CUSTOM - 6" Style Destro, Baroness, Cobra Commander, Cobra Trooper by ZILDJIAN!

[Zildjian]

After much boiling, popping, sculpting, cutting, shaving, painting, screaming, throwing and finally finishing.... I present my next four 6" scale G.I. JOE customs. Short descriptions before each figure.

1. Destro – New Custom Head Sculpt

After hearing what everyone said about the first Destro I did, I decided I agreed with everyone…. The head sculpt sucked. I decided to sculpt a new one based off of the DCSH Steel figure. I had to custom sculpt it from scratch, because the Steel head was WAY to small….. I like this one MUCH better.

http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/destronew-1.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/destronew-2.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/destronew-3.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/destronew-4.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/destronew-5.jpg


2. The Baroness

This figure used parts from one of the Rocky female figures because I like the height for Baroness. The hair is mainly from a DCU Wonder Woman with some custom sculpting to the head.

http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/baroness-1.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/baroness-3.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/baroness-4.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/baroness-5.jpg


3. Cobra Commander

This figure used parts from a TNA Wrestler body, Marvel Legends black Costume Spider Man hands, and a custom sculpted head from scratch. I used multiple colors in layers to provide shading to the hood and uniform. I really like the way this came out, kind of battle weathered.

http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobracommanderhood-1.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobracommanderhood-2.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobracommanderhood-5.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobracommanderhood-6.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobracommanderhood-7.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/ccwip-1.jpg


4. Cobra Trooper
This is my favorite…… contains parts from a Marvel Legends black Costume Spider Man (body), Marvel Legends Union Jack (hands), boots from a McFarlane Military figure, and a custom sculpted head. This figure just looks like a war battered soldier. I am really pleased with the look.

http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobratrooperA-2.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobratrooperA-3.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobratrooperA-8.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobratrooperA-9.jpg
http://www.customsbyzildjian.com/images/gijoe/cobratrooperwip-1.jpg

Whew….. thanks for looking.

[Spawnomite]

The Baroness actually scared me.

[Zildjian]

The Baroness actually scared me.

I can always rely on you for an extremely insightful post.....

[Spawnomite]

I'm sorry, she just looks freakish.

[Zildjian]

Dynomite!

[Spawnomite]

Not really

[Zildjian]

Not really

And you have done what exactly?

Dynomite!!!!!!!! .... dude, seriously go troll somewhere else. Thanks.

[nightmare alien]

Liking the new Destro head, and the Cobra Commander and Trooper are awesome!

I'm liking Baroness, but something seems off about the face... hmmm...

Anyway, nice work! :D

[Zildjian]

Liking the new Destro head, and the Cobra Commander and Trooper are awesome!

I'm liking Baroness, but something seems off about the face... hmmm...

Anyway, nice work! :D

Thanks for the compliments and conveying your criticism in a constructive way..... I do agree, I think she needs more of an expression on her face. I did want her to have a more bulky look as I NEVER saw Baroness as the sex kitten that she evolved into. She was always more of a disciplinarian type of teacher to me.... Anyway, customizing is always a work in progress.... just like Destro's head.

[Spawnomite]

And you have done what exactly?

Dynomite!!!!!!!! .... dude, seriously go troll somewhere else. Thanks.Dude, I'm just being honest. I like 99% of your work, but the Baroness doesn't look good. If you're offended, that was not my intention.

[Zildjian]

Dude, I'm just being honest. I like 99% of your work, but the Baroness doesn't look good. If you're offended, that was not my intention.

That is fine, whether you like 99% or 1% of my work....there is a way of offering criticism, and a way not to. Customizers get better by receiving constructive criticsm..... I mainly post these figure to get this from fellow customizers...... to learn. This type of custom is a whole new word for me.

[Spawnomite]

I love the character of the Baroness. I think it's the hair that's the main problem.

[kobayashi93]

Baroness would look better with black glasses imo. I like Destro's new head much better.

[WIP1]

Love the CC and trooper. Destro is good. Face is too mongoloid for me, and I agree on the Baronness critiques. Doesn't need to be a sex kitten, but something not quite working between the glass and the hair. The suggestion of using black glasses might make quite a difference.

[B-O-R-I-N-G-R-Y-U]

I'm not digging the head either for her, but I love the body and everything about the other customs. It's nice to see that you sculpted the head too. :cool:

[Holeman]

I like them all except for Baroness.

But, if you could make a little treadmill to go along with it, that would really funny.

[wernest]

Cobra tropper looks awesome!

[sir_bobos]

The Cobra Trooper looks kinda squat to me, it might just be the pictures but his legs look short, I just can't figure out what it is. CC is slick though. You could paint the triangle on his buckle.

EDIT* Do you cast your own weapons? I'm looking at Baroness's MK.23

[wejackson26]

zildjian seems to have a slight case of jin-orrhea.you know the inability to take any critisizm well...she scared me too,and is destro a spawn(green eyes?)And you have done what exactly?

Dynomite!!!!!!!! .... dude, seriously go troll somewhere else. Thanks.

[B-O-R-I-N-G-R-Y-U]

zildjian seems to have a slight case of jin-orrhea.you know the inability to take any critisizm well...she scared me too,and is destro a spawn(green eyes?)

Dude, all Spawno had to say was "the Baroness actually scares me" in his first post without even acknowledging the other customs. He didn't mention what he liked or what he didn't like or anything constructive. I would be upset too.

[Hockeyfan74]

The trooper looks awesome. He's my favorite.

Destro's head sculpt is a definite improvement over your last.

The Commander looks good.

The Baroness' glasses should probably be black. When I first saw her, I thought her face looked too round. But on my second look, I think it might be the hair giving it that appearance.

One last thing, the blue on CC and trooper don't look blended, but I think that's probably the flash from your camera right?

[Zildjian]

The trooper looks awesome. He's my favorite.

Destro's head sculpt is a definite improvement over your last.

The Commander looks good.

The Baroness' glasses should probably be black. When I first saw her, I thought her face looked too round. But on my second look, I think it might be the hair giving it that appearance.

One last thing, the blue on CC and trooper don't look blended, but I think that's probably the flash from your camera right?

Thanks!

I do agree on the Baroness, and I think the face looks round in the shots as well, and that might be the hair. As for the CC and trooper, that was what I was going for, a non blended look. Kind of gives them a war weary look. The flash definitely higlights that.

[Zildjian]

zildjian seems to have a slight case of jin-orrhea.you know the inability to take any critisizm well...she scared me too,and is destro a spawn(green eyes?)

Do you really think so? :rolleyes: Please direct me to the actual criticism Spawnomite gave me in his first post. Also, thanks for reading the actual posts..... I explain why he pisses me off.

Everyone else gave constructive criticsm that will help me develop better skills and techniques as I go forward. As I said, I am used to doing static sports figures, the moving, articulated figures present me with a whole new challenge that will have a learning curve associated with it.

[tatoman2525]

Those are sweet, bro! Very nice work:)

[Zildjian]

The Cobra Trooper looks kinda squat to me, it might just be the pictures but his legs look short, I just can't figure out what it is. CC is slick though. You could paint the triangle on his buckle.

EDIT* Do you cast your own weapons? I'm looking at Baroness's MK.23

Yep.... I just started trying the weapons. The heads were the first foray I made into my own casting, now I tried some weapons. The crystal clear resin is AWESOME when you get it right...... I have something in mind for a Zartan figure using this stuff.

[impalerprince]

I like the extra "padding" on the Baroness. I do agree that maybe the glasses should be painted black, and that there's something not kosher about the hair.

As for the comments about Destro's eyes being Spawn-like, well that's how they were in the 'toon.

[Zildjian]

I like the extra "padding" on the Baroness. I do agree that maybe the glasses should be painted black, and that there's something not kosher about the hair.

As for the comments about Destro's eyes being Spawn-like, well that's how they were in the 'toon.

Thank you....

[AaronG]

Cool customs!!

[Shamrock]

Nice customs, especially that Cobra Commander.
I think beyond the glasses, there might be something wrong with how Baroness' hair sits on her head.

[Spawnomite]

Do you really think so? :rolleyes: Please direct me to the actual criticism Spawnomite gave me in his first post. Also, thanks for reading the actual posts..... I explain why he pisses me off.

Everyone else gave constructive criticsm that will help me develop better skills and techniques as I go forward. As I said, I am used to doing static sports figures, the moving, articulated figures present me with a whole new challenge that will have a learning curve associated with it.Sorry man. Are you that pissed off because of the "The Baroness actually scared me" comment? Are people not allowed to just make a statement whether it's good or bad? I'm not a customizer, but like I said before, I like 99% of your work. I figured you would've taken my comment as nothing but light hearted humor. And if you think I'm just trolling, you are way off base. The other figures look good, the Baroness needs some work.

[Zildjian]

Sorry man. Are you that pissed off because of the "The Baroness actually scared me" comment? Are people not allowed to just make a statement whether it's good or bad? I'm not a customizer, but like I said before, I like 99% of your work. I figured you would've taken my comment as nothing but light hearted humor. And if you think I'm just trolling, you are way off base. The other figures look good, the Baroness needs some work.

Dude, seriously I am passed it. You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. Constructive criticism is something different than what you offer/offered. I would prefer someone give me tips, criticism over "looks great" or "it sucks"...... but that is not your M.O. You post something in just about every thread on this message board......thats what gives you kicks. Not me.... I think it is pointless.

[Spawnomite]

Okay, end of story. I apologize again.

[mrclean08]

Yep.... I just started trying the weapons. The heads were the first foray I made into my own casting, now I tried some weapons. The crystal clear resin is AWESOME when you get it right...... I have something in mind for a Zartan figure using this stuff.

This is fantastic work Andrew! I can't wait to see when you do Zartan!!

The only constructive criticism I have is that you need to make more! People do not understand the time, creativity, frustration and focus it takes to sculpt, cast, and customize figures. Let the average dude try to sculpt a figure head, paint symmetrical detailed eyes, sculpt hair, or cast perfect resin parts without bubbles, uneven resin distribution (inside 2pc molds) or other imperfections. Hell, lets see them even try to cast a decent silicone 2 piece mold!! LOL I guarantee anyone that if they even tried one day's worth of this level of work, they would appreciate seeing finished products like Andrew's, 1000%.

Sometimes, your biggest fans are the ones who have shared similar growing pains in the passions of your hobby. For anyone that thinks this is "easy" or "anyone can do this if they just have the time", all I can do is chuckle and encourage one to "go ahead.. you try it."

Keep up the great work man. And I look forward to seeing more, including the Evil Master of Disguise from 1984!

[Parler]

They all look pretty good, but the Baroness is too chunky. It's possible I'm used to the anorexic one that Hasbro popularizes, but she just looks a little too fat. Otherwise, great work. I love the Cobra Commander.

[nucksfan]

Awesome job on all of them, I especially like the paint on CC. Keep up the fantastic work.

[frikafrax]

http://www.frikafrax.com/forumpics/baroness_custom_changes.jpg

I'm not quite sure I'd call this a suggestion but I was just fooling around in Photoshop, applying some relatively minor changes and thought I'd post the results anyway.

The changes:

Elongated the neck slightly.
Cleaned up the hairline and repositioned one of the larger stray locks
Scaled down the eyeglasses, used black frames.


The frames for the glasses are over-scaled and a little misshapen. I'd use a finer gauge wire and a bending jig to shape the wire but a better alternative might be to use photo-etched scale eyeglasses similar to this product. (https://secure.hlj.com/product/KBYE-102)

You can even photo-etch your own parts if you're so inclined. It's a useful skill for figure customizers and scale model builders to cultivate since it can produce very small and highly detailed parts. Here's one tutorial. (http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/601-700/Fea688_F-4_Greutert/00.shtm)

-F

[Hockeyfan74]

^ That looks good. Definitely gives her a more accurate face shape without even touching the face.

[Zildjian]

http://www.frikafrax.com/forumpics/baroness_custom_changes.jpg

I'm not quite sure I'd call this a suggestion but I was just fooling around in Photoshop, applying some relatively minor changes and thought I'd post the results anyway.


The changes:

Elongated the neck slightly.
Cleaned up the hairline and repositioned one of the larger stray locks
Scaled down the eyeglasses, used black frames.

The frames for the glasses are over-scaled and a little misshapen. I'd use a finer gauge wire and a bending jig to shape the wire but a better alternative might be to use photo-etched scale eyeglasses similar to this product. (https://secure.hlj.com/product/KBYE-102)

You can even photo-etch your own parts if you're so inclined. It's a useful skill for figure customizers and scale model builders to cultivate since it can produce very small and highly detailed parts. Here's one tutorial. (http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/601-700/Fea688_F-4_Greutert/00.shtm)

-F

Seriously??? You are the man! Thanks a lot! This is the type of criticism I WANT!! This is a huge help!!!

[Jarek]

All great except baroness' face, she is suppose to be hot isn't she :p

[Jason62]

I was gonna mention the glasses and hair too as the only faults I saw on Baroness.

[Slave]

look like you put alot of work into these customs. i don't see baroness face as a big deal. hope to see more of your work. later!

[Deeken]

wow great work on all of em'! My favorites are CC and the troop.

[frikafrax]

Seriously??? You are the man! Thanks a lot! This is the type of criticism I WANT!! This is a huge help!!!

No prob! I'm glad it proved useful. :-)

It's quite easy to get carried away with Photoshop so I kept the degree of the modifications fairly low and relatively simple in order to use what's already been built.

-F

[SixInchBabes]

Awesome work and composition. I like them all, but the Baroness is my favorite.

[jt4470]

I like your work. The criticism for Baroness has already been pointed out, so I won't get into it. But, i applaud you for attempting female figures. I think they are the absolute hardest to sculpt and work with. Believe me, I've tried.

Hm, wonder who can make me an Invincible custom figure...
Any takers?