Monday 2 October 2017

"Let Me Kiss You Better! Kiss You With My Big Green Lips."

"I think you'll find the Prime Minister is an alien in disguise."
These three 36mm tall metal Slitheen miniatures are manufactured by “Warlord Games” and can be bought from their "Into The Time Vortex" range. Sculpted to replicate the "family of Raxacoricofallapatorian criminals" during Russell T Davies' 2005 story "Aliens Of London", the rivals of the Blathereen family, were "not [actually] created using CGI technology" on the small screen "but... mechanical prosthetics" and have made the most television appearances "of all the aliens created for the revived series".

All the figures were initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki, enthusiastically shaded with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and dry-brushed with some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki. Their clawed toes and fingers were subsequently picked out with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, before being washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. 
"Ahhhh... Excuse me. Your device will do what? Triplicate the flammability?"
The Slitheen's matter compression units (on their throats) were simply painted using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Lastly, each living calcium biped had some Strong Tone Quickshade dabbed over all their joints and skin wrinkles. These areas were then blended back into the extra-terrestrial's green flesh by applying a second careful dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki.

Recently, I have become rather inspired by the American crime drama television series "Gotham", which is based upon some of the characters published by "DC Comics"; most notably James Gordon, Bruce Wayne and Oswald Cobblepot. My sudden obsession with this particular programme has inevitably led me to 'dig out' my re-painted collection of "Heroclix" plastic miniatures and also reinvigorated my idea for a Batman-based campaign set upon the rooftops of the Caped Crusader's famous "place of residence." 
Harvey Bullock WIPs - The G.C.P.D. detective is slowly having his softly-sculpted detail 'picked out'
I have previously tried just such a series of battles using the “Pillow A-Go-Go” ruleset by Australian-based company “Fiendish Fabrications”. Unfortunately however, despite playing a pilot confrontation between Batman and the Riddler, as well as a "Marvel Comics" version featuring Moon Knight and Stilt-Man, the project never managed to gain that much momentum and was soon forgotten in favour of the (then) newly released second edition of "7TV" by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio".

This time round I have chosen to utilise "Ganesha Games" rule-set "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" for my rooftop shenanigans, and, rather than wait until I've completed some additional resin scenery by "Ainsty Castings" (probably the project's biggest sticking point the first time round), I am using the pre-printed cardboard terrain produced by "Battle Systems". As a result, not only has the battle for control of Gotham already progressed to its third turn (behind the scenes), but the first clash of competing crime bosses is ready to be resolved... 
The Joker and the Riddler battle for control of Hokus & Pokus Occult Curioso and Gotham Village
In addition, I have realised that the Gotham City Police Department simply wouldn't look right without Jim Gordon's partner, Detective Harvey Bullock, being part of the team. To this end, I have acquired a "Heroclix" miniature of the no-nonsense policeman and am busily painting him up in anticipation of the Commissioner's need for some extra firepower.

28 comments:

  1. The finished slthereens look exceptionally good and I hope we'll see them in action in the near future.
    I remeber enjoying the rooftop "pillow fights" and did think then they deserve a little more defvelopment (how about two or three roof0toops to jump between?) and other than playing some Batman computer games I know next to little of Batman's Gotham city, but you convinced me to at leastwathc the Gotham Tv series.

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    1. Thanks very much Joe. Just as soon as "Warlord Games" release the game cards for the Slitheen, then they'll be featuring in a BatRep.

      I too thought there should be more than a single roof-top for "Pillow A-Go-Go", but building/painting a second one using "Ainsty Castings" was expensive and time-consuming; which is ultimately why the project fizzled out. That's not a problem for "Battle Systems" though and the opening conflict will see quite a bit of jumping ;-)

      "Gotham" is awesome imho, and definitely worth watching. Its certainly encouraging me to keep my campaign going so far, so expect plenty more minis and BatReps over the coming weeks as I explore my own version of Batman's metropolis.

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  2. Excellent work on the Slitheen, Simon. For once, your gloss varnishing works and looks right on these figures, although I won't be gloss varnishing my own figures.

    I've never seen "Gotham" before and I've no idea who Harvey Bullock is but that seems like a decent figure for a fat detective.

    What intrigues me the most about this post is the notice in the sidebar proclaiming you to be a backer of the "Resident Evil 2" boardgame on Kickstarter. You have surprised me... in a good way, I should add. I'm also backing it, which probably won't surprise you!

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    1. Cheers Bryan, though personally I think the gloss varnishing works on all my miniatures.

      Harvey Bullock has been in the "Batman" comics since 1983, but probably is better known for his numerous appearances in "Batman: The Animated Series". He is however, a mainstay of the "Gotham" TV Series; albeit a younger, thinner and bearded incarnation. The "Heroclix" mini is actually a little too softly-sculpted for my liking, but should get the job done as someone who is a little different to the usual G.C.P.D. cop Commissioner Gordon can call upon in my tabletop campaign.

      I'm a huge "Resident Evil" fan, and despite turning my back on Kickstarter this year (too many delayed projects still awaiting arrival), I couldn't resist this one - especially as its by the team behind "Guild Ball".

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  3. Some lovely brush work on display yet again Simon - the Raxacoricofallapatorian's look superb!
    Methinks I need to keep an eye out for a "Heroclix" Detective Harvey Bullock to recruit as a Blade Runner cop ;-)
    I might give "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" a try if "Rogue Stars" doesn't give me the game I'm hoping for!
    Oh, and the mention of Resident Evil reminds me that I'm STILL stuck in Res 7: Biohazard!! :-(

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    1. Thanks Wargame Addict. The sculpting on "Heroclix" Harvey is rather soft and I'm not too sure about his scale in comparison to the other G.C.P.D. cops I own, but he's alright. I also own "Rogue Stars" and having read it (not played it I stress), I find "M&DRG" far more to my liking and certainly better suited to super-hero gaming imho.

      Good luck with "Resident Evil 7" - I've just beaten "The Evil Within" which is highly recommended.

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  4. Great job on the Slitheen Simon, Harvey is coming along nicely, and shall look forward to your BatRep

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    1. Cheers Dave. Harvey should be finished by this evening, and the first of the Batreps posted for Thursday. Good to have a blogging celebrity posting on my humble site ;-)

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    2. OOHH who I'll ask for an autograph ! LOL

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    3. I'll certainly be queuing up for a signed copy of "Death Match" at next year's Salute :-)

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  5. I'll see your posts go up, read them and think "I'll pop a comment on later" and when I get around to doing it, another post has already superseded it!

    Although the Slitheen are not one of my favourite Who monsters, as I felt they suffered from Davies' need to inject a bit of toilet 'humour' into rhe series, they are quite well-designed creatures and you've managed to capture their look perfectly with your painting.

    And we have a bit of Gotham gang action to look forward to, interspersed with zombie gunslingers. Good stuff.

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    1. Thanks Jez, I've a bit of a post backlog currently, so trying to get a new one up on the site every couple of days.

      I totally agree with you regarding the Slitheen, but as well-designed monsters I thought they were great. I am though hoping for the space pig from their original adventure to be made at some point.

      Lots of cowboy zeds and BatReps coming over the next few weeks, including more "Lord of the Rings" too. Don't know how I'm going to get any new minis shown as well ;-)

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  6. Those green things from Dr Who have painted up brilliantly. Lovely bit of painting, well worth close viewing.

    Looking forward to the Gotham stuff. Catwoman for the win. You do have a Catwoman figure, right?

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    1. Cheers Roy. Much appreciated :-) I do indeed have Catwoman, but she won't be running any of the initial gangs. Far more likely to turn up as a mercenary as the campaign progresses.

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  7. No offence but I do not want a wet slobbery kiss from anyone's green lips!

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    1. Ha ha hah! Nicely put Clint :-) I always like to try and use some of the more unusual quotes from "Dr Who" when I can.

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  8. the Heroclix Harvey Bullock min is a favourite of mine and has seen a lot of use in our games. I love his portrayal in Gotham, and think they`ve melded the various versions and incarnations together nicely. Though NO one steals the show as much as Mr Cobblepot. Masterly series... HBO does it again.

    I see a mention of Resident Evil, yes *Hands up* I`m fanatical about it, the video games (the first old PS1 is still the best game EVER made), the 5 films, the 4 spin offs, the animation movies, and the books and graphic novels, all masterly. For a long time now we stripped down Zombicide entirely (dont play it anymore) and turned the whole thing into Resident Evil, thematically works soooooo nicely for us.

    The wet look Slitheen really works for me, nice interpretation on the theme. Nice and slimy looking hehe.

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    1. Thanks Steve. The Slitheen were a joy to paint. "Gotham" if currently my fave TV series, and I'm certainly therefore very keen to try and emulate its atmosphere with my campaign. I don't actually have a painted Cobblepot yet, as I've gone with Joker, Riddler and Two-Face for starters. That can easily be amended though.

      "Zombicide" can easily be 'converted' into "Resident Evil" imho, but the chance of actually playing with a mini Leon on the tabletop, as well as Lickers, is too good a chance to miss :-)

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  9. Resident Evil tales is a rich source of inspiration alright, and is crammed full of cool characters nice npc ideas. One could easily make a complete life time hobby out of playing games set within Res Evil alone.

    Gotham the series is excellent isn`t it, and is primarily the main reason why (heavily inspired by) we started our own Gotham game (using all our Clix figures) earlier last year. Plans are in hand to go back to that nearer Christmas so our different takes on the game should complement each other well

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    1. Totally agree, Steve, and I'm hoping "Gotham" will continue to encourage me to paint up some of my "Heroclix" backlog at some point too.

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  10. The Slitheen look ace Simon - very well done my friend. :)

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    1. Thanks Leon. They were absolute beauties to paint in imho :-)

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  11. Love the Slitheen figures and looking forward to the Gotham inspired games. Great idea.

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    1. Cheers Mark. Hopefully "Gotham" won't disappoint - its certainly proving a lot of fun to play currently.

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  12. Lovely job on these mate. The turned out great.

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    1. Most kind, Simon. I'm certainly pleased with how they turned out.

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  13. Those slithereens came out wonderfully!

    Rooftop pillow fight was rather fun i felt. Revisit perhaps? :)

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    1. Thanks Dai. Much appreciated. I'm going to see how "M&DRG" pans out. If it doesn't work then "Pillow A-Go-Go" will definitely be revisited.

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