I felt that this was the most creative execution. It's such a simple idea and totally worked with the shape that the original blank WZL had. It used the original design of the WZL and worked in conjunction with it, the paint treatment totally changed the white plastic qualities of the WZL and gave it a very convincing feel of weathered metal. I also felt that the props served as a catalyst to the design rather than as the flagship. The attention to detail from the tiny rivets of the costume to the springs and gunmetal treatment throughout was not only impressive but very smart.

I like robots. win.

This one hit a personal note with me, as I'm a huge fan of the steampunk look. It's more than the appearance that makes this figure stand out, it's also the attention to detail. Each piece is meticulously fashioned with no visible sign that they are not authentic, miniature punk warrior parts. Yet despite the intricacy of the details, there is an overall simplicity in the piece; for all its eye candy the overall look is extremely clean and attractive.

Texture was the name of the game here. The brush strokes on the surface of this figure really, truly had me feeling like it had seen better days. I wanted to be critical of how the springs stretching from front to back on the figure didn't really work as the pipework I've come to expect from the steampunk genre, but with some imagination I was eventually able to accept them as energy coils. Or something. I thought it looked like a diver anyway. A+!!!!11

Viva la revolucion! I thought this was a good execution all around. I liked how props are very integrated into the figurine. It almost looks like they were always attached. I especially liked the little details like the belt pack. The line quality of the painted aspects was also really good. I think one of the reasons this was a shoe-in was because when placed in a litter of WZL's it just had presence.

MEXICANS RULE.

This figure lies at the other end of the spectrum from a lot of the others. It lacks elegance and clean lines, it throws them out the window in favor of a bold, colorful look. It's wild and scary, and it's more than just blood spatter that accomplishes this. The large eyes and maw encompass the entire head, and the double miniature rifles complete the ensemble. And yet for all its abandon there was still an attention to detail necessary to be counted among the best.

I didn't believe that this was Jazza's piece when such was first announced to me. I still don't. The clarity of the facial outlines is remarkable in person, and the thing is smooth all over, leaving me unable to figure out how he applied the paint. Now I'm just trying to figure out what tiny munitions store Jazza robbed to arm this WZL hooligan.

I am still torn on this one. Depending on when you ask me I either love it or I hate it. I can just picture Adam Phillips gouging the eyes out this doll. I can only imagine the bad day one needs to be having to come up with something like this. I wonder if all ex-Disney animators are this tortured? As a side note, I do agree with most of the team in that the feet are a bit of overkill. Even if they were integrated, I think it just works without em.

This Munny's a Mummy

This figure gave me chills like no other. Once again it's a simple concept beautifully executed: a piece painstakingly covered in random glyphs and swaddled in strips of cloth. A bloody sword with a custom handle completes the ensemble. Under the skin of a baby's face lay creepy, black facial features that are almost as disturbing as the mask itself. The artist's craft was slightly lacking as the characters are smudged in places and there is a reddish tint on the head, presumably from the blood on the edges of the mask. Another detraction is the inclusion of the baby's feet which seem to be a mere afterthought since they are not attached; I would argue that the piece looks better without them. (Something that didn't come into consideration during the judging process but which I found to be an interesting fact nonetheless: the artist himself. It's nice to see a different side of the Brackenwood creator.)

This one was just weird. I almost dont even want to know the amount of drugs it took to get into the frame of mind to make something like that. I dont exactly know what Nathan was after but in a way thats what makes it alluring. Trying to figure out what it might mean. I dont know, this wasnt my personal pick but I can sort of see what some of the staff found intruiging about it.

Clearly the most disturbing piece of the lot, this figure almost causes seizures just by studying it. Describing is as merely "trippy" wouldn't be do it justice. The use of text as a graphic element -- most conspicuously in place of an eye -- was a welcome touch of insanity. Finally, the effect achieved using swirling shades of purple it punctuated with tiny flecks of paint that disrupt its otherwise smooth finish. Intentional detail or lapse in craftsmanship? It simply doesn't really matter.

Trippy.

SEEK HELP.

This one was my personal pick from the litter. I really like how he relied on no props and was all on him and his artistic ability and precise hand. This was also one of the only ones that went from concept to WZL right down to the last detail. The paint finish is matte and totally appropriate for his concept. I just like the no-frills execution what can I say!

This was one of the few pieces with a matte finish, which besides setting it apart from the others visually also gave it a little more realism. Using the arms to simulate action was a stroke of genius and used the canvas in a way that few others did. This figure clearly shows that the artist has a talented hand as he pulled off an attractive look with no props or decorations, indeed nothing but fine lines and a muted palette. Favorite detail: understated ass crack I almost didn't see.

I'm jealous. I don't know if anyone agrees with me, but to this piece felt like vector art incarnate. The lines were so sharp and the color so insanely CONSISTENT that I just don't see this WZL as being anything but a creppy exercise in 2d streamlining WAIT A MINUTE THAT'S A @(*!$(*^!%$^ BLIMP COMING OUT OF HIM.

Moss-Boy actually didnt end up winning anything, mainly because Senti was ineligible to win twice but the execution of it was downright flawless. It was quite amazing how well this WZL worked with the Rust-Punk. They compliment each other so well by the sheer polar opposites of their treatment. This WZL is one of those you have to see it in person kinds. The moss is perfectly adhered and consistent throughout. He has like these tiny pebbles around his feet, its really something else! It's such a minimalist approach but it totally screams with style.

EAT YOUR GREENS

Another exercise in simplicity. There is very little to this besides a wise choice of materials and good old fashioned attention to his craft. It may appear at first to be nothing more than a figure that was covered in felt, but in this case feeling is believing. The faux moss was applied so expertly that I couldn't help but be amazed. Subtle touches like miniscule pebbles to accentuate the feet and eyes that are barely noticeable stand apart from the wild tree sprouting asymmetrically from the head; and a small tail takes cues from both camps and ties it all together.