The Skies That Still Betray

Hey.

Thanks to phoenicia, I got a little re-acquainted with Area 88, which is still one of my favorite comics. I have the whole (relatively current) TV series fansubbed on video CD-ROMs, but I'll probably splurge for the DVDs eventually.

What is surprising me is how the Trading Models are becoming a phenomenon:





The above models are of "Patch" Randall's Blackburn Buccaneer, "Cannibal Tiger" Nguyen's Republic Thunderchief and Sela's Lockheed Starfighter, all in 1/144th scale (which means they can be "parked" on a credit card). These things, while looking very very nice as models, are selling for insane prices, especially the rares. Unopened cases of ten are selling for upwards of $100.

Strangely enough, planes are showing up in these collections that hadn't appeared in any on Area 88's previous incarnations...namely a Shin Kazama SAAB Gripen and a Satoru Kanzaki Sukhoi Berkut! Is there a revival in the works? (I can't say more, because to do so would be tremendous spoilers for the many in America who don't know the whole story.)

But thanks to that intense curious streak of mine, I also found the official Kaoru Shintani website, and gave it a visit tonight. I wanted to leave a message on his BBS, but for some reason, I kept getting rejected. *Shrug*

More to come.

FP