Today's Minis?

[Chauzu]

What is up with the minis nowadays? Why do they look so cartoonish compared to the old TSR ones?

If they still made realistic-lookin ones I would start buying them again, but I find these new ones too goofy.

 

[Tewligan]

What is up with the minis nowadays? Why do they look so cartoonish compared to the old TSR ones?

I remember when I could ride the trolley across town and see the latest Flash Gordon serial for a nickel! And I still had money left over to buy a malted and some funny books over at old man Johnson's pharmacy!

Oh, funny me (wipes tears of hilarity from eyes). Anyway, I don't think today's minis are bad, for the most part. By "cartoonish", I'm guessing that you're thinking of the Games Workshop style, which is pretty exaggerated. Reaper makes some solid stuff, though. I like Ral Partha's stuff, and I remember my FLGS used to carry some stuff by Harlequin that was pretty good (of course some was lackluster, too - they were a mixed bag). Actually, when I think about it, I like most available figures today over the old TSR stuff. Nostalgia is nice and all, but a lot of TSR's older stuff was pretty damn weak in the detail department. Today's minis tend to have more animation and expression, IMO - a combination of more skilled sculptors and more advanced casting methods, I would imagine. Maybe the crisper sculpting and generally larger scale contribute to the cartoony feel for you? Anyway, I'm quite happy with today's offerings - if I never see TSR's "Magic Users & Illusionists" boxed set rear its misshapen head again, that'll be fine with me.

 

[Chauzu]

I've seen Reaper's stuff, and is too cartoonish to me (the humanoids, the monsters are alright to me). Could you send me links to Ral Partha's and Harlequin's.

 

[Mark]

Re: Re: Today's Minis?

- if I never see TSR's "Magic Users & Illusionists" boxed set rear its misshapen head again, that'll be fine with me.

heh heh heh

 

[Tewligan]

Phew! Yer stinkin' up my monitor, Mark! I can smell those vaguely conehead-shaped stinklumps from here.

 

[Mark]

Actually only four of the dozen minis have cone hats, which is a sign of those times I suppose. Some of the others may turn out quite nice with the right paint jobs. Of course, they are more "posey" and not as action-oriented as, say, a Reaper character mini, but I prefer to have some variety in my collection.

You can check out the full dozen on my minis pages (link in sig) under the TSR section.

 

[benhamtroll]

Reaper cartoony?

I'm curious what you mean by cartoony. I will agree that Games Workshoop is quite goofy looking, but Reaper has always seemed quite good. I've found the features to be finely done and the poses (mostly) realistic.

What strikes you as cartoony about them?

 

[Azure Trance]

Personally, I like other minis to (most of) Reapers which are more detailed. Would these be cartoony (they are Confrontation Minis)? Granted their painted in an exceptional manner but the detail of the minis are still there.

 

[Gizzard]

Would these be cartoony?

Well, if by "cartoony" you mean "has a sword as big as her entire body" or "wears a breastplate that is more intriguing than functional", I'd have to answer "yes". ;-)

Disclaimer: I do have a blister of Fiannas waiting to be painted, nearly entirely because of Jen Haley's fabulous work with those minis. So its not as if I dont like them. But they are cartoony.

 

[Darius101]

Ummm cartoony?
Anime like maybe but not bugs bunny cartoonish.

I like the confrontation mini's ...many of the newer ones are fantastic. Mira and the Red Lioness are two of my favorites.

Warhammer figs are a little exagerated but when painted right they look great and will hold up to play.

The Iron Wind/Ral Partha are good except they are now on the small side as reaper and warhammer lines changed the size of figs from 25mm to 28mm and now reaper is going to 30mm/ I use the Ral Partha for elves and such.

Just my 2cents.....