This is an update/replacement for my original Rock Steady; I decided that my Hellgate Joeverse will be all new sculpt (as far as the Joes themselves go, at least) so my original RAH version just wouldn't do (he'll be relegated to another role 'cause he's just too cool to waste.) I also needed someone HUGE to carry the mingun and this was it.

Modifications to the face were the hardest part, I had to take the goatee off using a combination of fine Dremel fits and small files. It doesn't show so much in the picture but there is resultant "scarring" around the mouth from doing so, but not so bad as to ruin the figure. I set up the Marauder, Inc. mini-gun ammo box with a strap from a PTE radio pack so I could hang it from his shoulder, then hung it and put the vest over it to keep it in place.

One quick note: the tattoo on Rock's arm, in the story, is inked on; he doesn't believe in wearing permanent tats (his mother would kill him, and he loves his mom) so he's had it inked on. He's become one of my favorite characters, an "aw shucks" farmboy type off the field who turns into a hard-ass killing machine when the fighting starts. Sort of like Radar O'Reilly meets Duke Nukem.



Parts Used:

Entire Figure: Major Barrage (with modified head)
Harness: VvV Snake-Eyes
"Bring On the Pain" Avenger Minigun: Marauder, Inc.


Rock Steady

Machine Gunner

Real Name: Hearne, Ryan
Birthplace: Ottumwa, Iowa
Primary Military Specialty: Infantry
Secondary Military Specialty: Small Arms Armorer
Grade: E-5
Preferred weapon(s): M240B/Avenger .30 Minigun
Position: Heavy Fire Support

The middle child of six, son of a successful Iowa farm family, a high school football star who never let it go to his head and a hard worker, Rock Steady had an open future-his older brothers were going to take over the family farm some day, leaving him the first member of his family to pursue a life outside the farm. With the encouragement of his family Rock set out to do that, joining the Army as a way to get some aspect on life and a little money to further his education. It was to be the start of something big.

Possessed of an "aw, shucks" type personality, it's easy to mistake Rock for a simpleton: he doesn't swear, isn't judgmental, likes kids and small animals. He reads his Bible and doesn't care for movies full of sex and swearing, and he treats women with respect. The mistake many make is in believing he's anything but smart and capable, as his drill sergeants, Airborne and Ranger instructors learned.

In the field Rock is a master of the heavy machine gun, utilizing fire control to maximum effect to conserve ammo and keep the barrel from overheating while taking it to the enemy. While he doesn't have as much overall combat experience as some of the other Joes he has learned well from the fighting he's been in.

Rock is a big believer in teamwork and the "no man left behind" principle; he's been decorated twice for bravery, for going out and pulling wounded teammates out of the line of fire. He bears scars around his lower face resulting from injuries taken retrieving a comrade from a burning APC during peacekeeping operations in Bulgaria following the Third World War.

Rock's introduction to the supernatural as a direct threat came during another peacekeeping operation in Albania, when his Ranger squad was attacked by shape-shifiting rat men. With their commander and first sergeant down Rock directed the remaining Rangers to an abandoned church, where they holed up for several hours, fighting off the rat men until they could make a break for their Humvee and return to safety. This would ensure him a place on the newly-formed Joe team, along with a healthy respect for the things the supernatural world could throw at him.

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Nice figure, paint apps are cool and the removel of the facial hair work really well.

I'd like to see a different head on him. The concept is really nice though.

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I originally planned to use SpyTroops Grunt--even had it hollowed out and ready to go, but it was a hair too small (gave him a pinhead look.)

Nothing else I had on hand gave him the proper look I wanted, or was the right size to make work; he had to convey just enough "innocent" mixed with enough badass to do the job for me.

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Another option could be trying to fix the eyes so they're not rolled back into his head, to make him look not so much like Barrage. Other than that, it's good stuff altho I'd think carrying the ammo on his back would have to be easier than off a pursestrap.

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Like the custom & really dig the character. "Radar O'Reilly meets Duke Nukem." Nice...

I love how the ammo case is connected to his belt.

I hate rat men. I'm never ever going to Albania.

As always, your figures are only overshadowed by the bios.

- R

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Cool. I remember the dude in "DOOM" the movie carrying it that way, and really, with the vest in place, it was the best way to go.



Here's the thing: . I ever get around to writing the story that part's going to show up and play into the storyline. Oh, and they need a better name that "rat men" but I haven't come up with a good one yet.



Thanks!

And thanks to everyone else for the compliments!

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Simple thought, but instead of "Rat Men" call them "The Vermin." It's got a more demonic edge to it, plus rats are vermin. I'll try thinking up some nicknames the soldiers can call them.

That'd work, thanks. I can use that or a variation on it. They're not something I've fleshed out heavily yet (I know they approach their vicitms looking human, then shift and attack, and by and large would never attack armed soldiers--they're too cowardly, which makes the attack so unusual, and they usually stick to big cities where there's lots of places to hide).

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Nice figure and bio, as usual. Though he does look a lot like Major Barrage, but that wouldn't be a problem if Major Barrage isn't a part of your universe.

Now make Bebop

He isn't. Brawler kicked him out.




I think I'm missing a reference there...enlighten me.

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looks good doc, nice job removing the facial hair and that head looks pretty good as a blonde.Paint job looks great too.
Tim

Two words: Ninja Turtles.

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Looks good and I love his back-story, Doc. I like the "innocent farm-boy/open-a-can-o-whoop-ass" take on the character.

-"The Other" Doc

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