.

---
Raised by a prominent Mafioso family in New York City, George Campiti was sheltered from that “other” Family by his protective father, who went to great lengths to prevent George from following his same career path. Based upon outward appearance and perception, his father was successful. George used his keen intellect (and perhaps one or two pay-offs of school officials by his father) to gain admittance to Cornell University, where he studied to be an architect. To this day, he owns and operates his own small architecture firm, based out of Manhattan.

A day in the life of George Herman Campiti, judging by what his neighbors would tell you, is that he spends a short day at work, spends much time walking his dog, and he seems to like to travel, whether for work or for pleasure, as he is often gone for weeks at a time. Some neighbors might also notice that while George often favors to carry a cane, he seems remarkably fit for a man in his late 50s, and in fact rarely even limps.

In reality, George does own an architecture firm, but a new file has not been opened since approximately 1970. That’s when his real professional training began, as a hired assassin. George had secretly longed to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Mafioso Captain, but knew that while his father lived, he could not take such an overt career path. So instead, he continued with the facade of an architectural career, while secretly enlisting in the New York Don’s hit squad. As a mob assassin, George became known as the “Bambino” based upon his baby faced looks, but also with a subtle nod to his Ruthian given name. It was a common enough nickname that George’s father never suspected his son’s involvement.

The Bambino was trained to kill in nearly every way possible to imagine. But he soon found his affinity for bladed weapons, and realized that with his completely anonymous persona (even the mob bosses did not know his true identity), baby faced looks, and placid demeanor, he could often get closer to his target than any other hit man possibly could. “The Black Rose Murders” became a prominent New York Times headline, as a mob war erupted in NYC, and the casualties were many. The headlines were because each hit was left with a traditionally symbolic black rose draped across their body (this was especially poignant, in that the tradition was usually one of warning that a hit was pending, whereas the Bambino used it post-mortem to hammer home the notion that you’ll never see him coming). The Bambino was prolific in the hits he pulled off during his Mafioso years, and his mundane appearance, even as he aged and lost his baby faced looks, helped to maintain his remarkable level of efficiency.

The Bambino’s days as a mob hit man ended the moment he received a new contract, this one requesting a hit on mob captain Vincent Antonio Campiti, George’s father. George immediately went underground, and vanished from the face of the earth, as far as the mob is concerned. The Don, of course, had his throat slit in the middle of the night, and was found with a black rose draped across his chest. The attempted hit on Vincent Campiti never came to pass.

---
Fast forward to the present. The Bambino has found work off and on over the years, but without the security of a set cover and regular anonymous work, he has had to take more chances than he prefers. His success rate is still remarkable, yet reliant upon his ability to blend in, and carry an entirely non-threatening guise to gain close access to his target. He then unleashes a blade from his coat sleeve to slice a throat, a sword from his cane to hack an unsuspecting mark, or in those rare times when he simply cannot get any closer, to fire one form of projectile or another from his multi-faceted umbrella disguised gun. While there has been work, it was not enough.

Now that he has applied to work for Cobra, his skills will be put to the test. His hits will still come when least expected, as finding his marks in areas where they are comfortable and have let their guard down is his modus operandi. For his part, Cobra Commander seems to finally recognize the benefit of having a real killer at his disposal, one who kills first and talks second, rather than vice versa. It has also been impressed upon the Commander that having at least one killer who is not a masked freak might actually open a few more opportunities to take out key leaders of the Joe team.

---
Since becoming one of Cobra’s hired killers, the Bambino has one prominent claim to fame. He put the hit on Master Sgt. Conrad Hauser, aka Duke. There has been perhaps no greater event in the Cobra Wars which has more tightly sealed Cobra’s pending victory. And while those in the know fully understand who the assassin was, the Joe team has been left with no clue as to the perpetrator, other than the black rose draped across Duke’s dead body.

---
“Vile Villainy”? The question must be asked, does a hired assassin truly qualify as having vile villainy? Certainly the taking of a human life would qualify, but who is the greater villain, the killer, or the person who directs the killer’s hand? The Bambino is a fine example of a man, who at least by outward appearances is simply doing a job. The rest of the time he is a good neighbor, a dog lover, is good to kids and loves his family. Not the typical profile of vile villainy. Yet, there is more to the story above.

Something weird happened along the way for George Herman Campiti. Sure killing was his profession, and he was good at it. But like most hit men he really did treat it like any other job. Except that after awhile he realized that he liked his job a little too much. So much so that he started to kill for the thrill of it, for the bloodlust. Most all successful hit men remain successful for the simple reason that they find their job distasteful, and long for opportunities for a real life. But George Herman Campiti, despite his outward appearances, loves his job, and has killed enough times beyond the scope of his “career” that he is now more killer than professional. It is a weird dynamic, in that his trademark for success is his gentile appearance, yet it is seemingly replaced by a rabid maniac thirsting for blood, with an actual physical transformation, once he becomes set to strike. Perhaps this persona was always a part of his make-up. In any event, it leaves no doubt that his heart is black, and that he is amongst the most vile villains known, or in this case not known, throughout the world.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:17 am 
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Snake Staked

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: London, England
Very nice! The only thing I'm not digging is the blue pants/ jeans. Kinda seem a bit out of place on an old dude. Maybe brown would look less eye catching?

Otherwise - sweet! :-)

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:31 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Love the swappable "crazy-ass killer" head :D

Very cool - because nobody would ever suspect an old dude in a trench coat with a gay rat-dog to be an assassin. A molester, sure, but not an assassin ;)

The jeans don't bother me as much as the open shirt - it just doesn't seem to fit in with wearing a heavy overcoat. I don't know - maybe some "old man" chest hair peeking out? Or better yet, a paler skin tone would help (one that more closely matches your "crazy" head, perhaps?)
EDIT: - re-reading the bio, I realize that he's a born & bred Mafioso - so the open-shirt works. But he needs some hair sticking out and maybe a gold chain or something. :P


Great idea & bio - and the custom is awesome looking - I especially love all the little hidden weapons & whatnot.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:56 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Pottsville, Pa
HOLY FRIGGIN CRAP!

That's all I have to say about that.

Chief wrote:
EDIT: - re-reading the bio, I realize that he's a born & bred Mafioso - so the open-shirt works. But he needs some hair sticking out and maybe a gold chain or something. :P


But I totally agree with this. Just a sprinkling of gray hair sticking would be perfect.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:32 am 

Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:02 am
great paint apps here, I like the dog pretty funny actually.Who's head is that as well?


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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:42 pm 
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another warm reception I am very happy to see. I spent a lot of time on this one, and while the core figure is plain, I wanted to put it over the top with the extras.

Dan - that those extras did not include a gold chain is utter phail on my part, and might have been the difference in winning the contest. lol. He'll get that update. And some chest hair as well, assuming I can make the effect without it detracting from the figure.

The jeans may not be a natural fit for a guy his age, but it fit when I mapped him out, for reasons I can't remember at the moment. lol. I think it fit with the down to earth small business owner image that was his cover.

I had fun with all the hidden weapons, and making them just might spark the inspiration to make a Sam Cobra custom, for anyone who remembers him from the Johnny West line. He was in part the inspiration for the gadgets here, so it's only fitting if that in turns inspires me to make the original in 1/18 form.

The dog - lol. I got a bunch of these in various breeds from a $0.25 vending machine, and they are very much in scale. I was trying to get one that looked like Bandit, but ran out of quarters. Here, I thought it added to the pleasant nature of the guy, but I kind of laughed when I gave him the killer dog/rottweiler grade chain leash. lol

EDIT - oh, and Tim, the head is Chancellor Palpatine when in normal mode, and the mean one is the Order 66 Palpatine that in converting during the battle with Mace.

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Kwinn_Lives wrote:
you have now won more JCAs than anyone in the history of the award.

Mysterious Stranger wrote:
You sir are the definition of a Renaissance Nerd... you do it all so damn well.


Last edited by drbindy on Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:45 pm 
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Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:58 am
Location: Montreal, Canada
Again, another great character joins your crew.
I too am not too fond of the jeans. Such a character would be wearing regular pants IMO.

He needs some bling.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:23 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Very cool. I do not mind the blue jeans, they are practical. I do not think that they are that out of place, a lot of people that are older wear jeans, they where born or were around for the 50's and it blue jeans are often the clothing of choice. I like the back story and the fact that he is so innocent looking until he tweaks out. Fantastic work.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:40 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
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The wiener dog with the heavy chain is the best accessory evah! That is saying a lot when he's got the Penguin's knife and gun umbrella and a cane with sword. :D I agree with Chief that he could use the hair or the medallion. Also match up the head and neck skin tone. He works for me otherwise as is.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:14 pm 
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pluv wrote:
The wiener dog with the heavy chain is the best accessory evah! That is saying a lot when he's got the Penguin's knife and gun umbrella and a cane with sword. :D I agree with Chief that he could use the hair or the medallion. Also match up the head and neck skin tone. He works for me otherwise as is.


For what it's worth I cracked my sh** up with the dog, especially when I put that chain around his neck :rotfl:

Thanks for the praise on the accessories though. That was fun. On the flesh tone, the "normal" head is a perfect match with the neck and chest. It's a dilemma to know how to match both heads since I wanted "mean" head to look otherworldly. I might add some of the fleshtone highlights back into that face though

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you have now won more JCAs than anyone in the history of the award.

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You sir are the definition of a Renaissance Nerd... you do it all so damn well.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:10 pm 

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
The dog makes the figure! Nice stuff as always.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:05 am 
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Mr. Patience

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Las Vegas
I like it. I like it
Parts cool,Heads cool, figure really cool.
I kinda agree about the pants. A born Mafioso would wear slacks. Jeans just don't fit the tough guy image.
Not that I know anything about that kinda stuff. It's not like I'm an Italian guy who grew up in Mafia run Las Vegas.

By the way if you need grey chest hair I got ya covered.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:50 am 
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Man, that is a great looking figure, and the accessories are friggin great. Does that knife actually fit up inside the sleeve? Cus that would be awesome if it did... So awesome that I am going to try that... :D

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:56 am 
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When I first looked at him, I thought of the Jigsaw/Saw movie guy.
That would be a creepy villain for the joes to battle!
Great job on both the figure and the back story.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDUSA Assassin, New Villain - pic heavy
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:36 am 
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Thanks for all the great feedback guys. I know what everyone is saying who talks about the jeans. And I agree if he were Mafioso to the core, that would not be his look. But recall from the bio that deception is this guy's calling card. He was never truly in the mafia, except for as an anonymously hired hitman. This guy slips through the cracks by not fitting the usual mold. It really was part of the look I wanted to give, of harmless civilian through and through. I understand the issue with it 100%, but I think I'm going to stick with it here. Partly because this is what I entered the contest with, and partly because I don't have time to repaint him. :shifty: The bling and the hair still fits what you guys are saying without detracting from my goal, though, so I dropped the ball there and can fix it pretty easily.


Lance Sputnik wrote:
Man, that is a great looking figure, and the accessories are friggin great. Does that knife actually fit up inside the sleeve? Cus that would be awesome if it did... So awesome that I am going to try that... :D


Thanks Lance. Again, I'm glad this one has gone over so well, as I put a lot of time into the extras. On the knife, yes and no. Don't know if you remember the old Johnny West line, but Sam Cobra was the villain, and he had a hole drilled into the molded plastic of his arm where a tiny plastic stilleto fit (so tiny, in fact that vintage stilletos used to fetch a decent amount before repros flooded the market). I really wanted to mimic this feature, but I feared that drilling a hole large enough would ruin the arm, especially since I had already drilled out a hole in that particular wrist for the added articulation.

Anyway, I improvised, and used several thin strips of black vinyl to "extend" the sleeve outward. I painted them to match the sleeve, and left a fitted gap where the dagger slides in. It's not perfect, but it hit on the effect I was looking for.

Is it still awesome this way? lol I assume not - I also would prefer it going directly into the plastic. Maybe that's another small tweak I can make

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you have now won more JCAs than anyone in the history of the award.

Mysterious Stranger wrote:
You sir are the definition of a Renaissance Nerd... you do it all so damn well.


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