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| The Black Mist - A wonderful sculpt doubtless inspired by The Shadow |
These 28mm models of The Black Mist were sculpted by Bob Ridolfi for “Reaper Miniatures” and are available as part of the company's Chronoscope range in either pewter (code 50217) or "Bones" plastic (code 80007).
Both figures were undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black before being dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and then washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The pulp anti-heroes' sleeves were painted using "Vallejo" White and then also washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil in order to darken their brightness. The miniatures' scarves were initially given a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Red before being glazed with "Citadel" Bloodletter. Finally the vigilantes' pistols were simply picked out using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. The "Bones" figure was additionally given a pair of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna gloves, simply as an experiment to break up the rather overpowering blackness of one of the models.
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| The Black Mist ("Bones") - Some tearing of the plastic around the hat's rim is clearly visible |
Both these miniatures are now heading across the Pond to Canada as 'payment' to Curt for running the "Fifth Annual Hobbies Painting Challenge" at the start of this year, and for him winning the Pulp Trio Side Challenge as well. I'm also grateful to Michael over on the marvellous "28mm Victorian Warfare" blog for reminding me that I still hadn't posted them...
Having finished both of these models I am sorely tempted to buy myself a metal version of The Black Mist the next time I order some more "Reaper Miniatures" as it really is a great-looking dynamic sculpt of the Thirties pulp hero The Shadow. Admittedly the polymer figure is significantly cheaper but I found it lacked a lot of the detail of the pewter model and also suffered from some snagged or torn edges here and there.
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| "Heroclix" WIPs - The Silver Surfer and the Joker should soon be finished |
As I plan to utilise the next few weeks in order to help clear my painting table of old(ish) projects, I have made some more progress on a few of the "Heroclix" miniatures currently littering my painting area. The Silver Surfer model is unsurprisingly almost finished already, as having applied a black shade to its metallic undercoat I now need only dry-brush Galactus' herald for Jack Kirby's creation to be completed. My "Wizkids" Joker figure is also nearly ready for a coat of gloss varnish, as I really now just need to ink his purple suit and paint his ghoulish face and hair. Lastly I have actually been painting this model of Superman since before this blog was born, and have probably got more done on him recently than I have achieved over the past few years. The sculpt suffers with a rather overly thick paint-job. But should still be salvageable now I've started to work on the plastic miniature in earnest.
The Joker looks great...all coming along nicely!
ReplyDeleteCheers Gordon. The Joker should be nice and colourful once finished and then it'll be on to his clown gang :-)
DeleteI have to agree with Gordon, the Joker looks stunning and is easily my pick of the figures you've showcased. I know that there are quite a few Heroclix variants of Superman available but yours is a version that is new to me. He looks good apart from his cloak, which is way too thick.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryan. I have several sculpts of the Joker but this one is my fave, and with the two Jokerfish he's carrying fitted in better with the 'double-attack' I plan for the super-villain to utilise in 'Gotham City High-Rise'. The cloak of superman is horribly thick and billows out at an odd angle. But I believe he's the only one I own and I've been trying to paint him for quite a few years now ;-)
DeleteI don't like the BONES figures as well as the metal myself. As you said, the detail is to soft and I don't like the way the paint lays on the figure for me. It just "feels" different, which is hard to explain. You did a great job with him.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the rest on that Joker. He's looking like a showcase figure to me. You hit those purples just right, which is not an easy thing to do.
Cheers Anne. I have a few more "Bones" minis which I now fear will take quite some motivation to pick up and paint. Although the larger sculpts look okay I think. I just don't like the material for 28mm minis and as you rightly say the paint does go on somewhat differently. I've nothing against painting plastic obviously but I'm not a fan of "Bones". I'm certainly looking forward to getting the Joker finished as he certainly a colourful fellow :-)
DeleteI see your starting to lean towards the Batman universe! :D Like Anne, I find the Bones material tough to work with. but seemingly not you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael. They'll be no "Batman Miniatures Game" models on this blog I assure you... well not yet at least ;-) I think "Bones" certainly has a place for larger models. But not a good medium for 28mm sadly.
DeleteReally nice work there Simon, I can now see that the metal version is better than the "Bones", though your paintwork is excellent on both.
ReplyDeleteThe Joker is looking nice (can the Joker look nice!!) too, but the Silver Surfer is my fav! I am a marvel boy at heart though.
Cheers Roger.
Cheers Roger. The metal version is a very very nice model my friend, and well worth the additional cost imho. The Silver Surfer shouldn't take too much longer to finish, and I've still a few more "Marvel Comics" characters to go after him!!
DeleteLovely work, Simon. You certainly seem to be working through your workbench! My favourite is the Joker, although he does remond me of a thin Randy Quaid...
ReplyDeleteThick pre-paints can be a pain, but a cheap nail polish remover will remove the top layer without damaging the figure, as long as you don't use too much. Good for removing acrylics on figures you've repainted one too many times as well.
Regards Jez
Many thanks Jez, and many thanks for the tip - I've already got quite a way with Supes, but the next "Heroclix" I encounter with that pre-paint problem I'll try out your suggestion :-) Glad you like the Joker. Hopefully he'll be one of several minis I'll finish by the weekend.
DeleteI also have The Black Mist on my paint tray now. cool too see him painted up.
ReplyDeleteThanks David. He really is a cracking little model - although obviously I went for an incredibly simple paint-job on him. I have though seen him with a swirling red cape and even an all-blue variant which looked rather cool. Fingers crossed you've got the metal version ;-)
DeleteNice work Bk! The Black Mist looks particularly good. The others are coming along nicely dude.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bob. I'll certainly be picking up another metal Black Mist with my next "Reapers" order. Lots on the go at present :-)
DeleteYep, the Joker looks good. There's not too much you can do with the Surfer (and maybe with Black Mist also?) as he's such a monochrome character. Perhaps an interesting base might give some contrasts?
ReplyDeleteThanks C6. I think it was you who suggested the brown gloves for one of the Black Mists. The Silver Surfer will be getting a "Mongoose Games" base as their flying stands are my favourite. Hopefully you'll approve when he's finished.
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