"When Is A Door Not A Door?"

"One stupid mistake in your life and you never live it down..."

These three 28mm plastic pre-painted "Wizkids" miniatures are part of the five-man "Heroclix" criminal gang I intend to field alongside the Riddler in my "Cosmic Cube Wars" campaign. As they're to represent the super-villain's Mole Hill Gang, I've painted them in similar colours as to that worn by Edward Nygma's alter-ego.  

The models consist of two Lackey figures, both number 019 from the New Jersey-based company's "DC Comics" Hypertime range, and a Thug, number 013 from their "Marvel" Infinity Challenge set. I did however convert one of the Lackey's into a gun-wielding goon by replacing his crowbar with the gloved pistol hand taken from a spare Henchman (number 016 from the "Marvel" Infinity Challenge range) I own.

"Da wire is cut, Boss."

Unsurprisingly all three of the miniatures were essentially painted the same way, with their trousers, tops and hats each being treated to a combination of either "Vallejo" Heavy Violet and "Citadel" Druchi Violet or "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Thrakka Green. Any metallic areas, such as the hand-gun, belt buckle, shades and crowbar, were given a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker before being washed with Nuln Oil.

With over half of the Mole Hill Gang complete, I'm currently making good progress on the final two members; a second crowbar carrying lackey and an unarmed Thug. As with their criminal associates these henchmen will be dressed in purple and green attire.

"Wizkids" WIPs - Two more additional goons for the Riddler and Franklin John Rock

Lastly I hope to spend the next month finishing off a number of partially-painted miniatures I have littering my table. These are predominantly "Heroclix" models, and the first to receive some long-needed attention is a figure of Sergeant Rock from "DC Comics". I actually started work on the World War Two veteran at the start of the Fifth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge way back in 2014, and thought the non-commissioned officer would be the perfect choice to lead Easy Company during my mass super-hero battles "Cosmic Cube Wars" campaign using the "Age Of Sigmar" ruleset by "Games Workshop".

"I Suppose You Could Call It A Galactic Weed..."

"...Though it's deadlier than any weed you know."

This 28mm metal model of a Failed Experiment Minion is from code SKU: 26 by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and is one of many miniatures I’ve painted up as part of my (badly overunning) Zomtober 2015 “Doctor Who And The Seeds of Doom” project. The figure will represent a hapless staff member of botanist Harrison Chase, who has been partially infected by the Krynoid's deadly extra-terrestrial virus and is thus slowly ‘turning’ into one of the alien invader’s plant-zombies.

Having first pinned and superglued a Failed Experiment Head to the torso, as well as a spare plastic “Games Workshop” mutated hand, I gave the hapless Chase Manor Security Guard an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Blue. I then picked out the ‘infected’ monster's zipper and name badge clipper with “Citadel” Iron Breaker before washing both these metallic areas and his jumpsuit with Nuln Oil.

Mole Hill Mob WIPs - The majority of these henchmen simply require some washes before being finished

The goon’s spiky appendage was painted using a combination of Vallejo “Heavy Grey”, “Citadel” Thrakka Green and Carroburg Crimson, and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. This formidable vegetable growth was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Grey. The former human’s flesh was painted using Heavy Skintone and some watered down “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

I've also made some good progress on the latest "Heroclix" criminal gang I intend to field during my "Cosmic Cube Wars" campaign. These three henchmen will form part of The Riddler's Mole Hill Mob, and are thus being painted predominantly green and purple in order to match their master's colour scheme. Once I have completed five of the garishly-hued criminals, they'll join Black Manta and Two-Face in the first of my mass super-hero battles using the "Age Of Sigmar" ruleset by "Games Workshop".

Crossbowman WIP - The soldier still has quite a bit of work left to do. But is making some steady progress

Finally I am still pottering away on the last couple of figures I need in order to field a Witch's warband for "Frostgrave". As a result I have been making some progress on one of the crossbowman made by “North Star Military Figures”. This multi-part hard plastic miniature has proved incredibly time-consuming to 'get right' on account of all the additional pieces of equipment I added to the soldier's torso, after becoming somewhat disillusioned with the original softly-detailed sculpt.

Fortunately, after much grimacing, I am finally making some good headway on the model's numerous layers of clothing, equipment and pouches, and hope to be paying this noble stooge 50 gold pieces in the near future in order to field him alongside another crossbowman I painted at the end of last year.

"Salute 2016" - Loot - Part One

Time Robbers WIPs - Randall, Robin Hood and Wally have all been appropriately undercoated

The first of my impulse purchases at "Salute 2016", these incredibly characterful 28mm white metal "Time Robbers" are made by "Northumbrian Tin Soldier", and proved an irresistible temptation on account of them being based upon the band of dwarves from the 1981 motion picture "Time Bandits".

This "fantastic new range" currently includes all six of the diminutive treasure-hunters, as well as John Cleese's incarnation of Robin Hood from the film, and can either be bought singluarly or in a group (as I did). Somewhat disappointingly though, despite these models' excellent detail I have found them to be somewhat larger than advertised. Indeed, the heroic green-garbed outlaw actually stands a formidable 40mm in height, so unfortunately they won't easily fit with the vast majority of my 28mm-scale collection as hoped...

Time bandits WIPs - Plenty of work left to do these instantly recognisable sculpts

The Time Robbers Set is not however the only range which "Northumbrian Tin Soldier" produce, as Martin Buck has "wonderfully sculpted" a load of similarly-sized goblins, faeries, imps, gnomes and other assorted creatures as part of the company's dark fantasy Nightfolk miniatures catalogue.

As a result I'm hoping to paint up Randall, Figit, Og, Strutter, Wally and Vermin reasonably quickly, and then hopefully begin collecting some of the sword-wielding teddy bears and heavily-armoured big-eared gnomes which the manufacturers currently produce; alongside any new figures for which they cast their Time Robbers range.

Robo Hunter WIPs - Having undercoated and washed Hoagy with Black shade, the robot now needs dry-brushing

Equally as impetuous an acquisition were these two old "2000 A.D." themed models by "Wargames Foundry". Sold by "Warmonger Miniatures" these sculpts of Sam Slade and his idiotic robot assistant Hoagy are somewhat taller than I anticipated, with Robo Hunter standing a disconcertingly 35mm in height. As a result, much like my Time Bandits, I strongly doubt I'll be able to use them alongside many of my other 28mm miniatures.

In an effort to reduce Sam Slade's height, I did actually attempt to remove the (pre-slotta) metal model from his incredibly thick base, and inadvertently ended up costing the "cigar-smoking bounty hunter of robots" his entire left foot; which snapped away at the ankle. Fortunately, having removed the same limb from a "Heroclix" A.I.M. Agent I had going spare, I was able to pin a replacement plastic foot onto my Robo Hunter and then fashion it into a similar shape using some grey-stuff...

"The Most Startling Swamp Creature Of All!"

"Whatever knows fear burns at the touch of the Man-Thing"

This 28mm pre-painted plastic model of Man-Thing is by “Wizkids” and can be bought as number 063 from their “Heroclix” Marvel Mutant Mayhem range. “A former scientist who was transformed into a creature composed of vegetable matter through the synergistic interaction of mystical energy and swamp mutagens”, the large, slow-moving empathic humanoid creature was created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and artist Gray Morrow, and first appeared in the "Marvel Comics Group" publication "Savage Tales" in May 1971. The incredibly strong ‘heap’ has formed many long-lasting partnerships with his fellow super-heroes over the years, such as Howard The Duck and Benjamin Grimm (a.k.a The Thing), and is currently one of the “Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

Standing an impressive 45mm in height, the beast was initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Grey in order to ‘mask’ its sub-standard pre-paint, and was then heavily washed first with “Citadel” Thrakka Green and then later with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Once finished Ted Sallis’ alter-ego was dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Grey before his eyes were picked out with a combination of Dark Vermillion and “Citadel” Bloodletter. I then indiscriminately dabbed more of the Strong Tone Quickshade over the Man-Thing’s limbs and torso.

"Dum Dum" Duggan WIPs - The S.H.I.E.L.D. Commander's boots, belt, holsters and trousers are finished

 Having completed the “accidental hero” I have now set my sights on completing the commander of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s team dedicated to handling the “stranger aspects of homeland protection”, Tim Dugan. This oversized “Heroclix” miniature of the Life-Model Decoy is already proving a little tiresome to paint on account of all the operative’s white webbing, belts, boots and gloves. But having finally laid down some final layers on his footwear and holsters, in preparation to wash these areas with “Vallejo” Pale Grey, I’ve taken some time out to both paint and ink the bottom of his all-blue uniform.

Dishearteningly I have five similar-looking, though no-where near as large, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to complete after “Dum Dum”, in order for the elite S.T.A.K.E. strike force to have at least some back-up on the tabletop. I do however have a little incentive to get these ‘foot soldiers’ completed soon as I’ve been able to source both a model of Manphibian and Nick Fury from across the Pond; along with some other S.H.I.E.L.D. reinforcements.

Imperator Furiosa WIPs - Having lost her arm, the road warrior is finally being painted 

Lastly I have made a little progress on my “Mad Max: Fury Road” mini-project by finally chopping off my converted “Copplestone Castings” Imperator Furiosa’s arm, and replacing it with the sword hilt of a spare “Wizkids” Silver Samurai figure I found. As a result the short-haired road warrior now appears to have her famous hydraulic mechanical left arm… or at least will once I have finished painting the artificial limb with some metallic colours.

Indeed having finished this simple alteration, I’ve subsequently managed to finish painting Furiosa’s shoe and sandal, heavily dry-brush her trousers in preparation for a “Citadel” Nuln Oil wash, and get some initial layers done on both her huge firearm and flesh.

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Lifeboats" - Part Two

“The story so far… On an orbiting Federation Weapons Research Facility Roj Blake, Jenna Stannis, Vila Restal and Space Commander Travis have encountered a hostile Alien lifeform which has completely wiped out the top secret base’s scientists. Realising that the extra-terrestrials pose a genuine threat to the safety of the Terran Administration, the freedom fighters decide to blow up the station. However before they can do so the party must first deactivate its computer-controlled lifeboats. Having teleported down into a series of cramped corridors, Blake and Jenna have positioned themselves close to the Control Room and established a ‘kill zone’. But Vila and Travis, busy exploring some abandoned space debris elsewhere within the complex are about to experience a much more personal close encounter of the third kind…”

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven -"Lifeboats" - Part One

THE TABLETOP - THE "GORDON RICHARDS" FEDERATION WEAPONS RESEARCH FACILITY

Blake tapped his communications bracelet, and having given Travis some instructions (and a free action), aimed his space rifle at two oncoming Aliens approaching his position and brought one down in a spray of acidic blood. Jenna, realising that they might be momentarily overrun, moved east and made her weapon ready. Up ahead she could see two of the creatures reach the Red Junction, and something was making strange dog-like noises in the shadows further away.

Vila, desperate for a decent weapon searched the Green Room and discovered a glass bottle. Disappointed it was empty as opposed to being full of alcohol, the cowardly thief called out for Travis. Hearing his colleague’s voice, and sensing he was about to be cut off from help by the Aliens climbing out of the air ducts to the south of him, the Federation Officer bravely moved towards the hissing extra-terrestrials and blew one away with his sawn-off shotgun. However the Space Commander’s shout of triumph was cut short as he realised the additional experience he had accrued meant he had levelled up, and as a result the number of creatures the entire party would now be facing would be increased. With a curse Travis ran west back into the Green Room. Whilst behind him another three Aliens scrambled out of the ventilation system.

BLAKE AND JENNA PREPARE TO BATTLE, AS TRAVIS FENDS OFF SOME ALIENS

Blake gave Jenna a quick instruction and then, levelling his space rifle at two more of the slimy monsters rushing towards him, brought both down. Stannis, taking out the third and final Alien at the Red Junction with her blaster pistol, rushed East and then headed North towards the Control Room airlock. Behind the smuggler, the corridor was becoming increasingly thick full of squirming monsters, including a couple of dog-shaped fast-moving creatures which were racing towards her from the South.

Travis, tossing a space Pistol to a petrified Vila, fired with his Laseron Destroyer (pistol) and killed the closest extra-terrestrial chasing him. The Space Commander then had a final look around the Green Room and found a flashlight. Restal meanwhile, unhappy with the small firearm he had been given, rummaged around his surroundings once more, and was delighted to find a submachine gun. Gripping the formidable firearm tightly, the thief headed North towards the Red Room.

JENNA AND TRAVIS TAKE DOWN MORE EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS. BUT A NEW MONSTER IS COMING...

 Blake, fearing Jenna would become fatally separated from him, called out for her to re-join him and took down another two Aliens with his Space Rifle. Puffing, Stannis returned to his side, and exasperatingly asked “Where’s Vila!?!” A call from the West end of their corridor answered her query, as the breathless thief appeared from inside the Red Room. Travis meanwhile was slowly making a fighting retreat, his sawn-off disposing of another extra-terrestrial as the Space Commander moved North out of the Green Room.

BLAKE AND JENNA CONFRONT ALIEN HOUNDS AND COME OUT ON TOP

Blake tapped his communications bracelet again, electronically sending Travis his location’s co-ordinates, and then killed two Alien hounds (Runners) which had been tearing towards him. The Federation Officer meanwhile, eager to re-join his hated foe, fired his shotgun into the packed Green Room, emptying the place of living extra-terrestrials, and taking some satisfaction in his work headed North, then East after Vila.

Staggering up towards his Liberator crewmates, the flush-faced thief reacted to a flick of Roj Blake’s head, and instead of joining them, moved up towards the Northern airlock, and using his Break-In skill (free action) opened the door. All around the shaking gambler could be heard the hisses and growls of the fearsome extra-terrestrials, as three more reached the Red Junction, two appeared from the South-East corridor and four Alien Stalkers emerged behind Travis… And what of the animalistic growls emanating far away in the direction of the Green Room?

TRAVIS MOTIVATES VILA AS MORE ALIENS POUR TOWARDS THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Realising they may soon be overwhelmed, Blake gave Vila a quick briefing over his wrist bracelet and once again successfully killed two Aliens with his space rifle. Hearing the carnage behind him Restal raced up to the Control Airlock and picking the opening mechanism (free action) gave a sigh of relief as the heavy-duty shutter silently raised upwards. Behind it two snarling Alien Hounds growled hungrily at the stammering thief…

Finally approaching his arch-rival’s side, Travis prepared himself, along with Jenna, for the oncoming onslaught. Numerous monsters were fast approaching from both the East and West, including several of the larger dog-shaped creatures. It was doubtful that the freedom fighters would last long against such odds despite their firepower. Vila meanwhile was too busy being attacked by the Alien Hounds who leapt upon him from inside the Control Room. The gambler took two swift wounds, and grimly realised he was going to have to take some more if he was to survive, as the savage animals were too close now to avoid their acidic blood…

VILA MOMENTARILY GOES DOWN UNDER A SEA OF TEETH AND CLAWS

Blake tried to give Restal some encouragement over his communicator, before shooting down an Alien Stalker and a hound. Jenna also poured fire into one of the snarling canines (having Plenty of Ammunition) and finally brought down another of the dog-shaped fiends. Moving West Travis opened up upon the extra-terrestrials approaching from behind him with his Sawn-off Shotgun and managed to lessen their number. But there were even more slimy black shapes emerging from the corridors around them…

BLAKE, JENNA AND TRAVIS HOLD ON AS A BATTERED VILA WINS THE DAY

With an anguished cry Vila opened up upon the two Alien hounds savaging him, and his submachine gun took them down with a hail of lead. Twice more though the thief was wounded, as a result of his foes’ acidic blood. Gasping, and near to death, Restal staggered into the Control Room and de-activated the secret base’s lifeboats. The Liberator crew had won… for now.

'The Cosmic Cube Wars' - WIP - Part Two

"Heroclix" WIPs - "Dum Dum" Dugan, Will Magnus and Platinum

Somewhat inspired by the recent “Marvel Worldwide” comic book series “Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.” I’ve spent the past few days re-basing and undercoating a number of appropriate “Heroclix” plastic miniatures so as to field my own team dedicated to handling the “stranger aspects of homeland protection” on the tabletop.

To begin with I’ve dug out my extraordinarily over-sized “Wizkids” model of the strike force’s commander “Dum Dum” Dugan. The figure comes from the Marvel: Secret Invasion range and despite being a supposedly 28mm scaled sculpt, stands close to 40mm in height and requires a similarly sized circular base. There’s no doubt that in the comics the World War Two veteran is a big chap. But not that big. However as the publishers have recently revealed this version of the character is an advanced Life-Model Decoy (i.e. an android), I can live with the size. Plus I do like the way the old warhorse’s size makes him tower over his underlings.

S.H.I.E.L.D. WIP - This well-armed trooper will be painted blue and white 

In addition to Nick Fury’s long-time team-mate I have also started painting five S.H.I.E.L.D. Troopers to use as the bowler hat-wearing soldier’s initial squad until such time as I can either finish or source some of the official commandos like Man-Thing and Manphibian. I’ve initially undercoated these terrifically dynamic models with “Vallejo” White in order to get a good head start on their boots, gloves, belts and webbing.

I have also started work on five SWAT Specialists, to use as additional support not only for my S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives. But also for the numerous Police and National Guard models I plan to field. As these figures’ uniforms and equipment will be predominantly black and blue, I’ve applied a coat of “Vallejo” Heavy Blue to each figure for now.

SWAT WIP - This well-armoured specialist will be painted black and blue 

As far as “DC Comics” personalities are concerned I’ve given in to temptation and finally purchased the Will Magus and Platinum jointly-based “Heroclix” model I needed to complete my collection of The Metal Men. This super rare Crisis sculpt was rather costly on its own, but recently came up for sale on E-bay as part of a significantly cheaper job lot. As a result I’ve given the two figures a quick undercoat of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and started work on Platinum with a layer of the OOP Mithril Silver.

This desire to build a few more units for my “Cosmic Cube Wars” project seems particularly timely, as it has coincided with the release (and immediate acquisition) by “Games Workshop” of the two hundred and eighty page “Grand Alliance Order” unit rulebook for the company’s “Age Of Sigmar” game; the very rules I intend to adapt and use for my large scale super-hero themed battles.

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Lifeboats" - Part One

ROJ BLAKE, JENNA STANNIS, VILA RESTAL AND SPACE COMMANDER TRAVIS BATTLE ALIENS

This game was played predominantly using the "Zombicide: Toxic City Mall’ rules of “Zombicide” by “Guillotine Games” with a few additional house-agreed variances on account of us attempting to actually play the first "Space Hulk" Mission by "Games Workshop". In addition as I wanted to try out some science fiction heroes and villains, and have already plenty of painted “Crooked Dice”, “Heroscape”, "Prodos Games" and “Horrorclix” models ready for the table, we simply swapped the Survivors, Walkers, Runners and Fatties with some future freedom fighters, Alien stalkers, 'Alien hounds' and larger Aliens. 

“The story so far… A Federation experiment on an extra-terrestrial life-form has gone horribly wrong. Fearing the hostile aliens will breach the orbiting Weapons Research Facility and endanger the Terran Administration, Space Commander Travis has begrudgingly asked his long-time foe Roj Blake for help in destroying the entire artificial satellite. Worryingly however the endoparasitoid species have demonstrated remarkable intelligence during tests, so before the top secret base can be blown up its lifeboats must first be rendered inoperable. Teleporting down to the station Blake, Jenna and Vila encounter a cramped corridor and a heavy airlock door. Whilst Travis has another mission in mind as well..."

THE TABLETOP - THE "GORDON RICHARDS" FEDERATION WEAPONS RESEARCH FACILITY 

As aforementioned before we started we incorporated a few special rules of our own in order to make the game play a little differently. The biggest change was that each 'survivor' could only initially perform two actions instead of three on account of the cramped corridors and sense of claustrophobia. In addition all of the Aliens were treated as being Toxic on account of having acid for blood. This meant that "upon elimination" they would inflict one wound upon their assailant if they were both in the same zone (or rather tile). To counter this the boarding party consisted of the following: Blake was a 'Zombivor' with the skill Born Leader, Vila was a 'Zombivor' with the skill Break-In, Jenna was awarded the skill Matching Set and Travis was allowed to start the game with his Laseron Destroyer (pistol).

The object of the mission was for one of the Liberator's crew to reach the Control Room and de-activate the functioning computer bank inside which allows the lifeboats to be activated. To begin with only the two Alien Spawn points to the East of the station would generate extra-terrestrials. The South Alien Spawn point would only take effect once the eastern door of the Green Room was opened. Three Objective Markers were placed around the base. Each was worth five experience points, and Travis had to reach at least one of these pieces of Space Debris as a Secondary Victory condition.

AVON TELEPORTS BLAKE AND HIS PARTY DEEP DOWN INSIDE THE SPACE STATION

Finding himself inside a narrow passageway, armed with a simple crowbar, Roj Blake used his Born Leader ability on Vila to give the cowardly thief an extra action, and stood by as the lock pick 'magically' opened the airlock door before them. With a hiss the Alien Stalker in the Red Room beyond spun round of the startled criminal. But before the creature could leap Travis threw a (second) space pistol he was carrying to Jenna and blazed away with his hand's built-in energy laser. Incredibly though the Space Commander missed and it Stannis had to kill the toxic creature with her weapon instead. Watching the corpse dissolve into a green gooey mess, the female smuggler walked east into the Red Room and looked around. In the distance she could hear something far away hissing angrily, as if it was searching them out...

VILA PANICS AS HE UNLEASHES AN ALIEN STALKER UPON THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Blake walked into the Red Room and discovered a space rifle leaning against a wall. Vila, carrying a simple space fire axe, followed him and discovered a bag of space rice, before using his Break-In ability (free action) to open the eastern air-lock door and (a third action courtesy of the Liberator's captain) to open the southern air-lock as well. Beside him Jenna discovered 'Plenty of Ammo' for her firearm and moved East into the adjoining corridor. Travis also moved into the Red Room and discovered a Sawn-Off Shotgun.

JENNA AND BLAKE PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE ONCOMING ALIEN HORDE

Moving East past Jenna, Roj Blake headed towards the Red Junction to see just what was making all the hissing sounds from the shadows up ahead of him. There were quite a lot of black shapes rushing towards his position. The "Native of Earth" also gave Vila a (third) order. Jenna, weapon at the ready joined him. Warily Vila travelled South and opened the Green Room's North air-lock door. Another Alien Stalker was waiting for him inside and so with a yelp of terror the cowardly thief raced back North to the Red Room and Travis. Realising the danger the Space COmmander moved South and blew the extra-terrestrial to pieces with his Shotgun. Boom Baby!!

Tapping his wrist communicator, Blake gave Travis an additional action, and then started shooting at the horde of oncoming Aliens racing West across the Red Junction. With a spray of green acidic blood an Alien Stalker exploded into pieces. But there were plenty more of the creatures behind it. Jenna stood alongside her friend, the blonde-haired smuggler's (short-range) space pistol levelled at the deadly darkness before them. Stannis was ready to kill any fiend which evaded Roj's fire.

SPACE COMMANDER TRAVIS ACCOMPLISHES HIS SECONDARY MISSION... BUT WILL HE SURVIVE?

Vila meanwhile sheepishly entered the Green Room and used his free action to open its eastern air-lock. Travis hurried past him and utilising Blake's order reached the southernmost piece of space debris. It was a partially constructed battle robot, whose micro-chip would prove invaluable to future federation armaments. The Space Commander pocketed the small information card, gaining five experience points and bringing the Terran Officer to the cusp of levelling up. At least something useful would come from the Research Facility the ruthless cyborg thought. However Travis was suddenly aware of a sound like air escaping coming from right behind him and spinning round was aghast to see two more Alien Stalker's emerging from an air vent at the southern end of the short corridor he was in...

Da Da Da Dah Da Dahhhhh... Da Da Dah Da Dahhhhhhhh  

The Brown Bag - An English Comic Collector Blog - X-Men, Skull The Slayer, All-New Wolverine & Batman

http://thebrownbagaeccb.blogspot.co.uk

Alongside my love of painting and gaming with superheroes, I am also a big fan of collecting, reading and reviewing comics. As a result for the past few years I have also been running a comic review blog where most days I post up an issue I've recently read which I think people may want to either buy or avoid.

I know that a few of you already regularly visit this site, and indeed have both commented upon "The Brown Bag" and purchased comics or trade paperbacks based upon my recommendations. But I thought for the next few weeks I'd use "Fantorical" as a platform to showcase some of the collections I've recently reviewed in order to see whether I can tempt some more visitors to share in my comic collecting interest.

These 'advertisements' will only be up for a few weeks before I start to weed them out and delete the postings here as I don't want to distract too much from "Fantorical" being a wargaming/painting blog. So if you want to comment here please be aware that your wise words will be gone in a few weeks time. Ideally though you'll see something you like on "The Brown Bag" and give me your opinion, good or bad, over there. Just click the series title you're interested in and it'll take you straight to Issue One, as well as all the other comics I've reviewed :-)

"THE AMAZING X-MEN"

 Featuring the return of Nightcrawler after his much-lamented death some years earlier, I've so far only reviewed the first five issues of this 2014 series. But more issues of this title will be posted over the coming months as I cover its entire run.

"SKULL THE SLAYER"

A Bronze Age of Comics classic, this eight-issue series covers the exploits of a Vietnam veteran and some plane passengers travelling through the Bermuda Triangle and crash-landing back into Prehistoric Times. Full of dinosaurs, aliens and robots, this is undoubtedly one of my favourite comic book titles from the Seventies. 

"ALL-NEW WOLVERINE"

Logan is dead and been replaced by his clone daughter X-23. This ongoing series depicts Laura's first solo adventures wearing Wolverine's famous yellow and blue spandex costume, and features the Angel as well as the Taskmaster and Doctor Strange. I'm hoping to cover the entirety of this series on a monthly basis as and when each issue is published.

"BATMAN"

One of "DC Comics" flagship titles in their "The New 52" universe, this superbly illustrated ongoing series initially depicts the Dark Knight's battle with the mysterious "Court Of Owls". Cracking adventure and excitement await in one of my all-time favourite Scott Snyder story-arcs for the Caped Crusader.

"Oh, The Cult Is Very Old. They Once Had Power And Influence On A Scale You Can't imagine."

"I... Saw great things. Heard great words. Words of destiny..."

This 28mm metal "Pulp Figures" model comes from Bob Murch's "Weird Menace - The Strange Villainy of Pulpdom" range and is one of five figures that can be bought as set PWM 05 - Evil Hooded Minions II.

The cultist was initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Violet and then had his shoes painted using a combination of Heavy Brown and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. As his trousers were rather difficult to reach with a paintbrush I settled with simply painting them Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"...the cultists widened their circle to give the summoned newcomers enough room."

I used "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey, with a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil for the metalwork on the fiend's firearm, and then applied a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna on the rifle's butt. This area was subsequently shaded using Strong Tone Quickshade. Next the villain's hands were given a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, before being washed with some watered-down "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade", and as a final highlight the fingers were picked out with more "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

In addition to finishing my tenth and final Hooded Minion, I have also managed to base a 20mm resin model of a "Stargate" which I must have painted several years ago at least. I believe it was once sold by "M.J. Figures" as part of their "Armies Of Mythology" range, a somewhat peculiarly oval-shaped alien Einstein-Rosen bridge device which is clearly inspired by the American television series "Stargate SG-1".

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - The two infected security guards are almost finished

Lastly I have once again managed to get some more paint on the three “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” figures I've yet to finish as part of my (arguably overly-ambitious) Zomtober 2015 project "Doctor Who And The Seeds Of Doom". Having finally finished painting the two infected security guards' blue overalls, as well as laid down a second layer of white upon Arnold Keeler's laboratory coat, I'm actually hoping to have these miniatures finished within the next few days...

Blake, Jenna, Vila and Travis battle Aliens in order to save Mankind...

"Call Me Mister Freeze. Call Me Death."

"When I tried to cry for her, the tears froze on my face..."

This 28mm pre-painted plastic model of Mister Freeze is by “Wizkids” and can be bought as number 039 from their “Heroclix” DC Comics: Legacy range. Originally called Mister Zero, the super-villain was created by Bob Kane, David Wood, Sheldon Moldoff and Logan Sowadski, and made his first appearance in "Batman" published by "DC Comics" in February 1959.

A former cryogenics specialist, Victor Fries suffered an "industrial accident" whilst trying to cure his terminally sick wife Nora, and must now wear a cryogenic suit in order to survive. One of Batman's most enduring enemies, and part of the Dark Knight's rogues gallery, Mister Freeze bases his crimes around 'cold' themes and turns his foes into blocks of ice using his "freeze gun".

In order to 'mask' the miniature's pre-paint job, I initially applied a layer of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue over the entire rogue scientist and then shaded him with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Once dry I lightly brushed more "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue over the villain in order to bring out all the wonderful sculpt's detail on his armoured suit. I next undercoated all the areas of the miniature which I wanted to be a more metallic silver with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and then painted the figure's waist, arms, hands and Freeze Gun tubing with Ironbreaker. I gave the fiend's boots a coat of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and then applied a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil to all of these parts of the model.

Road Warrior WIPs - Mad Max and Imperator Furiosa are destined for more adventures together

Finally I painted both Mister Freeze's helmet and weapon with "Citadel" Abaddon Black before using a combination of "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey to give the criminal mastermind's head-wear the appearance of being frosted over. The original model had a clear plastic headpiece but as I thought I'd be unable to remove it without damaging the model, and felt the pre-paint job underneath was poor, I decided to go with the all-over frozen-look instead.

Having finished off Victor Fries I have been momentarily distracted by the arrival of my latest order from "North Star Military Figures". The company have recently become the 'official' vendor of "Copplestone Castings" and have produced a wonderful 'Mad Max' Road Warrior miniature to celebrate it. As a result I had bought a 'small number' from their Future Wars range, including a rather nice-looking female Scavenger Hero model.

Re-basing The Undead - Lots of damaged legs, weapons and ammunition belts have been repainted on these models

Inspired by the motion picture "Mad Max: Fury Road" I have very simply converted this figure into a rough approximation of Imperator Furiosa by cutting off her ponytail and filing her hair down somewhat. I have been considering removing her right lower arm and creating her trademark mechanical arm with some thick wiring...  

Lastly I have not only managed to finish re-basing the two “Copplestone Castings” Zombie Troopers I've been re-painting this week. But managed a third figure too. I've still got a few more of these models from 2007 left to 'update', and as I now plan on using them as opposition for some Mad Max gaming, I hope to have them all completely 'refreshed', ready for the tabletop, within the next few weeks.

"He's Lead. And He Doesn't Just Move Slow."

"Batman Fired. Metal Men in!"

These two 28mm pre-painted plastic models of Tin and Lead are by “Wizkids” and can be bought as number 034 from the toy company's “Heroclix” DC Comics: Crisis range. Created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru in March 1962 these characters form part of the superhero group The Metal Men and made their first appearance 'as a last minute filler' in Issue Thirty Seven of "Showcase"; a comic anthology series published by "DC Comics".

Built by Doctor William Magnus using a Responsometer, these two robots are made out of living metal and are able to retain a solid shape. In addition each has an individual personality which mirrors their namesake metals. As a result Lead is a "slow witted but loyal" automaton, who can morph into "thick shields". Whilst Tin is the "kind and caring member of the group", who unfortunately has "terribly low self esteem."

The Metal Men... Just missing Platinum

Both of these figures actually come on the same 'clicky base' as a sort of vignette, so to begin with I cut Tin away from where he was seemingly cowering behind his bulkier colleague and then used grey stuff to sculpt him a new right clenched fist. In addition I smoothed out Lead's back where his diminutive companion's hand had been holding onto him. I then painted Tin using an OOP pot of "Citadel" Mithril Silver and gave Lead an undercoat of Ironbreaker. Both of these models were then washed with "Nuln Oil" before being simply dry-brushed with more Mithril Silver and Ironbreaker respectively.

As I plan to use my Metal Men "Wizkids" models as part of some large-scale tabletop battles where the forces of Good fight Evil for control of the Cosmic Cube, I felt I ought to quickly paint up the item that allows its wielder to control matter and energy as an objective marker.

Re-basing the Undead - This Zombie Trooper has been re-painted before having his new base flocked

The Cosmic Cube can be bought as figure number S102 from the “Heroclix” Marvel: Galactic Guardian range and was initially given a coat of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey before being shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The plastic model's stand was then dry-brushed with more Gunmetal Grey. Whilst the cube itself was painted "Vallejo" White, washed with some heavily watered-down Gunmetal Blue and finally had its edges highlighted with more White.

Lastly I have re-painted and started to re-base another of my old “Copplestone Casting” figures in order to help get it back on to my tabletop. This particular figure is from Code FW23 Zombie Troopers, and, like some of my other armed cadavers, was probably painted back in 2007. To be honest its original all-black colour scheme simply needed 're-touching' around the legs and I spent the majority of my time using "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to pick-out his pump-action shotgun and a combination of Doombull Brown with some “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade on his leather shoes.