Tales from the Apocalypse - The Cook

Published on
March 3, 2017
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/16
MSRP
$24.95
Product / Stock #
104
Company: Gecco - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: Gecco - Website: Visit Site
Package

The Cook is the lead-off figure in Gecco’s second series and follows the three figures in series one in their Tales From the Apocalypse that I believe are sculpted by Shojiro Kasai. This second series creates Scene 2: Day 1, 1:27 pm at the Diner, and goes with two other figures: a waitress named Cindy who is the sister of the heroine in the first series, and a nameless biker. This figure, the Cook, was attempting to rescue his daughter from a horde of zombies only to find out Cindy had already been infected. In his shock and horror, Cindy ripped into his neck infecting her father. At full zombified rage, the Cook, now wields his heavy frying pan against all comers.

The figure packaging is extremely well done. The outer over is portrayed as a heavily used VHS rental movie along with movie rental stickers and notes that you would have found on a VHS rental. The edges of the box are even depicted as heavily worn. The look is quite effective. I took it to show off at my local IPMS meeting and it fooled nearly everyone: “Why would you bring some worn out VHS movie to a model discussion”? The folded instructions help tell the story in a newspaper-like format.

Packaging of the fifteen parts are protected within a compartmentalized plastic bag that minimizes the damage that could occur if the parts had just been loose in one large bag. I would recommend that you wash all the parts to remove any remaining mold release. There are small mold lines present on the parts, but they are easily cleaned up with sandpaper or a scalpel blade. The figure stands a little over four inches and has several options including the frying pan, an apron, and a hat. You also have the option of having a large belly gash just above his belt or using an option piece to cover it up.

I began by cleaning up the few sprue attachments and the fine mold lines. Test fitting showed that overall part fit was going to be good. The only seam I really needed to deal with was the front and back of the Cook’s shirt and that would have to wait until after getting the base colors on.

I used Vallejo paints throughout and had no issues. I painted the trousers Iraqi Sand and the belt Mahogany Brown. The shoes were painted Panzer Grey and the socks were painted USA Uniform green. All exposed skin was base coated with Off White, followed by dry brushing Light Flesh. I highlighted with rosy Flesh and Medium Fleshtone. I was somewhat concerned how the plastic would take cement, but using Tamiya Extra Thin cement presented no problems. The head nested into the chest with no issues, as did the feet into the pants. Sandwiching the head and chest assembly, I used Tamiya Putty along the seams and then pressed the front and back of the shirt together and set it aside to dry. Afterwards I used a combination of sanding and a scalpel blade to eliminate the raised seam that came from the dried putty.

The frying pan was painted black and allowed to fully dry before I used Vallejo Metal Color Steel brushed on. The irises were Sky Blue with a dot of Prussian Blue for the pupil. The hair and eyebrows are German Camouflage Black Brown. I then started on the bloody bits. I used Hull Red for the deeper cuts and then added a layer of Carmine Red. I used Transparent Red as an overlay. I used Off White for the exposed collar bone and radius bone. I then splashed on transparent yellow and smoke randomly to get a ‘dirty effect.

I will continue to ‘fiddle’ with the face as I’m still not happy with the ‘deer in the headlights’ look but overall I’m quite pleased with this kit. The outer packaging and the instruction sheet are excellent. The same goes for the packaging of the parts with most of them off the sprue and individually packaged by plastic blisters. Kit design is also very good with the consideration of the separate parts that take into consideration painting requirements. I am looking forward to completing another kit in this series!

Highly Recommended

My thanks to Gecco and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great kit.

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