"Life's Full Of Questions Isn't It, Batman?"

"Though, naturally I prefer to think of them as riddles."

These two 28mm plastic pre-painted "Wizkids" miniatures are part of the five-man "Heroclix" criminal gang I'll be fielding along with the Riddler in my "Cosmic Cube Wars" campaign. As with their fellow colourful colleagues, both figures have been painted in colours similar to those worn by Edward Nygma's alter-ego, so as to represent members of the Mole Hill Gang. The models consist of a Lackey (number 019 from the "DC Comics" Hypertime range) and a Thug (number 013 from the "Marvel" Infinity Challenge set).

Obviously each miniature was essentially painted in the same way, by having their trousers, tops and hats 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 belt buckle, shades and crowbar, were given a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker before being washed with Nuln Oil. The Thug's skin colour was created using a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and a wash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

"A riddle a day keeps the Riddler away."

Ordinarily I don't tend to go into too much detail as to the specific rules I'll be using for my models until their Battle Reports (BatReps). But as these minions will be one of the 'pilot' forces in my first mass super-hero battle using the "Age Of Sigmar" ruleset by "Games Workshop", and there seems to be a little interest in how I'll actually be using them on the tabletop, I thought I'd pen my thoughts below:

As the Mole Hill Gang will essentially be made up of a combination of unarmed and crowbar-wielding goons, I have differentiated between the two by giving the Lackeys 5+ (To Hit) and 3+ (To Wound) and the Thugs 4+ (To Hit) and 4+ (To Wound). The Lackey converted in order to hold a pistol will be the group's Leader so will be able to make two attacks rather than just one). Each members basic statistic's line will be 6" (Move), 6+ (Save), 5 (Bravery) 1 (Wound), 1" (Range), 1 (Attack) and 1 (Damage). No model will be able to Rend.

Crossbowman WIP - The soldier's crossbow needs finishing, and then his head completed

The Riddler will be a unit in his own right, and along with his great intellect will wield a lethal blade-tipped cane. In order to try and replicate his distracting riddles and proficient ability with his weapon the super-villain will have a 2" (Range), 1 (Attack), 4+ (To Hit), 3+ (To Wound), -1 (Rend) and D3 (Damage). The 'Warscroll' I have selected for Nygma will also provide him with a Pithy Comeback - allowing him to make one additional attack with his cane if charged in the same turn, and "Riddle Me This" - a dice roll which will either cause a hidden Riddler explosive surprise box to detonate within 13" of his model, or dumbfound an opponent to the point where they'll receive +1 to all wounds made against that unit until the next Hero Phase. The rest of his basic statistic's line is 6" (Move), 5+ (Save), 6 (Bravery), and 5 (Wounds).

Having finished my Riddler's minions, I have made some good progress on the second of my two "Frostgrave" crossbowman. This multi-part hard plastic miniature by "North Star Military Figures" will cost my Witch just 50 gold pieces to join his warband. But has proved incredibly time-consuming to paint due to my poorly thought out placement of several bits of equipment. Indeed both his weapon and dagger have really tested my brushwork's patience on account of their angles and close proximity to one another.