Hello My Good Friends.
I, Lance Sputnik, Sexy Gaucho, would like to talk to you about the fabulous cast products from our good member, Rodimus VTS, and his online store Vortious Custom Accessories, found at
http://vortiouscustomaccessories.ecrater.com/Now, I must admit that I don't fully know what each of these products represents, and I'm not certain of all their origins, but I can speak to the quality of the product, and furthermore, can tell you how I envision that I will use them.
Let's get started, my friends:
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Photo 1:
Here we have a sample of some very stylized head casts and a violin. The heads in back include Kate from BPRD and a Villian from MAGE. The head in front (and the violin) are from the Umbrella Academy figure. All were created from PVC figs. I know that with the level of detail we're used to getting from the toy companies these days, the lack of detail (like in the hair) might turn some of you good friends off from these casts. But let me tell you - They are FABULOUS! And in the right customizers' skilled hands, a little dremel, or a little sculpey, or a nice paint job, and you'll have something special. These will also work real well for any Anime-type customs you have in mind. In particular, the Umbrella fig looks vaguely Asian, and I think I'm going to use it for a Renegades Jinx ...
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Photo 2:
In this photo we have more PVC-sourced casts, including a quartet of BPRD/Mignola figures: Hellboy, Kroenen, Abe Sapien, and Lobster Johnson. All of these are perfect as-is, especially if you like the comic. I'm going to sand down the bubble aspect of Lobster's goggles & create a 25th/ME version, and I'm going to try and use that Hellboy head for a Renegades Destro …
Also, in the back, we've got a Sidhe from Mage (going to become a Masters Of Evil-era Screaming Mimi…) and a cast of the POTUS. It's not a very good likeness, but it's a great cast! Finally, front left is another MAGE figure (who's name escapes me …) but is going to be the best dang Ghostbuster Egon you've ever seen!!
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Photo 3:
This set is for the mad scientists, doctors, and Jedi … Test Tubes and Lightsaber handles! The detail on these casts are incredible, and with only some very thin flash to trim away, these will be dio-ready in seconds!
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Photo 4:
Here we start moving into more recognizable characters : The Question, Red Skull, Lando, and … Superman? I really dig The Question, and see using him straight up. I don't need the Red Skull, as I already have a few in my collection, but as a Skull? YES PLEASE! Lando is all kinds of sexy attitude, but I'm really excited to use that (what I think is Supes) head on a custom I am currently working on … wish me luck!
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Photo 5:
Now I'm sorry to say we're moving into a category of casts where I'm not all that familiar with the source material … but I will say this, the quality of the casts have gotten even better!
In the back row, there's this odd red round helmet thing. Kind of looks like a cross between an AIM Scientist and OLMAC … which is how I might use it! Then, I believe it's the Nicole Kidman Golden Compass head, or Movie Widow, but either way, THIS is the Black Widow II for the custom I'm making. Then we have a head that allows you to get rid of THE DERP! Finally, in the back row, is Flat Top Head. I don't know where I'll use this, but one possibility is as General Rey … possibly.
In front, we have another cool female cast, a great Vision cast, paper bag Spidey mask, and …. NightWing? Even if it's not Night Wing, it's Night Wing. If you know what I'm saying. And I think you do…
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Photo 6:
MAKE WAY FOR TEH AWESOME!
A perfect Iron Man Mark ??x? and a variation on that Theme… sorry I don't really know what version they are, but they're really well made!. The translucent red one is really cool, and makes me want to try JoeCzar's LED idea to really light up a custom. HEE HEE. Then these Skrulls … Fantastic casts. FANTASTIC. the Green one on the left has a little goalpost on top, like an Inhuman antennae, so he gets to be the boss. The clear one on the right has just absorbed Sue Storm's power. Minimal flashing on the ears … barely a seam … perfect neck holes…. FANTASTIC!
Front row: is it Watson, Dr Bindy? or is Dum Dum Dugan? I just don't know what I'll be doing with it!! Next up: Is that Kevin Matchstick himself? Because if it wasn't, it sure is now! and Sif. Beautiful Sif…
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Photo 7: The Accessories
Cast in flexible resin/plastic, these belts/bandoliers are amazing! So well done! I don't know the origin of the gun belt, but it's already in play … keep an eye out for the Blind Pull GP 2013 to be revealed. I believe the bandolier is from the Retaliation Cobra Commander, and it is an incredible cast, and I love it in brown. WOOKIE PRESENTATION! Then we've got a classic fedora. Probably ZombieGuide's, as he misses his old fedora. Finally, a pistol … and I'm sure if we were on Antique Roadshow, some expert would know a ton more about the origin, use, and taste of such a weapon, but, alas, I am but a Sputnik, and have no further insight. But it's KickAss.
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Final Assessment:
This is some quality, quality cast work. Minimal flash. No air bubbles. I MEAN ZERO. There are some pour artifacts that will need some sanding or sculpting, but even that is minimal. Seam lines are miniscule. No voids or boogers. The soft parts are soft, and the hard parts are hard. Great job on the base colors.
Recommended for all customizers, at all levels of skill.
Lance Sputnik, Sexy Gaucho, … OUT !!
