The Lurker is unique in that it is one of the first three B.O.W.s (Bio-Organic Weapons) created by James Marcus for the Umbrella Corporation. Created by injecting the T-Virus into a frog, the Lurker was deemed a failure by Umbrella due to its inability to comprehend and follow orders. The creature has grown several times its normal size and has been rendered blind by calluses covering its eyes. It makes up for this disability by using its tongue, with which it ensnares its prey, drawing them into its mouth and swallowing them whole. The Lurkers were encountered by S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen at the abandoned Umbrella Training Facility in the Arklay Mountains, where the creatures had been left to roam free. Several were seen again in the sewers beneath Raccoon City once the town became infected.

What's slimier than a big ol' gummy frog? Nothin'. That's why I decided to enter the Lurker in the "You've Been Slimed" contest.

I started with a Safari "Incredible Creatures" American Bullfrog (what a mouthful!). I filled in the eyes and sculpted the ridges of bumps down its back. The poseable, removable tongue is simply a flower stem from a faux floral arrangement. It's veiny and bumpy and oh, so disgusting! Perfect for a giant, man-eating frog.

Painting this figure was quite an experience. The base figure was made from a strange, hard rubber, so priming was an absolute must. Even then, the figure did not want to take paint. Still, I eventually prevailed, and settled on a shade of green I could live with. Once the figure and the tongue were painted, they were both sealed with Testor's Dullcoat and then given several coats of Testor's "Wet Look" clear lacquer. I cannot recommend this stuff enough for making wet-looking figures. It's got just the right amount of glisten, and also gives the figure a nice hard candy coating that does a great job of protecting the paint job.

I'm really pleased with this piece. He's gooey and nasty, and fits right in on the RE shelf. Now I need to get to work on some more Zero stuff...