For those of you who are recent additions to New Perspective's readership, each of the review figures are rated, on a scale of 1 to 10 (5 being average), in three categories: Technical (the production/casting quality of the piece), Artistic (the level of detail and creativeness in the figure), and Value (is it a worthy piece to add to your collection). While I will look at review material from the largest or smallest manufacturers, I don't consider it my duty to put an occasional bad piece into the column just to tear it apart. Consequently, what you see here almost always has some redeeming value or merit (or a special interest paid me to put it in). She Cat and Witch Grim Reaper's Nasteez Line Sculpted by Pete Boundy 25mm, $2.25 and $2 Technical: 8, Artistic: 5, Value: 5 Grim Reaper's Nasteez line contains almost 60 figures, most of which are 'bad guys'. These figures, the She-Cat and 1 Witch, are among the better figures in the line. The casting is excellent, with nearly invisible mold lines. The She-Cat reposes on a rocky surface with a couple human skulls and a plate mail vambrace, her tail rising up from behind. She isn't clothed, other than a light fur over most of her body. Her face is well shaped, but the detail could sharper. Proportions are very good and the pose is natural and relaxed. Painting will be fun, although getting the fur just right will be a challenge. Good lining on the face can reclaim some of the lighter details. Centered in her protective star, arms in mid-gesture, wind blowing her hair and thin gown - the witch appears to be nearing the climax of a spell. Her proportions are good, though the facial features and some of the sculpting is only adequate. There is some real creativity in the figure, and the hair is excellent; however, the detail isp't terribly sharp or well defined. Overall, I'd have to say that this was very close but falls just a bit short of being a really nice figure. The listed prices are for these figures in the lead-free material. In lead, the price is just $1.75 per figure. Mouslings and Mounted Verminite Reaper's Verminites line Sculpted by Terry Williams 25mm, $1 each Technical: 6, Artistic: 6, Value: 8 So you're looking for that field or sewer dwelling race to infest your world? Reaper's Mouslings and Verminites may be just the thing. These figures demonstrate the 'have fun with it' side of the Reaper lines, and their prices give them the momentum to make it work. These mouse-like critters don't have graceful lines or regal features, but they have entertainment written all over them and paint up very well. There are minor parting lines along the center of the figures, as well as some small amount of flash in the tight areas. Nothing major, but some clean up will be required. The mounted verminite figure is very good and has much more detail than you'd expect. The rider, a cartoony rat-man (verminite) is quite humorous, but it's mount steals the show. The mount has a well detailed face and saddle, plus convincing proportions. The price is only a little less than what you'd expect to pay for this figure, versus the usual basement prices of the Reaper lines. Why does the silly Verminite mount remind me of a kangaroo rat? To the best of my knowledge, I've never seen a kangaroo rat with a skull covered saddle... Sometimes the artistic rating doesn't tell the whole story. I consistently grade the Reaper lines above average because though the sculpting can sometimes be a little rough, the creativity of the figures compensates, and the 'fun' factor is very high in this line. At this price, pick one up and see if you don't agree. Battle Knights Grenadier's Personalities Apart Line Sculpted by Sandra Garrity 25mm, $4.50 Technical: 8, Artistic: 7, Value: 6 We've been waiting for these for a long time. Finally we can build a personalized figure - just the way we want it! Grenadier's Personalities Apart blisters, by Sandra Garrity, come with two bodies, four arms, and three heads (no, not all for the same figure), allowing twelve possible combinations in each blister. If you get two or three blisters of different knights... well, you get the idea. The more you have, the more you can customize. There are few parting lines to speak of, except a few minor traces on the heads and arms. Clean up and assembly are simple. One of the great points of these figures is that you can pose them in ways that would be nearly impossible to cast as a single piece. The sculpting is very good, with sharp lines and some intricate detail. There isn't a lot of detail, but what there is has fine definition. The shields have been left blank so you have plenty of room to paint family crests and the like. The knights have a choice of axe, sword, and/or shields. Bricks Soldiers & Swords' Champions Line Sculpted bV Bob Ridolfi 28mm, $4.95 Technical: 5, Artistic: 8, Value: 6 For use with ICE/Hero Games' Champions, the super-hero role-playing game, these Bricks give you all the muscle you could ever need - and then some. Both figures have minor to moderate mold lines along the sides, between the legs and under the arms. However, due to the exaggerated proportions of these bricks, the lines are easy to reach and to file away. Clean-up was surprisingly quick and easy. Each figure comes with a plastic base. Our first brick, with the 'Friday the Thirteenth' face mask, has well defined muscles, though his forearms are a bit out of proportion. While he's standing poised and motionless, there is some life in his torso's position. The next brick is bulkier but very well proportioned. If the first brick is Arnold Schwartzenegger in The Last Action Hero, this one is Arnold in Predator. He has some sort of skull cap and his face wears a 'ready for anything' look (a fine trait in a super-hero). For the super-hero impaired, Brick is the term used for physically based characters, where strength is their best trait. The two figures in this pack are the embodiment of the super-hero brick. There are more blisters in this line, so ask around; I've been impressed with all I've seen of them so far. Elf Leader, Elf Wizard Heartbreaker's Tim Prow series Sculpted by Tim Prow 28mm, $2.25 each Technical: 8, Artistic: 9, Value: 8 The back of the blister card reads "Tim is surely the newest and brightest star in the miniatures field." Looking at these two figures, it would be hard not to believe that claim. Tim seems to have taken the best from his experience at Games Workshop, and the input of former co-workers, to become a fantastic, new artist. Parting lines are visible ... if you look hard ... through a microscope. Only some minute sheeting on the leader's shoulders and a slight line down his sword can really be seen. The scaled armor and breast plate of the Elf leader has crisp lines. His cloak is trimmed with a detailed band, and his helm is adorned with a dragon, wings spread, holding a crystal. The elf's features are sharp with high cheekbones. Held before him is an ornately carved greatsword. Standing firm against a buffeting wind, the elf wizard prepares to cast a spell. His robes and cloak are detailed to an incredible level, from runic trim to Draconic emblem to flaming hem. In addition, he bears a twisted staff topped with a wreath of magic. He also exhibits the sharp, high-cheeked features that have become popular for elven figures. I hate to draw parallels between sculptors, but Tim's work is very reminiscent of Chaz Elliot's and Jez Goodwin's. Now there's some good company. Gargoyle Leading Edge's Brain Stoker's Dracula Sculpted by Pete Boundy 25mm, $5.95 Technical: 7, Artistic: 6, Value: 5 A huge, chunky piece of beast, this gargoyle from Leading Edge is Gothic Horror all over. A two piece figure, the wings come separate from the body. The figure is very clean except for a minor parting line across the top of the figure. Cleanup is easy. The wings fit pretty well, but some epoxy is recommended to ensure a seamless joint. Detail is choppy and rough, as befits a stone-like creature. The lines are sharp and angular, creating a heavily muscled look and powerful impression. The wings are heavily angled as well. Leading Edge has the knack of being in the right place when licenses are being handed out, and this line has incredible potential. Ferret Thief Dark Horse's Excursion into the Bizarre Sculpted by Allison Dayne Frankel 25mm, $2.15 Technical: 5, Artistic: 6, Value: 6 Wow! A small company working for recognition, Dark Horse has taken a big risk in departing from the 'typical', but it really pays off on this figure. Despite negligible parting lines and no flash to speak of, the ferret does have one or two spots where very fine detail appears to have burned away, but the loss doesn't have a marring effect on the rest of the figure. For example, it appears that a thin collar or necklace was worn, but the chain seems to have burned away on the back of the neck. It can be reconstructed with a bit of fine wire, or you can just file the rest off as if it were never there. While the figure has pretty good detail, with long dirk, belt, and eye patch, the huge selling point to me is the position of the figure. The spread-out crouch is incredible and definitely adds a new level of depth to the figure. I'd like to see more along these lines - bts of movement and lots of variety. Con-Anne Simtac's Macho Women With Guns Sculted by Dave Summers 25mm, $2.15 Technical: 5, Artistic: 6, Value: 6 For Blacksburg Tactical Research's tongue-in-cheek Madio Women With Guns game, here's a macho woman who fits the bill. There is an insignificant parting line along her right leg and another trace on the left side of her abdomen. Slight fines can also be seen on er ft arm, and her sword has a few rough spots that will require a little filing. These all require only minor attention to touch up. This is definitely a macho woman. In fact, I've yet to meet a man as macho as this femme. However, while I wouldn't date her, I would want her on my side in a fight. She's scantily dad in boots, breast cups, and fur loin cloth. Her face is well formed, if masculine, and bears a look of concentrated anger. Though she isn't equipped with the games namesake, a gun, she is still more than I'd want to deal with in a dark alley. Back to Shadis #17 Table of Contents Back to Shadis List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master List of Magazines © Copyright 1995 by Alderac Entertainment Group This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com