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| Kaustic Plastik CELADUS box packaging - Front |
My earliest exposure to the Roman gladiators was from watching Kirk Douglas play the part of Spartacus from the film of the same name, which was released in 1960. Fast forward to the year 2000 and the epic "Gladiator" where Russell Crowe is Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is a favorite of the dying emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) before running afoul of Aurelius’ murderous, almost-disenfranchised son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Escaping an order of execution, Maximus is unable to save his wife and young son from the same fate. Now taken into slavery, Maximus is trained as a gladiator by Proximo (Oliver Reed), where he seeks his revenge in the Roman Colosseum. The sheer savagery of gladiatorial combat comes alive in "Gladiator", which earned 12 Oscar nominations, winning for Best Picture, Best Actor (Crowe), Best Sound, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects.
I've wanted a 1:6 scale Roman gladiator 12-inch figure since the film was released (along with a Roman Legionary!) and now that dream has come true! Even better yet, I'm not getting one but two gladiator figures! How cool is that :)
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| Kaustic Plastik CELADUS box packaging - Back |
A little bit of info about the company: Kaustic Plastik emerged from the ashes of Twisting Toyz, formed by Fabio Varesi, former Twisting Toyz historical chief consultant and Danilo Leo, former Twisting Toyz chief prototyper. Twisting Toyz, as most collectors are well aware, was the first and only action figure company producing 1:6 scale World War II Italian soldiers and equipment, that today still remain the most historically accurate Italian action figures in the market.
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| Click on the picture for a bigger and better view :) |
Kaustic Plastik wanted to continue with that grand Italian tradition. However, Fabio and Danilo felt the need to create a new company that is focused on the more "ancient" themes of Italy, which for too many years has been overlooked in the collector’s market. Being that Kaustik Plastik is headquartered in Italy, they will have wide access to some of the world’s finest historical artifacts out there. Because of this, they will have the capability to produce historically accurate sets such as: (1) Ancient Rome: Gladiators - based on the original weapons and equipment found in Pompeii (Italy), come Retiarius, Thraex, Myrmillo, and many others, ready to do battle in the Coliseum. (2) Ancient Rome: Roman Army – from the military might of the Roman Legionaries to the impressive stature of the Roman Centurion, you’re ready for battle!
Kaustic Plastik products are TOTALLY designed in ITALY. And as far as I can tell, they are the only company in the world that mix the "Italian design" with Action figure world. All the sculpts of their Weapons, helms, and Armours comes from Danilo Leo. The Historical research from Fabio Varesi.
Kaustic Plastik made their study and design based on the ORIGINAL Pieces found in Pompeii Italy.
Here are some reference pictures of the Originals. They personally went on site in Pompeii taking pictures, and speaking with local Archeologist who helped them in ensuring that they made a "perfect" replica of everything. As you can see the Shoulder protection and Leg protection is almost identical to the original ones!!
Kaustic Plastik also developed their very own 12-inch nude body, the 1/6 scale Realistik Muscle Body with extraordinarily life-like muscle definition as well as original head sculpts! This is a close-up shot of the Kaustic Plastik 1/6 "Celadus" Roman gladiator head sculpt. The Thraex's head sculpt was inspired by UFC Fighting Champion Randy Couture.
Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale "Astacius" 12-inch Retiarius Roman gladiator figure as seen in Rome, Italy, circa 300 A.D. This is the box packaging which is similar to that of the Kaustic Plastik CELADUS box packaging except this box isn't as deep.
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| Kaustic Plastik ASTACIUS box packaging - Front |
The Retiarius (plural retiarii; literally, "net-man" or "net-fighter" in Latin) was a Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman: a weighted net (rete, hence the name), a three-pointed trident (fuscina or tridens), and a dagger (pugio). The retiarius was lightly armoured, wearing an arm guard (manica) and a shoulder guard (galerus).
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| Kaustic Plastik ASTACIUS box packaging - Back |
This Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale "Astacius" Retiarius 12-inch gladiator figure will come with "life-like" head sculpt with "state of art" paint, newly developed muscular body "Realistik Body" KP01A, Retiarius shoulder guard "galerus" based on Pompeii (Italy) original model (Die-cast Metal), Retiarius Trident "fusciana or tridens" (Die-cast Metal and Wood), Retiarius small dagger "pugio" (Die-cast Metal blade), Retiarius special four spikes dagger "quadrens" (Die-cast Metal blade), Fabric Cushion gaiter and shoulder armor pad, Leatherlike Arm guard "manica" and belt, Retiarius net "rete".
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| Click on the picture for a bigger and better view :) |
And this is a picture of the original 1:1 scale Retiarius shoulder guard "galerus" used as reference for sculpting and making the 1:6 scale version. Talk about accuracy to details :)
Here's the figure still in its tray - no twisty ties to be concerned with. Just slide out the tray and remove the top cover and the Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale "Astacius" Retiarius 12-inch gladiator figure is ready to battle it out in the arena.
Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale Retiarius' head sculpt was inspired by Italian Footballer Francesco Totti)
That's all for now but there'll be more to come in future posts :) Look out for it!
Review 1: Kaustic Plastik's 1/6 scale "Celadus" Thraex Roman gladiator 12-inch figure (pictures of the head and newly developed body HERE)
You can order the Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale 12-inch Roman gladiator figures on their website HERE. Their products are also distributed in USA by Cotswold Collectibles and they are very proud of this because Cotswold Collectibles is one of the oldest company totally dedicated to Action Figures! You can order via Cotswold HERE.
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