[Hit & Run]

Haha, yeah, initial run went well (hair for Spirit & Gristle, facial hair for Dogfight & Roadblock) so hoping to start working on some new stuff this week. More complex & larger pieces so fingers crossed! Learned a few things from these smaller pieces so excited to see if I can get what’s in my head reflected on the figures. So excited for a good version of the one figure though because the original was probably my favorite Joe figure growing up.

I never grabbed a picture of the pre-made Roadblock and couldn’t find it when I searched so I really didn’t know if mine was just their build with facial hair or what. Haha. Just knew the price for the parts he gave you was too good to pass up and he sat in a baggie unbuilt for way too long.

Wasn’t expecting the Tiger Force to tower over the MTF ones either! Will be interesting when looking for a shelf spot for the Walmart one if I get it. V2 goes on my main cast Joe shelf so not quite sure where I’ll put a v1.

[stljoe]

Great modern Roadblock.

[Flint_rocks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit & Run

Haha, yeah, initial run went well (hair for Spirit & Gristle, facial hair for Dogfight & Roadblock) so hoping to start working on some new stuff this week. More complex & larger pieces so fingers crossed! Learned a few things from these smaller pieces so excited to see if I can get what’s in my head reflected on the figures. So excited for a good version of the one figure though because the original was probably my favorite Joe figure growing up.

I am by no means an expert and as I've said before my sculpting skills are average at best but over 3 years of working with Green Stuff the best tricks I've learned is after it cures a little water and some sanding can make it look lots better and using an exacto to cut it gives you the really straight lines and nice designs that you want. I actually didn't start the sanding thing until earlier this year and I really wish I had been doing it sooner.

[Hit & Run]

Thanks! Saw a comment before about sanding helping improve the results. That was something I didn’t think about before. Have some pieces I want to paint white in this batch so having a clean look will likely be necessary since I won’t be able to hide the imperfections as much with dark paint.

Was gonna try to start today but realized I don’t have any gloves to use. Read that helps with preventing finger prints. The one idea calls for some flat strips so wanted to play it safe & just wait so I didn’t mess those parts up. Grabbed the Army Painter sculpting tools when I got the green stuff so hoping that helps with my lines and designs.

I appreciate the tips! Definitely a novice with sculpting so it will be a learning process, nice to have some lessons learned going in though, should definitely help ease the curve.

Haha, and your sculpting comes out really great, I’m always impressed by your WIP pics! Your 80’s thread is a big inspiration for me to get more into sculpting since there are a lot of things I need that people just don’t make parts for so seeing some of the things you’re able to do gives me some hope. Haha.

[Hit & Run]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stljoe

Great modern Roadblock.

Thanks! I appreciate it!

———

Up next is one that killed me to not have for so long. Ninja Force Storm Shadow was my favorite Joe growing up, I missed out on the original Cobra version, had the Joe version and I liked it....but since it wasn't the one I saw on the cartoon I never loved it. Probably didn’t really buy into a Joe version of Storm Shadow until Ninja Force dropped. Once that happened though, it was over, Snake Eyes moved over as my favorite ninja and was replaced by Storm Shadow.

So because I never really had extra ninja parts and I always felt you needed some of the iconic details that the original toy had to really do this version justice, I just never really attempted it. Now that I’m getting better with customs and started trying to sculpt more....I used the Retro collection Storm Shadow to begin my attempt to put a good version of this Storm Shadow on my shelf.

So the Retro figure was my start. Painted the head and then started the design on his outfit. Sculpted the shoulder gear and the leg wraps, then accessorized him with some of the Hasbro gear with a Marauder grenade. Then topped it off with a cloth hood made from a t shirt sleeve because I wasn’t feeling any of the plastic options I tried. Also some cloth to mimic the originals belts hanging.

Thought about sculpting the straps for the legs but I felt the sashes hanging down sort of broken up the black well enough that they weren’t necessary and I didn’t want to make the legs too busy. Then also painted some grenades & throwing stars to attach to the shoulder pieces but felt they were a little large for the area and I think the look works without them. I also dropped the throwing star and couldn’t find it...haha. May attach them later but for now, just loving the look of the figure without them.

Happens a lot as I start taking bigger risks with customs and start to tackle more figures that I really loved growing up, but this might be my favorite custom that I’ve done now.

Ninja Force Storm Shadow







Modern versions of the original four Storm Shadows:





Then with the other original 1993 Ninja Force group:

[axonrey]

Right on! As a ninja force lover, I respect the committment to improving upon the DG version. I've been hesitant to tackle it and have had the "good enough" mentality with the DG version. Looking at your upgrade really does show how lacking the general release was. Nicely done.

[Flint_rocks]

Hey....Ninja Force Storm Shadow is one I've heard of and seen before. Now I feel like I'm part of the cool kid's club. LOL. Good job man.

[Hit & Run]

Quote:

Originally Posted by axonrey

Right on! As a ninja force lover, I respect the committment to improving upon the DG version. I've been hesitant to tackle it and have had the "good enough" mentality with the DG version. Looking at your upgrade really does show how lacking the general release was. Nicely done.

Haha, using real Joe parts AND it being Ninja Force.....I thought you’d like it!

I did the “good enough” thing with the DG version for as long as I could. It’s okay and it got us part of the way there but for a figure & design I loved so much growing up, always was bummed out that it was never really a figure I would stop to look at on my shelf. Checked him out a few times since I dropped this one in my display so happy that it’s not the case anymore. This one catches my attention as much as the original o-ring Version.

Thanks! Thought the same thing in the side by sides. Not only getting to appreciate how bad ass the original figure was.....but also just how plain the DG release turned out. Definitely needed some gaudy gold accessories and white spots!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint_rocks

Hey....Ninja Force Storm Shadow is one I've heard of and seen before. Now I feel like I'm part of the cool kid's club. LOL. Good job man.

Haha, I’m glad because this is one I was really excited to share! The original design was so cool but I always felt the black & white contrast in this version really made him the best version of Storm shadow. Definitely one that makes my modern Joe collection feel more complete to me.

Thanks, as always, appreciate you taking the time to check out my customs and the comments!

[axonrey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit & Run

Haha, using real Joe parts AND it being Ninja Force.....I thought you’d like it!

I did the “good enough” thing with the DG version for as long as I could. It’s okay and it got us part of the way there but for a figure & design I loved so much growing up, always was bummed out that it was never really a figure I would stop to look at on my shelf. Checked him out a few times since I dropped this one in my display so happy that it’s not the case anymore. This one catches my attention as much as the original o-ring Version.

I’m afraid if I dip into improving any of ninja force, I’ll have to improve all of ninja force, and that might drive me crazy. I’ve been staring a Dice custom in the face for months but am afraid of the rabbit hole I would create.

[Hit & Run]

Quote:

Originally Posted by axonrey

I’m afraid if I dip into improving any of ninja force, I’ll have to improve all of ninja force, and that might drive me crazy. I’ve been staring a Dice custom in the face for months but am afraid of the rabbit hole I would create.

Yeah, that’s a big reason I avoid some of the more popular characters who I could probably easily do at this point. Don’t want to get into the habit of replacing every Hasbro / Club figure.

Ninja Force I’m not too bad with, really just replacing two members, everyone else are either official releases that I’m fine with or guys we never got modern versions of that I’m still piecing together.