Victorian vigilantes: Crazy Old Bat and Spring Heeled Jack

[Elk101]

Here's hoping guys, if these two sell well enough maybe we can get another two in the next go-round as well.

Absolutely. We're only able to consider these two new ones because the Bat and Grinner have been so popular.

[Phil Robinson]

Absolutely. We're only able to consider these two new ones because the Bat and Grinner have been so popular.

Well you can count me in for them.

Stick the word Frostgrave in the mix they will sell like hot cakes

[goon3423]

Well you can count me in for them.

Stick the word Frostgrave in the mix they will sell like hot cakes

Ha! Don't give us any ideas...

[axabrax]

 I'm on board of coarse    I felt like the last bat was a little small compared to the average 28 mm figure, but perhaps it was the hunched position. The pose in the new sketch also looks kind of similar to the old one to me. Maybe holding a crazy old cootarang instead?

[kidterminal]

I'm in Crazy Old Bat is the Bee's Knee's and Spring Heeled looks good too!

[Vindice]

Put me down for these as well; haven't enjoyed painting a mini as much as He Who Grins for a long time.

[Elk101]

Good to hear guys!  I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[white knight]

Put me down for two of each as well. 

[ShortscaleDave]

Please put me on the list also!  Big fan of the first two - lovely minis.  Used to love the Spring Heeled Jack stories back in my Fortean obsessed youth.

[Steve F]

Just out of, you know, idle curiosity, what would you be looking for in a Victoriana Ladycat?

Since you kindly asked, I'd like something based on the way physically active women of the period actually dressed, rather than on steampunk tropes like goggles, straps, corsets-over-the-clothes and random clockwork.  This picture from a 1903 exercise manual might be a good start.



The key thing among respectable women, in a variety of sports and activities, seems to have been to keep things baggy and shapeless above the knee, whether wearing bloomers or skirts (burlesque, circus and music hall performers showed rather more leg and thigh).



Similar concerns seem to have motivated women in physically active trades, like these two women colliery workers.



(I think the second photo may be just a wee bit staged!)

For authentic in-period cat theming, it may be worth remembering that Sarah Bernhardt inquired about the possibility of having a tiger's tail grafted onto her coccyx.

[Elk101]

An interesting collection of photos. I agree that it would certainly be nice to do something less overtly steampunk. Overcorsets seem a touch odd. As it's a collective project we each have a say on how we think something should look and we work with the majority. Funnily enough the Grinner sculpt was a breeze to agree!

[Vermis]

I was thinking Victorian circus performer as a starting point myself, Steve! Something like the unicyclist and trick cyclists here, perhaps; though the fencer and football pics you posted also make me think. I could get behind the idea of a cat-themed fencing burglar (alternative hand bits holding whip and rapier) and look! Someone's done half the job for me...

I don't mind goggles, though. I think they're the most overused steampunk trope behind random cogs and overcorsets*, but they also seem to be catwoman's schtick these days.

But as with everything, it's more up to 'the syndicate' than me.

*...


The problem with things like steampunk costumes and minis is, unless the character's piloting some steam-powered walker or airship, or firing some form of giant radium rifle while exploring the thin atmosphere of Mars, I can't see much call for the dress to be wildly different or at least more tech-encrusted than that of real life. I guess that for me, that's where the hair-thin line between steampunk and VSF, that some argue for, falls. VSF feels conceptual, imaginative, adventurous. And sometimes steampunk feels like a nerdy fashion statement...

[leonmallett]

Is there a sign-up thread for the newly planned additions? 

[Elk101]

Some good stuff there. The top tightrope walker has some potential too.

Is there a sign-up thread for the newly planned additions? 

Not as yet. Casting is probably some way off yet so there's plenty of time yet. Well assess casting numbers nearer the time so don't worry!

Thanks again guys for the continued interest.

The Syndicate! I like that.

[Predatorpt]

Some good stuff there. The top tightrope walker has some potential too.

Not as yet. Casting is probably some way off yet so there's plenty of time yet. Well assess casting numbers nearer the time so don't worry!

Thanks again guys for the continued interest.

The Syndicate! I like that.

Yep, I think "The Syndicate" should be our name

What about this fencing outfit?