Sunday 25 June 2017

"The Perimeter Isss Clear!"

"It ssseemsss ssssomething has been inssscribed."
This 28mm scale plastic "Wizkids" model of Manphibian was kit-bashed predominantly using the scaly green extra-terrestrial's miniature from their "Heroclix" Amazing Spider-Man range. However, because the pre-painted figure has no feet (on account of the original sculpt depicting "the creature from the deep" stalking through the waters of a lake), I additionally super-glued some boots, grenades and pouches belonging to a "Games Workshop" Cadian soldier onto the miniature.

Created by Marv Wolfman, Tony Isabella, Dave Cockrum and Sam Grainger, the alien first made his comic book appearance in the September 1975 issue of "Legion of Monsters" by "Marvel Comics", and would develop from being a simple monster seemingly seeking revenge upon the murderer of his mate, into a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Special Threat Assessment for Known Extranormalities (S.T.A.K.E.) department and one of Dum Dum Dugan's "Howling Commandos".
Gorgon WIPs - The Brass Bull now requires just a final dry-brush of "Vallejo" Brass
The miniature was initially primed with “Vallejo” Heavy Grey, and then had its boots and numerous large waist-bags painted using a combination of White and Pale Grey. His automatic rifle was undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, double-layered with Ironbreaker and finally treated to two washes of Nuln Oil.

In order to try and give Manphibian's skin a "shimmer quality" I shaded the entirety of the S.H.I.E.L.D. weaponsmith's scales with both Biel- Tan Green and Agrax Earthshade and subsequently used a little Carroburg Crimson on and around his webbing, and some Druchii Violet in the model's darker recesses. The entire monster was then lightly dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. As a final touch I highlighted the extra-terrestrial's eyes with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.  
Hammerer WIPs - The constructs have been assembled, primed and based
With my latest entry for this month's "Forgotten Heroes" challenge finished, I have spent a little time washing and dry-brushing a Brass Bull by "Reaper Miniatures". This large "Bones" figure will double as both a formidable-looking statue and as a living Gorgon for my forthcoming "Dungeons & Dragons" campaign, and, besides needing it's paved stone-slab base to be painted, simply requires a final dry-brush with "Vallejo" Brass to be tabletop ready. 

In addition, I have assembled, based and primed three metal "Chainmail" Hammerer models. Sculpted by Jim Warner, these large Out Of Production (OOP) constructs will be used as proxy Police Robots for "Metamorphosis Alpha", and may well accompany my small Twig Blight band as extra guards of "the metal doored cave" which is initially encountered by the Grand Duchy of Geoff's adventurers in "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks".

37 comments:

  1. Well done Simon! Manphibian is brilliant and a complete success, you must be pleased? Now that Brass Bull just gets better and better, wonderful weathering Sir.

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    1. Thanks Michael. I am rather pleased with Manphibian. I just need to brush off the surplus patina on the Gorgon, and it'll be predominantly finished.

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    1. Cheers Natholeon. The "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide does all the work, tbh, I just have to dab it on :-)

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  3. Nice work on Manphibian mate and that bull - cracking!

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    1. Thanks Andy. Its good to get Manphibian finished after so long.

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  4. thing are building to an exciting fever pitch. Dont stop, dont stop, we can`t want to see your game come alive.

    (oh, and Stevie says when is good for you to ring him or us to ring you - to discuss the `arrangements` and all that)?

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    1. Cheers Hils. I'm plugging away at all things d&d currently. I'll email you some times etc for us to hook up.

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  5. Manphibian looks great Simon, the bull is coming along nicely. Are the robots going to be weathered ?

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    1. Thanks Dave, and for your previous painting advice. The robots will be a little weathered, but not too much, just enough to show they're a little old and uncared for.

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    2. You can use a mix of Reikland fleshshade for early rust marks and Seraphim Sepia for greasy marks, no problem on the advice, glad you found it useful

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    3. Cheers Dave. I'll be applying a dab or two of my ever faithful "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash too :-)

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    4. Must get hold of some for a piece I'm working on for later this year

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    5. I definitely recommend it, Dave. Perhaps someone will be selling it at Bovington.

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    6. Can but hope, saves placing an order

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  6. Right where did I put my Brasso? That Bull needs a good polish.

    All 3 goodies. I don't like work in progress (I like surprises and finished work... but that is just me!) but the finished is very good

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    1. Cheers Clint. The gorgon has been fun to paint and see how weathered I can make it. Hopefully the finished bull will live up to expectations...

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  7. I adore the Hammerer WIPs and find myself covetously thinking how good these would look (adn how well they would work) in my games haha... watch out, I might `nick` them off your shelf..... don`t blink, don`t look away *grins*.

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    1. Thanks Steve. I'm not sure just how easy any of the "Chainmail" minis are to find these days. I bought mine a good while ago when someone was selling their entire collection. As I recall they were rather expensive even back then.

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  8. Yep, that bull has been loose in a field and exposed to the elements for quite some time, I think :-) . Mind you, I'll let Clint try to polish it if he likes; for myself, I'm not going near the brute!

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    1. The Brass Bull is certainly one of "Reaper Miniatures" more formidable-looking models, Hugh :-)

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  9. Mamphibian is an interesting piece, your conversion work is completely un-noticeable kudos to you. I couldn;t help thinking though of the "creature from the Black Loagoon" from the awful film of the same name (keeps me amused at least).
    Love the Bull and robot too, even if 'just' wips.

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    1. Thanks Joe. Manphibian was apparently 'inspired' by the "Creature From The Black Lagoon", hence the similarities. Glad there's plenty of WIPs to grab your attention too.

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  10. A good selection of figures. I'm rather impressed with those Hammerers, which I've never seen before.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. The Hammerers were "Chainmail" only minis I believe, which seem overly expensive on Ebay these days; and I've not seen a Hammerer in ages - as I was hoping to pick up a few more myself.

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  11. Ace job on Manphibian he has turned out wonderfully. I really like how you have done the skin on him.

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    1. Thanks Simon. Credit to Dave Stone for the advice Ref red and purple washes; I think the red around the fins/webbing is particularly noticeable to the naked eye.

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  12. Manphibian looks ace. You've definitely nailed the wet and shiny look.

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    1. Cheers Roy. Lots of washes and advice was taken to get that effect.

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  13. Really love that Gorgon...shall have to track one down!

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    1. Absolutely Gordon, i think the Brass Bull is an essential purchase, especially when you consider how cheap the "Bones" version is.

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  14. Worth the wait (though it was a long one, tbh). In fact all good stuff. I do like those Hammerer figures, have no use for them myself at present, but I do like them.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. Glad to get Manphibian out the way, and you off my back ;-) The Hammerers are wonderfully heavy models and should look especially awesome stomping around my tiny Twig Blights.

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  15. I initially thought Manphibian was too dark, but have learnt to always click on the images to get the full effect and have to say he's very, very cool. If I hadn't seen the original figure and your WIPs, I would have assumed this was an 'off the shelf' figure. Very nice work.
    Your bull is coming along nicely too and those Hammerer robots are quite a funky design.

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    1. Cheers Jez. I actually went for a dark tone to fit Manphibian's comic book colour, as I thought the original "Heroclix" paint-job was far too light imho. The dry-brush certainly helps lighten him up too. Hopefully both the Brass Bull and Hammerers will be finished soon and get posted - I'm starting to develop a bit of a backlog of finished minis again.

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  16. Excellent work all around on the Manphibian Simon - very well executed. :)

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    1. Thanks Leon. Much appreciated. Its good to get Manphibian finished and hopefully soon on the tabletop.

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