[decepticon_mark]

Since MU isn't putting out any sets and I really can't afford some of the ones out there in scale{Police Academy, Spawn alley, and such}, I have been putting together an ever evolving set featuring a New Orleans type window with a certain vigiilante peeking out, multiple alley type weapons for my MU's as well as an actual turning Ringmaster's hat on the Circus of Crime poster. Any ideas? Feel free to let me know I will continue to evolve this until I can actually get MU sets.

[ludovicotek]

Man, this is looking so awesome. You've done a great job putting this together. I love all the elements you've used. The crates and barricade are great! And where is that fence from? You're idea for the window is pretty cool. I have a couple of those black fences from the Build N' Brawl figures too (that is where it's from, right?) Not sure what you're using for the floor, but black matte board or poster board does a great job of replicating pavement, especially if you walk on it a little and dirty it up. Overall, great work. It looks like you had a lot of fun putting this together.

As far as the playsets you mentioned, you should be able to get a brand new Spawn Alley for around $30 (including shipping) off eBay if you keep your eyes peeled. That Police Academy precinct is an elusive sucker, though.

[decepticon_mark]

Thanks ludovictek. The fence is actually a piece of a WWE steel cage from when I collected WWE. The floor is actually a grey T Shirt stretched tight LOL. I love the idea you gave me and think I have some old board games that have black backs so I may get around to trying that this weekend. Yeah it's been fun putting it together but I think I'm still having the most fun just trying to figure out what to do with it next. My goal is eventually to find a street/building set like Police Academy or someone suggested one from Sesame Street of all places then have the alley branch off the side of that set. Then I wanna get some black{maybe matte board} for under it all for a street. I've got some Transformers Alternators,not exactly in scale but close} that I can line the "streets" with. I figure if Hasbro ain't gonna give us sets then it's up to us. Gotta have a good place to display and take pics of my guys/girls you know?

[behindthemask]

pretty cool man. digging the dumpster scene. not feeling the duct-tape but could be fixed.... I would look into some cheap fixes, ie wallpaper, if u go to most places that sell wallpaper you can buy small ammounts or 1 roll that looks like bricks, or stone wall type effect, then print off tiny pictures such as spiderman, add/write wanted on them. use bendy straws for gutters and downspouts... You could pick up a snake eyes joe figure and use the wolf in the background... u could sculpt garbage such as lit smokes, bottles, use tiny pieces of crinkled paper for this effect as well... as far as the window I would try using q-tips for the window pane structure and try clear wrap for the glass... u could even make a giant hole in a wall so that a villian could be coming through, maybe even call it bank or something... but good work so far, dioramas always make toys look better, unfortunatley they normally have to be made from scratch and take more time then a custom figure... You can also go checkout art store such as Michaels for custom pieces, such as styrofoam /foam for sculpting, and they even sell small pieces of custom wood trim, that could make cool building tops etc

[decepticon_mark]

Ok some more additions/changes thanks to advice from you guys. First the alley has grown and I've added a black flooring for a more asphaltish feel. Second the window is now a see thru window with a perch on the backside for figures to stand on. I used an old WWE Elimination chamber pod glass and of course used the "breakaway" version so a figure can be "thrown" thru the window. I also placed in under a lamp to give it a more eerie night time look. Let me know what you think.

[behindthemask]

that looks a lot better man, keep up the good work.. cereal boxes and cracker boxes work good for buildings

[Snowflakian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by behindthemask

that looks a lot better man, keep up the good work.. cereal boxes and cracker boxes work good for buildings

Speaking of cereal boxes. Those mini cereal boxes that open in the middle to become makeshift bowls come in handy for all sorts of things!

[decepticon_mark]

Thanks for the advice guys. Looking at some smaller boxes I've come across for some "shops". Probably a pawn shop and a liquor store first up. Just having to keep things "affordable" right now due to job issues so since I can't buy parts for custom figures this has become a bit of an obsession as to how to build a small city for my MUs without costing an arm and a leg.

[SlayerDave]

Thats really cool, love dio work, always makes customs look even better.

[trebleshot]

Nice work on the dios! Reminds me of when I was younger and just made up my own "playsets" out of whatever was in the house.

One thing I loved using for buildings was empty tissue boxes. Cut out a door and you'd have a decent bunker for watching a gamma bomb detonate.

[Superquad7]

As a fan of dioramas, I really enjoy this one! Thanks for sharing

[decepticon_mark]

Thanks for all the kind words. Well, Veterans Day caught me at home all day and the kid in me came out imagination blaring so I created a few "accessories" for my Marvels. First up a cinderblock, got more coming so that eventually I plan on being able to build a "breakaway" wall with them. Next are some pallets{I see them all the time behind buildings and in alleys}. One is a normal one and the other features a small breakaway area to be able to put a MU's head thru. Next is my STARK industries dock crate featuring a breakaway end for "battle action". Yeah, got bored today but whatcha gonna do.

[nexxone05]

Really cool, I wish I was creative.

[ludovicotek]

The crate and pallet are looking great!

[decepticon_mark]

Ok so got bored yesterday on Vet. Day and well..the alley is now a city block with an alley. Added a pawn shop with a grizzled old man who runs it{maybe he's even a Hydra informant who knows lol}.

[irondestro1975]

they look awesome

[Mkkiller]

Really good dioramas keep up the good work