CREATIVE CUSTOM: Ron Boyd's 12-Inch Baltimore Figure

Mike Mignola's character comes to life in 1:6 scale...

You’ve probably seen Ron Boyd’s comic art before. After all, he’s worked on such popular characters as Spiderman, Batman and Superman. However, you may not realize Boyd is also an accomplished action figure customizer as well as a talented illustrator.

After being introduced to 1:6 scale customizing by Nelson Costa (whose work has been featured in numerous publications) and seeing the Toys McCoy 12” Indiana Jones figure, Boyd became an instant 1:6 collector.

“When I saw what the hobby had to offer in terms of realistic clothing and detail, I was hooked,” says Boyd, whose own recent custom 12" Baltimore figure, based on the title character from the Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden illustrated novel, has generated fan and collector attention.

“I have been a Mignola fan for years; since he did the Phantom Stranger mini-series for DC,” says Boyd, who had the chance to meet Mignola years ago and has stayed in touch with the Hellboy creator ever since. “He’s one of the most original artists and storytellers out there and it’s very gratifying to see him get the accolades that are due him,” adds Boyd.

Mignola's new book, Baltimore, Or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire, tells the story of Lord Henry Baltimore, a soldier who awakens the wrath of a vampire on the battlefield of World War I and inadvertently releases a plague upon the world. Thus, when Boyd saw the new Baltimore character, it only made sense for him to bring the character to life in 12-inch action figure form.

“When I read the book, I loved Baltimore,” says Boyd. “I thought the visual of a man laden with weapons of all sorts and this unique, heavy wooden leg was just brilliant. With the story set during WW I (although a slightly different reality), I knew there were a bunch of 12” WWI figured out there, so the base for the figure was there…”

For Boyd, the project began with assembling the outfit and creating the wooden leg, which for all accounts is Baltimore's most unique trait.

“It says in the book he wears the uniforms of different countries and (the book) describes the armament he carries with him," says Boyd, who used the two images from book as reference. “I figured with the (variety of) figures out there, the costume and basic props would be easy.”

But what about that leg?

Looking at the two drawings in the book, Boyd was able to determine where the leg was cut off as well as how it was attached. “I had to think out the real world mechanics of (the leg). I didn’t want the figure to look exactly like Mr. Mignola’s drawings; I wanted (instead) to bring those drawings into the real world,” says Boyd.

The bottom of the leg is never shown in the two drawings and is only vaguely described. So, after agonizing over this details, Boyd decided to contact Mignola directly and asked him for details.

“Mike’s not known for the promptness of his responses," says Boyd, "but he did answer in a few days (and was) short and to the point: ‘Ron, it’s a peg.’”

Upon hearing this, Boyd, who’d already carved the leg to look as if it’d have a boot top, decided to leave the leg as he'd made it. “I sanded and carved until I was happy with it and nervously cut into it to make the hinge. I carved it in two pieces and used a dowel to fasten the (two) together at the (knee),” says Boyd, who says the leg’s joint ended up a little loose and with a limited range of motion.

Construction aside, the painting and detailing of the leg was still to follow. “I used paint in various shades and used (numerous) washes to get the desired look,” added Boyd. “Lots of painting, drying, sanding and (re)painting; many, many stages to give it that 'lived in' look.”

The book also describes Baltimore as driving nails into the leg, one for every soul he’s helped save and as a testament to the weight of his burden.

“I went to a local shop that specializes in doll houses and got a packet of brass nails. They’re a nice size and the brass gives nice little spectral hits to the figure," says Boyd, who drove 35 nails into the leg using a pliers and completing the most eye-catching part of his custom.

“I had a blast working on Baltimore,” says Boyd, who not only made the wooden leg from scratch, but also utilized numerous weathering techniques on the figure’s clothing as well as added stubble to the figure’s facial sculpt (right). “You builds upon experience to learn where the pitfalls are and refines your methods to get better with each custom. That’s the goal,” says Boyd.

Lord Baltimore now proudly standing on Boyd’s shelf, in between his Indian Jones and Aragorn figures. “I’m really happy with how he came out. In time, I think I’d like to shoot more pictures with Baltimore and put him in some realistic backgrounds," says Boyd, who sent some of the photos he took to Mignola.

In fine fashion, Mignola replied saying how much he liked the figure and how one photo in particular (below) was “exactly how he should look.”

Seeing as how Baltimore, Or, The Steadfast Tinman and the Vampire was recently optioned for the big screen, it’ll be interesting to see not only how Boyd’s version of the soldier compares to the live-action portrayal of the character, but also if figures or collectibles of Baltimore aren’t released in the future.

No matter. There’s nothing as impressive as the first and - at least for the time being - only Lord Baltimore action figure…

To chat with Boyd, see more photos and read more information about his amazing custom Lord Baltimore figure, check out OneSixthWarriors.com.