It’s dangerous to go alone, TAKE THESE!
Sometimes, you just have to look to the amazing talents of the action figure community to get what you need, and if you read my feature on the figma Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Words figure, you probably learned in no uncertain terms that I love the LoZ franchise, and I love that figure because of how it harkens back to the classic Link design. Sure, it is not exactly like the old Nintendo game artwork, but it is definitely the closest thing we have ever gotten in a deluxe collector-grade figure. I really had no problem displaying the figure as-is as my favorite Link figure ever. At least for a while …
It all started when I was examining the figure and thought, “Man, this is probably the closest I am gonna get to a Link that looks like my favorite version: the NES artwork Link.” Back before Link took on a decided “anime” look, he was more “impish” in his portrayal as the hero of the Hyrule Fantasy. But I was willing to overlook some of the aesthetic differences because the figure is really great; it is so great, in fact, that I decided to get TWO more figures just to paint up the standard Red and Blue Tunic versions. Well, that was my first slip down the rabbit hole.
Before I knew it, I was in need of some weapons that resembled the original sword and shield. While not as ornate as the LBW weaponry, I have a great affection for the wooden, white, and magical swords, as well as the iconic cross shield. But what was I to do? Well, as I do when I have a toy-related quandary, I looked to the Fwoosh, and, as usual, I did not have look any further. I am a regular in the Video Game board, and a specific Fwoosher came right to mind as someone who might be able to help me out.
I had been an admirer of dauntingmountain‘s work for a long time, and his (mostly) Mario and Kirby accessories available via his ShapeWays shop have always been top-notch. So I really wasted no time in contacting him to see if he could help me out, and help he most certainly did. Before I knew it, he had completed digital sculpts of the basic sword and standard and magic shields, and I knew I was going to be getting exactly what I needed.
I ordered three swords, along with two standard shields and one magic shield to help outfit my three different Links. The arrived and I knew right away the sculpts were spot-on, and, while classic in nature, still built to fit in well with this modern action figure. I painted them based on the old instruction book artwork for the shields and the NES game color patterns for the swords, and I was ready to rock. Frankly, even with my mediocre painting skills, these things look WONDERFUL.
But I wasn’t done — I also wanted a new face for Link based on the vintage artwork, and again, DM delivered with a sculpt that fits perfectly into the facial configuration of the figure. It has softer and smaller features than the more modern aesthetic, and the shapes are all represented very well. It is actually a lot better than my painting makes it out to be (I REALLY wish I had time to practice more painting), so if you want to go all the way with your vintage-inspired Link, definitely go for this piece, too.
I cannot tell you how pleased I am to have these new pieces, and my vintage Links look GREAT. I am so thankful to dauntingmountain for creating these and in such fine fashion; they really complete the looks I was wanting. The best part, though? All of what you see featured here are up at the ShapeWays shop, where you can order all of these (and a lot other rad stuff), and with just a touch of paint, they are ready to rock and look really, really nice.
So if you are into these (and if you are a classic LoZ fan, you should be), hit up DM’s ShapeWays site and get your order in. The pieces are all VERY reasonably priced, and they do a great job of making the classic-inspired Link Between Worlds figure even MORE classic:
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/dauntingmountain
I want to think dauntingmountain for making this possible; it is exactly what I needed.
But wait … THERE’S MORE!
We were also lucky enough to get dauntingmountain to answer some questions about his work, inspiration, and a really cool Kickstarter project coming soon. Check it out!
Thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions, and thanks for creating some awesome classic accessories for the new figma ALBW Link figure.
How long have you been doing 3D sculpture and modeling, and what brought you to it?
I started playing around with 3D modeling in mid-2012 to make custom miniatures for HeroClix. It wasn’t until early 2015 that I felt confident enough to offer things for other people. I only 3D modeled a hobby, so it definitely has been a learning process.
For the most part, you seem to focus on augmenting figures from video game properties, is this a melding of passions for you?
It started more out of curiosity than passion. I love Mario and Super Smash Bros., but I buy maybe two or three video games a year, and S.H.Figuarts Mario was the first toy I bought since high school. I thought maybe he could use more hands and props, so I started playing around!
Do you collect a lot of action figures, or do you do this for the creative process rather than a person need for the pieces themselves?
I live in New York City, so my apartment isn’t big enough for a display. I keep them on rotation at my work desk. I buy some action figures, mostly the the World of Nintendo line. My day job has nothing to do with 3D modeling or toys, so what I’ve made has been a lot of fun and great practice.
What is the most satisfying part of creating these pieces?
I make them as a way for people to enjoy their toys more. I’ve wanted accessories or figures that I knew would never be mass produced. They’d have been a ton of effort to hand make, and then, if I show it off, it would have been more about pride in accomplishing something for myself than being able to share it. 3D printing allows me to make something and let other people have it, too.
What is usually the biggest challenge when you create accessories, or add-on pieces?
Trying to design for something I don’t own. I can usually get a pretty good idea of how big a weapon or accessory should be by product listings, but sometimes I need more precise measurements. Even then, sometimes it prints with a little bit of warping or shrinking, but I try to design everything so it can survive that.
Do you have a favorite piece so far?
I love my Koopa Clown Car. It’s so simple but adds so much to a display. It has a moving propeller with no assembly, and looks great on Tamashii Nation stands. I designed it when it was previewed in Super Mario Maker, before the WoN Bowser Jr. had been announced. I was so happy when he fit perfectly! That Bowser Jr. is my favorite figure, too, so the Clown Car gets even more points.
You have a great deal of cool things available at your ShapeWays shop, do you normally look to create things to align with current trends and releases, or do you do what you are passionate about?
I do this as a fan, and I ride the same hype train as everyone else! When a new announcement excites me, I look at it and go “wouldn’t it be cool if…” I think everybody does that, and this is how I’ve learned to make it happen!
Like when the Nendoroid Kirby came out, I was inspired by all the ways he could be displayed, but still wanted more. I went on an accessory-making frenzy! All the Kirby items in my shop were made within a week of receiving him. On the other side, I try not to do things only to sell them. When Pokémon Go came out, I whipped up some emblems for the Teams. It felt hollow, and I didn’t put them up.
You have posted some pictures of some more ambitious projects, can you tell us about creating full-fledged figures? How do you go about doing it?
I’ll let you know when I figure out the right way to go about doing it! There are a lot of pitfalls with the materials available to print in. You can’t just emulate conventional action figures’ joints, and you’ve got to be very conscious of price. My first full figure was Ness, and I’ve learned more than I ever expected to know since then. I am pretty confident with my current joints, but it’s been a long, expensive process to get here! I just finished a Ganondorf for a client, but I’m pretty sure I’d have gone about it completely differently now.
Do you have anything currently in hopper that you are looking forward to unveiling for your shop?
I’ve got some accessories in mind for Articulated Icons if that’s not going to step on any toes. I think everything I made for the A Link Between Worlds Figma is great, especially for people looking for a more classic look. Otherwise I don’t have anything lined up for my shop for a while. I’m working on commissions, my Kickstarter, and my dang “real job.”
I really love all of the Mario and Zelda things you to offer as they are two of my favorite properties, do you enjoy working with your favorite properties, or does it add a bit of stress to get things perfect?
I do! I don’t put out anything I wouldn’t buy. Luckily, these characters have had so many iterations and designs over the years, there’s a lot to draw from. Any imperfections are just artistic interpretations, wink wink.
Now, I am a big Mega Man fan, any chance you might be giving some love to that property any time soon?
I played around with making an NES / Smash Bros.-proportioned Mega Man, but then the Sentinel one was a announced. I try not to make sell items that would directly parallel licensed products in-print. I might make a Beat one day, because that bird is hilarious.
Now, you have a new project that is in the early stages, can you tell us more about what is going on at http://herostudio.tumblr.com ?
Hero Studio will let you make fully customizable, on-demand action figures! You’ll be able to morph proportions, choose facial features, and select clothes, armor, hair, and more. You’ll receive an easy-to-assemble model kit with pieces that snap together without any strings, screws, or glue. They’ll be highly articulated and available starting at 1/18, 1/12, and 1/10 scales (or anything in-between!).
What are you hoping to accomplish via the Kickstarter?
Hero Studio is a different undertaking than other toy and action figure Kickstarters. Most of the pledge money will still go to manufacturing orders, but the startup costs are different. Instead of tooling, Hero Studio’s major investment will be creating an easy-to-use, in-browser app and filling it with exciting options for your figure. Ideally, the Kickstarter will be successful enough to let the team step away from just working on Hero Studio on nights and weekends so we can give it our all.
What would you like everyone to know about your work that we have not asked?
I am taking commissions! Contact [email protected] with details about what you’d like. Anything from accessories to fully articulated figures!
I’m also on Twitter http://twitter.com/KitCallenDeluxe and dauntingmountain.tumblr.com
Awesome, thanks for so much for taking the time to work on this stuff, and best of luck with the upcoming Kickstarter project!
