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| And they shall know no fear. |
Last weekend, Games Workshop celebrated 30 years of Space Marines by releasing a promotional model reenvisioning of the very first Space Marine model. Although they only had a limited number of the models, selling out within a few hours, I was fortunate enough to be able to get one. I wasted no time assembling the marine and wanted to share my thoughts about it!
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| I was happy to see that they included an image of the original Space Marine miniature. |
The model came in a nice cardboard box complete with the classic Rogue Trader cover artwork (with some Crimson Fist Marines making a last stand) decorating it. In addition to having pictures of the model, the back has an image of the original metal space marine from which the model was based. This inclusion was a really nice touch, one that really reminds me of some of the first space marines that I ever purchased. Inside, there is a single plastic sprue held within a black plastic tray, a 32mm base, and a nice color foldout with the assembly instructions and rules for the marine in games of 40k.
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| The model comes on a single sprue. |
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| Like the model he is based upon, he has a cool stalking forward pose. |
The model went together really smoothly, just as most of Games Workshop’s clampack models. Like those models, however, the model is cut into some odd pieces, but nothing that really made the assembly more difficult. The moldlines were fairly minor, but it still took quite some time removing them all, particularly around his disintegration combi weapon, due to all of its cables. Most of the assembly seams are hidden when the model is assembled, minimizing the need for excessive green stuff work. The only major area that I needed to use some was below his helmet, due to how his collar went together. Every piece was finely cut to fit perfectly, including his pistol and combat knife, something that GW has not always been good about.
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| I love his crenelated elbow and knee guards, very reminiscent to the old artwork. |
Having the opportunity to assemble one of these Imperial Space Marines has made me like the model even more than I did when I first saw it. The model is a delightful combination of new and old Space Marine designs. It would have been really easy for Games Workshop to simply release a regular Space Marine with some extra gaudy details tacked onto it, but instead they actually spent time to update a classic model. They even redesigned pieces like his backpack and combat knife, things that they could easily have just reused old pieces. This attention to detail really makes it a wonderful tribute to the 30 excellent years of Space Marine miniatures. It is only a shame that many people will not be able to get a copy of the model, due to the limited numbers they released.
- Eric Wier
I really like this figure, which really surprises me, because I'm not a huge fan of Space Marines themselves. There's something about the "retro" redesign of the armor that speaks so much to the sci-fi adventure nature of the original Rogue Trader book and models, that it really sold me on the figure.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure a lot of people will be horrified by this, but I've already begun cutting mine apart to convert it into an actual Rogue Trader figure inspired by one of the first (if not THE first) images of an RT:
http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcxniye4ag1r1g40zo1_500.jpg
The knee and elbow pads are fantastic, as are the seals connecting boot to leg - great little touches. The pistol is amazing, but the rifle is a little goofy in its over-design.
While I love how the hoses connect to the backpack, my only real complaint is in how far away from the figure's back the backpack sits. It's mounted so far away from the body, it not only looks odd, but makes it difficult to swap out packs or do minor conversion work without seriously cutting up the mounting plate to make room.
Of course, all of this is coming from the perspective of changing the model, whereas most people will probably be assembling and painting him as-is. At it's core, it's a great figure.
I really like the model too; the retro vibe of the model is fantastic, really befitting of Rogue Trader. I agree that the gun is a little over-designed, but feel even it somewhat fits with the retro look. I am just glad they did not resort to giving him a modern bolter, out of laziness. Now that you mention it, the backpack is quite far back. I like how the cables are connected, however, making it have a more discernible function.
DeleteThat is an awesome old image too; I cannot wait to see what you do with the model. Adam got a copy of the model too, and might try to cut it up for a conversion. We figured assembling one just out of the box seemed a good tribute, however, hence this post :)