Artizan Designs Thrilling Tales.

Artizan Designs started producing a new figure range several months ago, called "Thrilling Tales", aimed at those people who were fans of the Pulp genre, and wanted to game it. It has slowly expanded since that initial release, so that it now numbers forty different figures, with more in the pipeline. It contains models suitable for heroes and villains, as well as their sidekicks. In this initial review I'll be covering the first four figures in this range. I'll be giving each figure reviewed a mark out of ten, with ten being the best.

PLP001 Kentucky Davies (£2.00).
Dur-Dur-Durrr, Dur-Dur-Durrr, Dur-Du-Dur, du-du-du-Durr-Durrr. I think it's pretty obvious who this is meant to be, the only thing he's missing is a bullwhip. Every Pulp gamer needs a little metal version of one of the most recognisible movie characters of all time, and this is one of the best available. Do you know who it is yet? Well you won't get any points for getting it right, and if you don't know, then what the hell are you doing reading a blog about Pulps for? Oh, ok, if you're THAT stupid - It's Indiana Jones (did you see what they did with the name, clever eh?).
This figure measures approximately 29mm high, from the soles of his shoes, to the top of his hat. There was very little flash on the model when it arrived, and only a slight mold line, both of which were easily removed with a file. As you can see in the photo, the model is wearing loose baggy trousers, an open necked shirt, a short jacket, and a Fedora (or is it a Panama?) hat. He is also wielding a revolver in his right hand. The detail on the figure is well sculpted, the folds and creases on the clothing being just right, not over-emphazised like some manufacturers are prone to doing (hide your head in shame Games Workshop). The model is stood in an action pose, he seems to me to be pivoting on his right foot, just becoming aware of a threat to that side. This leads me to the only problem I have with this figure, I think his head should be turned a touch further to the right, bringing his sight more into line with the revolver, but this is a very minor gripe. His face is characterful, with a grim, how the hell am I going to get out of this? expression upon it. Overall I really like this figure, and once I've painted it he'll be seeing plenty of action. It's a versatile figure too, being able to represent either a good or a bad guy, and be either a hero, or a sidekick.
Ronnie says: It's a Good 'un - 7/10.




PLP002 Rashid (£2.00).

This figure is my favourite of the bunch, and seems to be a gentlemen of middle eastern extraction. He's wearing a suit, shirt and tie, boots, tasselled fez, and is carrying a tommy-gun. He is stood with both hands holding the weapon, one leg slightly bent, and would appear to be deciding on his next course of action. The face on this figure is excellent, it's thin, almost gaunt, with a large roman nose, and a thick bushy moustache, and as the fez doesn't impede access to the face, the eyes should be easy to paint (the part of a figure I always find hardest to paint properly). The details of the figure are nice and crisp, just like the previous figure.
Again, it's versatile figure, easily representing a good or bad guy, hero, or sidekick, and it reminds me of the leader of the protectors of the Grail, in the third Indiana Jones movie, though he was armed with a Bergmann, rather than a Thompson SMG.

Ronnie says: It's a Good 'un - 8/10.



PLP003 Osman (£2.00).
Again, this figure represents a middle eastern gentleman, dressed in a suit, shirt (though no tie this time, but he does have a hanky in a breast pocket), fez, and boots, and is carrying a revolver in his right hand. He is stood with one hand on his hip, and the other holding his revolver down by his side. He appears to be a little plump, as his suit is stretched tight over his stomach (either that or his suit is too small for him). The face is well sculpted, he has a small nose, and beard/moustache combo. As before the figure is nice and crisp, with no flash, and an extremely faint mold line.
This is yet another versatile figure, and I think it would make an excellent Professor of Egyptology, or other academic type.
Ronnie days: It's a Good 'un - 7/10.


PLP004 Yusuf (£2.00).

This is the third middle eastern figure to be reviewed. He's wearing a suit, open necked shirt, boots, fez, and is carrying a pistol in his right hand. He's a bit more animated than Osman, pointing to his left, but he's not really looking in that direction, as if he's speaking to someone in front of him, whilst giving directions. His face is well sculpted, with a grumpy expression, and wearing a goatee. Yet again the figure is crisp, well detailed, with very little flash, and a faint mould line.
The figure, like the previous ones, is versatile, though I think it would best be employed as a Sidekick, he doesn't really stand out enough to be a hero.
Ronnie says: It's a Good 'un - 7/10.