Friday 14 August 2015

"The Most Famous, Most Fearsome Monster Of All!"

"It's -- alive! Heaven help me -- It's alive!"
This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of Frankenstein’s Monster is miniature number 10 from the Amazing Spider-Man Marvel “Heroclix” range. Mary Shelley’s creation made his first appearance in the ‘Marvel Comics Universe’ by featuring in writer/Editor Stan Lee’s September 1953 issue of “Menace”. Despite the horror character’s somewhat crouched pose, the figure still stands at an impressive 43mm in height.

Because this miniature’s pre-paint was thick enough I didn’t need to undercoat the figure at all and instead simply applied a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Blue directly onto the creature’s trousers. This area was then washed with some “Citadel” Asurmen Blue. Frankenstein’s fur-jacket was painted using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Finally I painted the monster’s skin with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, before giving it a healthy wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil.
"DC Comics" WIPs - Both Joker and Sergeant Rock still require quite a bit of painting time
 Having completed replicating the ‘basics’ of the figure’s “Wizkids” paint-job, I then desperately tried to go one better and not only ‘pick out’ the monster’s numerous stitches in “Citadel” Abaddon Black. But also then paint them with more “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, before washing each suture with more Strong Tone Quickshade.

Unfortunately not only did this make the miniature look extremely messy. But despite my best efforts I simply couldn’t just ‘pick out’ each thread without the brush tip occasionally straying elsewhere. In the end, and for my own personal sanity’s sake, I decided that enough was enough, and actually purchased a second model in order to start again. Ultimately however, I have simply repainted the monster’s grey flesh with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and once again washed the areas with “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Before leaving the brutish creation well enough alone…
D-Rangers WIPs - These 'colonial warriors' will be predominantly brown with gold trimmings
Having completed a “Marvel Worldwide” miniature I have also been progressing more “Heroclix” figures from the company’s “DC Comics” ranges. My Clayface is now almost finished, and simply needs a brown wash and his yellow eyes to be ‘dotted in’. Whilst both my Joker and Sergeant Rock have quite a considerable way yet to go.

I have also managed to separate the main colour areas on these three D-Rangers by “Nexus Miniatures”. Helios, Galicia and Joey all bear a striking resemblance to the Colonial Warriors Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer from the 1978 American television series “Battlestar Galactica”. 

22 comments:

  1. Good to see you finally finished "Frankie", and a god job you've done on him sir. The other three are also progressing well, and the Colonial Warriors look like they could be good once finished. Now if we can only keep you on track..... perhaps we should ban you from Vampy's site?

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. I think 'cutting my losses' with Frankie was the best decision and he still looks fairly decent imho - certainly better than his pre-paint.

      I am desperately trying to keep on track with simply sticking to working my way through my backlog. Bryan's site doesn't help though :-)

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  2. He looks great to me! Look forward to seeing the rest done!

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    1. Cheers Gordon. Suddenly I find myself with plenty of models which I'm close to finishing, so lots of postings of completed miniatures still to come.

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  3. F I think Frankenstein has turned out well . :)

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    1. Thanks Pulp Citizen. Certainly he's good enough to plonk him on the tabletop and have a game or three with him. I've already got a team-up scenario in mind for him ;-)

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  4. Nice work on the tap-dancing monster :)

    Just out of interest, what's the joker got in his hands?

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    1. Cheers Roy. The Joker has two Jokerfish in his hands. They're orange with joker faces (though I doubt I'll be painting in such fine details myself). He'll be using them for a double attack in my 'Gotham City High-Rise' games.

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  5. You've done a great job on Frankenstein's Monster. Well done, Simon. Your WIP figures are as varied as they are interesting. I hope you can finish painting them soon.
    I had to chuckle at Roger's comment about banning you from my blog site. That would never do! ;-)

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    1. Thanks Bryan. Desperately trying to get through the backlog. Sadly there's a good hundred or so left to go!! But as you say they are varied, and many aren't actual all that far from being completed. I am though constantly having to steer clear of my "Crooked Dice" box for fear of accompanying you (and Colgar6 now) in some "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" :-)

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  6. OK Bryan we wont ban him, but apparently the trick to posting stuff up that Simon wont "jump into" is to stick to painting boats!

    Do they do Zombie boats? if they do I guess your the man to ask.

    Cheer Roger.

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    1. I've never heard of a zombie boat, Roger, but I have heard of zombie-filled boats. Do they count?

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    2. No sorry Bryan, C- (must try harder), only kidding.

      Cheers Roger.

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    3. Heh Heh... I have actually just bought some Zombie Whales by "Spartan Games", which count as the Undead navy's frigates. All inspired by your blog's postings spookily Roger ;-)

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  7. P.S. I think I would have had to call this posting "Putting on the Rittz!!!!!!!".

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    1. I was tempted to go with something from Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash" tnh Roger. But I like my titles to come from the comics or films, and I thought that was a good head-liner from the cover of "The Monster Of Frankenstein" #1.

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  8. Is it just me or does Clayface look a little like the Honey Monster? Nice work again, Simon. Can't wait to see your completed villains duking it out on the rooftops of Gotham. Regards Jez

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    1. Cheers Jez. Yes he does a bit :-) He's based upon the animated TV series, so is rather cartoony.

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  9. Frankie looks great Bk!
    All the other WIPs are coming along nicely too dude.

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    1. Thanks Bob. Plenty of minis still left to paint, but I'm clearly some space quite nicely.

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  10. Your monster looks great. I love his action pose.

    Clayface's terracotta is perfect. I just fear a quick blast of Superman's lazer eyes would turn him into immovable Pottery-face.

    Glad to see some work getting done on the Marines!

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    1. Cheers Dai. I'm rather glad Frankenstein's Monster is finished tbh. Clayface is finished and will be posted up soon, and I'm also glad to finally be getting some paint of Apollo, Starbuck and Boomer :-)

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