"My Name's Crossbones, Darlin'!"

"I can crush your larynx in one second --"

This 40mm scale plastic figure of mercenary Brock Rumlow is produced by “Atomic Mass Games” and can be found inside the Marvel Crisis Protocol Core Box set. Assembled using eleven different pieces, not including his circular stand, the model depicts the Red Skull's leading henchman throwing one of his formidably hard punches.

"Trained by... the combat virtuoso Taskmaster", the thug was initially primed using a coupe of coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and thoroughly dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. I then patiently 'picked out' the bruiser's toe-caps, knee-pads, knuckle-dusters, knife-butt, firearm and assorted belt buckles/studs with "Vallejo" Gunmetal, before shading the entire ensemble in plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Kayo the Bouncer, Alpha Male and Mayhem

To be honest, I was sorely tempted at this point to leave the majority of the miniature well enough alone, as the official paint-job seemed to indicate that was that. However, having already been disappointed that the sculpt did not contain an opportunity to actually pigment Rumlow's famous 'crossed bones' insignia on his chest, I found myself wanting to add a bit more contrast to all the various straps and pouches dotted across the figure.

As a result I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to Crossbones' gun holster, the thick leather straps on his shin-guards, his knife's handle, the odd pouch and a pair of rear-facing straps holding his body armour in place. I later shaded these with (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil so as to dramatically darken them them down, and hopefully make them a little less obvious than if I'd just stuck to my usual application of Agrax Earthshade over them.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - The two Great Apes are having their detail 'picked out'

Finally, I applied some "Vallejo" White to Brock's face mask and subsequently gave it a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil in order to help me better see all of its subtle details. I then picked out the villain's eye sockets with a dab of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and momentarily debated whether to follow some of the other paint-jobs I've seen where part of Crossbone's skin is seen poking out from beneath his head covering, or simply spot his eyes in with (more) "Vallejo" White as is predominantly depicted in the "Marvel Worldwide" comic books. In the end I went with the latter option, as that is how I always visualise the character in my mind's eye.

Alongside my twelfth "Marvel Crisis Protocol" model I have been steadily progressing three resin super-heroes/villains cast by "Kitbash Games" from their excellent "Supers Unlimited" range. In addition, I've also been making some inroads on a trio of "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" Great Apes. I had actually hoped to have had the giant monkeys finished by now, but unfortunately I've discovered some quite noticeable chipping on their furry hides from their time jostling against one another in storage, and needed to re-prime them in places as a result.