This is my analysis of the character known as "Montross" from the EU Comic "Open Seasons." This character is also portrayed as the rival of Jango Fett in Star Wars: Bounty Hunter the video game. Also, an action figure of Montross was sold in a comic two-figure pack, depicting Montross in the comic style, but with differences in particular areas. This is a current project of mine in the works and I would like to have this costume's approval be decided upon so that by my costume's completion, legion approval will be a smooth process.
The design I am focusing on is that of the comic style. This is my analysis of every aspect and my basis for my current build.
I will evaluate the comic reference available and compare and contrast between different scenes. Action figure comparison in
Helmet:
Paint Scheme: The helmet for the most part is consistent in colors and overall appearance. It is a two-tone blue (Jango Fett's helmet colors) and semi-polished silver dome/lower cheeks and sides. The paint scheme has the lighter blue on the mandibles, however, on each side, just before the ear caps, the blue "stops" leaving a silver space open. The ear caps are the same shad of dark blue as the inner cheeks. The trim detail that runs along the back continues in the light blue as well. The area the ear caps sit upon appear to remain silver as well. On the dome (wearer's right side) close to the forehead portion, is a yellow painted design in the shape of an "M". Rangefinder box is also dark blue
Ear Caps: The Range Finder side ear cap is up for debate (the left side remains the same for the most part), but one "style" is more consistent. In one frame, there is a closeup of the range finder ear that shows it as having multiple grills, while in every other frame, the style changes (see reference pictures) to a more basic design, which remains relatively consistent from then on.
Visor: Black
Action figure helmet is consistent with paint scheme, however it's a repainted boba fett helmet, and has movie-style ear caps
Torso:
- Chest Armor: Also drawn in a comic fashion (oversized) these would be better to remain in the movie style. Silver w/ red lined box spanning between both pectoral plates
- Shoulder bells: Similar in shape to that of a scout trooper, but larger. He retains the armor in the beginning of the comic, however, in one scene after surviving a grenade, it appears that the shoulder bells perhaps blew off. They are in a matching dark blue, with a red square detail. Along the inner-side of the bell's edge, there is an angular section cut out as well.
Chest armor is identical, however figure retains boba style dents. Shoulder bells are the same shape/paint scheme/design, however, it has a suggest leather strap that wraps the bicep and attaches to the shoulder bells.
Back armor
- Not seen in any frames.
Present on figure
- Cod piece: it is present in the comic however, the detail/fashion can be assumed to be that of a jango/boba style cod.
Same with the action figure.
- Knee pads: Some images suggest that he is wearing knee pads UNDER the flight suit, other scenes don't appear so, do debatable.
Figure has distinguishable knee armor, silver in color
- Shins and boot plates: Early in the comic, it appears he is wearing both and one main reference image towards the end clearly shows a shin plate similar to that of Jango fett's. Boot plates are debatable.
No shin armor, but black strips of material wrapped around the shin/calves. Boot plates present and held with black strap
- Boots: Cannot be determined to be anything specific
Unspecific, dark grey/black boots. Heavy tread
Vest
- Darker blue/Jango style flak vest. No deviations
Same for figure
Arms
- Forearms have an arm-glove, in a light shade of blue. Undetermined as to what material but appears to be form-fitting and soft.
Grey material in the same pattern as comic, however, has what appears to be 3 black straps w/ buckles (similar to anikan's glove/arm gauntlet in ROTS
Flight Suit
- Navy blue color. Short sleeved. Vertical lines from the waist down (like vader's pants).
Same shade of blue, and short sleeved, but no vertical line details.
Cape
- Light blue, same shade as forearm gloves.Covers the entire back, tattered/weathered. Attachment varies, on frame showing around the neck another showing it attached to the front of the collar armor.
Proper matching shade, hangs around the neck, extends further down then the comic
JetPack
- Not much comic reference available. Known to be mainly silver. Action figure reference suggested as a viable source.
All silver with dark blue highlights.
Belt section
Girth Belt
- Brown in color, plain in design. Cover mid-section and top of cod piece. Hanging on the rear is 4 separate strips of material (suggested to be leather), reaching down to the lower calf area.
Slightly more details, not very discernible
Main belt
- Runs down the center of girth belt and meets to a rectangular belt buckle (silver). Overall design is similar to that of a jedi's belt rig. Has several pouches, 2 small and two large.
Identical to comic
Holster straps
- Straps of leather that hang at the side (suggested that these are used to hold holsters up, as he has two duel blasters, this is seen on the action figure). No holsters or duel blasters present, but these straps hang on the side of the leg in a loose manner. Both holster straps connect in the front-center just below the main belt, and have a brown "skull" emblem over top this connection.
Identical to comic, however, the figure has holsters as well as duel blasters.
Additions with the figure: Appears to be thigh plates underneath the holsters.
This next part is what my build plan is:
Helmet: Movie base helmet w/ matching comic paint scheme. Ear caps are my interpretation of the comic style (see attached photo of one I finished sculpting). I decided to use this design because it was seen more then once in the comic VS the "close" up that was only one frame. A secondary "closeup" was of this consistent design, which was the basis for my sculpt. Please note, that ear piece is not finished!
Torso
Chest armor: Cold cast jango style plates w/ comic paint. Comic style would be oversized and not look well in the real world
Vest: Jango style flak vest w/ out shoulder flaps
Shoulder bells: Comic style, no strap like action figure.
Back plate: No back plate, back will be covered by cape and jetpack and won't be seen beneath these two items.
Cape: Hang around lower neck and extend to no further then mid-thigh level
Jetpack: All cold-cast, with blue highlights using action figure's jetpack as reference
Forearm gloves: Light blue material (matching cape), form fitting
Flight suit: Navy blue w/ vertical lines sewn. Short sleeve
Belts:
-Plain girth belt w/ single 1" leather belt down the center meeting at the front center with comic accurate belt buckle. 4- 2" wide leather straps will hang off rear of this belt. Plain girth belt because it's comic accurate. Action figure's girth belt is pretty unclear (random)
-Lower belt w/ 2 small and two larger leather pouches.
-Holsters straps will hang at the sides, comic style, meeting at the front-center w/ skull detail. Will eventually make holsters/ duel pistols, however, I believe for approval purposes, it is not needed.
Cod piece: Jango style cod piece
Knees: No external knee plates like figure. Alternative would be to wear bulky knee pads on the inside of the flight suit to give it the appearance of the comic style
Shins: Jango style shin armor. Seen in two separate frames of the comic
Boot armor: Unsure if needed. Only really noticeable in one frame. Up for debate
Boots: I personally own a pair of kenneth cole ankle boots with the movie accurate jango soles which I planned on using.
This was my analysis of the comic style Montross. Please let me know your thoughts. Images attached below. Thank you for your time!
-Chris
Montross is cited to appear in these sources: