Tuesday 6 June 2017

"You're All Puppets, Tangled in Strings."

"There are no strings on me."
This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of Ultron-14 can be bought as miniature number 30 from the Marvel “Heroclix” Age Of Ultron range. The robot is "most recognised as a nemesis of the Avengers" and was the first "Marvel Comics" character to wield the fictitious metal alloy adamantium. He made his first appearance in the July 1968 issue of "The Avengers" and was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.

Version 14 was responsible for the creation of Alkhema, the War Toy, "whose mind was based on that of Mockingbird." But was ultimately defeated by the "West Coast Avengers" when his 'automaton mate' eventually rebelled against him" despite her sharing his twisted desire to replace humanity with machine life. 
Warwolf WIPs - The converted plastic model has now had all of its shredded clothing painted and washed
Initially primed with “Citadel” Ironbreaker in order to mask its rather flat-looking pre-paint, Ultron-14 was washed with Nuln Oil and then dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker. His mechanical maw was 'picked out' with Abaddon Black, and his fiery eyes painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Sticking with "Marvel Worldwide" influenced figures, I have focused much of the past few days' hobby-time upon a conversion I've previously 'engineered' using pieces taken from a "Mage Knight" Feral Werewolf, a "Games Workshop" Space Marine, and a "Heroclix" S.H.I.E.L.D. Trooper. This miniature of the cyber-werewolf Martin Reyna was originally one of my planned submissions for last year's "Forgotten Heroes" challenge, and even comes complete with a grey stuff sculpted utility belt, with accompanying plastic grenades and pouches.
Twig Blight WIPs - The tiny models have all been primed, washed and doubly dry-brushed
Unfortunately, I never got to finish the former team leader of S.T.A.K.E. before the event was over, so this year I am determined to get Warwolf done. As a result I have already completed the model’s S.H.I.E.L.D. belt pouches and shoulder-guard, as well as painted/washed the anti-heroes' torn blue uniform. Now all I need do is wash his furry torso, apply some brown dry-brushes and pick out the figure's sharp fangs...

Finally, I have started working on three Twig Blights for my "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks" campaign. These tiny OOP "Dungeons & Dragons" models by "Wizards Of The Coast" have spent an eternity sat within my collection, but seem to be just the sort of "neutral evil" plant monster that would accompany a party of Vegepygmies in protecting a crashed spaceships's long overgrown entrance-way.

26 comments:

  1. Gotta love Ultron. That is a very cool warwolf too.

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    1. Thanks very much indeed, Natholeon. Much appreciated :-)

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  2. Very nice work, Simon. This version of Ultron is a particularly imposing looking model - am I right in thinking that he's quite big? Nice to see your warwolf conversion on the way to being completed and the twig blights look good too. But where will you find a figure for the Froghemoth? 😉

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    1. Cheers Jez. Yep, Ultron-14 is 38mm in height, so that's a 40mm circular base he's on. Its certainly nice to once again have Warwolf on the painting table, and obviously Manphibian is next. As for Froghemoth, well "Reaper" do a "Bones" version, and there's a "Dungeons & Dragons Collector's Series" Froghemoth too - never seen either in the UK though :-/

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  3. Great job on Ultron Simon, The WarWolf conversion is really good and good to see you finishing another project.
    The Twig Blights are cool little models and should give your adventurers some problems

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    1. Cheers Dave. Ultron is always a pleasure to paint. I'm enjoying this dabble in all things "D&D" at present too.

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  4. Now he looks like a troublesome brute, excellent job Simon.

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    1. Thanks Michael. Nice metallic finishes make a refreshing break every now and then.

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  5. LOVELY conversions Simon,, I`m dead impressed actually. Ultron-14 is simply stunning. As for the Werwolf WIP wow what a sweet conversion HE`S going to be.

    And a Parcel crammed full of bases and some A M A Z I N G Predators have turned up in the mail today.

    {check your email lol}.

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    1. Thanks Steve. Ultron-14's paint scheme is definitely an improvement over its original one, imho, and Warwolf is great fun too. Delighted to hear the parcel and predators have arrived. Have fun :-)

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  6. "The WarWolf conversion is really good and good to see you finishing another project." Amen to that Dave! That Ultron figure is really nice too, I have one but mine is the smaller version you did a while back. And those twig blights are also really nice, dual purpose "Frostgrave contructs?".

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. I'm certainly hoping to finish that which I started twelve months ago for "Forgotten Heroes" :-) The Twig Blights are incredibly small and will be coming on grassy bases, but if I can overcome my OCD Ref mixing basing types then I certainly could use them for "Frostgrave" I think...

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  7. Ultron is superb, great model and great paintjongreat paintjob on the werewolf too but I have to admit it did make me chuckle a bit and I'll reserve judgement on the twig-lets

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    1. Thanks very much, Joe. Warwolf is a little 'top heavy', but that's what he looks like, to me at least, in the comics. The Twig-lets are one of my fave "D&D" sculpts and its such a shame you can;t buy any more these days.

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  8. Nice. Love the Twig Blights...really looking forward to seeing what you do with your Expedition to the Barrier Peaks campaign!

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    1. Cheers Gordon. I too am a big Twig Blight fan :-)

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  9. Ultron looks pretty good. Though I'm thinking a careful energy blast to that skinny mid-section might see him snapped in two! :P

    Smashing work mate.

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    1. Thanks very much, Dai. Very much appreciated. I think as Ultron-14's core is almost pure adamantium it might take more than a single energy blast though ;-)

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  10. Good work all around, Simon. I'm so glad to see you're finally going to finish Warwolf.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. Warwolf is now extremely close to being finished :-)

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  11. Love Ultron that Warwolf is excellent looking

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    1. Thanks Simon. Warwolf is now finished, and will be posted as my latest "Forgotten Heroes" entry.

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