Tuesday 21 October 2014

"Bullets Go Right Thru Him - - Don't Even Phase Him!"

This rather large 28mm pre-painted plastic “Wizkids” model is of N’Kantu, The Living Mummy. First appearing in the August 1973 issue of “Supernatural Thrillers”, the three thousand year-old super-hero was actually conceived by American comic book writer Steve Gerber; better known for creating Howard The Duck. The miniature is number 11 from the Marvel Amazing Spider-Man “Heroclix” set and is a common figure. As I joined Zomtober 2014 a week late I have been trying to play a bit of catch-up with the other contributors, and this miniature’s submission means I’ve finally caught up.
"WHAT A REVOLTIN' DEVELOPMENT THIS IS.!?!" - THE THING AND HOWARD THE DUCK ENCOUNTER N'KANTU, THE LIVING MUMMY 
After initially undercoating the model with “Vallejo” Iraqi Sand, I applied a heavy wash of the “Citadel” Shade Agrax Earthshade over the entire figure. I then drybrushed more “Vallejo” Iraqi Sand across all of the papyrus bandages N’Kantu is wrapped in. I actually did this with an old fine detail brush as despite being rather time-consuming, it gave me much better control over how heavily I applied the technique. This was important as I wanted some of the areas to remain quite dark, damp with the millennia, and others reasonably light. I even considered applying a light drybrush of white over the model as a final highlight, but then thought it would make the Living Mummy look a bit too clean for my liking.
Painting the figure’s face was an adventure in its own right as the “Heroclix” model not only had no wrappings across N’Kantu’s mouth but had the Living Mummy moaning with visible white teeth. Having painted both the white eyes and teeth on several occasions and not being happy with any of my attempts I finally decided to abandon the open mouth and give the model a closed tight-lipped grimace. As a result I used a sharp knife to cut out the tiniest of slivers of plastic and then simply applied my “standard zombie flesh “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey undercoat across the area. Once washed with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and Thrakka Green, the mouth area merged in with the rest of N’Kantu’s face but left a satisfying pool where his lips were pursed. Having solved the problem of the mouth I then turned my attention to the miniature’s eyes, and eventually plumbed for simply undercoating them with “Vallejo” White, washing them with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and then picking them out again with a tiny spot more of “Vallejo” White.
Dick Garrison over on the “Rantings From Under The Wargames Table” blog has come up with a cracking idea for a challenge during November. In line with ‘Movember’ the plan is paint up a moustached model for each weekend during the month, so I present to you my roster of miniatures. They’re all 28mm “Heroclix” pre-painted plastic figures and consist of Dracula, Wulf Sternhammer, Lockjaw, Puck and Doctor Strange. If you’re interested in joining in just for fun then simply drop Dick a comment at his blog: http://rantingsfromunderthewargamestable.wordpress.com

8 comments:

  1. Nice job Bk! Now you've caught up are there plans for zombies this week?

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    1. Thanks Bob. I've another two models planned for now, Both are Judge Death. Hopefully I'll have his spirit form done in time for Brummie's weekend Zomtober posting and his zombie form shouldn't be too far behind. Got loads on the painting table at the mo - just trying to prioritise; which is why I'm starting to really like these themed months :-)

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  2. I like your mummy (you know what I mean!).

    Err, are you suggesting that Dracula has a moustache, or that it's your plan to paint one on him? That would be...unconventional!

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    1. I know what you mean and thanks Colgar6 :-) The "Heroclix" Dracula is taken from the Seventies Marvel comic "The Tomb Of Dracula". It was drawn by Gene Colan who gave him a very fine 'Terry-Thomas' dastardly villain type moustache. Having grown up with those comics I always think of Dracula twirling it, and that's probably why I only like Gary Oldman's performance as the Lord of Vampires.

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  3. I like your painting of N'Kantu the Mummy. It is very effective.
    I, too, remember Gene Colan's Dracula - moustache and all. Full marks for originality!

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    1. Many thanks Vampifan. N'Kantu a big beastie too so at one stage I was tempted to just apply the wash and make do. But I think he looks a lot better now I've taken the time to drybrush his bandages. I'm a huge fan of both Gene Colan and his partner in crime, Tom Palmer. I'll try and post some issues of "The Tomb of Dracula" on my comic blog once I've painted the Lord of Vampires up :-)

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  4. That's an interesting collection you have there for Mo'vember Simon, Lockjaw is an inspired choice, brilliant! Hatsoff to you sir.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. I was thinking of my favourite Inhuman as soon as we discussed moustaches, but wasn't sure I had a figure - the new Lockjaw Heroclix model being awful imho. Fortunately I had one of the old ones in my pre-painted mountain :-)

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