World of WarCrafts: Custom Arthas figure
by Lisa Poisso 
Nov 2nd 2009 at 11:00AM
This week's WarCraft comes from Jilara of Southshore, US Perenolde (aka WoW.com reader RetPallyJil ) -- and yes, that's Arthas himself. The 12-inch customized figure is a patchwork of modified parts and handcrafted pieces. Arthas wields a "Fantasy Letter Opener" Frostmourne from eBay, refined and repainted.
"As for Arthas, I started with a Dragon Models' Alexander the Great as a base figure," she explained to World of WarCrafts. "It was fairly expensive, but I thought the face sculpt was worth it; youthful without being boyish, mature without being craggy. The hair had to be special-ordered -- it's nylon instead of the world standard acrylic (to which I'm terribly allergic.) Again, it was somewhat expensive, but sculpted hair wouldn't do him justice."
Arthas' breastplate is modified Marx Knight armor, which Jilara sliced open and puttied back together around Arthas for a custom fit, then painted in hammered steel and drybrushed gloss black. The skull shoulders are actually dollar-store Halloween whistles, hollowed out, painted and wired to the breastplate. The assorted skulls were Dremeled from sheet styrene, while the rest of his armor consists of thin vinyl and jewelry findings.
Attention to detail delights this crafter. "His hair is hand-rooted; I'm pretty pleased that I got the necessary wispy look instead of a hair-metal pompadour," Jilara admits. "I can't get a picture clear enough, but his gloves match those shown in the 'Fall of Lordaeron' cut scene, complete with those pointless metal rings on the palms. It's the details that matter!"
Jilara's been crafting custom figures seriously for five years. She's currently working on a realistic rendition of Jilara the character. "So far, so good!" she adds. Judging from what we've seen of Arthas, we'd have to agree with the "good" aspect.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Candy Man Nov 2nd 2009 11:03AM
Kinda looks like one of the Nelson twins. I always wondered what happened to them. Now we know.
RetPallyJil Nov 2nd 2009 11:05AM
Well, their music certainly was the work of Satan ... :)
Drob10 Nov 2nd 2009 2:00PM
^made laugh!
talitha3k Nov 2nd 2009 11:09AM
who knew Arthas was also Richard Gere in First Knight?
catharsis80 Nov 2nd 2009 11:33AM
I think you actually mean Christopher Lambert from Highlander:
http://u.nu/9n6r3
Ametrine Nov 2nd 2009 12:08PM
Christopher Lambert as Arthas?
excuse me, I now need new pants.
Mark Turpin Nov 2nd 2009 2:15PM
Nah, it's totally Vigo, the bloke in the painting from Ghostbusters 2.
~T
Tirrimas Nov 2nd 2009 11:14AM
Humm. I wonder if I can find a doll (ok, ACTION FIGURE!) with a face mold that matches my hunter. Ken dolls don't have that supercillious Belf sneer.
RetPallyJil Nov 2nd 2009 11:15AM
I bet I could find one. In fact, I have one in mind right now ;)
Nope, not telling you, either lol
Tirrimas Nov 2nd 2009 1:38PM
I knew there was a reason I didn't like pallies. ;)
RetPallyJil Nov 2nd 2009 1:47PM
hehe (hugs for the blood elf)
I quite like blood elves.
Fatamorgana Nov 2nd 2009 11:14AM
Very awesome job!
Going to make any other characters?
RetPallyJil Nov 2nd 2009 11:16AM
Thank you! I'll very likely make some more, but my decision-making is more Zen than planning lol
(Browsing eBay) "Fantasy letter opener? My heinie, that's Frostm ... Arthas! I'll make an Arthas!"
outlier Nov 2nd 2009 11:23AM
WOTLK has gotten me used to a Arthas that seems morbidly obese. This trim one is very good but not the Big Mac Muncher model we have in game.
RetPallyJil Nov 2nd 2009 11:29AM
That's just the design team being lackluster. You know Artie is a stud in "real life" lol
Ametrine Nov 2nd 2009 12:08PM
It's just bulky armor, really.
PeeWee Nov 2nd 2009 12:15PM
Mmmm, Big Mac. Nom nom nom!
Tirrimas Nov 2nd 2009 1:40PM
Oh yeah - he's pretty hawt for a dead possessed guy. :D
devilsei Nov 2nd 2009 5:28PM
Is he even a guy at all now? Maybe his face is in such good condition because of all the cold wind and ice freezing the skin and everything in place, maybe under the armor and his neckline, its all glowing poopoo energy and bones...
bkmulder Nov 2nd 2009 11:47AM
Very impressive.