"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.