MONDO - THE THING

Asta · Aug 17, 2024

Heavy Metal Spike said:
You'll work it out mate - no worries. Given the abilities we have here, any number of "fixes" will get documented, and then us "less able" folks can pick and choose results from talented people like yourself per our preferences.

This thread is an awesome example of just how many SERIOUSLY qualified folks we have here - regardless of our opinions differing . . . and we're always polite to each-other too!

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I went for it.

I'd used double sided tape on the collar yesterday when it was on the Zendaya figure, so that part was already sorted.

Given the confidence that xvsopx had shown it was possible to stretch the jacket I tried doing that before putting it on. The material isn't as elastic as some formulas of pleather, and there was no noticeable improvement.

So it was onto the figure with it - bearing in mind this is the Mondo body with the traps cut down, sides reduced severely to allow the arms to close up to the body, and the biceps slimmed.

I had to be brutal with the jacket to force it up from his back and over his shoulders so that the epaulettes were sitting in the right place.

And it pretty much worked...

It still seems to be a bit short at the front, but that's the full length of the jacket. The only solution for that would be a body with a slightly shorter torso.

Evidence of the double sided tape under the back of the collar revealed itself, which wasn't surprising considering the fight the jacket put up!

It's almost there. The epaulettes should forward slightly more, which would lengthen the front and shorten the back so they're level.

Don't know which jacket I prefer, because they're both compromises. The DID is fuller fit with longer sleeves, but the Mondo is technically more accurate and has nicer looking fur.

I'll carry on working on it as I'm sure there's still room for improvement with some gentle, or no so gentle persuasion.

Asta · Aug 17, 2024

This is encouraging...

The current length of the jacket looks about right judging by this still, gauging the distance between the flight suit zip and the hem. The jacket also looks undone here, meaning it's hanging, rather than being drawn up by it's own zip.

Asta · Aug 17, 2024

Comparison to the still, with the Mondo jacket undone:

And back to zipped after trying to futz some more, but there really isn't much wiggle room for futzing:

Asta · Aug 17, 2024

Last post for now, I promise. :lol

The best pose options with this jacket look to be with the arms straighter to accommodate the shorter sleeves:

(Poor trigger discipline, Mac, but at least you won't drop it!)

Agentbutterman · Aug 17, 2024

PizzaCake said:
I think we’re all just thankful that they evolved away from these:
View attachment 720676 View attachment 720677

In any case, mine is arriving later today, excited to unbox and get to work! It was always going to be an overly expensive kit figure, in that regard I don’t feel like it strayed too far from the preorder proto. Need a Mac!

Thanks to everyone for the photos preparing us for what to expect, and how to get started improving!

Asta · Aug 17, 2024

cpoll36's suggestion of using a makeup sponge to apply the weathering gave me the idea of using a small piece of washing up sponge.

magpie9's amazing weathering was the inspiration, though I didn't have the confidence I could match it.

I used Games Workshop Graveyard Earth acrylic paint as I had on the DID jacket, and with the sponge it felt much more natural than using a brush. It took several passes, stopping to take photos, blowing them up to see missing areas. It's hard to know when to stop, because some of the original leather surface needs to remain in places.

In the end this is where I got to.

(The camera flash shows up the weathering, but isn't kind to his face and hair!)

I'm pleased with the result because it could've gone very wrong. :lol

The elasticated hem tends to wrinkle up, particularly on his left hand side. It's not due the jacket being tight any more, but the fold in the hem itself not being perfectly aligned. I think if it was made wet and pulled straight it would sort that out.

His flight suit legs could do with some weathering now, and maybe the flamethrower straps too, but I'll have to find some reference photos, or watch the movie again.

As an aside, I tested the two handed flamethrower pose and managed to get his right cuff to cover his wrist joint. Though went back to the double weapon option as it looked a more interesting option. I imagine him arming up ready for the battle to come, planning to keep his shotgun near at hand for when the flamethrower runs dry.

dantes2501 · Aug 17, 2024

@Asta what did you use to glue the studs on the DiD jacket?

magpie9 · Aug 17, 2024

Asta said:
cpoll36's suggestion of using a makeup sponge to apply the weathering gave me the idea of using a small piece of washing up sponge.

magpie9's amazing weathering was the inspiration, though I didn't have the confidence I could match it.

I used Games Workshop Graveyard Earth acrylic paint as I had on the DID jacket, and with the sponge it felt much more natural than using a brush. It took several passes, stopping to take photos, blowing them up to see missing areas. It's hard to know when to stop, because some of the original leather surface needs to remain in places.

In the end this is where I got to.

(The camera flash shows up the weathering, but isn't kind to his face and hair!)

View attachment 720755
View attachment 720756 View attachment 720757 View attachment 720758
View attachment 720759 View attachment 720760 View attachment 720762 View attachment 720763

I'm pleased with the result because it could've gone very wrong.

The elasticated hem tends to wrinkle up, particularly on his left hand side. It's not due the jacket being tight any more, but the fold in the hem itself not being perfectly aligned. I think if it was made wet and pulled straight it would sort that out.

His flight suit legs could do with some weathering now, and maybe the flamethrower straps too, but I'll have to find some reference photos, or watch the movie again.

As an aside, I tested the two handed flamethrower pose and managed to get his right cuff to cover his wrist joint. Though went back to the double weapon option as it looked a more interesting option. I imagine him arming up ready for the battle to come, planning to keep his shotgun near at hand for when the flamethrower runs dry.

Looks loads better.

dantes2501 · Aug 17, 2024

What boots did you order?

Asta · Aug 17, 2024

dantes2501 said:
@Asta what did you use to glue the studs on the DiD jacket?

Bostik All Purpose Clear Glue.

It's the stringy kind so I squeezed some onto a cocktail stick then tweezered the button onto the glue.

After deciding on going with Mondo's I weathered the DID some more, removed the fur collar and put it on the VTS Dark Zone Agent I'd bashed into a TLOU2 Washington Liberation Front fighter (he was previously wearing a spare Joel Winter coat, so the leather jacket provided much needed differentiation).

While I hadn't applied any glue directly to the collar, and only glued the sections of fur to the double sided tape, pulling the tape off revealed what I suspected: DID's A-2 isn't genuine leather.

It's bonded leather (particles of leather fused together on a fabric backing), which became evident when the tape pulled up a tiny bit of the surface.

This is MacReady now back on display:

JacktheRipper · Aug 17, 2024

You guys are making me want to buy this figure just to work on it. That's the fun part. However, it's about $240 and I don't get some of those nifty extras. I'm not completely sold on the sculpts. At times they look good. Sometimes goofy and nothing like Russell. The clothes seem like the worse part. There is a threshold on how much I'm willing to pay for a figure that needs a lot of work. This one is past that threshold, but I'm tempted.

robbiethepainter · Aug 17, 2024

JacktheRipper said:
You guys are making me want to buy this figure just to work on it. That's the fun part. However, it's about $240 and I don't get some of those nifty extras. I'm not completely sold on the sculpts. At times they look good. Sometimes goofy and nothing like Russell. The clothes seem like the worse part. There is a threshold on how much I'm willing to pay for a figure that needs a lot of work. This one is past that threshold, but I'm tempted.

Same for me. But I also find modifying figures part of the fun. I'll wait till it discounts and then pick it up.

Heavy Metal Spike · Aug 17, 2024

magpie9 said:
Looks loads better.

Agreed - MUCH better! :clap

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Wor-Gar · Aug 17, 2024

Incredible improvement on the jackets, guys.

I wasn't sure what to say about this figure at first, but I've been checking in knowing people would start to bash and correct the problems.

Making a fully "fresh out of the cold" "frozen MacReady would look great also. I hope someone tries that. Looking forward to a full repaint on that head too.

BTW, if anyone is looking for a blue hoodie, there's tons on ebay (just need to dye the right color maybe)

Heavy Metal Spike · Aug 17, 2024

Asta said:
On opening the box the first thing that reminded me of vintage Sideshow was the paintwork. It has that heavy application rather than layers of shading. It's most evident on the dog and spider.

The box itself was also retro Sideshow (and current Threezero) - an end opener made from cardboard as thin as a cereal packet.

It has a wonky body - Sideshow's were wonky in a different way,, being skinny and floppy, though they were capable of more dynamic posing (sometimes unintentionally due to their floppiness!)

This was a $265 figure delivered free from China, which is the same as buying a $265 figure from OneSixthKit, who ships out of China with delivery included. Though it's difficult to make a comparison with figures priced similarly - you could get a more basic Hot Toys that would be much higher quality throughout, but MacReady comes with the dog and the spider.

These reviews went up a few hours ago:

Finally found time to watch these vids (thanks for posting).

The 1st is 42mins, and the 2nd 14mins, but both are well worth watching . . . particularly if - like me - you don't have your copy in-hand yet.

The guy who made the first is obviously a HUGE fan of the movie, and it's such a shame that his arrived with the box slightly damaged and with a massive issue with Mac's left leg. Have to be honest - if I get something like that, it's going back for a replacement - totally unacceptable.

I resisted (so far) posting a comment on his video about perhaps this being the final proof that Mac WAS assimilated by the end of the movie :horror

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PizzaCake · Aug 17, 2024

As I prefer the primary sculpt, decided to mess around on the 2nd “frozen” head first…wanted to see what was under the hood, as I’ve been toying with the idea of using that sculpt to attempt rooting.

The helmet hair is just that…popped off easily with some heat and gentle prying.

robbiethepainter · Aug 17, 2024

PizzaCake said:
As I prefer the primary sculpt, decided to mess around on the 2nd “frozen” head first…wanted to see what was under the hood, as I’ve been toying with the idea of using that sculpt to attempt rooting.

The helmet hair is just that…popped off easily with some heat and gentle prying.

View attachment 720803 View attachment 720804 View attachment 720805 View attachment 720806

Awesome. I want to mod it for hat and glasses. That will make it easy.

PizzaCake · Aug 17, 2024

robbiethepainter said:
Awesome. I want to mod it for hat and glasses. That will make it easy.

Same plan here! Hoping I can find a decent hat too…

Mr.E · Aug 17, 2024

Are the heads oversized?

kam veitch · Aug 17, 2024

I was bored so I decided to get the normal edition since I already have spider and dog.

Already have glasses, hat, lantern and will have to adapt gloves. I suspect we will get another Macready.

MONDO - THE THING

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