Superman vs the Arctic Beast

[timetraveler]

Superman battling kaiju is a popular theme these days. This storyline debuted in the 1942 Fleischer animated film "The Arctic Giant". Many years ago I did a little reimagining and came up with a what-if history to depict in a diorama. What if Warner Brothers decided to make a live action Superman film but instead of "Superman vs the Molemen", they reworked the Arctic Giant. To handle the incredible animation demands, they hired Ray Harryhausen. Ray redesigned the arctic giant into something more realistic and scarier... the Rhedosaur. The result would be a George Reeves Superman battling the Rhedosaur. The diorama is conducted in N scale. The Rhedosaur is from Geometric and sculpted originaly by Joe Laudati. Most of the buildings are by Woodland Scenics. However, the Daily Planet was issued by a man named Linde who had originally designed the Woodland Scenics buildings. The Daily Planet globe is from a Hallmark ornament. The people are Preiser. Superman was a combination of items. There is a Jimmy Olson (snapping pictures) on the fire escape, and Lois Lane is on the roof of the building near the Rhedosaur's paw. I tried to include elements from the Harryhausen film. For example, the woody station wagon crashed over the curb. The line of police firing shotguns at the Beast are there, as well as the brave policeman confronting the Beast with his revolver. There is a man being knocked down by the fleeing crowd. I also included a kid who did not want to listen to his mother and miss his chance to see a real dinosaur. And of course, there is a Sinclair dinosaur logo on one of the trucks. The more I reflect on the Arctic Giant, the more it seems to have been the influence for Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. Examples would include being unfrozen from ice, marching through the concrete canyons of the city, destroying structures, and encountering the police. Missing is any reference to atomic energy, but then again, that was 1942.

[Squidy53]

Wow! That's a big diorama. A lot of work. And huge fun! Congrats on the concept and execution.

[Rocketeer]

Impressive! I especially like the photoetched fire escape. And your Superman conversion!

[Tim Casey]

JEEPERS!

That is SO impressive!

[overspray]

I admire your creativity, skill and patience. So much detail and so well executed! How long did it take to complete?

[Tim Casey]

Not to be greedy, but can you post some more pictures? I'm addicted to this eye candy!

[Trekkriffic]

Two of my favorite things, Superman and the Rhedosaurus! What a treat!

[timetraveler]

Thank you very much for the kind words fellow modelers. Being able to post on the Clubhouse is an honor! Superman and the Rhedosaur are very much my favorites too. This project was an attempt to keep things compact and focused. Up to that point, my projects had been getting bigger but harder to manage. I've added a few more pictures to the original post. Perhaps someday I will take new photos that show the entire diorama. The demolished building has a wrecked interior, and the Daily Planet building has a lobby. Note on one of the new pictures the gushing fire hydrant which a taxi crashed into. I do have plans for a new Rhedosaur project too. Think waterfront.

[tay666]

Holy crap!
That is amazing!

What an interesting idea, and, oh man, the execution

[bucketfoot-al]

I'm coming in late because I'm on a trip up to the Dallas area attending the Yankees game at this very moment, but I have to agree with everyone.

Absolutely fantastic!

The Daily Planet bldg is almost as impressive as the Rhedo w Superman holding his maws open!

Compact, focused, executed to perfection, no detail wasted!!

BRAVO!!!

[barad_dur]

Very fun and creative!

[Stormheart]

Everything about this rocks. Congratulations!