GubernatorFan wrote:Hmmm... The figures are certainly striking in appearance, and will probably be good in quality. But these are not realistic Greek hoplites. The best part is probably the head sculpt, the more neutral expression, as usual, being the better of the two. There are plenty of references to real Greek designs here, from the geometric decoration to the gorgon's head on the shield, but their choices are a bit off -- much would have been painted on, and little would have been executed in relief; the geometric designs are oversized, and there is plenty of over-stylizing with lines more appropriate for the Avengers' Thanos than for a Greek hoplite. Speaking of which, Thanos is a Greek name, a contraction of either Athanasios ("deathless") or perhaps Thanatos ("death," or the god thereof).
Very well said -- the phrase that "There are plenty of references to real Greek designs here... but their choices are a bit off" quite efficiently summarizes the good and bad of it. Recognizing the basic authenticity of the Gorgon design, I hadn't thought through that it would have been painted and not actually cast in a bronze shield (especially for infantry rather than some king's ceremonial armor).
But my real issue with that is the vast redundancy of it. First, the duplication of the exact Gorgon design on both the shield and again the breastplate, seems awkward and unlikely to me. Secondly the Gorgon image may be logical on a shield (given the frequent mythological reference to Perseus using her reflection in a bronze shield to defeat the medusa) but it isn't a flag, logo or a brand, and it has no connection to the breastplate. Thirdly, sadly
HaoyuToys did the exact same thing on their previous Greek Heavy Infantry figure (re-use of parts). So now I have to think that if I got this one, there would be positive overkill seeing them both together. Four instances of the same prominent (as you say, oversized) and identical Gorgon design, too distracting. It's a deal breaker for me that the look of Gorgon X 4 would damage any joint display.
I agree that the neutral headsculpt is preferable, but if you're going to do a screaming sculpt (and it is most welcome) this is the way to do it -- with a simultaneously included neutral sculpt to launch off from.