Friday 1 April 2016

"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.

18 comments:

  1. The GS-sculpting on Tin was very well done. Never would have thought it had been changed even.

    New zombie is creepy and maniacal looking. I think he's spotted my spaghetti lunch....

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    1. Cheers Dai. Much appreciated. I'm not a sculptor like Dick Garrison but I can hopefully get by when needs must. Glad you like the Zombie. He's now become part of a "Copplestone Casting" project I'm basing up currently which'll feature a chap called Max... and yes, he's mad ;-)

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  2. Nice! Look forward to seeing more of your Mad Max Copplestone Casting project!

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    1. Thanks Gordon. I'm afraid I couldn't resist the free Mad Max mini deal when I saw it on "North Star Military Figures" website. So its definitely in the queue.

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    1. Cheers Martin. Simple but colourful, and they'll certainly draw attention on the tabletop.

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  4. Great work on the Metal chaps Simon, and as said the hand is seem less, I would never have known. thanks for the plug but I would never call myself a sculptor. Bob Olley and Mark Copplestone are sculptors, I'm a gammy handed idiot with a cocktail stick!

    Graet to see you doing more of Mark C's sculpts he's one of my favourites too, I can't place the Mad Max figure from his range though, have I missed him, the only one I can call to mind is the one he did for Grenadier back in the early nineties for their "Future Warriors" range, he's a cracking sculpt, I think you can still get him from EM-4 and a couple of other manufacturers. Anyway I'm really looking forward to seeing you painting up Marks stuff.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. I feel you're doing your sculpting skills a great injustice. The mad Max mini is a freebie which "North Star Military Figures" are offering if you buy a load of "Copplestone Casting" minis from them - now they're his official vendor. Its a new sculpt, I believe, and I bought him with a load of appropriate-looking scavenger scum. I should be able to post up some WIPs by the end of the week.

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    2. Oh I never saw that, when did they start doing that offer? I ordered £34.00 worth for pick up at Salute (had to pay for it on Monday to get the discount prices), so I might get one of them, hadn't even realised.

      Cheers Roger.

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    3. AH... well that is good news indeed, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on him at Salute :-)

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  5. The Metal Men are looking good and I'm glad you included a group shot of them.

    The Copplestone Zombie Trooper, is of course, praiseworthy. Do I spy intestines spilling out of his stomach? You know how I feel about them as they are part of my trade mark conversions!

    I know exactly who your Copplestone Mad Max figure is. I got mine just last week after taking up his generous offer to launch his new website. It really is a cracking good figure and I am looking forward to painting mine and seeing yours painted up.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. Glad you like the Metal Men. I'm just tentatively waiting on an auction to see if I'll be able to complete the set... Those are indeed intestines spilling out of my zombie. Trust a gore hound like you to spot them :-) The new Mad Max mini is a cracker isn't he, and I'm hoping to pick up some nice plastic car kits at "Salute" for him to race around in.

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  6. That's great work on the metal effects!

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    1. Many thanks Fran. Simple stuff but should look good on the tabletop :-)

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  7. The Metal Men look great together. Well done. :)

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  8. Find additions they turned out superb!

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    1. Thanks Simon. I'm rather pleased to say that I've got hold of Dr Magnus and Platinum too, so I'm hoping to soon have the entire set.

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