Frankenstein

Review by NekroDave
Earlier this year, Revell re-released 4 of the classic monster model kits that were originally produced by Aurora in the 1960s. Unfortunately, the boxes this time around don't feature any really cool artwork, instead defaulting to the new typical photo of the completed model. Still, with the added lightning and image of Frankenstein in the background, it's not completely boring.

I've mentioned a few times in the past that I'm not much of a model builder, but with these being the classic monster items, I figured this would be the time I'd have to get them and try building them since I wouldn't' want to mess up a vintage kit.
Building the kit was actually pretty easy, but I didn't spend a whole lot of time filling in every seam line. Basically, I only did that to the area where the arms attached to the shoulders and then I got to painting. Color me impatient, I guess.
I couldn't picture Frankenstein in anything but black pants so I wanted to counter that with a lighter up half so I went with a brown coat and copied the blue shirt from the side of the box. Finishing up with the green of the skin, I think it looks varied enough to be interesting, but not too bright for a monster character.
I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with the base so basically I was just slapping some greens on there and seeing what happened. Then I went with a little bit of brown to suggest something of a muddy element to the ground. And if he's walking in mud, well, I figured it should be on his shoes as well.

And of course, I wanted to give the tombstone a bit of a weathered look. It's not perfect, but at least it's not all smooth and brand new looking.

Honestly, the Aurora Frankenstein face is so classic that I think I could have painted it orange and it would still look great. But I chose to stick with the expected green.

Overall, I think I did OK for my first styrene kit and I'm very glad to have this classic kit in my monster display. But I must be honest and admit that I find model kit building to be something of a necessary evil. I like having the finished product and I like being able to say "I did that", but while doing it, I find it anything but relaxing and can't wait to be done with it!

This kit requires both glue and paint to complete, is recommended for ages 12 and up, and stands 10" tall when completed.
Between the kits themselves and the art on the boxes, the original Aurora models are some of the most recognizable, beloved and copied images in the the hobby. You never quite know where you might see them. They can be seen in the background in the Ghoultown video "Mistress Of The Dark" (featuring Elvira). Or even in this old, unauthorized coloring book.


Comments
9 comments postedGreat job, Dave! I love how you did the shirt, did you paint it dark blue then drybrush the light blue? You should pick up some oil paints for the shading, all you need is two colors, black and burnt umber and it makes all the differences in the world! I love these old Auroa kits, even in the 1980's these original kits were going for hundreds of dollars, so its great they have been reissuing these kits more often now. I have the Godzilla reissue that hopefully I can get a review up for CDX next year. I have a ton of great models lined up for reviews.
Cheers!
Leonardo Flores
CollectionDX Staff Writer-West Coast Bureau
Thanks, Leo. It means a lot coming from an experienced modeler like yourself. :) And yes, I just dry brushed it. I agree that it's great to see these re-issued again. I've done Dracula, I still need to get The Mummy and The Wolf Man. Hopefully, the Creature, etc... are also released.
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
To think that I was terrorized of Frankenstein when I was a kid! I simply couldn't stand him. I remember seeing a Frankenstein movie case in a video shop when I was very young and a trauma ensued. I was so afraid of Frankie that I always whistled when I went from room to room in our own home!!!!! In summer I used to sleep....under a blanket or two!!! And yes Frankenstein was my worst nightmare. But as I grew up, and watched Hellraiser I felt that horror movies had a certain charm about them. Later I watched Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (played by Robert De Niro - one of my favourite actors)and loved the character immediately. This was enhanced by the beauty of Aurora kits, later re-issued by Polar Lights and Revell. Although I have no intention of buying this kit (as I have hundreds that still need to be assembled) I feel it is a wonderful idea to have these plastic gems, these landmark kits in plastic modelling history reissued.
Why do people insist on calling the big guy simply "Frankenstein"? Frankenstein was the name of the scientist who built him. The bug guy is called the "Frankenstein Monster"!
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CollectionDX Staff
Oh Eva...You're such the Literary agent!
Leonardo Flores
CollectionDX Staff Writer-West Coast Bureau
Haha.. yeah it's true, but... well, that's just the way it is. It doesn't bother me much so I just go with the flow. :)
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
Heh...speaking of being corrected, I remember the discussion Dave and I had when I mentioned that Dr. Frankenstein's assistant was Igor, not Fritz! ;)
Anyway, I love how this came out, Dave. Kick ass!! You're really coming along with this stuff really quick!
One thought: I'm kinda the same way about modeling projects and whatnot, so what I do it arrange get-togethers with other artists. Whether it's painting toys or models, or drawing, or writing, or whatever...if you do it with a group you're tight with, it goes SO much better!
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Sanjeev
I love dioramas and scenery, so these Monster kits always deliver. Cool.
Not sure how many are based on old Aurora kits, but I've been seeing alot of Monster kit reissues this year. The Giant Frankie, The Mummy/Pharoh's Tomb thing, and that set of 6, in the smaller cube shaped boxes , oh yeah, The Moebius Monster Scenes Kits. All the Polar Lights stuff, Weird Oh's, much with painted artwork boxes. Cool stuff. Thanks for bringing it out Dave.
Oh, and if you did it in orange, that'd be like those "Luminators" monster kits, Lol.
I have the Rodan reissue still sitting unassembled in its box.