"New Men at Arms for Bobby Jackson's Thrilling Combat" Topic

neat-o. i hope he has some 'street thug' looking guys i can use for Reapers Warlord game.

Are these flats?

Are these flats?

Lol…

They remind me of men-at-arms from GW's Advanced Heroquest…

"They remind me of men-at-arms from GW's Advanced Heroquest"

Same first thought over here…
I think these figures look too dated to be commercially a hit.

"They remind me of men-at-arms from GW's Advanced Heroquest…"

Forgive me for being so bold, but I would want to see proof that the one on the right, in particular, *isn't* a direct rip-off of the Citadel Miniatures man-at-arms from Advanced Heroquest. I have one right here. The only difference I can see is a different head on the spear.

Here's a picture of the ortiginal Citadel model:

picture

Very similar.

They don't look that close to me. Different shields, arm position, and head. Imho these are sculpted better.

Also wasn't heroquest hasbro: and warhammerquest GW?

The shields came separate and were interchangable. Head frankly not that different -- a slight facial change or even a different paint job. Sword has been shaved off, as have shoulder wings. Arm position is pretty identical as far as I can see; torso, leather jerkin with studs, boots, helmet -- all identical.

No matter, I've referred this to GW's copyright division who can make up their own minds.

And Advanced Heroquest, not to be mistaken with the earlier Heroquest, was GW -- I have the box right here.

@battleeditor: I molded these figures from original greens. If you feel GW owns the rights to men with spears then so be it. Maybe you feel GW owns the rights to that scale or style. The figures are definately and demonsterably from original sculpts in Bobby's possession so I don't really see an issue here. Other than the scale and style the figures are quite different and original.

Whoa. Battleeditor (or should I call you 'Mr. Knee-jerk'?), you amaze me. First, you demand proof that the figure isn't a "rip-off", then you go as far as claiming that it is not only very similar design, but in fact a (modified) recast:

Sword has been shaved off, as have shoulder wings.

So, do you have any proof for this assertion?

As is happens, I have the figures from Advanced Heroquest here on my desk. While the overall design is similar, there are several small differences (most importantly, different position of the legs, torso, and right arm) that rule out the possibility of the Fortress Figures spearman being a copy of the Advanced Heroquest halberdier.

As for the overall design, it's an infantryman from the Hundred Years' War era, with a coat-of-plates and a bascinet. Has GW copyrighted that, too? Then you should also report Osprey and a host of other publishers for ripping off "original" GW designs.

If that is indeed the case, then I stand corrected fortressfigures and you have my apology, but I think that those of us who can see the uncanny resemblance of the medium armoured figure were at least justified in asking the question. Perhaps it was originally inspired by the Citadel sculpt?

I can assure you that I would be asking the same questions if I thought anyone were copying *your* work.

…and GW DOESN'T copy work from other people? Have you seen how some of the art in the Tyranid books is a direct, unequivocal ripoff of the Giger/Aliens property? Have you stopped to consider hom much mk7 space marine armor circa 1993 looked a lot like a George Lucas property?

I'm sure Robert Heinlein/s descendants could earn a few quid here and there suing everyone who does not have the Heinleins' explicit permission to make power armor.

Also, perhaps Bobby Jackson, having been in the biz for a little while, might know how to make his own sculpts, whether or not some other manufacturer happens to make "medium armored" spearmen in similar poses?

Regardless of whether they're akin to some old GW lastics or not, they're really not very attractive models compared to his other work. Very flat and stiff looking. I'd have expected better from him.

Bobby did go for a retro look on these and I think he is spot on with the retro style. I've got some missile troops with crossbows and bows in the same line ready that I'll be putting up later today.

"Bobby did go for a retro look on these and I think he is spot on with the retro style."

My question ever since I saw the greens is why? I don't think the miniatures market is quite the same as a toy soldier market where folks actively seek out that vintage look. I could be wrong, and I'll certainly be happy to see you make millions on them. But for now I'm still left scratching my head.

Rod

"My question ever since I saw the greens is why?"

Simply because Bobby wanted them. These were something Bobby wanted and sometimes when you want something you have to make it yourself. Unfortunately what we want and what sells is often two different things. Frankly, if I stayed only with what sells I wouldn't be making wargame figures at all.