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| "Your death will be the Hyena's last laugh!" |
This 28mm plastic model of The Hyena is made by “Wizkids".
It is model 004 from the DC Comics “Heroclix” Legacy expansion set. Bitten by a
were-hyena whilst in Africa with the Peace Corps, this super-villainess was
created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom in 1978 and first featured in the “Firestorm”
comic book by “DC Comics”.
In order to ‘cover-up’ the miniature’s bright red pre-paint
I initially undercoated the model with a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Heavy
Red before washing it with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade in order
to ‘muddy’ the colour somewhat. The model was then dry-brushed with “Vallejo”
Heavy Red before I dabbed in some hyena-spots around the character’s shoulders
and chest using some more Strong Tone Quickshade.
Having allowed these areas to dry I then delicately brushed
over them with "Vallejo" Heavy Red in order to try and somewhat blend them in with the surrounding
fur. Once finished I picked out her teeth and claws with White. Both of these
areas were then dirtied with another quick coat of “The Army Painter” Strong
Tone Quickshade. Summer Day’s eyes were created using a couple of dabs of “Vallejo”
Heavy Ochre.
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| General Solo WIP - Han's boots, trousers and jacket have already been painted and inked |
Like so many science fiction fans recently, I was rather excited
by the final few seconds of the trailer to J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars Episode VII:
The Force Awakens”. So much so that it actually made me want to paint up a
couple of appropriate “Wizards Of The Coast” plastic figures. I already
own a rather large assortment of these miniatures. But have always resisted
painting any because of the huge range in size and quality of the game’s sculpts.
On this occasion however I thought I'd make an exception but having pawed through my collection I simply couldn’t find a suitable model which
really fitted the bill as a silver-haired smuggler. Thus I eventually ended up buying one
which looked to be similar in size to the vast majority of my 28mm model collection on "Ebay".
In addition I also bought a rather nice looking Wookie Scoundrel figure to represent the rebel's stalwart co-pilot Chewbacca.
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| Chewie WIP - After several brown washes and dry-brushes, Chewbacca's belt has finally been 'picked out' |
Unfortunately when the figures arrived it was very clear that the
pair didn’t look quite right alongside one another, as Han Solo was almost as
tall as his hairy companion. As a result I located a second Wookie Freedom Fighter
miniature I already owned and which was a little taller, and super-glued that figure to a 40mm circular base
instead.
I have often thought of doing a star wars skirmish using repainted clix. It is a shame if they are not very good..... The Han figure looks great though - is he just an exception?
ReplyDeleteThe General Solo mini is from the Masters of the Force expansion and is definitely an exception CW, and took quite a while to track down as a result. I have the first Han Solo sculpt based for skirmish and it is okay but the head is rather small for a 28mm sculpt. From my recent Star Wars BatRep you'll know I already own one Wookie Freedom Fighter, so using a second model was an obvious choice once I discovered the Wookie Scoundrel was a bit small.
DeleteNice work! It must be tricky getting the sizes right with something like a Star Wars, as there are so many different sized characters. You've got to get the Han/Chewie dynamic right though, well done :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul. I don't currently have any plans to paint any more of these "Wizards Of The Coast" minis. but wanted to make sure they were in scale with the models I plan to team them up with. And as you say, you can't have Solo taller than Chewie :-)
DeleteLooking good, Blax. I look forward to seeing the two Star Wars characters side-by-side, once completed.
ReplyDeleteCheers Roy. Chewie and Han are actually almost finished already such has been my enthusiasm for them, and they'll certainly be posted up side-by-side. My only worry is I'll now end up rummaging through my "Star Wars" collection looking for other models to re-paint - I've enough on as it is ;-)
DeleteFine work on your Hyena Bk! Who's she being teamed up with?
ReplyDeleteNice progress on Han and Chewie too dude.
Many thanks Bob. I'm just finishing the flocking on the last of Hyena's minions and then all eight will be ready for posting. once done I have a "Zombicide" game in mind for her and her were-fiends. Anything more would be telling ;-)
DeleteHan and Chewie have really taken all my attention the last couple of days, so hopefully will be finished and posted soon, my friend.
I have still managed to not see that trailer. The 1st one was enough, any more will ruin the film for me. :)
ReplyDeleteThe plastic SW minis range was such a let down overall. So much potential to put out a great line of cheap minis, but they made it collectible and quality control was terrible where the sculpts were concerned.
Dai, I wholeheartedly agree, which is why I simply re-based mine (which does actually help make the figures look a little better) in order to play some skirmish battles. As you say though the quality of many is pretty awful - though there are gems to be had, I assure you. Certainly I'm a big fan of these two sculpts :-)
DeleteSimon, I share your excitement for the new Star Wars film. I look forward to seeing your finished versions of Han and Chewie.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the Hyena. She has turned out extremely well and will make a great leader for your SLAP Minis werewolves.
Many thanks Bryan. I'm certainly very happy how Hyena has turned out. Just a pity the sculpt has such an awkward low-profile. Han & Chewie are almost finished already, my friend, such is my enthusiasm for them... and a couple of others may end up on the painting table over the next few weeks ;-)
DeleteThe General Solo figure looks good, but there's something not quite right about the wookie model, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe Han mini is definitely the better of the two but I really like the wookie head back roaring away. Of course he's holding the wrong weapon to be a 'proper' Chewie and his bandolier should stretch across to his other shoulder. But he's better (imho) than the Wookie Scoundrel I bought - scale-wise at least :-)
DeleteLiking the Hyena (a villain I have always liked). :)
ReplyDeleteAnd off to a nice start on those SW minis. :)
Thanks Pulpcitizen. Certainly she's come out better than the pre-paint and should look good as the head of her were-clan.
DeleteCracking work as always Simon, the Hyena looks great and should work well in Zombicide, Han looks good, we all wanted to be Han at school, you can see why Mark Hammil got pee'd off really. I'm not so sure about Chewie but I'll weigh judgment till you finish him. Never looked at the SW range of pre-paints (I think there were some at Salute but didn't really look at them) so can't really comment on what they look like before, are they really that bad?
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
Much appreciated Roger. Poor Chewie is clearly struggling for some love though. I'm afraid the "Star Wars" pre-paints are a lot worse than "Heroclix" imho. But like any mini range there are some gems and this General Solo model is certainly one of them. Hopefully when I post the pair of them up you'll see they make a good match :-)
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