The Mask Makers, Ekimu and Makuta

[InChandyWeTrust]

A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to make a Makuta figure to go along with Ekimu if I ever decided to build him again. It was very important to me that Makuta’s chest uses the same piece that he has in Journey to One and not just a color-swapped Ekimu torso, which is the route I see most people take when designing this character. Doing it my way meant I couldn’t cover up the ball joints on the side of the piece, but I think the trade-off is absolutely worth it.

Reference Photos and Prototype Images

Obviously I don’t currently have the pieces to build him in the right colors, but I constructed a ragtag prototype just to be sure everything works the way it’s supposed to.

Journey to One is a very stylized show with a lot of artistic liberties. For example: Ekimu is much more bulked up than his original set appearance. So for Makuta, I essentially tried to reverse those artistic liberties, if that makes any sense. The one thing I know is wrong is the size of the legs. In the show, Makuta’s legs appear to be the same length as Ekimu’s; but since Lego never produced Ekimu’s thighs in purple, I instead went with the next size up and covered them with a tire so they’re not quite so skinny.

Obviously, the Mask of Control isn’t currently in Studio nor is it in any custom part packs that I’m aware of, so I’m using a Mask of Intangibility as a stand-in. Annoyingly, the one thing stopping me from building Makuta the way I want to is the very thing I based the entire model around: the chest plate. As far as I know, this particular print isn’t available anywhere, nor do I have the knowledge or the means to make this print myself.

Two other things I thought worth mentioning…

1. Ekimu’s hammer is baby blue in the render simply because I thought it would look silly if the entire hammer was glowing. His model is exactly the same as his first set appearance otherwise.
2. The only reason Ekimu doesn’t have his shield is because I never figured out what to do for Makuta’s shield. It was a very low priority of mine since Ekimu never uses the shield in either the books or JTO, to my recollection.

[Minethuselah]

I like that he still has the gear function, is it the same construction as Ekimu but mirrored? Also, how did you build the hammer, is that a 3L axle with stud stop to get the rotary gun to stay in place?

[Ghid]

Not really too much to say except where did you get that black Mask of Control from? If it’s a custom print it’s slick.

[InChandyWeTrust]

@Minethuselah

I like that he still has the gear function, is it the same construction as Ekimu but mirrored?

The gearbox is a mirror image of Ekimu’s. I figured it was justified since they’re brothers, and also because it’s a pretty common trope to make antagonists left-handed (a sinister clue and all that).

@Minethuselah

Also, how did you build the hammer, is that a 3L axle with stud stop to get the rotary gun to stay in place?

The stud in the middle is attached to a 3L axle with stud, just like Vizuna’s bow. That axle connects to the socket. I remember I based this design off of somebody else’s Makuta moc, but I’m afraid I have no idea who it was.

@Ghid

Not really too much to say except where did you get that black Mask of Control from? If it’s a custom print it’s slick.

I’m going to assume you mean the chest plate since the mask is gold. I’m afraid I’m not 100% sure anymore, but my gut tells me it came from Kardas’ Hoard.

[Ghid]

@InChandyWeTrust

I’m going to assume you mean the chest plate since the mask is gold.

I’m referring to the mask.

@InChandyWeTrust

[InChandyWeTrust]

Oh right, the prototype. Silly me.

That’s a resin cast I bought years ago. Sadly I have no idea who I bought it from nor would I know if they’re still making these.

[Antak3000]

(post deleted by author)

[Antak3000]

Edit-sorry, posted a response by mistake

That looks great so far. I prefer them to be straight recolors of each other myself, but the show design was cool looking.

The chestplate comes in gold. You can strip the printing off and use a sticker. I’ve occasionally trimmed lego stickers to get the effect I want.

For the shield, you could just do a the same design as Ekimu. Though one of My Makuta Mocs uses a customized Skrall Shield, all you need is a gold paint marker and some matte coat.

[InChandyWeTrust]

@Antak3000

The chestplate comes in gold. You can strip the printing off and use a sticker. I’ve occasionally trimmed lego stickers to get the effect I want.

Removing the existing printing is the easy part. But Makuta’s design seems too complex for me to feel confident replicating with stickers.

@Antak3000

For the shield, you could just do a the same design as Ekimu.

I would if Lego ever made that saw blade in purple.

[Antak3000]

What about this one https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=37495&name=Technic%20Circular%20■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■=C&C=85?

It’s only in dark gray, but it looks appropriate for the character.