"The Ancient Icons..."

"...Represented the inviolable and nigh-omnipotent authority of the Emperor."

This 28mm plastic miniature of a Space Marine is by "Games Workshop" and comes from the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness boxed set by "Games Workshop". The multi-part figure has been assembled wearing MK VI armour and is carrying a Legion Vexilla (Legion Standard) which will allow its unit to add +1 "to the Wounds score used to determine if they win a Combat in the Assault Phase."

Due to the miniature forming part of my second Sons of Horus Tactical Squad for the Horus Heresy, it was undercoated with "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, before being heavily washed with Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) Sons Of Horus Green. I then applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to his Bolter, the joints of his Corvus Armour, and a couple of parts making up his backpack.

"Their Primarch was Horus, known to them as Horus Lupercal."

The model's power tubes and firearm were subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst I layered his left shoulder-pad, chest buckle and Legion Vexilla with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Gold. These areas were later given a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and highlighted with some additional touches of "Vallejo" Gold on the sharpest edges and rivets.

As a final touch I applied some "Scalecolor" Speed Metal to the Space Marine's eye slits, and then a single layer of the "Citadel" Contrast colour Flesh Tearers Red. I also fixed a couple of the many decals found on the "Games Workshop" Sons of Horus Legion transfer sheet onto his right shoulder-pad and in the middle of his standard's circular central emblem.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Russian infantryman is almost finished

Alongside the last of my Sons of Horus MK VI armoured tactical space marine squad, I have also dusted down one of the 28mm metal models I own from “Wargames Foundry" blister RN023 Infantry in Oilskin Covered 1812 Shako Marching. I've probably not touched any of these remaining Napoleonic Russian soldiers sculpted by Alan Perry for a good ten months. But have recently acquired a copy of The Silver Bayonet by "Osprey Games", and figured these miniatures would help make a sizeable Coalition unit to battle the rule-set's supernatural creatures.

Ultimately I intend to field bands solely dedicated to each of the Nationalities covered by the core rule-book. However, for now at least, these winter-clad Infantrymen will join forces with my already painted British Riflemen and Officer. I also believe I have enough painted Frenchmen to represent an elite hunting party from the ranks of La Grande Armée - even potentially utilising the skills of the odd Prussian ally...

"Despite Hank McCoy's Feral Appearance..."

"...He is depicted as a brilliant, well-educated man in the arts and sciences."

This 32mm scale plastic model of Beast was produced by “CoolMiniOrNot” as part of their "Marvel Zombies" stand-alone game using the "Zombicide" rule-set. One of the "Kickstarter" campaign's numerous exclusive figures, this particular incarnation of Henry "Hank" McCoy's fur-covered alter-ego was created by Mark Millar and Greg Land for the September 2005 issue of "Ultimate Fantastic Four" by "Marvel Comics".

Believed to have been residing at the Xavier Institute on Earth-2149 when the zombie plague first struck, the mutant superhero was initially undercoated using a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, quite literally drenched in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. I then picked out his trunks using a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and base-layered his waistband with a line of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Blade, Baron Zemo and Squirrel have all been primed

Beast's belt was next treated to a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Gold, sploshed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and tidied up with a few well-placed strokes of (more) "Vallejo" Gold. The figure's official paintjob by "CoolMiniOrNot" shows the X-Man's belt buckle to be a black and red affair. However, the detail was so tiny on the miniature that in the end I decided to leave it being the same gold colour as the rest of the girdle.

I did though decide to carefully trace out McCoy's spectacles with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as catch his fangs with a spot of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. In addition, I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green to a pair of bottles littering the model's base, and some White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to some battered books. I had intended to pigment the covers of these tomes with "Vallejo" Heavy Red. But ultimately stuck with just "Citadel" Abaddon Black leather jackets instead.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three more Sons Of Horus Space Marines are on the hobby table

Staying with super-heroes, albeit figures from Marvel United by "CoolMiniOrNot", I have primed three more of the co-operative boardgame's models - Squirrel Girl, Blade and Baron Zemo. I strongly doubt I'll get these all finished by the end of the month, so will probably end up pottering on with them well into August 2024 too.

Furthermore, I've started working on another trio of 28mm plastic space marines by "Games Workshop". I seem to have painted a good handful of traitorous Sons of Horus over the past few weeks, so thought I'd see if I can finally well and truly break the back of my push to field a 500-point force for Horus Heresy...

"As Heads Roll And Blood Flows..."

"...More daemons from beyond the veil are summoned forth to partake in the slaughter."

This 28mm multi-part model of a Bloodletter has been assembled from one of the sprues found inside an old "Start Collecting" Daemons Of Khorne set produced by “Games Workshop”, and was based upon a "Citadel" 32mm round base so as to fit in with the rest of my Blades of Khorne "Age Of Sigmar" warhost. Armed with a ferocious Hellblade, this "finely detailed plastic" figure was assembled using the instructions found within their box.

Like all his demonic brethren before him, this particular Slaughter-kin was given a double undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Red, washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red. His deadly two-handed sword was then given a base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, twice pigmented with Gold, and subsequently dulled down using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"The pact between Horus and the Chaos Gods was straightforward."

To suggest that the Hellblade's "razored edge is sharpened by pure hatred" I highlighted it by dry-brushing the weapon with (more) "Vallejo" Gold, and later frustratingly spent some time tidying up the rest of the miniature due to all the specks of metallic paint this process inevitably seems to accidentally spatter the rest of model with. However, I did use this opportunity to apply a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the Bloodletter's horns, hands, hooves, spine and sword hilt.

These blackened areas were ultimately gently blended back in with the rest of the Taker of Skulls' red coloured limbs and head. Finally, I patiently picked out its sharp teeth using a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before dabbing in its eyes and tongue with Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats". To finish it off the tongue was also drenched in “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Golden Avenger is coming to fruition

Alongside my first 28mm Bloodletter to be painted in approximately five years, I have also completed another 28mm plastic Space Marine by "Games Workshop" from their now OOP (Out Of Production) Betrayal At Calth stand-alone boxed game. The multi-part model was assembled wearing MK IV armour, and was pigmented in the colours of the Sons of Horus Legion for "Warhammer: The Horus Heresy."

Sliding across to Marvel United by "CoolMiniOrNot", I've finally finished all the armour on my previously 'stripped' Iron Man miniature. This was largely achieved using some thinned down "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red over a fairly basic dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, as well as a coat of "Vallejo" Matt Varnish. In the past I've found the Contrast paint has pulled away from the model when varnished with a brush, and whilst I am hoping for this to occur in places - so as to suggest wear and tear on Tony Stark's armour - I didn't want the red to be transferred onto other aspects of the model...

"An Unusual Mutant..."

 "...Whose simian physique was apparent at birth."

This 40mm scale model of Beast is made by "CoolMiniOrNot” and is one of six super-heroes found inside the Marvel United: X-Men Starter Box. Based upon the comic book character Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy created by Stan Lee and Jack "King" Kirby in September 1963, the figure is produced in a light(ish) blue hard plastic, and was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and Heavy Blue.

The founding member of the X-Men was then layered in pure "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, before being drenched in plenty of "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. I next carefully 'picked out' the hairy mutant's belt with a couple of coats of Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats", and ensured that any flat areas still allowing some of the "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to show through were subsequently given a lick of "Two Thin Coats" White Star.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Iron Man has been layered, shaded and dry-brushed

The belt was later given a second coat of Skulker Yellow or two, a serious splosh of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and finally highlighted with some thin lines of (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow. I also considered trying to somehow plonk a litle "Vallejo" Heavy Red onto the Beast's belt buckle. But in the end thought it was wisest (and certainly easiest) to simply pigment the fastener with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Having completed the majority of Hank McCoy's colours, I began picking out his piercing eyes and pointed teeth with some careful spots of White Star by "Two Thin Coats", as well as his tongue in "Vallejo" Heavy Red. These wonderfully sculpted details were ultimately shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade or Carroburg Crimson as appropriate.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Beast is now ready for his tiny details to be 'picked out' 

Moving over to a super-hero model found inside the Marvel United Core Box, I've made some significant in-roads on my 'stripped' Iron Man. This figure has been increasingly problematic for me in the past, as I never found myself happy with whatever red paint I pigmented Tony Stark's armour with. However, I'm now pretty happy with a thinned down layer of "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red over some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, so am finally focusing on 'cutting in' all the Avenger's gold panels now.

In addition, I didn't want to fully turn my back on my massive Zombicide backlog either, so thought I might as well slap some colours on my Beast miniature for that co-operative boardgame by "CoolMiniOrNot" too. The palette is slightly different to Hank McCoy's 'bigger brother' and the sculpt is obviously in an entirely different scale as well, so working on this particular X-Man hasn't thankfully felt too similar to working on his completed Marvel United incarnation...

"Even In Defeat The Menace Of Ultron Always Looms..."

"...As even a trace of his code can potentially lead to a full restoration of his consciousness."

This 40mm scale model of Ultron is made by "CoolMiniOrNot” and is one of three super-villains found inside the Marvel United Core Box. Designed with an "all-new visual take" by Edouard Guiton, the figure is produced in a red hard plastic, and was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black.

The robot super-villain was then layered in "Vallejo" Gunmetal and Silver, before being washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Silver. I next carefully 'picked out' all the areas which I wanted to be vibrant red, such as the mechanical fiend's eyes, with some White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and later covered these in thinned down "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Ultron's internal workings were 'picked out' with "Two Thin Coats" White Star

I also considered adding some 'glow effects' on these parts by carefully trying to catch the surrounding edges with a light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Red. However, I really didn't like the effect, so in the end, I simply re-worked these edges with some patiently-placed lines of (more) "Vallejo" Silver. I did though want the metal piping on Ultron's base to tie-in with the actual figure's colour scheme, so gave them a splash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson before varnishing them.

In addition to my fifth model for Marvel United, I have also completed another 28mm plastic Space Marine by "Games Workshop" from the now OOP (Out Of Production) Betrayal At Calth stand-alone boxed game. The multi-part model was assembled wearing MK IV armour, and is another one of the ten figures I need to field my third Sons of Horus Tactical Squad for "Warhammer: The Horus Heresy."

"The Horus Heresy truly began after Warmaster Horus was wounded by the possessed Eugen Temba." 

The miniature was originally primed using "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, before I used a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold, and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the rim of his left shoulder-pad and anywhere else which I intended to be gold. I next picked out the sharpest edges and numerous rivets in (more) "Vallejo" Gold, before applying some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the traitor's knee-joints and elbow-joints, as well as the top of his backpack and the majority of his Bolter.

The model’s power tubes and firearm were subsequently given a splodge or two of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, whilst some "Scalecolor" Speed Metal and "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red was carefully slipped into the Space Marine's eye slits. Once all this brush-work was finished, I gave the MK IV armour a good dousing in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed it back up with (more) Sons Of Horus Green. Lastly, I attached one of the numerous decals found on the "Games Workshop" Sons of Horus Legion transfer sheet onto the right shoulder-pad.

"Constantly Trying To Undermine General Stahl For The Emperor’s Favour..."

"...Professor Krazvo leads his mechanical army to prove that metal is mightier than flesh."

This 28mm scale metal model of Professor Krazvo is produced by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and can be brought as part of their "Rick Rhodes - Pirates Of Luna City" range. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart, the miniature appears to have been inspired by Doctor Hans Zarkov of "Flash Gordon" fame, and resultantly will portray the "brilliant scientist who... forces Flash and Dale Arden to come with him to the planet Mongo" on my tabletop.

Undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, the figure's boots were simply layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and had their markings 'picked out' with some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then tussled with the decision as to what palette to go for, as I was initially planning on doing something to the costume colours worn by Chaim Topol in the 1980 feature film.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Ultron has been layered with "Vallejo" Gunmetal and Silver

However, as so much of that cult movie seemed to revolve around red and black, I wanted something a bit different to help Zarkov stand out from the crowd - and found inspiration in some tinted pictures of actor Frank Shannon's attire during the science fiction franchise's 1936 superhero cinematic serial. As a result, the model's trousers were given a lick of "Two Thin Coats" Wyvern Green, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and then carefully dry-brushed with a tad (more) "Two Thin Coats" Wyvern Green. Whilst the good doctor's top was pigmented in "Vallejo" Turquoise and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

I next tackled the miniature's belt and chest emblem with plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, some Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before patiently splodging all the raised baubles and details with a little (more) "Vallejo" Gold. I also considered applying the same paint scheme to Krazvo's cuffs and collar. However, I stayed my hand having once again looked at the aforementioned publicity stills, as I got the impression Shannon was wearing some sort of woollen pullover in some of them.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Beast has had his fur dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue

In addition to my "7TV" Co-Star, I have also been pushing along a couple more 40mm hard plastic figures by "CoolMiniOrNot" for "Marvel United". As I currently only have one finished super-villain to battle against in the boardgame, I thought I'd slap some layers on the Ultron model found inside the Starter Box, as well as see how I got on with a bottle of "Vallejo" Silver I recently rediscovered in my stockpile of paints.

I also thought I should bring my heroes up to 'full strength' by adding a fourth member to my team, and decided to go with a miniature taken from the X-Men Starter Set - Beast. This particular comic book character is also a veteran Avenger, so can easily be swapped between the two groups should the fancy take me. My plan is to complete two crime-fighters for every evil genius, so with that in mind I aim to work on my recently stripped Iron Man shortly too...

"Marvel United" Battle Report: Black Widow & Hulk Verses The Red Skull

THE RED SKULL ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOVER NEW YORK CITY

This game is the first in a series of planned games designed to encourage me to paint up a significant number of the numerous hard-plastic miniatures available for "Marvel United" by "CoolMiniOrNot", and to help refamiliarize us with the core rules. It was played using some of the figures from the original starter set, and took place upon the 90cm diameter double-sided playmat - which was exclusively released as part of the game's "X-Men" Kickstarter in April 2021.

“The story so far… The dastardly Red Skull is leading a deadly attack upon S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage and Law-Enforcement Division) in New York City with the help of his Hydra hordes. Alerted to the mad Nazi super-villain's evil machinations, the Avengers have dispatched both the Black Widow and incredible Hulk to take the maniac and his minions down."

THE TABLETOP - NEW YORK CITY

Due to featuring just two heroes, the Red Skull was awarded four health tokens, and the following six locations were deployed: S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Central Park, Avengers Mansion, Stark Labs, S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and Avengers Tower. All of these sites' marked slots where then appropriately filled with either Civilian or Thug tokens. The villain's threat cards were also randomly placed face up at the bottom of each location.

Johann Shmidt's nefarious alter-ego started his assault at Stark Labs, whilst both the Black Widow and Hulk began at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters - facing off against the Red Skull's personal bodyguard, Crossbones. In his first move, the "confidant of Adolf Hitler" moved to Avengers Mansion and triggered "Subversion", which caused one Civilian at that location to be removed and the Fear Track to advance to one. However, having added some more Thugs and Civilians to the adjoining locations, the Fear Track ended up at four (of twenty).

In response, the Hulk moved over to Central Park and immediately started clobbering poor Bob, Agent of Hydra. The Black Widow followed this up by joining the Green Goliath and making short work of the colourfully-costumed goon. This cleared the public open space of Hydra's malign influence, and allowed a Civilian there to relocate to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, and a Thug go to Avengers Tower.

POOR BOB, AGENT OF HYDRA IS CLOBBERED STRAIGHT OUT OF CENTRAL PARK

With one of the Red Skull's three minions already 'out for the count', the Hulk performed a "Smash" to leap over to Avengers Mansion where the super-villain himself was waiting. The impact of the founding Avenger's landing caused both Thugs there to be KO'd, the Civilian to scatter and even Shmidt to take a wound.

Incensed at the arrogance of his savage foe, the Red Skull remained where he was and whacked the muscle-bound Hulk in retaliation, costing the brute a card in damage. With the Fear Track subsequently advancing to six points, Natasha Romanova decided the Avengers should stick together as best as they could, so joined Hulk at Avengers Mansion, and then used two Heroic actions to almost best the "Subversion" threat present there.

THE RED SKULL STANDS TOE-TO-TOE WITH THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Building upon this team-work, the Jade Giant also used a Heroic action to remove "Subversion", moved over to Stark Labs, and beat-up a pair of Thugs loitering there.

The momentum was clearly with the heroes at this stage, as the Black Widow followed up her recent success by visiting Central Park, stinging the two Thugs awaiting her, and simultaneously rescuing a Civilian there too. It certainly looked like the Avengers had things well in hand currently.

Realising he had to act quickly to stop the gamma monstrosity before him, the Red Skull gave a "Hail Hydra" and damaged the Hulk a second time (removing another card from the monster's hand). The Fear Track was also move up to seven, meaning the diabolical super-villain was already a third of the way to succeeding in his devilish plan.

THE RED SKULL'S "HAIL HYDRA" ALMOST BRINGS THE HULK TO HIS KNEES 

Badly wounded, the Hulk used as many wild cards and heroic acts as he could muster to eradicate the "Brainwashing" threat at Stark Labs, and then returned Avengers Mansion once again to use its location's effect - drawing his hand back to three cards (and resultantly regaining his health).

Natasha Romanova decided it was time to "Interrogate" the heavily-muscled minion Crossbones, so moved over to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters to do so, and having learnt of Schmidt's imminent scheme, decided to allow the villain to continue his master plan. Brock Rumlow however suffered two damage at the Avenger's not-so-delicate hands.

Knowing what was coming next, Bruce Banner's alter-ego returned to Stark Labs, and knocked out the thug there, completely clearing the technologically advanced facility.

THE HULK COMPLETELY CLEARS OUT STARK LABS OF THUGS

Deciding he had done all the damage which he could at Avengers Mansion, the Red Skull joined Madame Hydra at Avengers Tower, and ordered a number of abducted civilians be brought to his location, S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier - raising the the threat level to eight.

In the meantime, the Black Widow continued to pummel Crossbones for more information, and again decided to let Shmidt continue with his machinations in the short term, now the Avengers knew precisely what they were. The Hulk decided to tackle the formidable Hydra Elite Troops aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. Just a single thug was left standing after his attack, meaning that the super-heroes needed to just defeat one more to completely resolve the "Defeat Thugs" mission.

THE BLACK WIDOW HEAVILY INTERROGATES CROSSBONES

Having beaten as much out of Crossbones as she could, Natasha Romanova knocked the bodyguard out for the count and successfully concluded the "Clear Threats" mission. This meant that the Red Skull would now act after every two Hero cards rather than the normal three, so she subsequently whacked a thug at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters too, and finished the "Defeat Thugs" mission too. Now the diabolical Nazi villain was vulnerable to direct attacks, and knowing full well what Shmidt planned next, the Black Widow travelled to Central Park to thwart him.

It was clear things were not going well for the leader of Hydra, so mustering all his evilness for one last 'roll of the dice', the Red Skull 'retreated' to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters and managed to raise the Fear Track to an unhealthy twelve.

However, with a roar the Hulk was soon upon him, courtesy of another "Smash!" The impact not only hurt Shmidt directly. But also cleverly dispersed the four civilians the scarlet-faced bounder had been using as a shield. Before the despot could complain though, the Green Goliath socked him in the mouth.

THE HULK AND BLACK WIDOW FACE THE RED SKULL AT S.H.I.E.L.D. HEADQUARTERS

This just left room for the Black Widow to reach S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters and defeat the Red Skull with a shock from her Widow's Bite. New York City was safe, and Johann Shmidt had been beaten...