Tuesday 2 February 2016

"And You Won't Like Me When I'm Angry!"

"It's Princess... Powerful!"
This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of Molly Hayes is miniature number 41 from the Marvel “Heroclix” Hammer Of Thor range. Despite being the daughter of two evil telepathic villains, the mutant child’s powers are superhuman strength and invulnerability. Indeed the young girl is already the fourth toughest female in the “Marvel Universe”, after Rogue, She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel. Created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, Princess Power first appeared in July 2003 within the pages of Issue One of “Runaways”.

The figure originally had three ducklings on its ‘Clicky’ base which the adolescent had torn up some concrete to protect. However as I wanted to use the birds as a possible objective marker in my games, I re-based them upon the thin 40mm circular bases I use for such purposes. In addition I quickly painted the feathered fowls with a couple of coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and then washed them with “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. Finally I dry-brushed the tiny creatures with some more “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre.
"You know, I get angry when someone makes my friends cry..."
I initially undercoated Molly with “Vallejo” White and then painted her jeans with a combination of Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Asurmen Blue. I next applied a layer of “Vallejo” Squid Pink to her T-shirt and cuddly animal hat. These areas were then given a wash of “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, before I painted her flesh with “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. Once I had applied some watered-down “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade to her skin, and picked out her facial features and fingers with a little more “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone, I finished the model by painting the large piece of concrete the powerhouse was using in order to defend the ducklings from any danger, with a combination of Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.
Barbarian WIP - Once the flesh has been washed and highlighted, there's just the bearskin and sword to finish
Having entered Molly and the Ducklings as my submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Defensive Terrain Themed Bonus Round I have managed to spend some time progressing this awesome Conan-like "Frostgrave" Barbarian by "North Star Military Figures". I actually started painting this two-handed warrior a little while ago. But stopped painting the metal miniature after I became somewhat disillusioned with the quality of the range's multi-part hard plastic Frostgrave soldiers boxed set.

However as I am partaking in a "Frostgrave" Side-Challenge as part of this year's AHPC, I thought I'd nominate this month as "Frostgrave February" and try to paint up as many visitors and residents of the wintry ruins as I can. Sadly this heavily-cloaked mercenary isn't actually eligible for the event itself. But painting such a wonderfully charismatic sculpt has certainly reinvigorated my enthusiasm for some fantasy wargames in the frozen city.
Rasputin, The Joker, Travis & The Grey Hulk verses Lobster Johnson, Moon Knight, Molly Hayes & Doctor Who

28 comments:

  1. Nice figs, glad to see Molly completed. Excitement building re: batrep!!!

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    1. Thanks Andy. Molly's a nice figure and it'll be good to see her in action on the tabletop ;-)

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  2. Well done on doing such a great paint job on Molly. I was quite surprised that you stuck the three ducklings on such a large base. I'd have thought a 20mm diameter base would suffice for them. Still, I'm sure you have your reasons.
    A new batrep! Woot! Having just sent off for 7TV2e, I'm keen to hear your thoughts on it.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. I base all my objectives on thin 40mm round bases, simply so they stand out on the tabletop as such. The ducklings though, in a line, were quite stretched out, so as I recall, I'd have had to cluster them together somewhat to have fit them on a smaller base. Fingers crossed you'll enjoy the "7TV2" BatRep. Its a no frills 'straight out of the box' report...

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  3. Molly came out just great. The ducks are a fun touch too. I need to read those comics again, I remember them as being pretty well written.

    Yay for more Frostgrave! (Though what was it you did not like about the Soldier kit if I might ask?)

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    1. Thanks Dai. I'm not overly familiar with molly and the rest of the Runaways myself tnh. I found the plastic "Frostgrave" soldiers rather soft in detail and quite painful to put together too. In the end I've absolutely covered mine in lots of bits and bobs from the sprues to cover up the areas I wasn't too happy with - creating some very time-consuming minis as a result. Have a look at my WIP on my Crossbowman to see what I mean, as I kept adding more to the mini whilst painting him :-)

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    2. Ah yeah, I can see all the extra gear being a pain to pick out. Equivalent of a too-busy sculpt, which I for one rarely enjoy painting. Still, the xbow bloke does look rather good... ;)

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    3. Cheers Dai. But he did take an awful long time to paint, and I've a second one waiting in the wings... as they come as a pair in my warband.

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  4. Rasputin the Mad Monk vs Lobster Johnson? Yes, please! And fantastic work on Molly Hayes!

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    1. Thanks Gordon. I'm hoping to do a BatRep every fortnight this year. But am already behind :-o

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  5. Nice work on Molly and excellent re-purposing of the ducklings. :)

    The battle report sounds bonkers, in a great way. :)

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    1. Cheers PulpCitizen. You can expect the ducklings to appear as an objective marker in all sorts of future BatReps ;-) Bonkers is good imho :-)

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  6. Molly turned out great, and good to see you back at the Warband, that barbarian is rather nice isn't it.

    Looking forward to the Batrep, BTW.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. Very happy with her, and yes I need to get my "Frostgrave" warband finished - hence "Frostgrave" February :-) The BatRep should be a bit of a blast and new rules too!!

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  7. I don't know the comic in which Molly appears, but that's a very nice model.

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    1. Cheers Hugh. Certainly one of the better 'newer' "Heroclix" sculpts imho.

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  8. I loved this Simon and wonderful to see it completed. Now looking forward to the report after the weekend.

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    1. Thanks Michael. It was a pleasure to paint. I too am looking forward to getting some more BatReps done :-)

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  9. Figures for the Challenge, figures that you decided to finish off AND a possible Batrep? And what have I got to show for my efforts this week? Jelly Babies on a stick. You get an A+ and I get "must try harder..." ;-)

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    1. Cheers Jez. I'm simply 'in the zone' at present, with plenty to keep me busy. I've actually managed to finish a few minis I started last year this week, so am developing a bit of a backlog ;-)

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  10. Looking very nice Simon! I like the fact you've used the ducklings as an objective dude! Not Conan is looking good too. Can't wait to see your take on Frostgrave either.

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    1. Thanks Bob. I've plenty of objective markers these days; having just finished another two "AVP" ones. But you can't beat ducklings imho. Not Conan will hopefully be finished within the next few days and posted next week... and I assure you my "Frostgrave" will contain plenty of the Undead in the future :-)

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  11. Molly Hayes looks awesome dude. Great job on repainting her. Love the barbarian model. I am trying to resist that one its a cracking sculpt.

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    1. Cheers Simon. Molly has come out well imho. The Barbarian is definitely one of the best "Frostgrave" minis out there :-)

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  12. Molly turned out great, Simon.

    Look forward to Lobster Johnson's return.

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    1. Thanks Finch. It'll be good to start posting up some BatReps again.

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  13. Love this figure, afraid I'd never heard of Princess Power before??

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    1. Cheers Ray, but shame on you for not knowing about Molly Hayes. You should read more comics ;-)

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