From the Shadows

Painted: Umber Hulk

Manufacturer: Archive Miniatures
Line: Dungeon Nasties
Figure: 775 Amber Hulk
Release date: 1977?
Sculptor: Nevile Stocken
Painter: Spooktalker
Date painted: 2011

This umber hulk from Archive Miniatures is one of the older, rarer, and more valuable figures in my D&D collection and one I scored for almost nothing at a convention flea market. I have to admit I think the charms of Archive figures are fairly dubious, but I also have to admit that whatever the sculpting prowess on display this may be the most faithful rendition in miniature of the original Umber Hulk design I've seen.

One of the more notable/noticeable features of this figure are the mandibles, sculpted flat against the chest in order to facilitate a one-piece casting. I debated cutting off the mandibles and either repositioning them or sculpting new ones protruding from the jaw as we'd expect to see, but decided in the end to keep the figure stock in order to preserve the specimen. It would have looked a lot better the other way, there's no doubt about it, but nonetheless I think I made the right call.

As always, the collection can be viewed in its entirety at flickr.

D&D Doodle Rises

Unearthed Internets/Blogroll Add combo

There is no better blog-time surprise than to see a favorite blog you consider archive-only rise up and shake off the dust. And he's going off in a new direction with some fantastic Cthulhu stuff. He was due for a shout out here anyway but now I can add him to the blogroll as well. If you're not familiar, you owe yourself carving out at least the next twenty minutes before you head over to D&D Doodle.

Look at the way this guy renders the environment of the game, including a certain keep you may recognize:

And someone who shares respect for the owlbear too:

And in case you're worried my own blog was down for the count, I should be back in action shortly. Got a new computer and haven't got around to getting Photoshop back up. Expect to sort that out in the next week or so.