Bot + Monsters: Cronus Magnus Kickstarter
- Apr 4, 2016
- 4 min read
So I noticed designer/artist Eric Smith has a Kickstarter campaign that he is going to start sometime in April (keep your eyes open). The campaign is to help fund the production of Cronus Magnus a giant robot heavily influenced by the Japanese Giant Robot culture. I love Japanese giant robots and love the design mock up for Cronus Magnus, so I figured why not get to know a little more about Eric Smith and the campaign through a few questions.
How did you get started in the Business of making your own figures ?
"I have some artist friends who started having toys made of their designs and I thought it was the coolest thing. It was inspiring and made me want to design and produce my own toy(s)."
If anything, or anyone influenced you in your designs, who or what might that be?
"The most notable influence is Shogun Warriors, obviously. Beyond that, Japanese animation and live action shows, toys, video games and cartoons from the 70s and 80s (anything TOEI Animation studio had a hand in). Influential people/artists would be Go Nagai, Akira Kitamura (Megaman/Rockman), Frank Frazetta, Dick Smith the monster make-up guy, and probably many more that I can't think of at the moment."
Take us through the process (start to finish) on how long it takes you to do a figure.
"It varies. My designs, so far, start off as a doodle. I may doodle and sketch a concept for days or weeks and it may evolve from there, or it may die. In the case of Vulkira, Cronus Magnus and Necro-X, it took a matter of weeks. I would doodle ideas, refine them and then tighten the doodles to sketches and then keep tightening until the concept is finished. Then, I do meticulous spec drawings of multiple views in a vector program for the sculptor/production company."
Is creating figures and art a passion and a hobby or do you want to someday see a line of toys in stores for all to enjoy ?
"It is a passion and I would say more than a hobby. My hobby is playing Dungeons & Dragons. I make toys because I have an innate need to do so. It took me 19 years after graduating from art school to realize what I want to do as an artist, and that is to design and create my own toys. That being said, I think it would be really cool to be able to offer a mass market Shogun Warrior style Vulkira and Cronus Magnus at an affordable price so that kids could play with them. I think it's a shame today that actual toys are mostly popular with grown ups more so than children."
How did you settle on Cronus Magnus for your figures name? Were there others that you were considering ?
"The name was born from the design. I was using crescents in the design from the start and once I evolved the design to have the sickles on his chest, I knew that he would be at least called Cronus, because Cronus was a Greek Titan and is associated with a sickle. I thought just 'Cronus' was too bland and was not good enough for a giant robot that was to be an homage to the great Japanese creations that have inspired me. Adding 'Magnus' on to it was a no-brainer."
Above picture is that of Promo cards (to be printed soon) - CAMPAIGN IS NOT LIVE AT THIS TIME. Background art by Darryl Banks
So tell us everything you can about this Kickstarter Campaign?
"There is not much to tell at this point, as nothing has been finalized. I am working on the budget as I type this, and am waiting for some final tweaks to the sculpt so that i will have a nice colored render to use in the Kickstarter campaign and for promo materials. I do have some additional Kickstarter rewards designed and planned out, which are an embroidered patch, a sheet of blueprints, stickers, original art from the likes of Dan Brereton, Darryl Banks, Jeff Lamm and others. I am also going to offer up a limited run of a resin casted action figure of the Cronus Magnus pilot, Necro-X. I have already done one limited run of Necro-X. I may change him up a little for the Kickstarter so he's a bit different than the first run. Maybe he will be glow in the dark to coordinate with Cronus Magnus. I like to have as many rewards as possible, so there could be more to come. Look for the Kickstarter to launch some time this month (April)."
What kind of Articulation will Cronus Magnus have ? How heavy (in ballpark range) of a figure will he be?
"The figure will have 5 points of articulation, at least that is the plan. He will stand at 10.5 inches tall. I am not sure how much he will weigh. A few ounces, I am sure."
Are there any accessories with Cronus Magnus ?
"He will have interchangeable attachments: 2 regular fists, 2 fists holding sickles, a grappling hook in the closed position, and a sword. I also, plan to cast a variety of clear resin sword attachments myself."
I see the main color way will have Glow in the Dark on the white areas, what other colorways might we see?
"I am hoping to have at least one other color way (Jumbo Machinder Great Mazinga color way) and/or some blanks. If I am extremely lucky and I double my financial goal, there could be some additional color ways."
Now that you know this Kickstarter will be coming up I hope everyone gives it a look. Thanks you go to Eric Smith for sitting down and granting us an interview.
For up to date for information about this Kickstarter campaign. Later EH!
Instagram: @fullblownink
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