by Matt Bacon

Okay, this is a kit club and this is the KIT Reviews page, but everything that Jim Henson & Associates have ever done so smacks of our hobby, this must be reviewed.

First, I had no idea it was out of print.  I got it just recently at a comic book store, thinking it was a new release.  Amazon.com is selling used copies, though, so feel free to click the pic on the left and go nuts.

If you've ever been dying to sculpt your own Skeksis, or a Garthim, or misc. goblins from Labrynth, or just wanted color references for painting, find this book!  Although not as chock full o' photos as a serious painter or sculptor might want (ex. pics from every angle, for every character), but this is an excellent "little bit of everything" reference, from getting a bit of Jim Henson's history in puppetry, to some character sketches, to some "behind the scenes" pics of creatures in progress, to... well, it's all there.  Coverage of Henson's little-known work, such as in commercials and "lost" projects, is most welcome, too.  So where are the video releases of The Storyteller and Greek Myths, then, hmmm??

Being a fan of all things Nosferatu, I was very happy to hear that a sculptor was going to tackle the Werner Herzog version of my favorite vampire. Swede Creations' sculptor Staffan Lindner has decided to sculpt Klaus Kinski and Isabella Adjani in what is in my opinion, the best scene in the film. Adjani sitting in front of her mirror, her door opens behind her, and nothing but a shadow appears in the mirror, then sliding up beside her is the ultra-creepy Kinski as the Nosferatu.

This two-figure kit has Kinski standing behind the seated Adjani on a compact floor base. The likeness of both figures is incredible. Isabella Adjani is especially impressive; the expression of the hands, body language and the face had to be tough because Adjani, although very beautiful, has a face that doesn't have any features that jump out at you.

Kinski, on the other hand, had a face that was almost cartoonish without the Nosferatu make up!  Lips that put Mick Jagger's to shame, sunken eyes, large head, small body, and then apply that make up... 

Staffan Lindner captured the likeness of Kinski as the Vampire better than I could have hoped. The right hand reaching for Lucy, while the left hand is kept close to the body, curled up in an almost bat-like gesture. The vampire's robe is very well rendered, with an extra-creepy feature of rats writhing around the Vampire's shoes. The build up requires average clean up for a resin kit - knocking down some seams and puttying the break lines at Kinski's waist and Adjani's legs and waist.

Another great feature of this kit is the box art, with a beautiful paint-up done the sculptor and packaged in an Aurora style long box. One minor mistake on the box is the scale.  It reads 1/8 scale, but, it is actually smaller.

This is one of my All-Time Favorite kits, not just because of the subject matter, but based on an incredible combination of great box art, incredible sculpting and overall beautiful composition. So, what do you think? Do I like this one? Believe me, I can't rave enough about this one.

This is a two-piece bust, cast flawlessly by Mark Brokaw in green resin. Sculptor Bob Bagy has done it again, capturing the green grouch in all his leering, sneering glory. Great expression in the face, with the head tilted down slightly, eyebrows arched, and a grin that could make even the happiest Who in Who-ville, wet itself from anxiety!

Very nice fur texture - an extra nice touch is the point of the pompadour falling forward to add to the menacing leer.

Build up is very simple: attach the arm, putty the break line and paint. There was not one seam, no flash, no fuss, no muss. This kit can be had from Anthony Mestas at Life Force Studios(email AGKMestas@AOL.com).

Definitely one of the best releases of 2001!

HERE IS A NEW KIT SCULPTED AND PRODUCED BY THE SHIFLETT BROTHERS.

THERE IS A LINK TO THEIR SITE AT WWW.AMAZINGMODELER.COM ,CHECK IT OUT. THIS KIT IS SOOOOOO COOL.I CANNOT FIND A SINGLE SEAM ON IT ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO MUCH DETAIL TO PAINT AND NO CLEANUP AT ALL!!!!! ANY PIECES TO BE GLUED ON HAVE NATURAL SEAMS, SO NO PUTTY WORK EITHER!!!!!!! THIS IS A DREAM KIT!!!!!!

AND IT IS REALLY VERY COOL TOO. A MUST HAVE. 3 THUMBS UP. AT A BIG 1/8 SCALE AND INCLUDES A BASE .THIS CUTIE IS WORTH EVERY CENT.

CHLOE - AVIATOR for HIRE