Tag Archives: Predator

REVIEW, Predastore’s Bone-Hunter

This is the second of a two-part review of the 28mm predator models currently available from Predastore.

Predastore has been fortunate with the talent they’ve been able to recruit to sculpt models for their catalog.  Sculpted by industry veteran Allan Carrasco, the Bone-Hunter predator is no exception.  (If you’re not familiar with Allan’s work already, be sure to check out his website; doubtless there’s something there you’ll recognize).

Unlike the Spear Hunter predator featured in my last review, the Bone-Hunter was cast in a cream resin.  Resin recipes can vary widely, and many contain additional ingredients like ceramic base materials (the item description for Hasslefree’s Artemis provides some information on this).  In the case of the Predastore models in my possession, I can’t detect any significant difference between the two resins used to cast the Bone-Hunter and Spear Hunter models.  The quality of both is excellent.  There are no air bubbles or gross miscasts; and any flash is so papery thin, that mold lines are minimal if not present at all.

Originally I wasn’t convinced by the compatibility of the “bone-hunter” theme with a race of aliens as technologically savvy as the predators, even knowing that this character was probably meant as a representative of their species in “prehistoric” days.   I’m over that, however.  I think the theme for this model synthesizes perfectly with the modus operandi of the race as whole: the devotion to challenging hunts in which predator and prey are *almost* equally matched, especially when that involves reducing technological advantages of any kind to a minimum in order to maximize the primal elements of the hunt.

The most impressive element on this model, however, is the face.  It’s absolutely perfect.  The amount of detail Allan was able to achieve in such a small area is remarkable.  On one level, that might make this model more of a challenge to paint; but it won’t be impossible by any means, and the reward will be worth it.

I have just one critique about this model.  As with the Spear Hunter predator, I think the locks are too much like hair.  In this sculpt, they’re “pulled back,” suggesting, together with the pose, a sudden and very rapid move forward.   The locks of the aliens in the films, however, were far too fleshy and weighty to be affected by such movement.  That being said, this is a very minor detail, and one that wouldn’t dissuade me from purchasing one.

As with all Predastore 28mm offerings, the Bone-Hunter is a limited edition model and is available from their website for about $21.00 USD (price includes worldwide shipping).

REVIEW, Predastore’s Spear Hunter

I’m pretty excited about this post.  Not only does it signal the return of the blue, ruled backdrop that I used for the comparison photos and review articles that helped establish Under the Mountain a few years ago; it’s also on a miniature based in a world I’ve had an interest in since my youth, the predator universe.

Predastore’s limited-edition Spear Hunter (38mm to the top of the head) was sculpted by Rémy Tremblay, one of the most talented sculptors in this industry.   The muscle mass and definition of Rémy’s sculpt suggest a character that is both powerful and lithe, the ideal combination for a hunter that relies largely on physical prowess for pursuing and subduing game.  This is also reflected in the minimal pieces of weaponry and armor, both of which have the perfect degree of detail and wear.  As noted in a Dawn of the Lead article on this model, however, one of the most impressive elements of this model is the netting on the torso.  The attention and care Rémy brought to this sculpt really shine with the netting, which lends this model the right amount of pop.

The Spear Hunter is a successful combination of detail and pose that coalesce to evoke the alien hunters from the first and second films.  The pose, for example, harkens back to the scene in Predator 2 where the alien hunter, after preparing his latest trophy for display, stands atop a skyscraper, raises his spear above his head, and lets out a cry to celebrate his triumph.  And the helmet, netting, and bird skull are obvious references to the alien in the first film.

The cast is a clean render of Rémy’s sculpt, although a small amount of cleaning and prepping will be required (as expected with any resin model).  I’m not sure where this was cast, however; and since I haven’t assembled my model yet, can’t comment in detail on the nature of the resin (that will come later).  For now I can only say that the resin seems to be of high quality.

I have just two critiques about this model.  First, it didn’t come with a base.  I realize this is rather trivial, since anyone who’s been in this hobby long enough likely has a small drawer stuffed with spare bases or will opt to feature the model on a plinth.  That being said, its absence is noticeable.

My second critique is about the head.  Two things don’t seem quite right to me: the dreadlocks and the size of the cranium.  The locks flow too more like hair; and unlike that of the aliens in the films, which are fuller, weightier, and fall straight down, the locks on this model appear to curl under slightly.

The skull is definitely smaller on this model than those of the film aliens.  In the DotL article, the reviewer noted that this model seems a little too thin for a predator.  I disagree, and think this is an optical illusion caused by the more human-sized cranium.

These two very minor issues aside, I’m more than happy with this model.  In my opinion, it’s by far one of the best not-predator models available, and I encourage anyone with an interest in the universe to pick one up while they can (they are limited, after all).  The model is currently available from the Predatore website for about $21.00 US (includes worldwide airmail shipping).

NOTE: For a second opinion on this model, be sure to check out Dawn of the Lead’s review article, which also features the variety of not-predator models currently available from Heresy (Hurn Headtaker), Copplestone Castings (Hunter Aliens), Ainsty (INAPs), and more from Predastore (Bone-Hunter).

PREDATOR MINIATURES, A DotL Review

Predastore models from Dawn of the Lead's review

Dawn of the Lead has just uploaded a great review of many of the “predator” models featured in earlier articles (older and recent) published here.  I was particularly interested in his opinions on Heresy’s Hurn, which is sadly now out of print (see the new version here), and the Predastore models I featured in my last article.

I haven’t ordered a hurn yet, but my order from Predastore is on the way.  I’ll be sure to post a review once they arrive.

NOTE: photo featured here is copyright © Dawn of the Lead.

PREDASTORE, Predator Models

Chasing-Hunter predator (sculpted by Rémy TREMBLAY)

Among the more popular posts on this site is one I wrote more than a year ago on companies that make models based on the alien characters in the Predator franchise.  I had to update the post a few times almost immediately, as predators proved a popular theme in the miniatures world that summer.  No doubt this interest was stimulated by the release of the film Predators at about the same time.  A year has passed and the attention of the greater public has moved on to other things; but there are still people visiting my site, and that original post in particular, looking for sources of predator models for their games and display.

It’s time for another update: have you ever heard of Predastore?

Predator (sculpted by Rémy TREMBLAY)

I first previewed a Predastore model here in an administrative update (company links) back in October 2010, a 35mm model sculpted by Rémy TREMBLAY.  At the time, Predastore was focused more on its line of 1/6-scale predator models; but they’ve demonstrated (and this much I’ve confirmed with the owner, Cedric) an increasing interest in producing models in the size most gamers and hobbyists prefer.  Featured here, for example, are just three of Predastore’s latest releases in the 28-35mm range: Chasing-Hunter predator (sculpted by Rémy TREMBLAY), Bone-Hunter predator (sculpted by Allan Carrasco), and the female Jungle-Predette predator (sculpted by Gael Goumon).

Chasing-Hunter predator (sculpted by Rémy TREMBLAY)

Bone-Hunter predator (sculpted by Allan Carrasco)

Jungle-Predette female predatore (sculpted by Gael Goumon)

If you like what you see, visit the Predastore website to place an order or get more information about their range and upcoming projects.  Definitely put the company on your watch list.  Predastore is commissioning some of the most talented artists in the industry, and, given the popularity of the subject, they’re sure to be around for a while.  I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.