Sunday 5 June 2016

'Forgotten Heroes' - WIP - Part One

Mister Freeze Minions WIPS - Five of these bobble-hat wearing henchmen are in the pipeline
As like some of my other fellow bloggers, the majority of this month will be dedicated to converting and painting a small number of ‘superhero-related’ miniatures which a wargamer can’t otherwise purchase, or at least, whose model is in some way a disappointment. My ‘Forgotten Heroes’ will, perhaps unsurprisingly, mainly consist of “Heroclix” adaptations, and to begin with I thought I’d try my hand at quantity over quality by creating five bobble-hat wearing goons for my “DC Comics” supervillain Mister Freeze. I’ve found myself somewhat frustrated by the lack of suitable “Wizkids” manufactured minions for the cryogenically-suited scientist, so have decided to make some minions similar in appearance to those seen in the 1967 “Batman” television episodes “Ice Spy” and “The Duo Defy”.
  
These simple conversions were created by drilling, and then pinning, a small amount of grey-stuff on top of the head of five “Heroclix” Lackey miniatures, and then patiently dappling them with a modelling knife in order to try and create a woolly-looking bobble. Now dry, they will each be given grey trousers and blue jumpers, as well as white and blue hats.
Imperator Furiosa WIPs - Immortan Joe's soldier just needs to some washes and her face painted
I have also been patiently waiting for ‘Forgotten Heroes’ month to start in order to paint my altered “Copplestone Castings” model of a female Scavenger Hero. There are admittedly, already a couple of nice sculpts depicting a likeness of Imperator Furiosa from the 2015 motion picture “Mad Max: Fury Road” available. But as my post-apocalyptic project will be exclusively using models made by Mark Copplestone I wanted to try and ‘transform’ one of the former Foundry sculptor’s Future Wars figures into an approximation of Charlize Theron’s character.

As a result I have been busily progressing Immortan Joe’s soldier by picking out her charcoal trousers, leather belt and waist pouches, alongside the shaven-headed sharpshooter’s formidable-looking sniper rifle. Having now finished her the base colours for her backpack, straps and vest, I hope to have Mad Max’s ally completed within the next few days.
The Master WIPs - Plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil washes to come
 Finally, as something of an aside, I have recently taken advantage of a couple of "Doctor Who" webstore deals by “Black Tree Design” in order to expand the forces collected by Rassilon’s Time Scoop and transported to Gallifrey's Death Zone (in order for them to battle using the “Age Of Sigmar” rules by “Games Workshop”). As ultimately I would like these conflicts to be based upon the universal struggle between the Doctor and his arch-nemesis the Master, I have bought the first three incarnations of the fiendish black-suited villain. A move which will doubtless encourage me to play the occasional multiple Doctors verses numerous Masters scenario in the future…

To begin with however I aim to paint up the charcoal-wearing Master as depicted by actor Roger Delgado (1971-1973), Peter Pratt’s 1976 decaying corpse-like version and finally Anthony Ainley’s sadistic manifestation which debuted in the 1981 story “The Keeper Of Traken”.

20 comments:

  1. Nice start Simon, I've posted this over on the FH site (the forgotten hero bits anyway).

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. Much appreciated. Simple stuff compared to your great filing/sculpting endeavours.

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  2. Excellent start Simon, love the bobbles.

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    1. Cheers Michael. Not the most complicated of subject matters. but a start and something I want for my "Cosmic Cube Wars" project.

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  3. I'd have been surprised if you hadn't gone in for 'Forgotten Heroes'! Look forward to seeing you add to your already impressive collection!

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    1. Thanks Gordon. I'm under a bit of a pile of minis at the moment, so I thought I'd do something simple to clear a few of them out of the way; at least to begin with.

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  4. A great start, Simon.

    "Not-Furiosa" has a suitably war-weary look. I like it.

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    1. Cheers Finch. I do like mark Copplestone's sculpting, hence my desire to utilise one of his Future Wars models for my "Mad Max" project. I think she fits in well with that world :-)

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  5. A simple yet effective conversion, Simon. I'm looking forward to seeing them develop. Also, as one of the Master figures is not pictured on the website, I'm curious to see it painted. A good start.

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    1. Thanks Jez. I'm waiting on some "Heroclix" bits form across the Pond for some of my other conversions. But I thought these would make a simple start for me, and help with the "Cosmic Cube Wars" as well. I've a few "Doctor Who" miniatures coming over the next few weeks, so my Masters won't be on the painting table long. Indeed I've another "Black Tree Design" model from that range about to be finished ;-)

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  6. Good start Simon, keep it up

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    1. Cheers Andy. Not much to see... for now. Though four tiny shelled creatures are taking shape behind the scenes ;-)

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    2. Thought that'd please you ;-) Have to get them glued and ready for when my "Greebo Games" order arrives as I plan to spend a couple of weeks getting them all painted up together.

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  7. As always, you have been busy, Simon. There is much to admire in this post but the figure I'm most looking forward to seeing finished out of this lot is Furioso, as I really loved the "Mad Max: Fury Road" film.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. I'm delighted to say that a completed Imperator Furioso should be posted up for Wednesday - all things being well, and then I'll be spending a little time paying her 'partner-in-crime' some attention. After that I have a few more "Copplestone Castings" minis to re-base/re-paint and I can start some "Mad Max: Fury Road" BatReps ;-)

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  8. So much good stuff! Furiosa is especially smashing. Kind of makes me want to source my own version of the kick arse character.

    Speaking of "The Master", what are your thoughts on the recent female version? I love the actress from her character in Green Wing and her depiction of The Master is different and rather delightful.

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    1. Cheers Dai. I'm very pleased with how my converted Furiosa came out. Glad I went that extra step and replaced her arm.

      I don't rate the new Doctor Who series at all I'm afraid, and seldom watch Capaldi's show. I do though wonder why they went with Missy as opposed to the Rani; who was a very good female Timelady villain.

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  9. Great idea! there are plenty of people feel the same about Mr.Freeze in the BMG.

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    1. Thanks Simon. Mister Freeze's lack of 'unique' henchmen is certainly annoying. Hopefully these guys will be just the job!

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