Sunday, May 18, 2014

Michael J. Tresca gave 2 stars to: Berkeley, Zombie Hunter (1) Miniature

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


Berkeley, Zombie Hunter (1) Miniature by Reaper Miniatures


2.0 out of 5 stars Don't be a Berkeley. Use a shotgun instead., May 18, 2014


Do you have a zombie escape plan? If not, you should. But there's a saying in the apolcayptic survival biz that we use when people run for the obvious weapon established by Ashley J. Williams of "Evil Dead": Don't be a Berkeley. Why? We'll let TVTropes explain:



While cool, there are good reasons the chainsaw is not exactly the first choice among melee weapons in the real world; chainsaws are heavy and hard to swing with any degree of finesse, have poor reach compared to their weight, require fuel or an external power source, make a lot of noise, and will tear through the person wielding them just as cheerfully as the intended victim... Chainsaws are also prone to a phenomenon called "kickback" where one tooth of the blade contacts something without cutting it and the resulting shock throws the blade backwards violently, often right at the unfortunate operator's head; obviously, this is all the more likely to happen when they're being used as a weapon. The chain also runs the danger of snapping and whipping the user in the process. Fictional chainsaws also have the ability to start instantly, with one pull of the starter handle, unlike in Real Life where they require several pulls and most models will need to warm up for at least 30 seconds or they'll immediately die when you try to cut something. Most Real Life chainsaws also dull in seconds if they touch anything harder than wood. Finally, running out of fuel or suffering a broken chain or clutch will leave the erstwhile chainsaw maniac holding a big, unwieldy and rather useless club.



Worse, it appears Berkeley has not one but TWO perfectly serviceable blades on her person that remain sheathed. And oh yeah, there's a zombie hand trailing her torn-up pants, which means she ran through zombies to get this chainsaw that is of likely little use. She did think to wear a glove at least, so kudos on her for safety.



Julie Guthrie's sculpt unfortunately suffers in the conversion from metal to Bonesium. The zombie hand is little more than a blob near her foot (I didn't realize what it was until I saw the picture on the Reaper site) and her round face loses all detail to become a vague mask. Not recommended in Bones format.



Fighting zombies? Don't be a Berkeley. Use a shotgun instead.



Michael J. Tresca gave 3 stars to: NOVA Corporate Security Guard

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


NOVA Corporate Security Guard by Reaper Miniatures


3.0 out of 5 stars Did you know NOVA Corp also guards things?, May 18, 2014


NOVA Corp does a lot of things: shooting, missing, getting shot. But what most heroes don't realize is that NOVA Corp also guards things. Oh, yeah, they guard everything: priceless gems from other worlds, dangerous prisoners from other worlds, and visiting dignitaries from other worlds. If you're down on your luck and considering a career with NOVA, security guard might be a good fit.



Here are a list of skills you'll need to be a member of the prestigious security guard:

* Distracted by any sound, you will immediately investigate by yourself.

* You can be knocked unconscious with a tap to the head, even when wearing a helmet.

* You have no ability to distinguish anything out of the ordinary, including copies, fakes, doppelgangers, and people acting like they want to steal something from you who are poorly disguised.

* You never call for backup (who needs those stuck-up NOVA corp soldiers anyway?).



There's a much longer list, see TVTropes for more.



The dirty secret is that there's absolutely nothing that distinguishes a NOVA Corp soldier from a guard. The difference is all in their heads. A great companion sculpt to the soldier version, but don't tell them that.



Michael J. Tresca gave 3 stars to: Nova Corp Soldier RPR 50103

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


Nova Corp Soldier RPR 50103 by Reaper


3.0 out of 5 stars Need a future soldier? You could do worse than Nova Corp., May 18, 2014

This review is from: Nova Corp Soldier RPR 50103 (Toy)

It's not easy being a soldier in Nova Corp. Oh sure, there's the hazard pay, the vacation time, and the merit-based increases that happen sporadically and without warning every couple of years, assuming you survive that long. But then there's the whole "getting shot by heroes" clause that's in your contract.

What? You didn't read that part? It's there, trust me, in the fine print at the end of page 287, Section C, part IV: Insurance. Yeah, there. Seems like insurance isn't something Nova Corp really offers, because there's a high mortality rate. Funny they didn't mention that when you signed up.



But don't worry, it's easy to advance. Most Nova Corp soldiers can't hit the broad side of a barn, which is why the officer test involves hitting the broad side of a barn. Rumor has it that they changed the test so you actually had to shoot it after Garvin Markus passed his test by running up to the barn and smacking it with his rifle.



Need a future soldier? You could do worse than Nova Corp.



Michael J. Tresca gave 4 stars to: Nova Corp

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


Nova Corp: Female (3) Miniature by Reaper Miniatures


4.0 out of 5 stars You know your department has a diversity problem when part of your title begins with "female.", May 18, 2014


You know your department has a diversity problem when part of your title begins with "female." You can imagine how introductions might go for the token female of each department: Female Human Resources Specialist, Female Information Technology Engineer, Female Chief Financial Officer. "Male" isn't in Nova Corp titles because Nova Corp is a sausage-fest.



But whoever she is should get mad props for making it to officer in such a male-dominated environment. She has the usual kit of Nova Corp: environmental backpack, tear gas grenades, and the symbol of every officer -- a pistol. The one thing she didn't get was a badge.



It's odd that Ms. Officer has no badge on her chest like everyone else, including the male officers, have. It's possible they were concerned about having people look at her chest, but seems more likely that it was just an oversight. I painted it on my sculpt. Overall, a good female sci-fi trooper.



Michael J. Tresca gave 4 stars to: Garvin Markus, Nova Cor (1) Miniature

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


Garvin Markus, Nova Cor (1) Miniature by Reaper Miniatures


4.0 out of 5 stars Being a manager has its privileges, May 18, 2014


Garvin Markus is the only Nova Corp character who has any personality. He's not wearing his helmet, which is surely out of regulation, but he's a manager so that's okay. Being a manager has its privileges. And you know what THAT means:



"Ah, ah, I almost forgot... I'm also going to need you to go ahead and come in on Sunday to shoot up those shadowrunners, too. We, uhhh, lost some soldiers this week and we sorta need to play catch-up. Mmmmmkay? Thaaaaaanks. I'm going to need those TPS reports... ASAP..."



Despite the fact that he is most assuredly special, gets incentive pay, and has a staff of thousands, I painted him just like all the other Nova Corp team members in blue and white.



Michael J. Tresca gave 3 stars to: Nova Corp

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


Nova Corp: Rifleman (3) Miniature by Reaper Miniatures


3.0 out of 5 stars Of all the Nova Corp employees, this one is the most generic, May 18, 2014


Nova Corp is the Reaper equivalent of a Stormtrooper, with the additional spin that it's a corporation, so that means these are not just guys who can't shoot straight, but office drones who work in cubes all day before they're allowed outside. Fired at will, they pretty much hoping somebody will kill them before they have to go back to work.



Of all the Nova Corp employees, this one is the most generic. He has the usual Nova Corp kit: the power/filtration unit strapped to his back, some grenades (that are most assuredly tear gas grenades or he would blown himself up by now), and of course the ubiquitous rifle.



I painted all my Nova Corp figs the same (what's the point otherwise?) in generic military blue with white accents, to make them look appropriately corporate.



Michael J. Tresca gave 4 stars to: Zalash, Dark Elf Assassin (1) Miniature

Michael J. Tresca reviewed:


Zalash, Dark Elf Assassin (1) Miniature by Reaper Miniatures


4.0 out of 5 stars a suitable elf assassin, May 18, 2014


Have a little sympathy for poor Zalash. Sure, almost all assassins seems to use two blades, and Zalash is no different. The problem is EVERY drow in the Reaper line uses two weapons, including their warriors, which makes Zalash pretty much like everybody else. With his two wicked blades and tattered, holey cloak, Zalash doesn't have a whole lot going for him.



Zalash has the usual leather wraps that pass for armor. That said, sculptor Bobby Jackson still manages to make Zalash look like a drow with unique proportions. Of all the sculpts in this line, Zalash shows off his long limbs, making a striking silhouette.



Zalash makes a suitable elf assassin, although definitely an evil one.