Thursday 28 April 2016

"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".

18 comments:

  1. There is little point in naming your five Mole Hill Gang villains as mooks like thee never survive long enough to warrant being named. Your paint jobs help tie them together to the Riddler but I don't expect them to last long in any game.

    I can't believe that your Sergeant Rock figure has been waiting since 2014 to get finished. Please say you will finish him soon!

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    1. Thanks Bryan. You're quite right - no names are needed for the Mole Hill Gang :-) Hopefully Sgt Rock will finally be finished over the weekend. I can't for the life of me think why he's taken so long (as indeed all the others have I hope to finish). But there should now be some light at the end of the tunnel for a good number of minis over the coming weeks.

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  2. Nice additions to your Riddler gang. :)

    2014 is nothing to worry about in my experience.... :P

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    1. Cheers PulpCitizen. As you say 2014 was only yesterday compared to some of my other projects ;-)

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  3. Very nice indeed and a timely reminder that I was planning on painting up my Riddler to join Penguin's crew this summer - now where is he?

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    1. Thanks Michael. I am very tempted by those "BMG" Riddler minis myself. Fortunately I've promised myself I won't buy any more until I've at least painted a Batman mini first... and yes the Frank Miller version is on the table at the moment ;-)

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  4. Props for NJ?

    Looking good, Simon.

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  5. I have to say that the Riddler is probably my favourite bat-foe. I particular liked his depiction in the Year One Annual, which depicted his origin from his point of view. And one can never have enough minions.
    2014? Is that all? I'm sure I have half painted figures from long before then, so I shouldn't worry about it too much.

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    1. Thanks Jez. Edward will be the lead villain in my first "Cosmic Cube Wars" BatRep, hence my desire to give him a gang particular to him. I'm really hoping 2014 models will be the tip of the iceberg during the next month as I clear some decks :-)

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  6. Very nice Simon, a themed gang should look great on the table, and make life easier when keeping track of figures (as in who belongs to who).

    2014 is nothing I've probably got figures here started in 1914 (that might be a slight exaggeration but you get my drift).

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. I certainly hope the Mole Hill Gang will look suitably colourful on the tabletop. You sure 1914 is an exaggeration? ;-)

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    2. You cut me sir! to the very quick, you do.

      Cheers Roger (in a huff now);-)

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    3. LOL :-) On a serious point though I know exactly what you mean, and that's why in between a series of "Salute loot" postings I'm hoping to get plenty of old projects finished.

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    1. Thanks Simon. They should certainly make the Riddler's gang a colourful bunch on the tabletop.

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  8. You've made some soft sculpts look pretty good mate. I like the colour choices - we need a pic with the Riddler!

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    1. Cheers Dai. The Lackey is one of my fave "Heroclix" sculpts and I have a load of them as a result, so expect to see plenty more in all different colours over the next few months. A gang shot with the Riddler is just around the corner just as soon as I finish his last two henchmen.

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