"Prehistoric humans -- Hollywood or historical?" Topic

(Prehistorical?)

So I'm going to make some prehistoric humans next. I'm a bit on the fence about how to go about it and wondered if anyone had thoughts on it.

On the one hand, if I make them like the Chalcolithic human "Otzi the iceman," they can serve as primitive humans in a fantasy setting, but also in, at least I think, the Early Northern Barbarian lists. However, they were largely archers in that earliest part of the Early Northern Barbarian list, and I don't think that army would exactly set the world on fire.

On the other hand, I could just make them as straight hollywood cavemen, which would make them better for fantasy or sci fi Lost World gaming, especially as opponents for my salamen, but then I doubt many would use them for the primitive human cultures in historical armies, except for a laugh.

Can't decide. Thoughts?

I think you would have a greater market and sell more figs catering to the Lost World crowd.

Yep

Agreed.

And don't forget the fur bikinis!

I like the sound of the "historical" alternative. In a fantasy context I'd think of them as being more akin to Tolkien's Drúedain ("weedy" types who hide in the forest and mainly use missile weapons) than to REH's Picts (hulks that charge screaming into close combat).

Watch the movie "Quest For Fire". There were at least five different types of primitive man in that film. From Ape Men to Cromagnon. Very atmospheric too. Should give you some good ideas.

Hollywood. The best gaming scenarios are all Hollywood.

I would like to see Hollywood types armed with spears, slings and clubs/axes. Must have females (see Raquel Welch for inspiration)!

If a picture of Raquel Welch in 1,000,000 Years BC doesn't inspire you I suggest you check your pulse.

One question. Who is John Richardson?

I'd like to see the more historical versions; just about everyone else who has done prehistoric already does the Hollywood version. Why do more of the same?

Clearly, both people in the world looking for a DBA Early Northern Barbarian army want the most authentic figures possible. Mind you, one only plays in 20mm soft plastics, and the other is in Swaziland, and has to sell a couple of this year's calves before he has any spending cash.

There's no reason not to make historical early humans. It's just that 90% of them will be used out of context, anyway.

I'd go Hollywood, with a possible addition of very primitive looking hominids.

Switzerland, actually.

No, wait, that can't be right…

Well MJS I already make apemen with bones as clubs.

I think I'll be going Hollywood!

How different would they actually look though?

Cavedudes and dudettes aren't a terribly crowded market so I imagine those in need of the mini's will buy them (especially at the high levels of quality Khurasan has) regardless of whether they are more realistic or more goofy.

You mean, how different would an Otzi-like figure look from a Hollywood caveman?

"Hollywood cavemen" narrows it down not so much to a pinpoint as to a line. Are we talking 1960s Hammer film type cavemen (technically not Hollywood, but who cares?) or something more like out of the 2008 film 10000 BC?

Incidentally, I found 10000 BC quite watchable as a source of fantasy wargamers' inspiration (if nothing else). It's essentially of the "muscle fantasy" genre alongside the Conan movies.

neadnertyhals, no one makes those, now that would be unique…..

I agree that no one makes neadnertyhals.

imdb.com/title/tt0032871

I figure most people would want Hollywood cavemen. If there was more to go on for Early Barbarians, there might be a bigger market.

Ron

Hollywood? Historical?

Why not hysterical?

Dan
link

Rae Dawn Chong wearing white clay and nothing else in "Quest For Fire". She gets rescued from cannibals by the Neanderthals and thinks they are hilarious. Mind, the languages used, costumes, makeup are first rate. Ron Perlman as a Neanderthal, what's not to like.

I prefer accurate versions. I'm in the minority here, but only the Primaeval Designs Neanderthals have a realistic look.

I think we have a certain amount of conjecture about how prehistoric people dressed, and maybe a little hard evidence, but I'm not sure how much we really know about the subject.

Look into "Caveman" by Howard Whitehouse aka Mexican Jack Squint. It has a roaring seven pages of rules. Combat is simulated by throwing a wad of paper representing a rock. If you hit a player across the table with the paper wad, that means the rock your Neaderthal threw just struck home on the game board. Other combat hand to hand-hoof-fang-or tail is resolved with the time honored Paper-Scissors-Rock method (I actually have dice for P-S-R). (You never know until you ask.)

I like the idea of 'historical' prehistoric figures … perhaps authentic might be nearer the mark.

Either way, if they were nice figures I would probably buy them (so long as they weren't 18mm with fantasy-style cricket bat weapons … )

Phil

historical prehistorics are better than ahistorical historics…….

Thanks for the input. Ordered!

seven cavemen with spear (six male, one female)
four youth/skirmishers with rocks, spears, etc (three male, one female)
three leadership (hero with big club, witch doctor with animal staff, hero's woman)

Once they are cast we'll probably get mods to them to give them hand weapons in place of the spears, perhaps give them straw capes like Otzi is often shown wearing, etc.

No atlatls? ;->=

Doug

Consensus was Hollywood and if there are atl-atls in caveman movies they are unusual.

If you'd like to commission some though I'd be happy to oblige. $100 USD/pose.