I am not sure if Curt even remembers, but when he announced the theme for this year Challenge, I was cursing like mad. I had no idea what to do actually. Even worse not only was this the theme for this year (which meant the mini I would send to Curt would have to follow this theme), but also the theme for the last theme round. So I decided, that I would only do one mini for both and simply send Curt my theme round entry. Well that was about three months ago and in all the weeks that followed I contemplated what to do, I actually had a couple of ideas. And I felt that two were actually so good, that I could not decided which one to do and which one to pass by. So in the end I chose them both and here is my entry fee, which will be on its way to the plains of Canada soonish.
So what will Curt get? It is Death from Terry Pratchetts Discworld novels. I think he actually makes for a perfect Anti-Hero. Obviously when you think about Death the "Anti" part of "Anti-Hero" is obvious. Death is the inevitable end to everyone's life, coming for you without remorse regardless of your wish to remain or not. But why is he a Hero? Well Discworlds Death is a bit different. He is not unknown to show compassion for his customers, even trying to cheer them up at times. But in addition to that he is a loving and caring father and like any hero not without his faults. As such he looses his job at one time (only to get it back with vengeance). In addition to all that he is there to give a helping hand (although this can at times lead to peoples... err Death) or step in for someone else if needed. Like the time he takes over for the Hogfather (Discworlds version of Father Christmas) to make sure the job gets done.
One thing that I love about this mini is the little details, like the Death of Rats that are part of the actual mini.
In the past years, I have always send my entries with completed base to Curt. This year I have left the base plain. The reason is simple. In the novels Death lives in a house on a plain of existence that is completely in greyscale. Now I thought, that it would be great to either have some furniture or plants painted in greyscale on the base to show this. Now I completely suck at painting greyscale, while Curt is one of the undisputed masters at it, so I thought "why ruin something, when you have someone who is great at it". I hope Curt will forgive me this!
From Curt:
A wonderful interpretation of the anitihero theme Burkhard and thank you for the lovely figure. I'm particularly impressed with your painted effect of the Sands of Time hourglass - it looks so realistic. I also like this blue 'eyes' as it gives him a softer, more humane look, which I think reinforces the overall character.
Thanks again Burkhard, Death will be a formidable addition to the Antihero pantheon forming in my display cabinet.
