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| "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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Nice work on Mr Freeze, Is that Max from the new movie then? I haven't seen that one, though was a big fan of the Mel G films, but I just don't like Chalize Theron (probably spelt wrong), don't know why, just don't.
ReplyDeleteSomeone does a really nice V8 Interceptor though, just can't remember who.
Cheers Roger.
Thanks Roger. Victor has taken a considerable time to finish for some reason. Not sure why as he was reasonably simple to paint once the dry-brushing was over and all the silver areas picked out in black.
DeleteI don't know if the new Road Warrior is specifically modelled upon Tom Hardy but it is a good likeness, and I'd strongly recommend watching "Mad Max: Fury Road" as its non-stop fun straight from the go and imho, the best of the four films to date by a long way.
I've seen some of the Interceptor cars. But my initial plan is to pick up some Ork vehicles at Salute and see what I can cobble together from them. I actually want to try and build enough so a 2x2 board is covered with vehicles and models have to hop from one another - as if the vehicles are moving down an endless road...
Check out Zinga industries while your there as they have a couple of nice buggy vehicles and loads of conversion bits like tracks and various sizes wheels.
ReplyDeletehttp://zinge.co.uk/
Cheers Roger,
Cheers Roger. Some very nice bits and bobs which I'll pay a visit to again when I get my basic vehicles, as I don't want my cars etc to look too Orky obvioudly. I did think the buggys were rather overpriced though :-o
DeleteNice! Really like the Mad Max and Furiosa figs...look forward to seing what you do with them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gordon. I've always got my eye on the next project as you know ;-)
DeleteReally good work on Mr. Freeze. For me, however, the stand out figure is your Mad Max. Yes, he is definitely based on Tom Hardy from Fury Road (superb film, BTW!). For Furioso, CDG make a brilliant version of her called Ms Lovely Day. She is every bit as good as the new Copplestone Mad Max figure. Incidentally, to claim my free Mad Max figure I bought a load of cavemen figures to use as Primitives in 7TV2e alongside my Antediluvian Adventurers and Dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteFinally, I do love your Copplestone zombie troopers. An all round super post!
Cheers Bryan. Glad you approve seeing as that's the "Heroclix" mini I'll be sending your way once he arrives form across the Pond.
DeleteI have seen the "Crooked Dice" Furioso, as I think Brummie has painted one. But I don't like it myself - can't really explain why. "Mad Max: Fury Road" is definitely one of my current fave films presently, hence my purchase of a few Future Wars minis from "North Star Military Figures". I am though looking forward to your cavemen. That's a couple of mouth-watering "7TV2" BatReps you've promised us :-)
I'm delighted with the re-based zeds. Time well-worth invested imho, and I'll have quite the horde when they're all done.
Excellent work! Love that Max will have to plan an order!
ReplyDeleteVery kind Simon. Mad Max is a terrific sculpt. You will indeed need to get in an order.
DeleteNow you've finished Mr Freeze maybe it's time for some Victory Fries! D'oh!
ReplyDeleteThe new Max looks awesome and I'm loving your zombies too dude!
Cheers dude!! LOL :-) I hoped you'd like my Zeds, Bob.
DeleteSweet. Great movie, Fury Road. Did they establish how Furiosa lost her arm? Perhaps this mini could be her earlier, two-armed self.
ReplyDeleteThanks Finch. I believe Furiosa loses her arm in the comic book based upon her solo exploits; something I own but haven't read yet.
DeleteClever solution for Mr. freeze Simon, I like that. I've put my order in for a few packs of Copplestone Castings miniatures to get my hands on the Max sculpt, but what an inspired shout for Furiosa! Genius Sir.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Michael. I was a bit disappointed not to be able to remove his plastic helmet tbh. But this solution seems to have worked well enough, fortunately. The Max sculpt is well worth a little investment in "Copplestone Castings" imho, and I'm glad you like Furiosa - a simple yet effective conversion.
DeleteMore nice work, both on Freeze and the re-based and touched up zeds. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers PulpCitizen. So many models still to paint from scratch and I'm re-painting old ones ;-)
DeleteShe looks great dude, you should have tried the arm conversion it would have been stand out, although I think she pretty much is anyway! Good job on Freeze :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy. I haven't completely made my mind up with Furiosa yet... We'll have to see...
DeleteLove Mr freeze your posts make me want to collect more Hero mini's
ReplyDeleteCheers Damon. Lots more superheroes and villains to come too ;-)
DeleteMax and Furiosa look perfect for the bill. I do think that an arm severing and wires added would make her look more the part though if you feel you are up to the challenge?
ReplyDeleteMr Freeze is dark and deadly - far cooler than the cartoon bright blue versions that I typically see.
Many thanks Dai. I think I'll be giving Furiosa a go at just that at the weekend. I think I can create the illusion of a mechanical arm simply enough. I'm rather pleased with how Mister Freeze has come out myself too.
DeleteI do like that Mr Freeze figure - would make a good retro space explorer too. And I too enjoyed Fury Road. A very suitable continuation of the franchise - savage, high-octane and bonkers. However, apocalyptic gaming (zombie or post) has yet to seduce me. Nice work, Simon.
ReplyDeleteCheers Jez. Fries would indeed make an interesting retro space explorer. not thought of that one. Perhaps I'll be able to tempt you, as your blog does me repeatedly, with some "Mad Max" gaming once I've got a few minis painted and posted.
DeleteMr Freeze has got to be one of my favourite figures you've painted, the gunmetal shades really do work and your solution to the head problem is very clever.
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Max figure is a great sculpt whom I'll sure have great fun painting.
Love the zombie troopers too btw.
Thanks Joe. Glad you enjoyed the posting. Bit there for everyone to enjoy - I hope. Mister Freeze is a great sculpt, and I'm rather pleased with how the head turned out in the end. Thought you'd appreciate some zeds - haven't done many this year - yet ;-)
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