So, I was reading this thread:
http://hobbyshopoutlet.com/images/uploads/reaperminiatures/RPR50112.jpgIt got me thinking about what ideas and artistic vision are really original for Sci Fi minis but also work well.
I like Pig Iron's vision. Greatcoats, Heavy Infantry, and System Troopers are each different from each other, not the same idea recycled again and again.
I love the gangsters and the "Riddick" tiny line from Heresy.
I like the Kasrkin and Cadians from GW (and the Space Marines - forgive me, please
![Wink ;)](https://leadadventureforum.com/Smileys/frankenstein/wink.gif)
).
I find Reaper's NOVA Corp original and plausible, though they could use a little refining (
http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/206/7/7/Female_NOVA_Trooper_by_Spielorjh.jpg).
I also like the Hasslefree "Aliens" series (except for the helmets). I like that they are just people wearing practical clothing with some light body armor and a believable rifle.
And there're always Zombiesmith's Quar which, though WWI-esque, are a very creative design. Really like that line.
What I don't like, even if the implementation is
wonderful (like Death Korp of Krieg
http://images.wikia.com/warhammer40k/images/e/e1/KriegGren.jpg) is recycling old ideas and future-izing them.
Also, I find very frustrating, minis that I just can't seem to figure out. Reaper does a lot of those. I was frustrated by this great looking mini (
http://images.frpgames.org/products/product_47203.jpg) because I couldn't quite tell what was cloth uniform and what was which layer of body armor, at least, not easily. The idea was great but hard to paint.
I am wondering why nobody has run with a 28mm line of semi-primative powered armor minis along the line of SF3D suits (
http://www.maschinenkrueger.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=19). Those are pretty original. I like that they are powered armor (or space suits) that are not hand to hand fighters, just environmental suits with a weapon mounted on them.
Anyway, these are my rumblings. It's very hard to invent unique ideas and images that work, I guess.