Sunday, February 3, 2019

'Mercenary' from MichaelA: The Doctor will see you now


The Doctor will see you now.

Maligning the galaxy’s favourite, but oh so rogue, Archaeologist as a mercenary, might be considered unjust, but when none other than Lord Vader hires you to assist with acquiring his own droid army, following the disastrous battle of Yavin, then it is surely a difficult epithet to dislodge?

For those that are perhaps unfamiliar with the good Doctor’s work, Aphra is an expanded universe character that shares a time line with Darth Vader and was introduced through Marvel Comic’s Darth Vader publications. I am quite a recent convert to the Expanded Universe, I used to like my Star Wars unadulterated, as pure as the driven snow on the ice fields of Hoth, if you will, but have found Dr. Aphra to be one of the more entertaining additions. Ably assisted by two homicidal droids, BT-1 and 0-0-0, Dr. Aphra has an unnerving habit of being in all the wrong places with all the wrong people, at always the wrong time. In short, Aphra’s exploits are often hugely entertaining, if a little bit silly.

So in keeping with my self imposed Star Wars theme for the challenge, I present Vader’s Mercenaries, Dr. Aphra, BT-1 and 0-0-0. The droids, BT-1 and 0-0-0, are plastic sculpts from Imperial Assault by ‘Fantasy Flight Games’, and were relatively straightforward, lots of metallic paint and washes, but that in itself can often present its own challenges. Dr. Aphra, however, was a completely different experience. She is a custom print from Skull Forge Studios, released under the alias Professor Moxi, and I had mine 3D Printed by those good people at Shapeways in the Netherlands.

Now from the start, let’s be clear about this, having one’s armies printed in this matter is economically unviable at this point. The individual pieces are breathtakingly expensive, but I have long been curious as to process and it is interesting to see just how far this technology has come and just what it is already capable of. You only need look at the pieces produced by our own Snowlord, Curt to witness its potential. 



The availability of software means that creative chaps can produce truly unique or previously unavailable items that can then be delivered to your door. A word of warning though, as what started as a curious investigation has soon developed into a fully fledge obsession, with new ‘must have’ designs appearing all the time!

Some of the more reasonably priced elements that can be found on eBay have the tell tale lines as each layer of printed material is built up. Shapeways however are using the latest industry standard machines and with their grand prix ‘smoothest fine detail’ can produce prints that are really starting to hold their own against cast versions.


Back to my entry and given that Aphra has been scaled for the more heroic Star Wars: Legion in mind there was quite a height discrepancy between Aphra and her loyal bodyguards. At present, I have resorted to doubling up the droids bases to try and sell the illusion, not perfect, but I am quite forgiving when it comes to such matters.
When it came to painting Dr. Aphra, I simply resorted to the comic book colours, but couldn’t bring myself to attempt the circuit board tattoo that she sports. There was very little difference painting a 3D print as opposed to cast sculpt and so expect more impulse buys I the near future.

24 comments:

  1. Love these! I'll have to ask you for your recipe for BT-1 and 0-0-0 as they are brilliant.

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    1. Thank you Curt, not a problem I have it written down somewhere.

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  2. Nice entry - interesting take on 3D printing - your piece looks great. I'd love to have a printer (and the ability to use it!) for conversion bits.

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    1. Thank you, there is no doubt that this technology will, and to extents already is, going to have an impact on the hobby.

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  3. Lovely brushwork mate. Your metallics are wonderful!

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    1. Thank you, really pleased with the finish on the two droids.

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  4. Nice work. I've seen the comic, but never read it, maybe it's time to change that.

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  5. Lovely finish, great looking doctor and superb looking droids!
    Best Iain

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  6. Great work and thanks for the tips on the printed stuff.

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    1. Be careful Paul, it is a slippery slope, I have just placed another order myself!

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  7. Wonderful work Micheal you really achieved a nice metallic effect!

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  8. I'm waiting for an Aphra figure to call my own- yours is lovely.

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    1. Thank you Barks, it seemed odd that Imperial Assault having done one, especially having done the droids.

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  9. Very nice work Michael. Those are sinister looking droids.

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    1. Thank you Peter, and sinister isn't the half of it! If they are not cutting or blowing up something then it hasn't been a good day.

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  10. Gobsmackingly good work, Michael, a real treat for the eye!

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    1. Thank you so much Ev, that is really kind of you.

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  11. Great stuff, really nice paintjob on these three. I'm tempted to stump up for Dr Aphra as she's a great character in the comics. I'd be tempted to convert the wookie from the Imperial Assault starter set into Black Krrsantan to accompany these three.

    I'd love to see these three transition into the films at some point

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    1. Thank you Paul, I was thinking the same thing with regards to Black Krrsantan, I just ran out of time.

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