All your base are belong to us

Forgive the title, but you don't get many chances to use the most popular phrase of my internet generation. Anyway, I was thinking about figure bases, the differences, and why companies chose certain bases for their figures. So, the result of that said thinking is thus: My countdown of the 12 different types of bases, from worst to best. All right, lets get straight to it then.

#12 - "No Friggin Base At All"

Starting out at number "last", here we see a specimen known as the "No Friggin Base At All". Characteristics include not being able to stand up, usually resulting in being the first casualty in most battles. It's a pain. I mean geez, just a little extra slab o' plastic is all we're asking for here. Oh well. At least the "lack of base" helps him blend into the scenery better... at least when he's not laying on his back.

#11 - Forces of Valor

I hate to do this, but here we are with Forces of Valor. Lets name the reasons why these bases are horrible. They are all the same (different paint jobs don't change that), they are too big, and they are not permanently attached to the figures. The too big thing is what really gets me. Not very good for a scene with a bunch of guys. Their bases simply get in the way of one another. Plus, they are obviously on the ground, not in a building or somewhere else that doesn't have that particular type of ground. Sorry FoV, need to rethink you bases. (quick tip: take your extra 21st Century figures, rip them off their bases, and transfer your new liberated bases to your FoV figures with a touch of super glue.)

#10 - "The Hole"

Next on our list is the tragic story of the "Hole". They had the basics of a good base. An ill-defined outline that flowed with the movement of the figure, much like Marx, but then they went and stamped a hole in it. I know, I know, they probably had their reasons, and it was different, but this time different wasn't better.

#9 - Green, Metal, Shiny... Must be Britains

Yup, it's a Britain with it's shiny green metal base. Ok, so this was cool, and we all appreciate that it has a high quality, durable base. But the boat has done sailed. Everyone else uses plastic bases. In my opinion, these simply stick out like sore thumbs when grouped with other figures. So, as consolation, please understand it was a good idea, it just didn't catch on.

#8 - Waterloo

Hey, I got an idea, lets just ignore the laws of physics when building a base. Ok, so it's not that bad. It's just, why put that extra little ridge on there at all. The base is smaller than the platform that the figure stands on. I have never understood why they did that. Good thing they are awesome figures.

#7 - "Same, Same, Same, Same... Arby's is Different."

The ever popular "standardized base". No matter what the figure is doing, he gets the same base as everyone else. Whether it's a rounded off square, or the same size oval, it's always the same. This isn't horrible... it's not enough to turn you off of a figure, it just doesn't do anything extra for the figure. It's just... a base.

#6 - The Fluctuating Oval

It's all about the figure. "The base? Well, let's just throw a bit of flat plastic underneath him. make it bigger for guys with wide stances, and smaller for guys with narrow stances; just as long as he stands up." You got to appreciate a practical take on these things. While not "artfully flowing" like marx, nor does it contain traces of terrain like 21st Century, Conte, and TSSD, it's nice, and it doesn't get in the way.

Tie for #4 - Like Liquid Plastic

Finally, we reach a base that actually adds dynamic to the figure. Marx had a way of making the base flow with the sculpt. Now that I think about it, I should have taken a picture of that Viking running foward with the sword. His base actually shows us that yes, this guy is absolutely flying. Can't go wrong with this type of base.

Tie for #4 - Gravel

I'd consider the Barzso bases a tie with the Marx bases. These are simple bases, but yet they contain trace hints of terrain. They are just rough enough to let you know "hey, this base is part of the land, building, whatever...". It doesn't flow like the Marx base, but it still disappears nicely when in a diorama.

#3 - A Base, with a figure attached

This company goes all out with their bases. This one is actually quite tame compared to others from 21st Century. You see rocks, fallen logs, sandbags, sign posts, fences, tank tracks... all sorts of cool stuff. I REALLY like these bases. The only drawback, and it's one that I can usually ignore, is that the bases actually place the figure. The German standing on a brick side walk, can't be standing in a grassy field. The American trooper that obviously has a dirt covered base with a tree limb can't be inside a building. 21st Century has proved that it is possible to design a base so well, that it can actually take something away from the figure. But other than that, it's a nice example of what bases can be.

Tied for #1 - The Perfect Base

Here we are at the pinnacle of bases. Tied for first place are Conte and TSSD. Their bases are sculpted, but not to a point where it takes away from the figures. They are just mundane enough to allow you to use the figures anywhere... forests, beaches, deserts. It's an example of not stopping at the soles of the shoes with the sculpting and design process.

So there we go, all the bases I could think of in the few minutes that I spent thinking about it. Now I'm off to go play with some Weston Cowboys that haven't seen much table time since I got them.

Upcoming Release Dates

According to TSSD, we are looking at a possible March release date for the Pegasus Russian Navy figures. From what I saw of the samples, they should be an excellent addition to your WWII range. They'll be issued in blue... good choice in my opinion.

Also reported is that April will bring the new Steve Weston Mexican Bandits. I LOVE the light blue color they are using. The poses look fun, and the detail looks like it might be a touch crisper than it was on the Gunfighters.

We're all holding our breath for an announcement on the Conte Spartans... According to the various posts on their website, I reckon it could be anyday. I'm gonna go so broke.

Still waiting on the arrival of the 21st Century Chinese Infantry figures to my local Wal-Mart. Who knows when that will be.

Hat is putting together a few new sets of ancients in 1/32. Good for them to be back in the 1/32 market! I haven't seen a release date.

Waterloo is bringing out some Prussians. I've seen a few release dates posted for these, so I suppose they are simply up in the air.

And Imex will one day release their Alamo Mexicans... someday... maybe.

Did I miss anything? Meh, don't think about it too hard. Go enjoy the Superbowl Today. As a Colts fan, I guess I have to go with the Giants. So, without any enthusiasm, Go Giants!

Marder III Sd.Kfz. 139 @ Walmart

I was cruising through the Wal-Mart toy aisle early this morning, and spotted the Marder III Sd.Kfz 139. It was packaged all by itself, and was selling for $10. It was really nice, and it had a cool paint job that wasn't this. I was surprised at how much 21st Century stuff my Wal-Mart continually has.

But don't forget Target. I stopped by the Super Target in Fishers (just down the road from me) and they had copious amounts of 1/32 Forces of Valor WWII figures, a few vehicles, and several planes, along with the FoV 1/18 guys (I think that's the scale, the G.I. joe looking guys).

All in all, not a bad time to have to go shopping at the big boxes.

Nice Pictures

The webmaster over at Conte has put up a couple of really nice Civil War pictures. These are of the Iron Brigade in the Cornfield at what I assume to be Antietam. Very Cool pictures.

Several years ago, my reenactment unit was able to portray the 2nd Wisconsin at the 135th anniversary of Antietam. It was early morning, still pitch black, dense fog covered everything, and we started a full on charge into the cornfield...it was great till we actually hit the corn and realized that this wasn't 1860's corn; this was modern, genetically modified, hybrid corn. You can imagine: several hundred tired reenactors, pitch black, trying to bust through this corn that simply would not give. When we finally reached the other side of the field, it was so foggy, we still couldn't see anything. There was SUPPOSED to be a whole regiment of confederates waiting for us... and then BANG BANG BANG. The entire confederate regiment openned up on us from about 20 yards away, hidden by the dark and the fog. I think everyman in the company took a hit. Fun times.

a little rooftop action

21st Century

I picked up a couple sets of 21st Century figures on Ebay today. I've always liked their figures, and ALMOST have a complete set of them. I'm missing the recently released Italians, and a few of the "support" figures that came along with some vehicles and heavy weapons. The ones I picked up today were the British series 2 and the German series 5. I believe these came out at the same time, but never showed up at any stores around me. I'm afraid the Italians will be much the same, and I'll have to scour ebay to find a cheap set.

I remember seeing advertisements for British Paras and U.S. Marines awhile back from 21st Century, but haven't heard anything since. Hopefully they are still in the hopper. The British paras looked especially nice. (I think there is a forum thread about these two sets over at Treefrog Treasures somewhere if you want pictures.)

Recap

First off, I mentioned in a post below that I read on the Conte site that they had actually received the plastic Spartans. whoops. I didn't really read that. My excitement got the better of me. It said they were expecting the shipment, not that they had actually gotten it. my bad. I called, but didn't realize they were only open Mon-Fri.

My Wal-Mart still had the same stuff, 3 packs of 21st Century figures, the Russian mini playsets, and some Airplanes. Didn't seem like much of it has sold.

My wife and I have started the TV show "Lost", starting with Season 1. I think it's rockin', and it has a nice toy soldier scene in it.

It's a slow day around here today, and I'm going to be painting some figures and try finishing up the Hobby Bunker building I bought in Chicago. It's going to be a awesome when it's done, and then I'll need another one to go along with it.

Wally World restock

My Wal-Mart restocked their 21st Century stuff. They had a ton of 1/32 vehicles, a bunch of the little boxed playsets with Russian Infantry figures, and a whole bunch of the three figure packs containing Germans and Americans. Still no Italians though. I'm going back today, and crossing my fingers that they have some more in stock.

Anybody have any word on when the Conte Spartans are going to be "for sale". I might give em' a call today, see how close they are to being able to ship.

Rock on.

Conte Sale, plus new stuff

Praise be the toy soldier gods. According to the Conteco site, they have received shipment of the Plastic Spartans, plus all their older plastic sets are going on sale in a "buy one get one free" deal. PLUS, 25% off of their playsets. No, no, no, I ain't a paid salesman or anything, but that's a heck of a good deal, Conte plastic sets for $10. Can't beat it with a stick.

And did I mention... NEW PLASTIC SPARTANS ARRIVING!!!! dude...DUDE...really... I'm gonna get me some.

Oh, and a big thanks to whoever posted my site on the hatwiki. Rock on ya'll.

New Persians

I was surfing through Ebay, and saw the latest from The Plastic Underground. There are a couple of sets of Persians available to bid on. Both sets look awesome. It doesn't look like they are available from his website yet, so it looks like if you want them, you're going to have to battle it out on Ebay.