MOC: Toa Iniko

 And for now, something completely different! I mean, three years has passed since the end of Bionicle (and I have to say that I don't miss it, really) so I'm sure everyone is drooling to see some ol' good Toa-Mods! Either way, here's Iniko. He's a veteran Toa of Earth from Bio-Klaani, an organization fighting against the evil Nazorak empire in the Klaanon collaboration novel thing.

As a big number of "good guys" in Klaanon are actually former members of Bio-Klaani, Finnish (formerly) Bionicle-based (formerly) forum, I had some inspiration material for this MOC. Iniko, who disappeared probably in 2009 or 2010 has some old self-MOCs in his Brickshelf folder, so I began building a somewhat "modernized" version. I took the black-purple color scheme, as the it is very striking (the old purple is one of my favourite LEGO colors, but I rather dislike the current "dark purple") and the gold used in some versions didn't work very well to my eye. Because most of purple parts available are some a bit "retro-ish" Bionicle and TECHNIC parts from late 90s and early 00s (that's my early childhood) so this MOC came out as a combination of old and new action figure building techniques.

 There is actually even a classic gear function in this MOC due to Slizer (some call them throwbots) torso. When the small gear in the butt is turned, the body bends (see the last photo)! Well, not as snazzy as Tahu swinging his almighty Fire Sword, but at least that's something.

I made Iniko rather well armoured and wanted to achieve a look similar to Big Daddy of the first Kick-Ass movie. The HF pec armour and Drilldozer shoulder shell are some of my favourite HF pieces, and they worked suprisingly well with some black KK2 armoring, giving grand and well-armoured look. The round shaped also matched the black Miru quite well. Some basic Bionicle parts like Mata feet and Metru limbs make sure it still has some Bionicle aesthetics.

I changed the drill-like weapon to a bit more impressive pike with some scorpion blades, probably stolen from poor Lord Vladek. It's war after all. AND WAR IS HELL. IIiiiiIiIIIIIIIiiiiIIi!

-Pate-keetongu

MOC: Bofur

 Ahoy, more dwarves coming up! Today it is Bofur's turn. The dwarf with his famous hat and positive attitude is masterfully acted by Jimmy Nesbitt and was one of the more important dwarves in the first Hobbit film.

This dwarf was on a WIP stage since June. I ran out of fingers some time ago, and had to lend four from Dwalin. I should BL them, but damn I'm stingy! Kick me.

I'm very happy with Bofur's face, as the inverted 1x3 arc with some teeth (or a tooth) creates the iconic smile. The braid idea came from my friend Humppakeksi and Sweetsha's Metal Head beat me using it.

Bofur also has a smaller nose than the most of other dwarves.
The torso and limbs are similar to Bifur's, as the cousins used a very similar costumes. Bofur's scarf and belt bag make him unique, though, alongside with the furred boots (I'd like to have boots like that).

 I'm very happy with the wristbands, too. The underside of the plate has such a great pattern and I pondered a long time how to build them. The design isn't the most sturdiest one (the plates are connected to a 2x2 jumper which is connected to the 2x2 brick via a "stud-pin") but works on a display.

  Bofur is completed with his mining mattock, a perfect household tool to be buried in an orc skull. It was actually the first part I built for this dwarf: The LEGO design for it was on my mind almost immediately I saw it!

And last but not least, here's a group portrait of family B. Bifur has gone through some changes (the arms are sturdier and the head is more accurate. See another views here and here.

Have good time waiting the Desolation of Smaug premiere and the release of extended Unexpected Journey,

-Pate-keetongu

Scifi-figbarf: Volume II

 Here's some more blokes and gals around the galaxy, this time in a bit more militaristic spirit. So load your rayguns and vaporizers!

 Some of you might have met Grookab, Blacktron II Captain Albert von Kopony's first mate, before, but he just wanted to get in this photo and he really isn't a guy that takes "no" as an answer. Grookab loves his three-barrel vaporizer shotgun and his Lowerjaw helmet is an heirloom of his grandgrandgrandfather from the Great War of Meteorblitzkrieg.

 Kheera Rumbaudibbel is one of these green thinking girls who have taken the justice to their own hands. She's an ecoterrorist according the Hyperspacecapitalists or a defender of the weak according to herself, but at least her actions to prevent overlogging can be vindicated with the fact that she's a plant herself... And I don't mean she would be braindead, but her skin actually has chlorophyll and can form sugar with carbon dioxide, water and sunlight.

 Xatnam Gruggah is a cult leader from the black abysses of the outer space; I wonder if you are surprised? But the truth is that once he was a normal boy. Okay, a spawn. Well, a normal spawn with dark-red scarred skin and mollusks. But he didn't get enough advice with his studies, became marginalized from the society and started to spend time with nasty gangs. Now he has billions of followers all around the galaxy and he is worshipped as a god by many. How sad.

 Lieutenant Jillian Daniels was one of the officers of Governor-Commander Justunus at the war of Invasion. She lead a band of Red Typhoons special unit with a great success. And hey... Goddamn longcoats. Goddamn longcoats under space armour! Whee!

Sir Barhaeon Vermont was another veteran of the Invasion War, giving advice even to the Governor-Commander himself. Vermont was nearly shot dead in the greatest battle of northern deserts, but his goddamn longcoat under space armour stopped the missile. A cluster took his eye, but it is easier to aim with one after all.

-Pate-keetongu