Custom Gordon and Bat Signal

[Daxceon]

I've posted this before but with web cam quality pictures so now I've got my proper camera I thought I'd share.

Here is Gordon next to my MM Joker I got today. I spent about two hours shortening him because he was half an inch taller than Mr. J. I consciously made him a little taller as the Joker always seems to be hunched. Gordon was an Wesley, Angel/ Buffy figure, I sanded away his beard/stubble and added the glasses and 'tashe I also took half an inch off his thighs. I chose the Wesley figure because it was cheap, he already has a Gary Oldman look to him and his clothing looked similar to casual Gordon in Begins.

Here he is by the signal. He's on the cards because I'll be sinking the signal into a GCPD roof model I'm making, which will be part of a mini Gotham set I'll be making, it will include the truck confrontation crossroads.
The Signal made from card, superglue, thin paper and see-through plastic. I used a push led lamp inside. The axe is also made of card glued and sanded.

The front of the signal can be removed and replaced with the axe damaged version.

Here is the axe close up. Next to it is the Joker's SMG made from rolled paper, card and superglue. I'll have to remake it as it's too big for the Joker figure, (I built it using the Wesley figure as a guide) but I included it because I'm chuffed I made such a sturdy intricate little piece.

I'll keep up posted on my mini Gotham as I built it.

 

[Parkdaledude]

Awesome!

 

[Electric Sixx]

That signal is badass

 

[Daxceon]

New SMG about 3/4 the size of the first one and significantly easier to make now I have the technique down.

I think maybe the RPG next.

 

[Daxceon]

I finished the RPG two days ago but alas, I couldn't get to my camera until today.

Same as the SMG made from rolled paper, card and glue. I also used half a pen lid. Sanded and painted.

 

[Daxceon]

Received my Batman yesterday very pleased with the mattel line so far. I look forward to the rest of the figures.

With my search for cheap action figures with which to make customs I found the Buffy and Angel toy lines to be quite easy to find and as the shows are out of favour now relatively cheap (about £2 a figure). They also came with a ton of accessories like pistols, shotguns crossbows, etc. Everything a growing Gotham thug needs. But with the figures also came set pieces like flooring, gravestones and cupboards. I have about ten cupboards. So one would naturally become the Batman Begins batsuit cabinet.

 

[Daxceon]

I noted that the MM lines made for "collectors" wouldn't come with any sets or vehicles. I also was shocked to see that the new Tumbler toy was for four inch figures. I wasn't about to make one out of card so I did some research and found the Batman Begins Deluxe Tumbler online. Checked the measurements and discovered that though it was made with the five inch figures from the Begins line in mind, the vehicle is actually the right scale for the six inch MM line. They obviously made it larger than the scale for the five inch figures to make the £30 price tag a bit easier to swallow. You can even fit the MM Bats inside sans cape.

Of course this model of Tumbler isn't easy to find now as its about three years old and I only found one in a collectors shop near my university with the £30 price still in place. However there is a grotty little train and action figure shop not far from my parent's house that I decided to check on a whim to see if they had the Deluxe Tumbler. I couldn't find it but I did see some Batman '89 action figure MIB and even one I used to have.

Anyway on the way out I just looked in the shop windows in a last ditch hope of see if they had any Tumblers. And they DID. covered in dust, right at the back, hanging on the wall at a funny angle so you couldn't see it if you weren't looking for it was the Deluxe Tumbler without its box. It was missing the missiles but it all worked otherwise and I wouldn't need them anuway. For £10 I said thank you very much and after quick wash and a dab of paint it was ready.

Very happy day.

 

[Alex_The_ Large]

I finished the RPG two days ago but alas, I couldn't get to my camera until today.

that looks awesome

 

[Daxceon]

I've had few PM regarding my work most notably the Signal. Some people have asked me to build them one or sell the one I have. But the signal is worth nothing. They are just card and a £3 light. I'm not one to sell people lemons. Other people have asked for instructions on how to make one. This I will do. I will post a step by step guide with pictures showing how I made my brand new one For under £5. I find that it would be more rewarding than having me make it and you getting it and being disapointed.

So what you will need:

A small light.

Card. I use the good stuff. Mounting board from a craft shop is my favourite material to work with. It's not for everyone - too expensive. Card from the back writing pads is good as is the card from action figure boxes. For the main body of the signal I used Cereal box card because it's flexible so you can have the rounded frame. Corrugated card is a no-no.

Super glue my other favourite tool. You will need this. Work in a ventilated area and be prepared to have you fingers stuck together.

Scissors, a given. Stanley knifes.

Clear plastic. Again action figure boxes are you friends.

Paint. I always use acrylic. Its fast drying and sturdy. You can start handling your work in minutes.

Paitence. It takes time, if your not use to it. You first try my fail. You will get pissed. Don't worry as long as you have card and glue your OK.

I made this in 7 hours with no breaks. I'm an idiot. Have breaks. It will give you time to realise mistakes this was my problem with my first signal (above) The scale is whack. I rushed it.

 

[Daxceon]

Get a small light I have a few of these push in ones. I was goning to make an Arc reactor but I like this more. Draw around it and then draw a 1cm line around from it. This the scale that works for the MM figure. I use the 1cm space to give the light room for me to fiddle with it in side the signal.

Cut it out.

Use it as a guide for another circle. place the other circle under it and glue them together. this is the shelf for the light.

 

[Daxceon]

Get a strip of cereal box card and wrap it around the circle. Thins will be the main body of the signal - check it fits and measure where you want the top, bottom and sides of the signal to be. This is up to you I work off the cuff without measuring properly. I am an Idiot.

In between the top, bottom and side bars on the card draw 10 horizontal lines. These are the gaps down the side of the signal.

Starting with the middle two lines cut away 5 holes inbetween each top, bottom and side. like above.

 

[Daxceon]

Wrap it around the circle and glue in place.

Measure up and glue on card to the bottom of the signal.

Glue two pieces of card to the sides of the signal these are where it will attach to the stand.

Paint it.

(You'll note that I attach a shelf or rim to the top of the signal you see it in the first picture on this post next to the cylinder of the signal.This is just using the same 1 cm rule around the light. It is slightly thinner because this will be what the Logo rests on and you want the rim to take up as much space a possible.)

 

[Daxceon]

The Logo is placed on a removable front to the signal. This front rests on the rim and allows for you to reach in and mess with the light. This is where you need the clear plastic build the front as you would a sandwich. I forgot I was making the step-by-step at this point and didn't document it well.

Remember to paint the bat and before you place it on the plastic.

 

[Daxceon]

Measure up the shape of your signal so far on paper and use that to make the frame for the base that will fit your own signal.

 

[Daxceon]

Paint

Glue or pin it to the main cylinder depending on the range of movement you want it to have.

 

[Daxceon]

Complete the base

Compare

You can see here how big my first signal was and how stupid it looked next to My MM figure.

 

[Daxceon]

It is not a perfect reproduction of TDK signal but it's better than my first one.

More on my Mini Gotham as I make it.

 

[sarg2k]

That signal looks great, its a great tutorial as well.

I am gonna have a go at it on the weekend.

Thanks for posting this

 

[Jokers_Wild]

damn, you're pretty talented. even following your step by step instructions, i'm not sure i could do that. kudos to you, good sir!

 

[Daxceon]

Nothing much so far but I've began my GCPD rooftop. I'm modelling it on the one in "Begins" From what I can gleam from the footage of the roof it is an L -shape I'll only be making the part with the signal on of course. I'll keep you posted. After this I think I'll make the concrete Bat-cave.

 

[Texas Zombie]

That is awesome.

 

[Carlynn Carnage]

Way too cool!

 

[imnotbatman]

wow......why couldnt they just make a batsignal??

 

[Carlynn Carnage]

I know right?

 

[JackN]

Is the Batmoblie this one
I Won it in a contest
Daxceon You sure its this one