Posts Tagged ‘qmx’

Sure, you've seen the 03-K64 Firefly-class mid-bulk cargo transport all over the place, but what about the other Firefly models? We saw some hints in the Official Blueprint Set, but now QMx is offering a beautiful poster by Sean Kennedy of the ISV Cerberus, a Mark 3 Firefly with military refit.

Bringing the Cerberus to life was a labor of love for many talented and experienced Serenity designers. Based on a concept sketch done by Tim Earls for the Official Serenity Blueprint Reference Pack (Tim did Serenity's concept design under the direction of Joss Whedon), the ship was rendered from scratch by Lightwave virtuoso Sean Kennedy. Once the model was complete, it became possible to pose the ship in any number of scenes and scenarios.

For her debut, we see our "Big Dog" taking a much-deserved break, reinforcing an Independents encampment in one of the deserts on Persephone. Look closely and you can see some of her crew and Browncoat marines moving under her shadow. This poster is full of little details and surprises, from the tattered 12th Cavalry flag hanging from the side of a gun emplacement to the "Eat This Purple Bellies" scrawled on the sides of Cerberus' big missiles.

Even Serenity Graphic Designer Geoffrey Mandel had a hand in her creation, creating the Cerberus and 12th Cavalry logos.

The poster is 12.5" x 19.5" and retails for just $12.95.

Now available, one of the most anticipated Serenity stuffs yet: the "LIttle Damn Heroes" Kaylee maquette, designed by Adam Levermore-Rich of BlackMarketBeagles.com.

We got a glimpse over a year and a half ago, when pics were leaked and demos were spotted at a con and one of the test pieces was auctioned off for CSTS, and some of us remember the original Little Damn Heroes cartoons by Adam Levermore-Rich that the maquettes are based on.But now they're here and she's looking very shiny indeed.

You can get 'em at QMx or TFAW, but if you're getting the QMx Insider newsletter you already know about the great 24-hour launch-day deal QMx has going today only (and if you're not getting the newsletter, I think maybe you should so you know what I'm talking about, yes?). Besides, the newsletter will be the only way to find out about… I've said too much.

Shiny! The word epitomizes Serenity's unsinkable engineer, Kaywinnit Lee Frye, or as she's known to her friends, Kaylee. And now for the first time, Kaylee's shining spirit is captured in this limited edition, hand-painted animation maquette, designed by well-known artist Adam Levermore-Rich, creator of the best-selling Serenity: Blue Sun Travel Posters. The stylized statue brings together Kaylee's two seemingly contradictory aspects – savant engineer and girly girl – perfectly. Smiling beatifically, the 4 1/2' Kaylee Maquette is sculpted wearing her mechanic's coveralls (complete with teddy bear patch) and holding her trademark rainbow parasol, standing in her work boots on a black resin base. Limited to 1,500 pieces, this maquette will be a unique collectible that deserves a place in every Browncoat's collection. Painted and ready to display.

They'll be limited to 1,500, first in a series of Little Damn Heroes maquettes. And that's the key, here: "first in a series." I've seen the other two demo pieces, and I want the complete set. And I will yell at you until you buy enough of these to make the rest of the set a reality. And I can be pretty shrill, so get over to quantummechanix.com or TFAW.com and click away.

Black Market Beagles has joined QMx! And it's a good thing.

Mainly it means that Adam Levermore-Rich's geek-based business will now get more attention, the quality of the materials should improve, and his browncoat-based designs will be a bit more official. And Qmx gets a ready-made line of beautifully designed geekwear. Win-win.

First up, a shoulder patch for the 12th Cavalry Airborne.

The men and women of the Independents 12th Cavalry,  whose unit slogan "Death From Above" described them perfectly: They rained terror and ordinance on enemy forces where ever they were –  space, the air or the ground. Their heavily-armed, but surprisingly maneuverable, gunboats could be configured for all manner of missions from patrol to deep insertion to flying fortress duty. Small enough to avoid detection, fast enough to hit quick and retreat, big enough to grapple even with the capital ships, the gunboats were the perfect vehicle for an armed militia that specialized in guerrilla warfare.

The 12th Cavalry were Browncoats to reckoned with.

And a T-shirt commemorating the ISV Cerberus, the Bravest Browncoats, featuring a logo designed by Serenity graphic designer Geoff Mandel.

There is perhaps no braver soldier than the one who fights a hopeless battle not because they think they can win, but because they know it is right. Such was the caliber of crew aboard the ISV Cerberus, Browncoats that fought tirelessly and with distinction from the hopeful beginning to the bitter end. Taken down not by superior skill or greater bravery, but by a technological edge brought about by vast industrial power.

More stuff is coming! And you can buy it in QMx's new shopping cart system, that's a bit more robust and feature-rich than their previous one (although the speed could use some work, guys).

QMx's "Serenity: Big Damn Heroes" lithograph set by Steve Anderson is now available for preorder from TFAW.com, with their usual 20% off. You won't find them cheaper than this, folks.

We love our captain – and the rest of Serenity's crew. That's why we approached Steve Anderson, one of the best portrait painters in the business, and asked him to capture our Big Damn Heroes in a series of lithographs. Being a Browncoat of no small dedication himself, Steve gladly agreed to take on the daunting task of capturing the personalities and spirits of the BDHs.

The result is a series of museum-quality 13" x 19" lithographs, printed on 100-pound, satin-finish paper. The first set features Mal, Inara, Kaylee and Jayne, painted by one of the most reknowned portrait artists working today.

First QMx brings you the Little Damn Heroes, then they turn around and offer you big ones. Remember the the painting of Kaylee Steve Anderson posted on his site a while back? QMx commissioned him to create portraits of each of Serenity's crew, and the first set of four should be available later this month.

The result is a breathtaking series of museum-quality 13" x 19" lithographs, printed on 100-pound, satin-finish paper. The first set – featuring Mal, Inara, Kaylee and Jayne – will be sold as set for just $29.95. That's right, four lithographs of Serenity's crew, painted by one of the most renowned portrait artists working today, for just under $30.

Check out the QMx Insider newsletter for a heads up on availability. QMx is having a heck of a week…

As part of the Can't Stop the Serenity events, QMx – a longtime CSTS supporter and donator – is donating part of their profits between June 19 and September 20 to Equality Now.

"QMx Proudly Supports Can't Stop The Serenity

Quantum Mechanix will donate 10 percent of the price, before taxes, of all purchases made at www.qmxonline.com between June 19th and September 30th to Can't Stop The Serenity. Simply enter "CSTS" in the notes field when you check out to give 10 percent of your purchase to benefit Equality Now. Offer applicable to all products, except Artisan products.

Remember, you must enter "CSTS" in the notes field of the order when you check out for the donation to apply.

QMx – Bringing The 'Verse to Life"

Over at Firefly Ship Works, the contests have begun!

At random intervals they're going to post pictures of a specific part of the ship. All you have to do is… guess which part it is. First prize is a set of Zoe's name tags, a cool collectible from QMx that isn't easy to get.

Well, usually. Someone already guess the part. But they'll be posting more, so keep watching.

OK, you really need to be checking out FireflyShipWorks.com. Lots of details are coming out in the comments section. Some highlights:

- The ship will be to 1:180 scale of the size defined by the Serenity blueprints, the most accurate ones to date. The model will be 18" long.

- Each one will be hand-cast, hand-wired, hand-assembled, hand-painted. It will be weathered appropriately, based on the surface map from the actual 3D model.

- There will be a limited number, they won't be cheap, and they may or may not be out this year.

- The build is being done by The FX Company. This is a good thing. They're even more scary obsessive than you are. The model itself will be made by QMx.

Go there and pester them for more answers. And demand T-shirts.

Some time ago, QMx mentioned an interesting project in the works: a large and detailed Serenity model. It promised to be insanely detailed and screen accurate, and I was kinda interested in a "some day" way.

Guess what they're working on…

You can follow the progress at the just-launched Firefly Ship Works Ltd site, www.fireflyshipworks.com. Think of it as a progress diary, posting updates and sneak peeks at the ship as it's crafted. There is no price or ship date available here (and per their policy there won't be one until they have product in sight, keep an eye on the QMx newsletter for those details) but you'll be able to see the amount of care and detail the designers are putting in. This will be our ship. It will be big. It will be beautiful. And it will make visitors to your house go "oooh."

A few hints already dropped, in comments and other places: there will be working lights (including chaser lights to simulate the engine), and they're looking at possibilities like a removable primary buffer panel.

More details as I get 'em. Go check out the site and let 'em know you're out there.

It's out and for sale: a signed and numbered lithograph of the Worlds of the Alliance, created by Serenity graphic designer Geoffrey Mandel. Order it from TFAW.com or directly from QMx.

Worlds of the Alliance was created by designer Geoffrey Mandel for the classroom scene in the movie Serenity, but was never used because the final set for that scene had no walls. However, Mr. Mandel was still required to create this most authoritative and comprehensive guide to the planets of the 'Verse yet produced, which was reviewed and approved by director/writer Joss Whedon himself.

When we first saw this fabulous piece of artwork and 'Verse lore, we just didn't think it was fair that Browncoats would never get a chance to see, much less own a copy. That's why we arranged with Universal and Mr. Mandel this opportunity for you to own one of only 1,000 27"x19" lithographic art prints of the Worlds of the Alliance, hand-signed and numbered by Mr. Mandel himself, for just $39.95.

QMx has a bit more of the backstory from Geoff, and it's worth checking out.