"Mad Robot Miniatures - Harook Preview" Topic

$400 for a Lorikeet?

Wow, and I thought the Foster Farms chickens were expensive!

"Wow, and I thought the Foster Farms chickens were expensive!"

Ya know, I should paint up a batch of these as the two Foster Farms wanna-be chickens gone real bad…

Leland R. Erickson

One more nail in the coffin of my "I will not switch to 15mm" pledge.

Since it says more to come it woyld be nice to have some close combate specialists and some war/hunting dogs
:-)

@Uesugi Kenshin: I don't think the Harook would have dogs, maybe humans…

All aspects of the models look great, except the heads, which for me unfortunately ruin the look.

@porfirio rubirosa: They're an acquired taste, to be sure. Out of curiosity, what would you suggest for the head?

Something that can close its beak for starters. And without such a huge exaggerated beak. The jokes about the rooster from the cartoon were a gentle comment on this.

Reminds me of the Drantahks in 28mm -- an interesting design marred by a silly head. Of course you are getting lots of good feedback on the thread, and I should point out this is just one person's opinion (for those to whom this was not already obvious).

Yeah, I'm aware of that, it wasn't really gentle ;) It's all good though.

So, you would just change the beak? OK, thanks for the input.

The head focuses the character.

The majority of the mouths are closed, so that is moot.

There is a certain comical nature to the design and I for one think that offers a bit of flavor.

Certainly the combs and head crests offer a slightly humorous look but that is common among the bird world where garish is the rule.

etc.

Birds display some of the wildest and most bizarre features in the animal kingdom…most just for the sake of display sake.

So to accentuate this common element for a miniature, especially one in the smaller scale/size range of 15mm is acceptable and at least for most it would seem welcome.

Are they perfect? No. But few things are. The positive far outweighs any negative IMO.

But it is just an opinion.

Porfirio's comment points out the trouble with any miniature out there.

No matter how good a design may be and how positive the overall feedback, there are likely to be those who would want it done differently or simply do not click with the concept at all.

Good thing there is is variety out there. If you don't like the Harook, then another alien will do it for you.

I know the Harook aren't the only aliens on the brew from Mad Robot.

-Eli

I think the big exaggeration of the head mostly the beak, is the primary issue, as they look like cartoon characters. Of course there's always the issue of the models being only 15mm tall, so a little exaggeration might not be a bad thing. But on these think it's a bit too much. Horses for courses really.

Take your pick, Mad Robot. You've already heard positive feedback (including from people now rushing in to take issue with my opinion, which you won't see me doing about the favourable opinions BTW), I thought you might like to hear from someone with a less favourable view, because there's always next time. I don't boycott a company because it makes one product I don't care for!

That is an interesting thought.

If it were a personal affront then it would have been noted as such.

It was not.

I was merely noting that the source consideration can have exaggerated feathers, beaks, and forms.

As this is late in the process, after the miniatures have been sculpted, it is a bit late.

The original idea for the aliens came up some time ago and the idea of using an axbeak type of bird was popular, something like this

Which I think the sculptor did a fine job of considering.

But as noted there are plenty of options for alien types, hopefully enough for everyone to have something that piques the interest.

And as for just making positive comments, how about considering the source.

A new TMP member steps up and asks a question of what people want and then in short order makes it.

Seems like a better tactic to focus on the positive.

*****

The beaks are large.

The crest feathers/comb are also large.

The details are soft in a few areas but they are also consistent which helps the overall look/feel.

There is a certain comical look, but it is a favorable humor rather than a clown or a cartoon.

*****

But in the end as always the floor is open for everyone to offer thoughts and opinions.

Hopefully we can move on now.

Well guys, I certainly don't take issue with Porfirio voicing his opinion, I asked for it. So many things could be misconstrued when you don't know the person behind the words. I'll just take it as it is…someone's opinion, as valued as any other.

Everything MRM does is a little tongue-in-cheek. It's about having fun, being creative, and making something that interests me.

I agree…let's move on.

By the way, did I share that I've begun design of the Harook Dropship?

I'd also like to point out that the terror birds themselves are pretty goofy looking at first glance. Once the Harook are painted up, I'm sure they will convey a different vibe.

-Eli

"I'd also like to point out that the terror birds themselves are pretty goofy looking at first glance"

That is quite true :)

By the way, did I share that I've begun design of the Harook Dropship?

No, and I want to see it- but I have to ask is it going to look like an egg? ;)

-Will