"You Have Walked Into My Ambush!"

"And I have brought my biggest combat spoon -- to eat your tasty brains!!!"

This 60mm tall model of Ape-X is produced by “Reaper Miniatures” and can be bought as Sku: 80001 from their Chronoscope range. Sculpted by Jason Wiebe, this polymer model appears to be a post-apocalyptic descendent of one of the "shaggy, intelligent apes" known as Dakon, which originally appeared in the 1981 edition of the "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" product the "Fiend Folio".

Super-glued onto a 50mm circular lipped based the figure was primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. I then applied "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the giant monkey's chest, belly, toes and fingers, layered these areas with some additional "Vallejo" Charcoal, and finally blended them into its fur with extra "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Mantic Games" WIPs - Dexter, Axel and a zombie

All of Ape-X's cybernetic implants and adornments were first 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. They were then dry-brushed with some (more) Ironbreaker before being tactically dabbed with a touch of “Mig Productions” Extreme Rust Wash. This application was later ‘toned’ down with another dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker and a considerable splash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

Finally, the bionic Dakon's teeth were treated to a coat of "Vallejo" White, followed by a dash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade, and his tongue pigmented using a "Vallejo" Heavy Red basecoat and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson wash. Interestingly, it was whilst painting the giant gorilla's mouth that I realised just how much of the sculpt's detail had been lost in its transition from metal to "Bones", for in all the old pictures I was using as a reference guide, the primate's individual lower teeth could clearly be seen. Whereas on the plastic version of Ape-X I was painting, his bottom molars consisted of just a solid single line running right along the mouth...

"Modiphius Entertainment" WIPs - Three female Borg drones from the collective

Having completed my latest model for my "Gamma World" campaign, I have also been making some progress on my Prisoner faction for "The Walking Dead: Call To Arms" by "Mantic Games". I still have some way to go with Axel, but have added a lone zombie miniature into the painting mix simply to help break up the monotonous orange jumpsuits worn by all four of the inmates I want to field.

Lastly, I have completed all the base layers to my first three drones from the "Star Trek Adventures" Borg Collective boxed set by "Modiphius Entertainment". These resin miniatures now just need their cybernetic weaponry, tubing, eye attachments, body armour and pale grey flesh to be washed, before some minor metallic dry-brushed and "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey highlighting will see them done.

"We Conquered And You Obey."

"I'm afraid the Monoids will make very short work of them."

These five 28mm metal miniatures of some “one-eyed” humanoids are produced by “Black Tree Design", and can be purchased as Code DW112 Monoid and DW138 Monoid II from the company’s "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Partially wiped out by a strain of the common cold virus before the First Doctor was able to devise a cure, the “dark and scaly” aliens first appeared in Paul Erickson and Lesley Scott’s March 1966 BBC Television story "The Ark".

Disappointingly devoid of both their voice box communicators and heat prods, the figures were primed using a double layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Green and heavily shaded with The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The flipper-footed extra-terrestrials were then dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Green before three of their “mop-top” haired heads were pigmented using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Good. Everything seems to be quiet. And from this moment on, this planet is ours!"

However, because I wanted two of the “one-eyed race” to stand out on the table-top as character models, I decided to give one of the Monoid’s black hair to represent their despicably evil leader, One, and another with the recognisably blonde hair of his subordinate Three. Resultantly, I applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black, “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil to One’s cranium and “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre, “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade and (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre to the noggin of Three.

I’m hoping to get this faction involved in my ongoing “Doctor Who” tabletop campaign at some point but ideally would like to be able to field at least another five Monoids first, all of which would be Monoid II sculpts. Unfortunately, the service from “Black Tree Design” recently has disconcertingly started to resemble that delivered during their bad old days, so I’m currently unwilling to make another purchase with them, no matter how tempting their regular sale reductions are, whilst I already have an order languishing on the books.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - Harry Sullivan is slowly having all of his detail 'picked out'

I have though managed to dig out a wonderfully characterful figure of Fourth Doctor companion Harry Sullivan, in an effort to paint up enough assistants to justify a force based upon the Time Lord himself. As the vast majority of the TARDIS crew would be unwilling combatants at best, I am already assembling a rather enigmatic-looking party consisting of Peter Cushing’s Movie Doctor (slow but has a proven track record of getting physical with a Dalek or two), the shape-changing android Kamelion (hard to hit with his stupefying disguises) and now a Royal Navy Surgeon (who can provide First Aid to his human team-mates)…

"Reaper Miniatures" WIPs - Ape-X has had all his metallic parts dry-brushed and rusted

Lastly, I have been making some good progress on my increasingly time-consuming “Gamma World” project by ‘picking out’ all the teeth and flesh areas of my “Bones” super-villain, Ape-X, by “Reaper Miniatures”. I’ve seen some truly colourful palette choices for this brute of a model on the 'inter-web', ranging from reddish brown to a ghoulish light green. But in the end have opted for the much more common black(ish) Silverback scheme, as I thought it would make all the monster’s rusty augmentations stand out that little bit more.

"Nothing Could Withstand Him, And No Weapon Seemed To Bite Upon Him."

"He tossed wolves and goblins from his path like straws and feathers."

This 33mm tall white metal figure of Grüf The Bear is produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as part of the company’s “Where’s Runcorn?” Adventure Module 2 series. Sculpted by Trish Carden, I intend to use the hefty miniature to represent J.R.R. Tolkien’s skin-changer, Beorn, “who could assume the form of a great black bear and fought in the Battle Of The Five Armies.

Originally primed using two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the slayer of the Goblin leader Bolg was heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and later enthusiastically washed in “Citadel” Nuln Oil. In order to somewhat break up this dark visage I then ‘picked out’ all of the bear’s claws and sharp teeth with a combination of “Vallejo” Dead White and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Reaper Miniatures" WIPs - The "Bones" Medium Air Elemental has been repeatedly dry-brushed

I also considered whether to give the furry beast a very light dry-brush of dark blue, just to add a little colour to its shaggy hide. However, in the end I decided to stick with the intimidatingly deep black palette I’ve often seen in “The Hobbit” illustrations. I did however, decide to break from tradition and provide Beorn with some rage-filled eyes, courtesy of shading a “Vallejo” Heavy Red base layer with “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, and then highlighting them with a tiny spot of “Vallejo” Dark Vermillion.

With my latest “Toon Realms” model finished I have set to work on another figure from my “Reaper Miniatures” collection. This Medium Air Elemental was actually sent to me as a free gift by the “eBay” seller Hygienicporridge after I purchased a reasonable quantity of Dark Heaven Legends Aquatic Familiars from his webstore, and at one point was potentially going to be pigmented to represent a swirling Water Spirit for my imminent “Subnautica” project.

"Pulp Monsters" WIPs - The two "Pulp City" models are at various stages of completion

Ultimately though, I have decided to add the lovely sculpt to my increasing collection of bizarre foes for my “Gamma World” campaign, but disappointingly have found the transparent plastic a little problematic to paint due its “Vallejo” White undercoat consistently ‘flecking’ off and visibly cracking whilst I’ve been dry-brushing it. I think the majority of these issues is due to the sheer bendiness of the figure, which really does give way quite considerably under even the lightest of brush strokes, but hopefully my perseverance is paying off as the Elemental reaches its final stages…

Finally, I am also close to finishing the first of my “Pulp City” miniatures by “Pulp Monsters”. I plan on getting the ghostly World War One fighter ace, the Red Baron, completed over the next few days, before spending some considerable time working on the disconcertingly disturbing Comte Vendredi.

"We Wish For No Strangers In The Land At This Time..."

"...Unless they be mighty men of arms in whose faith and help we can trust."

This "cartoon scale" white metal figure of the Your Hobby Place Knight Mascot is produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as a single casting. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, I plan to utilise the miniature to represent the Man of Gondor, Ingold, who "was the leader of the soldiers guarding the northern gate of the Rammas Echor as it was being repaired just before the start of the Siege of Gondor during the War of the Ring.

Initially primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the heroic warden was predominantly painted using some "Citadel" Ironbreaker, doused in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and later dry-brushed using some (more) Ironbreaker. The “soldier of the realm” then had his belt, sheath, and straps 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst his belt buckle, shoulder-pad decoration, shield emblem and sword-hilt were spotted in Gold. All of these areas were subsequently washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"When I first came here, my androids surveyed and mapped the whole system.

Alongside pigmenting my latest addition to my "Toon Realms" collection, I have also finished three more of the 28mm metal automatons produced by “Black Tree Design" as part of the company's "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Available as Code DW518 Sharaz Jek Android, these robots fought General Chellak's federal troops on the planet Androzani Minor in the March 1984 BBC Television story "The Caves Of Androzani".

Designed by the facially mutilated Sharaz Jek, the trio of figures were all undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, vigorously dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and later had their scruffy dark-coloured clothing shaded with plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The models' submachine guns were then pigmented using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

"Reaper Miniatures" WIPs - The Large Earth Elemental and Ape-X

Lastly, I applied a double layer of watered-down "Vallejo" White over each android's featureless head, and later washed them using some "Vallejo" Pale Grey. As a final touch the humanoids' faces were dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" White so as to ensure their cyclopean eyes were made all the more distinctive from the rest of their craniums.

Despite having 'polished off' four models in quick succession, I have still managed to find a little hobby time to make some progress on my latest "Reaper Miniatures" destined for my "Gamma World" tabletop. Admittedly, I've only shaded the Large Earth Elemental with some "Citadel" Nuln Oil. But I have also applied the first coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker onto the cybernetic appendages of my campaign's main antagonist, Ape-X...

“My Name Is Sherlock Holmes.”

 "It is my business to know what other people don't know."

This 28mm model of a Sherlock Holmes is produced by “Reaper Miniatures” and can be bought as Code 50059 from their Chronoscope range. Sculpted by Michael Brower, the multi-part metal figure is clearly based upon Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional private detective, who made his debut in the 1887 published novel “A Study In Scarlet”.

Supplied with the option of having Holmes holding either a lantern, magnifying glass, pipe or book, I initially attempted to assemble the amateur sleuth carrying his trademark pipe and iconic mounted convex lens. However, the magnifying device proved far too flimsy for my fat fingers and frustratingly broke off whist its hand was being super-glued in place.

Four brave adventurers confront a pair of Golems beside a stargate on "Gamma World"

As a result, I permanently attached the consulting detective’s handheld Victorian lantern instead, and undercoated the entire piece with two coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. I then layered Sherlock’s travelling cloak with “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, shaded it with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade and finally dry-brushed the loose garment with (more) “Vallejo Heavy Brown.

Due to wanting to create some considerable contrast between the model’s outer and inner clothing, I decided not to try and replicate the detective’s somewhat recognisable light grey tweed suit, but instead supply him with some much darker men’s wear by applying a combination of “Vallejo” Dark Grey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil to his trousers and waist-coat. These areas were later lightly dry-brushed some (more) “Vallejo” Dark Grey, and actually worked out well for my sanity’s sake as I found some of the detail towards the top of the figure’s torso as little difficult to discern.

"Reapers Miniatures" WIP - The super-villain Ape-X has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

I pigmented Holmes’ famous ear-flapped travelling cap or rather, deerstalker, with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, and despite the sleuth narratively seeming to prefer an “old and oily black clay pipe”, also applied this colour to his tobacco pipe. Both of these areas were then shaded using a splash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade, and his shoes were ‘tidied up’ courtesy of another coat of “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

With the last of my “Gamma World” adventurers completed, for now at least, I have made a little progress on one of my post-apocalyptic landscape’s main inhabitants; the diabolical Ape-X by “Reaper Miniatures”. I intend to use this “Bones” super-villain from the Fort Worth-founded company’s Chronoscope Range as my explorers’ main antagonist, pitting the polymer model’s seemingly endless army of Cyber-Reavers against Sherlock Holmes, George Foreman, Jacques-Yvette Cousteau and the robotic Missus Hudson in his quest to acquire “super-science artefacts”.

"The Sea, Once It Casts Its Spell…”

"...Holds one in its net of wonder forever."

This 28mm model of a Deep Sea Diver is manufactured by “Reaper Miniatures” and can be purchased as Code 50085 from their Chronoscope range. Sculpted by Tim Prow, the underwater explorer is destined to join my party of adventurers on “Gamma World, as a proxy for the French conservationist and innovator Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Based upon the standard diving dress known as hard-hat or heavy gear which was apparently invented by the Deane Brothers and Augustus Siebe, the figure was undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, and the waterproofed canvas suit washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. His weighted footwear and belt were then pigmented using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil, before being lightly dry-brushed with a little (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey.

George Foreman, Missus Hudson and Jacques-Yvette Cousteau face some Cyber-Reavers on "Gamma World"

The diver’s leather shoes were ‘picked out’ with a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, and this extra opaque acrylic paint was additionally utilised as a base coat for his helmet. I then applied some “Citadel” Ironbreaker to the miniature’s metallic shin-guards, shaded these areas with Nuln Oil, and then added a smidgeon of shine on them with a light dusting of (more) Ironbreaker.

The surface-supplied diving helmet was treated to a generous covering of “Vallejo” Brass, before being thoroughly drenched in “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. For sanity’s sake, I then used some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to significantly darken the rigid head enclosure’s view ports and delicately dry-brushed the ensemble with (more) “Vallejo” Brass.

Large Earth Elemental WIP - The huge "Bones" model has been based and primed "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey

Finally, I turned my attention to the ocean-bed explorer’s hands, which I have seen painted as both thick leather gloves and naked flesh. Having felt there was an amusing naivety to the idea of a clunky, predominantly enclosed adventurer walking around the radioactive wastelands of “Gamma World” with his bare fingers exposed, I decided to go with a mixture of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

Having almost finished my post-apocalyptic quartet, I have found some time to both base and prime another denizen of the science fantasy role-playing world “originally designed by James M. Ward and Gary Jaquet” in 1978; A Large Earth Elemental by “Reaper Miniatures”. This formidably-sized “Bones” sculpt, “summoned to the Material Plane” by some misguided magic-user will probably end up being used as a wandering monster in my games of “Gamma World”, as I’m quite keen on having a few such hazards randomly traversing my tabletop whilst the main opposing forces are busy battling it out over useful wreckage and loot objectives.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Pulp City" July 2019

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Doc Cosmos and Roughneck

After the disappointment of my previous two themed months, where instead of painting a unit of “Warhammer 40K” Chaos Space Marines and team of “Blood Bowl” Halflings I ultimately pigmented some more additions to my “Age Of Sigmar” Blades of Khorne warhost and a fistful of “Reaper Miniatures”, I thought I’d try to whittle away a little piece of my sizeable backlog by simply working on a handful of super-powered “Pulp City” figures. I’ve actually been collecting the odd model from this skirmish game “set in the 1980s” for some years, but haven’t really applied myself to the range due to my not wanting to learn yet another rule-set chock full of super-heroic abilities, villains and action points.

Very recently however, my interest in the tabletop line has been piqued by the news that “Pulp Monsters” and “Kitbash Games” have formed a partnership, and resultantly the resin “Supers Unlimited” models I own will “have rules profiles for Pulp City!” This announcement has kickstarted my enthusiasm to finish off the Roughneck miniature Leon Mallett of “Pulp Citizen” blog fame generously gifted me, as well as apply a brush to a few of my “Pulp City” purchases too.

"Pulp Monsters" WIPs - Comte Vendredi, the Red Baron and Tritonious have all been primed

Indeed, I’ve even gone so far as to ‘pick up’ a few of Leon’s spares for a very reasonable price, and, as part of that modest transaction, receive another of his excellent “Supers Unlimited” resin sculpts as a much appreciated freebie. Resultantly, I have based and primed “Covenant of Justice” member, Doc Cosmos, and begun re-working my previously partially-painted figure of Empire City’s masked vigilante, Roughneck.

Both of these figures should soon join my already finished Punchline on the tabletop, but in a slight twist of lore I aim to have the pair accompany my “Weird War Two” allies in their fight against the Nazi horde during the Mid-Sixties using a homemade rule-set, rather than for “Pulp City”. This ‘change of direction’ should allow me to both get the models straight onto the battlefield once they’re finished, and also somewhat ties-in with a few of the war-themed metal Supremes I own, such as the Red Baron.

"Reaper Miniatures" WIPs - Sherlock Holmes and a Deep Sea Diver

In fact, I’ve become so enthused with the idea of ‘folding’ these super-heroes in with my quite extensive fully-painted collection of “Secrets Of The Third Reich” models by “Westwind Productions”, that alongside the spectre-faced fly-boy I have assembled and undercoated the aquatic power-house Tritonious and Comte Vendredi (“riding on top of a Death Guard”). Hopefully this enthusiasm should lead me to quite quickly ‘polish off’ this initial handful of “Pulp City” goodness, as, having done some digging into my lead mountain, I’ve uncovered a fair few more colourful residents of the American West Coast metropolis.

Of course, my fascination over “Kitbash Games” partnership with “Pulp Monsters” doesn’t mean that I’ve slowed down painting some more “Reaper Miniatures”, as I’ve made plenty of progress on both my Deep Sea Diver and Sherlock Holmes figures. These welcome additions to my party of adventurers exploring “Gamma World” should be finished reasonably soon, and then I plan to test the foursome out against the machinations of Ape-X and his robotic Cyber-Reavers…

"Justice Is Served!"

"Dead -- All eighteen of them!"

This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of the Scourge is miniature number 008 from the Marvel "Heroclix" Ultimates range and depicts the "individual vigilante dedicated to the assassination of criminals" wearing the costume specifically designed for his entry in the "Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition". Originally created by writer/editor Mark Gruenwald as "a plot device intended to thin the criminal population of the Marvel Universe, in particular eliminating those super-villain characters he deemed to be too minor, redundant, or ill-conceived", the killer made his first appearance in the May 1985 issue of "Iron Man".

Initially undercoated using some "Vallejo" Dead White, the figure's opera hat, white buttoned-up trenchcoat and white gloves were sporadically shade in Pale Grey, before being dry-brushed in a mixture of "Vallejo" Dead White and White. The mass murderer's semi-automatic machine-gun was painted using a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and Nuln Oil.

George Foreman and Missus Hudson battle a trio of Mind Eaters on "Gamma World"

Alongside my Scourge of the Underworld I have also finished pigmenting another two 28mm Mind Eaters manufactured by “Reaper Miniatures” for my "Gamma World" tabletop. These four-legged creatures were primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, splattered in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and subsequently dry-brushed using some (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey.

The pair of Intellect Devourers then had their 'clawed feet' treated to a mixture of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand and Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". Whilst their pulsing brains were given a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Squid Pink, generously washed with both "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and Strong Tone Quickshade, and finally dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Squid Pink.

Crimean War Russian Infantry WIPs - The soldiers have been assembled, based and primed

Lastly I have quickly assembled the six plastic Crimean War Russian Infantry which accompanied the July 2019 edition of "Wargames Illustrated". To be honest this was my main motivation behind buying the publication as it seemed a far more cost-effective opportunity to try out some of "Warlord Games" Nineteenth Century Black Powder miniatures than splurging on either their current Crimean War Light Brigade Starter set or eighty-one soldier-strong Crimean War Russian Brigade deal...

I've actually lost count how many times I've previously tried to paint up a Napoleonic Era force in 28mm, and with hindsight now realise that one of the biggest hurdles I faced was basing them in fours rather than as individuals. This invariably meant that I needed to finish an entire quartet of highly-detailed infantrymen before I could see any light at the end of the tunnel. So this time round I'll be working on them as stand-a-lone pieces and plan to form them up on appropriately-sized movement trays should the time ever come when I can play a game using large blocks of soldiers.

"A Clay Golem Cannot Speak Or Make Any Vocal Noise."

"It walks and moves with a slow, clumsy gait."

This 31mm tall model of a Clay Golem is produced by “Reaper Miniatures” and can be bought as Code 77170 from their “Bones” range. Sculpted by Ben Siens, the large construct made its first appearance in the November 1975 edition of the wargaming magazine "The Strategic Review", courtesy of an article entitled "Creature Features - Presenting New Dungeons & Dragons Monsters For Your Enjoyment."

Fashioned by "lawful clerics of the fifteenth level or above", the "humanoid" was undercoated using two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using some (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. Initially I had planned to subsequently 'pick out' the Clay Golem's loincloth in a bright colour such as red or even a bright(ish) white, but then read that the monster actually wore "no clothing except for a metal or stiff leather garment around its hips."

"Reaper Miniatures" Chronoscope WIPs - Sherlock Holmes and a Deep Sea Diver

As I didn't want to use another brown on the heavily-muscled brute I resultantly just applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the creature's scanty raiment and left it at that. Finally I decided to spot its eyes with a drop of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and the "Citadel" Glaze Bloodletter, as well as 'highlight' its somewhat crooked teeth using a combination of "Vallejo" White and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Remaining with "Reaper Miniatures", albeit this time focusing upon a pair of metal miniatures from their "Chronoscope" line,  I have dug out a Deep Sea Diver figure and Sherlock Holmes to help 'expand' my current party of wanderers for "Gamma World". Based upon "the new Gammaverse", where the Hadron Collider has "caused [such] a horrific smashing together of dimensions" that the game allows "for over-the-top combinations of weird things - from dinosaurs to aliens", I thought a group of adventurers made up of heavy-weight boxer, George Foreman, undersea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes and robotic landlady Missus Hudson would be rather appropriate...

Mind Flayers WIPs - The two Illithids have been undercoated and dry-brushed

I've also started pigmenting a couple of Mind Flayers I stumbled upon whilst perusing the stacked shelves of the LVL Up Gaming Store in Bournemouth. This pair of “Illithids” are actually the first models from “Wizkids” unpainted range of “Nolzur’s Marvellous Miniatures” I’ve ever bought, and originally seemed to be the perfect choice with which to accompany my trio of Mind-Eaters by “Reaper Miniatures”.

However, despite being advertised as “high-definition” I’m not currently all that impressed with either the quality of each figures’ detail or the ‘uber-bendy’ plastic from which they’re made. To matters worse, their white undercoat has meant I’ve had to apply two layers of “Citadel” Abaddon Black over their flowing gowns so as to get a consistent covering over their clothing, and this has undoubtedly lead to the frustrating loss of even more detail.

Stone Golems Are Formidable Opponents..."

"...Being physically powerful and difficult to harm."

This 49mm tall model of a Stone Golem is manufactured by “Reaper Miniatures” and can be purchased as Code 77171 from their “Bones” range. Sculpted by James Van Schaik, the magical construct first appeared in the original 1975 "Greyhawk" supplement written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz, "and has since then become one of the most well-known creatures of the Dungeons & Dragons game."

"Made of stone and are twice as strong as Flesh Golems", the monster was undercoated using an old out-of-production pot of "Citadel" Charadon Granite, washed with Nuln Oil and later dry-brushed using some (more) Charadon Granite. As I wanted his skirt to somewhat stand out from the rest of his body, I subsequently painted the area in "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, shaded it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and then dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey.

"Reaper Miniatures" WIPs - The Mind-Eater is slowly having its giant brain layered and shaded

The Stone Golem's waist-band, bracelets and head-piece were initially layered in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before being treated to a combination of Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. These ornaments were later 'highlighted' using a smidgen more "Vallejo" Gold. Whilst the "physically powerful" creature had its eyes spotted with a dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and the "Citadel" Glaze Bloodletter.

Finally, I 'picked out' the large construct's belt-buckle with "Citadel" Ironbreaker, and then shaded it with a little Nuln Oil. Originally, when I first spotted this unaligned guardian I had planned to use it just for "Frostgrave" and subsequently had intended to flock its lipped base with snow. However, I eventually decided to purchase two figures, and use this particular model for "Gamma World" instead; quite possibly as a wandering party's magically resistant protector.  

"Games Workshop" Chaos Spawn - The brute has been covered in lengthy spikes and squishy tentacles

Having finished one of several "Reaper Miniatures" I currently have sat upon my painting table, I have also continued to make some steady progress on the first of my "Bones" Mind-Eaters. Clearly based upon the tiny "Dungeons & Dragons" aberration known as an Intellect Devourer, this literal 'brain on legs' will eventually form part of a three-figure strong pack for my gaming in the post-apocalyptic mid-25th century.

Lastly, I have glued together the last of the monstrous Chaos Spawn I intend to field as part of an "Age Of Sigmar" Slaves To Darkness warband. Absolutely covered in spikes, I actually tried to replicate one of the massively malformed creatures depicted upon the multi-part plastic kit's box art, and resultantly probably ended up using far more of the sprues' incredibly useful conversion bitz than I intended to...

"He's Back! As Only Jack Kirby Can Do It!"

"T'Challa returns to his rightful realm.."

This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of the Black Panther is miniature number 086 from the Marvel "Heroclix" Infinity Challenge range and depicts "the first superhero of African descent in mainstream American comics" wearing the costume shown during his title's third volume of adventures in 1998. Created by Stan Lee and Jack "King" Kirby for the July 1966 issue of "Fantastic Four", T'Challa would subsequently join the Avengers before "receiving numerous urgent official letters requesting him to return to his increasingly troubled homeland" and defeat the "would-be usurper Erik Killmonger".

Originally conceived as the Coal Tiger, and then briefly called the Black Leopard, the pre-painted Chief of the Panther Tribe was primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out the figure's belt, bracelets and necklace with a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, before applying a couple of spots of "Vallejo" Dead White to his eyes.

"Reaper Miniatures" WIPs - A Clay Golem, a Mind Eater and a Stone Golem

Whilst trying to clear myself a bit of space on my painting table, I have discovered a few partially-progressed polymer models produced by "Reaper Miniatures", and disconcertingly found myself once again somewhat distracted by the 'post-apocalyptic' background of "Gamma World". As a result I've spent a few hours applying a couple of layers to this odd assortment of "Bones" figures in the hope that I can somewhat quickly get the odd one finished off...

For starters I've got to work on a rather well-muscled Clay Golem, which as memory serves was at one point destined to be converted into General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross's alter-ego, the Red Hulk. However, as I now own an actual "Heroclix" model of A.I.M.'s co-creation, I plan to simply pigment the unaligned large construct in a brown colour scheme suitable for his involvement in a game of "Dungeons & Dragons".

"Games Workshop" Chaos Spawn - The brute has been covered in tentacles and sharp spikes

Likewise, I'm working on three plastic Mind Eaters and a (second) Stone Golem. It really is early days yet for the trio of "roaming hunters of the Underdark", but having previously half-completed one of "Reaper Miniatures" Stone Golems in the past, I have made some considerable in-roads on his slightly differently paletted brother; quite possibly because I may actually end up applying some snow to his base so as to use him in "Frostgrave".

Lastly, I have assembled one of two Chaos Spawn I hope to field for my "Age Of Sigmar" Slaves To Darkness warband. In all honesty, I actually purchased the kit so as to utilise some of its contents as conversion pieces for my Doom Lords "Blood Bowl" players. But before doing so wanted to ensure I didn't use the multi-part plastic 'bitz' I would need to build a pair of the "dangerous and unpredictable" monstrosities.

"What's The Worst That Could Happen?"

"Dr Pepper, so misunderstood."

These two resin Soda Machines are produced by “Wargames Terrain Workshop” and can be found within the company's ever-expanding Future City Scenics range. Measuring 25mm x 25 mm x 40mm the vending dispensers can be bought from Dave Stone already pre-painted, but as I wanted mine to be rusty artefacts from a bygone era, I purchased these without any prior pigmentation.  

Both soda machines were painted in precisely the same manner, and were initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before being treated to a double layer of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey. The fizzy pop dispensers were then heartily washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and subsequently dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey. Finally, they were given a good application of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and once again dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

"Taste excitement with Pepsi."

To be honest I was mightily tempted to stop there and simply finish the two pieces of resin off with a coat of gloss varnish and some basing flock; one grass for my "Gamma World" campaign, and the other snow for "Metamorphosis Alpha". However, having spied some of the custom vending machine stickers "Stick-2-Quality Zacparis" sells on "E-bay" I changed my mind and instead put the scenery items to one side whilst I waited for my 'decals' to arrive from Australia. 

Fortunately I did not have to wait long, and for my purposes, the stickers were delightfully almost the right size straight out of their packet. Once stuck to my soda machines, I then set about weathering the dispensers by caking on plenty of radioactive rust using pieces of grit and PVA glue. Once each ensemble was complete I applied more "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash into the corners of the machines' panels and all over the heavily rusted parts. This 'technical paint' was taken from the very bottom of its bottle, so it was ultra-thick and prone to cracking. 

"G.I. Joe" WIPs - Shipwreck, Sergeant Slaughter and Destro

I next dry-brushed the resin pieces for the third time with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey, and tried to especially catch both all the areas of heavy rust, as well as the edges of the metallic advertising sheets in order to suggest the picture had worn away in parts. As a last step, I took some additional "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, this time having shaken the solution, and simply touched up the odd area which had become a little too silvery for the look I wanted.

Despite my dalliance in some items of scenery, I am also continuing to progress the six "G.I. Joe" miniatures I recently managed to acquire from the hands of a private collector. Indeed, having spent a bit of time getting my model of Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV close to completion, I've actually started block-painting this mini-project's final figure, Shipwreck (and his pet parrot named Polly); a sailor originally created as a character for the "Sunbow/Marvel" cartoon series in 1984.

"I Now Have Control Over You, Doctor."

"All I need do is threaten the woman's death for you to obey me."

This 40mm tall metal Cyberman figure is sold by “Warlord Games” and forms part of their awesome "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to resemble the "race of cyborgs" after the programme's designers "opted to use converted flight suits for their bodies which were painted silver", this miniature depicts the Doctor's adversaries during the March 1982 television serial "Earthshock"; a four-parter which not only saw the Cybermen crash a space-freighter into the Earth, but also the death of long-running companion, Adric.

The miniature was initially primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before receiving two layers of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. The figure's eyes and square-shaped interior chest-piece were then darkened with a small amount of Abaddon Black, before the entire model was dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker.

Sea Devils WIPs - The Aquatic Silurians have had their legs layered, dry-brushed and washed

Encouraged by the sight of the model's "Into The Time Vortex" publicity photograph, which shows its cyber-gun containing a beautifully detailed red glow, I subsequently painted the area on my figure's weapon similarly using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Alas my own brushwork was far from as successful, and, upon returning the firearm to its earlier 'silver state', I settled upon a compromise, courtesy of a couple of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson washes...  

"Warlord Games" continue to tantalise and tease with its "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" miniatures range, boasting that both a "Time Warrior" and an Eleventh Doctor & Companions boxed set are potential September releases, now 'they've been approved by the BBC.' This seemingly frantic forthcoming release schedule is genuinely proving a real motivator for me to get my half dozen Sea Devils finished, and resultantly, I've already got all the slimy lowers limbs of Jon Pertwee's famous 'Sea Silurians' painted.

Stone Golem WIPs - The "archaic, armoured warrior" has been undercoated, shaded and highlighted

Despite so much focus upon my collection of "Into The Time Vortex" figures, I have still managed to get cracking on a couple of Stone Golem's by "Reaper Miniatures". These construct creatures are from the Lake Dallas-based company's "Bones" Range, and will hopefully spend their time, once flocked appropriately with grass or snow, trampling down adventurers in both my "Metamorphosis Alpha" and "Gamma World" campaigns. 

For now however, the instantly recognisable "Dungeons & Dragons" monsters have simply been primed, washed, and dry-brushed, as well as had the base layer of their aging bronze adornments applied to the relevant areas. To be honest, I was partially tempted to simply leave the 'towering stone automatons' entirely "Citadel" Charadon Granite in colour, but the formidably-sized plastic models arguably deserve a far more impressive paint scheme.

"If You Can't Fix What's Broken, You'll Go Insane."

"As the world fell, each of us in our way was broken."

This large and wonderfully detailed 28mm scale resin Crushed Car is made by "Wargames Terrain Workshop" and can be purchased from their Post Apocalyptic and S.D.Z.A. accessories range. Measuring approximately 115mm in length, 55mm in width and 20mm in height, the model was super-glued onto a laser cut 120mm x 90mm oval MDF base simply to increase its 'footprint' on the tabletop as a piece of scatter terrain.

The model was initially primed with a coat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then treated to two layers of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey. It was then heavily washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil before being heavily dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey. Sculptor Dave Stone actually provides a painting service for this car (as he does with so many of his products), but as I wanted the ruined vehicle to be part of my "Gamma World" terrain, I decided to stick to the bare metal and rust palette I've chosen for the entirety of the project's scenery.

Boromite Gang Fighter WIPs - The mining extra-terrestrial now just needs his rocky hide re-shaded with black ink

Resultantly, I liberally applied some "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash over all the sculpt's detail, and subsequently set about blending it in with the rest of the transport's paint scheme via a second "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey dry-brush. I then picked out the automobile's four tyres with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and 'dirtied' the whole ensemble up by dabbing the entire model with a piece of sponge that had been dipped in some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". As a final touch the wheel trims and tyres were aged/dulled with a slight application of watered down "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash.

"Warlord Games" are currently releasing a number of excellent miniatures for their "Beyond The Gates Of Antares" science-fiction tabletop wargame, and my (in)ability to resist these new temptations has not been helped by the company's recent 'voucher offer' of 15% off their entire range. Perhaps unsurprisingly therefore, I now have some Isorian reinforcements already heading in my direction, and thus am determined to finish painting my initial Boromite 500-point Scouting Force before they arrive... Or at least before I start working on them.    

Vashta Nerada WIPs - The dead astronauts have had their skulls 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand

In addition, the Nottingham-based manufacturers are about to imminently add to their already formidable "Doctor Who" catalogue by selling miniatures of the low-intelligence, ape-like hominids the Ogrons, three versions of Ashildr (from "The Woman Who Lived") and the "massive, bipedal extraterrestrial" family Slitheen. To make matters worse "Warlord Games" have also 'leaked' pictures of a fully-painted Astrid Peth, Bannakaffalatta and the enormous Fisher King... 

Judge Dredd, Mad Max and Imperator Furiosa battle T-800 Terminators in the Cursed Earth

I have therefore momentarily turned all my attention towards completing the six Vashta Nerada models I recently started painting and begun 'shadowing' in their spacesuits' breathing vents and nightmarish fleshless skulls. Once these are finished I hope to get cracking on half a dozen Sea Devils, which will then leave me with a bit of space on my hobby table for some more "Into The Time Vortex" goodness. Did I mention I've seen the 3D 'work in progress' sculpt of an Ice Warrior too..?