Not quite a week into Monster May(hem), and I have finally completed my first submission. I present: the Scourge of Planet X: The Ripper Beast!
This miniature from Rattrap Productions has been primed and sitting on my desk since last year’s Monster May(hem). I never got a chance to get to him and moved on to other projects; so I made him my first priority this year. Partially, this is because I’m sick of looking at him; but it’s also because he has been so patient and understanding; two traits not normally associated with Ripper Beasts of Planet X.
The Ripper Beast, as the lore goes, is the most feared predator on Planet X. It loves nothing more than to live up to its name by ripping things, usually into bloody chunks. The Ripper Beast is doubly feared because it seems to regenerate as soon as it is wounded, making it nigh-impossible to put down for good.
Despite its renowned savagery, this Ripper Beast seems to be wearing clothing. It has two spiked wristbands and no dangly unmentionables to speak of. This either makes it smarter than you would think, able to clothe itself and perhaps forge weapons; or just oddly modest. The only picture of the Ripper Beast I could find was the one on the cover, there; so I couldn’t verify this. The only example of a painted Ripper Beast miniature I was able to find was the one inside the book, which doesn’t help because it’s black and white.
So I went with the clothing look, and I tried to get it as close to the cover as possible. It’s a retro sci-fi creature, so perhaps some space-spandex is appropriate after all. While I may never use this miniature as intended, it can sure get some use as a super-villain for games of Super Mission Force!
I have at least two more projects for Monster May(hem) I’m trying to get done by month’s end. Both require a lot of base work, so they’re taking longer than usual. Check back soon, but in the meantime, be sure to stop by and see what everyone else has been up to!
Here’s the blogroll:
- Roger from Rantings from Under the Wargames Table
- Dave from Wargames Terrain Workshop
- Azazel from Azazel’s Bitz Box; did a beautiful Coral Golem!
- Tom from The Good Ground; jumped in with a Red Slaad!
- Mark A. Morin from the appropriately-named Markamorin.com
- Matt from PM Painting did a wonderful job on a Lovecraftian Elder Thing!
- Jeremy, the Carrion Crow himself;
- and newcomer (to this site, anyway) Mike, aka @sasquatchminis from Instagram!
Don’t see your name here yet? No problem! Just email me at angrypiper@angrypiper.com or drop a comment below and let me know you want to participate! It’s never too late to paint a monster!
More coming soon…
Wonderful work on your Ripper beast Keith, like your colour choices you’ve gone with, and excellent eye detail. Look forward to seeing what other monsters you are working on.
Now I’ll go so you and Roger can talk as if I’m not here ! ROFL
Oh…uh…Dave! Hey! Didn’t see you there…
Thanks for the kind words. I’m really hoping to get three done, but I have at least two more and a character of the month to get through before May’s end.
I didn’t want to talk about you behind y9our back. I blame Roger.
(Why does that feel so good to say?)
That’s a pretty fearsome beast, Keith, and it looks great! The red base is a good contrast to all that green. The green’s worked really well on it and the horns, claws and teeth — which I can never get right — are excellent. He’s certainly a chunky mini — is he metal or plastic? And I do wonder how he gets his spiked sweatbands over his claws every morning 🙂
And isn’t it annoying when you can’t find a single painted example of a figure online? I’ve had this happen a few times and have been left wondering if I’m the only person in the world who owns it 🙂
He’s all metal, Matt; I recall he retailed for $15 about 10 years ago, when I bought him. Based on metal prices now and using Reaper as a guide, I’m guessing a guy like this would probably be about $25. Thanks for the compliments and yes; it is wicked annoying when you can’t find one picture on the entire Internet to show you what others have done. Not necessarily to copy anyone, but to see how others painted particularly tricky or problematic bits on a miniature is always useful.
Yeah, that’s why I look them up too. It’s either a case of “what the hell am I looking at?” in terms of something on the figure, or trying to get at least an idea of colours that’ll work, or looking up techniques. It’s always strange when all the results you get are of the figure for sale and no painted examples on blogs or even CMON or Reddit.
Hmmm. Reddit, you say? I’ve never really looked there. I start by googling the miniature name and searching for images. If hard pressed, I’ll head to CMON…never tried Reddit. Thanks for the tip.
I like him, (though I am a little biased toward “Pulp” stuff).
I like the colours, though I see what you mean about the disparity between the wearing of clothes and the beastly nature, perhaps he’s like the “Gorn” from Star Trek? (Kinky though wearing a spandex body suit the exact same colour as your flesh!
A couple of bits have now arrived so I can crack on with my “scratch built” monster now, all I need it the time!
At least I can get my other two submissions done.
Cheers Roger.
Great to hear, Roger. I’m looking forward as always to seeing what you do. It’s just an odd kind of creature; there’s not a lot written about it in the supplement, but seeing how it’s a pulp miniatures game, how much do we really need? It’s a big, mean monster that tears shit up and regenerates. ‘Nuff said.
Although, it would be nice to know if it wears clothes…
I know what you mean I had the same thing with “Stratos” from the “Master of the Universe” figs I did, is he wearing an all over body suit? if so why does it have clawed feet? if not why is the part of his face you can see under his helmet pink flesh? People just don’t think these things out (or is it sad that we do?).
Anyway, now he’s gone, what’s the deal with that Dave Stone right! I mean he ain’t all that
right sister, I mean whatever, actually can’t talk here, email me and we can really dish on him!!!!
Cheers Roger.
See. Dave? It’s not me, it’s Roger.
(Psst: Roger….email incoming!)
Looking good!
Thank you, sir!