Monster Scenes and its Direction....

[prescenes2]

I'm curious as to what each person feels about the Monster Scenes. Like, where do you think Aurora was going with it....or....Were there enough Monsters in the mix? I ask this question because a few of us had a slight different perspective of what was the focus or direction.
"Classic Monsters" was one answer. (What's considered "Classic"?)
"Mad Scientists" was another. (Vampi and Dracula are Mad Scientists???)
Medival?
Modern?
What's your take on it?

CUltTvMan and NightOwl Prod. are producing Graveyard Scenes which are a spin off of the MS but involving some GK's as well and custom bases. (Great idea!)
Molemento Pete and Jim Webb have produced a few official "MS limited" kits as add-ons for the MS. (Also fantastic!)

If more were to be added to the mix, like Dencomm has, what else?
Are more Monsters needed?
More Environmental kits?
What "decade" would these be influenced by? (30's, 40's 50's, 60's or 70's?)

Lay it all out and tell us!!!

[TAY666]

When I think classic monsters, I think the old Universal critters.
I'd say anything from the mid-70's on back would be fair game.
I think newer creatures would just look out of place.

I think Aurora was just rolling with the monster craze.
Frankenstein and Dracula were no-brainers.
They were (and still are) the two most popular creatures.
I'll bet Vampi was thrown in, because someone in charge at Aurora was a fan.
And why not throw in a mad doctor and victim to play with.
With Jekyll in the pipeline, I'll bet they were thinking about the Wolfman next.
After all, the Monsters of the Movies are the same scale. (at least they should be, as they use the same Dracula)
The Animal Pit and Dungeon were natural extensions of the other 'set' pieces they already had.

[prescenes2]

Obviously not too many are captivated by this subject.
Thanks Trevor for your answer!

Being that I agree with you on the monster craze, I'm not sure if any newer monster would look outta place?! Dencomms Rabbit and Cat don't necessarily fit the Aurora look of the MS. Subject Yes but Look NO! Did most people get a copy or two because of the "MS" logo or did they get one because it was cool? Interesting question. Thinking about it now, I got one because of the logo not because of the kit itself.

If I released a monster kit of a subject not really in the realm of classic but had that Aurora feel to it, would it still look outta place? Possibly! I don't remember Aurora had anything lined up with the Part's Pit or Deadly's Den back then but Jim was very close to the subject and feel of an Aurora. Love the Iron Maiden idea too!!! ;D

Sorry if I sound defense, I'm really not. Just basically rambling about trying to understand this series. I feel I have the PS stuff down pretty good but I still got a little ways to go on that too!

Matt and I have been working on a couple of kits for this series that I think will blow yer socks off!

[TAY666]

Very interested to see what you come up with.
I think you have done a great job in capturing the feel of the PS kits.

I don't know if you remember or not. But before you started on this adventure, I was very skeptical on the idea of add-ons for the line.
Even after I saw some of your ideas and designs, I still wasn't sure.
Even the first pics of the protoceratops didn't convince me.
But once I saw it in person, it called to me.
It belonged.

I was a believer. Though I wasn't sure if you could keep up that level. That is, until I saw the Iggy. Then I knew, that it wasn't just luck with the first one.
You understood the line, and what was important.
And you had the talent to capture the magic again.

I am sure, if you move forward with something for the MS line. You will do the same.

[prescenes2]

Thank you sir! ;D
Hope we don't disappoint.

I do remember you were a little out of sorts when I first contacted you. It seemed you were the one to get approval from. So I wondered if things would work. I basically wanted to have my hand at it and see where it went plus i never did anything like this before and took a curious adventure. I'm still surprised how well it was received.

[prescenes2]

Interesting?!
I saw this today on Monster Scenes Website:

"Take a first look at our new series treatment, setting the stage for the devious goings-on that are coming your way.

Dr. Deadly – he’s been betrayed, ravaged, and left for dead. Still alive, he continues his unusual researches from the depths of an undisclosed dungeon-like lair.

Get ready – we’ll be unveiling our new product designs for this exciting new series soon. You’re about to enter the weird world of Dr. Deadly’s Monster Scenes…and they’re coming to get you!"

[TAY666]

Hmm.
Been wondering what he's been up to.
Nothing since WF really.
Though, that could be a good sign. Busy working all the kinks out and getting things ready to roll before promoting product.

[desslock]

Well, I doubt it's a good sign that we haven't heard any updates -- given the limited market these days for kits, it's probably difficult to get these projects off the ground - but at least things seem to be moving forward.

I finally couldn't resist grabbing the Moebius Monster Scene rereleases - grabbed them all, as well as the Revell rereleases of Dracula and Hyde monsters of the Movies.

I'd like to see any new kits try to maintain a consistent style and focus - wouldn't really be interested in any of the "slasher" monsters being added, but would like to see some of the stuff along the lines of what was originally planned - a hero, another victim, Wolfman, hunchback of ND, Phantom of the Opera, Bride of Frankenstein, the Fly, maybe some NotLD zombies/ghouls, more diorama elements,

[prescenes2]

Just happened to flip through pages and found this now:

"Because you demanded them: the Rabbit, the Cat, & the Skeleton are back – in plastic!

Posted in General info on October 8, 2011 by Monster Scenes®

Yes, we heard you loud and clear. The limited first release of the Monster Scenes Saber Tooth Rabbit, Feral Cat, and Skeleton kits from Dencomm went so quickly that many of you blinked – and missed them. If you did manage to get one of those kits, good for you. If you didn’t, fear not - get ready for the return of these sought-after kits, this time with new parts, new features and in PLASTIC.

Here’s a first look at the new packaging, bearing the recently-unveiled Dr. Deadly’s Monster Scenes series name:

Naturally, there’s more than an exciting new package to these kits. As mentioned, these are newly tooled injection-molded styrene plastic kits (‘cuz they’re what you love, right?). Plus, each kit includes new elements, movable parts, and Mix ‘Em and Match ‘Em features previously not available. Plus, there are extra goodies in each box – and who doesn’t love extra goodies?

Watch for first photos of the new kits, to be posted to the Monster Scenes Journal blog in the coming days. Oh, and when will these new kits be available for you? They’re arriving this November and will be available from your favorite hobby retailers.

Get ready because this is just the beginning!"

[TAY666]

Well, that sounds cool.
I liked the idea behind those kits, but just didn't have the cash for them.
Now that they will be in plastic, even better.

[prescenes2]

Looks like DenComm has posted build-ups of the 3 kits: monsterscenes.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/2011-strabbit.jpg
monsterscenes.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/2011-feralcat.jpg
monsterscenes.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/2011-skeleton.jpg
Nice job Tory!!!

[desslock]

I'm glad to see him being active with the franchise, but none of those really work for me. Too goofy, and I don't really like the sculpts - they don't look like they belong in the series.

[TAY666]

I actually think the ideas are good. I think they make nice editions to the line. Especially the skeleton.
I just wish they had better pictures.
The rabbit and cat pics are really dark and hard to see.
I will reserve judgement on the kits themselves until I actually see them.
I've seen pics of the resin versions, but I want to see what they added, and how well they translated to styrene.

[prescenes2]

See, this is where it hard to decide which way these kits should go or are headed. That's why I asked the question at the beginning of this thread: "Where was Aurora going with it?"
My thought is they were trying to hit a little of ALL styles, just like the PS. Not too real and not too "goofy"!

From what Tory was saying is that Andy Yanchus is behind the final designing of these and future MS kits. So, in a way, Aurora is still behind the making of these kits.

I own the resin versions and plan on getting the styrene versions too. From what I can tell from the photos, the Styrene kits are a bit too "cuddly" for my taste.

Also, I found a video on youtube of someones AURORA collection. About 7:10 into the video, there is a build up of the Dungeon and Animal Pit. Pretty cool displays!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1BuSdoI0QI

[desslock]

Obviously Andy Yanchus's contributions are always welcome, but the original Monster Scenes kits didn't seem as goofy. Personally, to be interested in a MS kit it would have to satisfy the following simple question: "would it fit in a Hammer or Universal horror film?" If not, pass.

I'd love to get the Dungeon/Pit kits if those make it into styrene as planned though.

[prescenes2]

Not sure if everyone has heard or noticed but Molemento Pete has announced the re-release of the Invisible Man he offered a few years ago. He also told me that the Scream Queen will be the next reissue and followed by the re-release of the Bride of Dracula. Hopefully, shortly thereafter, he'll be offering the Neanderthal Woman!

Anyway, I missed out on the Invis Man and Bride last time, so I reserved my copies for sure this time!!!

[TAY666]

I'm hoping to have some extra cash after the holidays to scoop those grails up.

[prescenes2]

I guess he's added a little something extra for the Bride base.