"Hear Me, Odin!!"

"The stakes of thy tournament have been raised!"

This 47mm tall plastic “Wizkids” model of the Destroyer is miniature number 041a from the Mighty Thor Marvel "Heroclix" range and is based upon the "suit of Asgardian armor animated by magic" which predominantly acts an opponent of the Thunder God, Thor. Created by Stan Lee and Jack "King" Kirby, the suit was forged "of an unknown metal and enchanted to be more durable than Uru" by Odin. It made its first comic book appearance in the July 1965 issue of "Journey Into Mystery".

"First seen residing in the Temple of Darkness in Asia" the "practically invulnerable" figure was originally undercoated with "Citadel" Ironbreaker and washed with Nuln Oil. The armour was then dry-brushed using some more Ironbreaker (which had a little hint of "Vallejo" Gold added to the mix). Finally some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter" was dabbed across the suit's visor area in order to suggest the tremendous energy contained inside.

Invisible Girl, Hydro-Man and Black Mask WIPs - The models are in various stages of painting

Sticking with "Heroclix", I have made some more progress on a few other partially-painted "Wizkid" miniatures I own. I was actually hoping to have finished my old model of Invisible Girl and thus completed the Fantastic Four's original quartet. But disconcertingly, I have found that my recipe for the dark blue costume I pigmented her husband, Mister Fantastic, in was not correctly recorded. As a result, I am having to experiment a little with different washes of "Citadel" Nuln Oil and Drakenhof Nightshade in order to find a similar 'fit'.

Finding the right mix of blue for Hydro-Man has not proved so difficult fortunately, as I've been progressively dry-brushing the Frightful Four member with ever lighter shades of "Vallejo" Turquoise, and subsequently blended all the colours together with an application of "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. One of Spider-Man's arch-villains, the criminal now only needs for his shirt and face to be 'picked out' before being ready for the tabletop. 

Garreck's Reavers WIPs - The two warriors are slowly being painted from their feet up

Ordinarily I don't like to keep my "Heroclix" miniatures on their bases, even when they're rather elaborately made. However, in Black Mask's case I've made an exception, as I both love the look of the rusty metal pier the gangster is standing on and saw it as an excellent opportunity to once again use some "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash on a figure. I'm hoping the silver and orange will quite nicely contrast with the all-black attire of the "DC Comics" kingpin.

Finally, with an eye of establishing an "Age Of Sigmar" Khorne army which could one day rival my Tallyband of Nurgle, I have spent a little time making completing some minor areas on a couple of "Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire" Bloodreavers. These two members of Garrek's Reavers can delightfully be used within both "Games Workshop" rule-sets, and I'm hoping their completion will spur me on to instigate some further battles between the Plague God and Blood God...

"Nein, Little Man. You Will Help Us Find Your Friend..."

"...If you want to keep that face of yours."

This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of Plasmus is miniature number 015 from the DC Comics "Heroclix" Arkham Asylum range and is based upon the super-villain Otto Von Furth, who, whilst working as a mine worker in East Berlin, Germany, was accidentally exposed to radioactive radium during an unexpected cave-in. Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, the unstable protoplasmic mutate can liquefy solid matter with "his burning touch" and made his first comic book appearance in the December 1981 issue of "The New Teen Titans".

The former member of the Brotherhood of Evil was initially primed with "Vallejo" Squid Pink in order to eradicate his somewhat garish-coloured pre-paint and subsequently washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson. The figure was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Squid Pink before having receiving an all-over wash of watered-down "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Putrid Blightking WIP - Having finished his leg armour and sword's patina, the warrior's bloated belly is next 

At this point I was rather tempted to finish the model off with a coat of my usual "Coat D'arms" Gloss Varnish. However, having studied Otto's entry in the "DC Comics" Wikipedia, I noticed that his main illustration depicted Plasmus wearing a pair of black shorts. Glancing at my figure's chemically converted body I spotted that the sculpt was indeed wearing a similar costume; albeit "Wizkids" had clearly decided not to 'pick it out'. As a result I applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to Von Furth's attire, and then decided to 'highlight' his eyes with a dab or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre.

Moving on to this month's "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" goal, I have made some additional progress to the first of my four Putrid Blightkings. However, as there's so much detail on this particular model I'm finding for every couple of steps forwards I take, I inevitably have to return to a previously painted part and rework it as a result of somehow managing to erroneously catch it with my paint-brush. Luckily though, I'm currently finding the favoured of Nurgle to be so much fun to pigment that I'm not finding the repeated 'touch-ups' too arduous a task...

Plaguebearer & Nurgling WIPs - The followers of the Plague God have been primed, washed and dry-brushed

In addition, I have started work on four of the tiny Nurglings which come with the "Games Workshop" Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set. These little chappies don't play any actual purpose in "Age Of Sigmar", but are instead ordinarily utilised to adorn the bases of other Nurgle warriors. I thought these particular sculpts though were worthy of their own stands, and thought they'd make 'cute' damage markers for some of my Host's larger creatures.

Lastly, I've applied a little paint to the first of nine Plague Drones I own. These Rot Fly riders will hopefully provide my Tallyband with some much needed missile attacks, as well as speed, and weigh in at a hefty 200 points per three models. For now I'm simply focusing on the drones' "high-ranking Plaguebearers", but expect to see the odd "Prehensile Proboscis" being primed soon...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" February 2018

Putrid Blightking WIP - The warrior has had the majority of his armour base-coated in either black or brown

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been superseded by the release of the "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" Chaos Battletome by "Games Workshop", and my utter inability to resist many of the Nottingham-based manufacturer's latest models for this "Age Of Sigmar" army. However, as I have now entered the third month of my inaugural, Partially-Painted Pledge challenge, and am somewhat behind my tally target, I felt I should first finish painting a number of formerly started Nurgle figures, before I embark upon any of the range's newest "vile and wretched beings".

To begin with I have turned my gaze upon four Putrid Blightkings which have sat hidden within a metal tin for far too long. I actually painted the leader of these "enormous, bloated warriors", the Blightlord, early last year and subsequently done little else with the rest of the boxed set except assemble and prime its contents. Fortunately, a unit of five Blightkings costs 180 points in-game, and their completion will finally allow me to attain something of a mini-goal in being able to field over 1,000 points of pure Nurgle units; as opposed to my current ploy of selecting a Balewind Vortex (spell), Slambo or Khorne allies in order to make up the points...

Vertical Wall Bookshelf WIPs - The resin and mdf piece has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Considering that the Putrid Blightkings boxed set is a "105-piece plastic kit" there's a tremendous amount of detail to be found on the miniatures, so I've picked a fairly standard 'sword and shield' "favoured mortal" to begin with which should allow me to paint some rusty armour and bronze patina, as well as dirty reds, browns, boils and sores. In addition, it should help re-familiarise me with the painting palette/techniques I usually apply to any of models which are "festering with pustules and plague."

Stepping out of "the Mortal Realms" momentarily, I was recently very pleased to be sent a four-piece Vertical Wall Bookshelf by "N-FX Game Design Studio". This "resin and mdf" terrain piece is wonderfully sculpted, packed full of all sorts of books and tomes, and makes for a marvellous backdrop for the "Doctor Who" monsters, the Vashta Nerada. Indeed, having primed, washed and dry-brushed the scenic shelves, I've every intention of eventually recreating one of the British science fiction television series' classic corridor chase scenes as shown during the 2008 story "Silence In The Library".

"Heroclix" WIPs - The Wendigo, the Destroyer, and a converted Easy Company Soldier

I also plan to continue progressing a number of my unfinished "Heroclix" figures by "Wizkids", such as the NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) subsidiary's sculpt of the "Marvel Comics" villain Wendigo; a curse which "strikes different people over time if they commit acts of cannibalism in the northern parts of Canada." In addition, I have a fair few straightforward paint-jobs planned for some of my more recent "Troll And Toad" acquisitions from across the Pond, like Thor's arch-nemesis, the Destroyer.

Lastly, I hope to take full advantage of my 'super-heroes' mojo by finishing off a conversion of "G.I. Zombie" which I actually assembled for the 2014 Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I first encountered the lead for "DC Comics" sadly short-lived "Star-Spangled War Stories" series earlier that same year and decided to create my own version of Jared Kabe from a spare Easy Company Soldier when I disappointingly discovered "Wizkids" hadn't produced an official miniature of the "immortal". 

"The Progeny Of A Dire Wraith's Doomed Love For An Earthwoman..."

"...Young Jimmy Marks appeared perfectly normal..."

This 52mm tall plastic “Wizkids” model of Hybrid is miniature number 35 from the Marvel "Heroclix" Avengers Assemble range and is based upon the super-villain James "Jimmy" Marks; a Dire Wraith/Human hybrid who fought both Rom the Spaceknight and the uncanny X-Men. Created by Bill Mantlo and artist Sal Buscema, the "half-mutant" possesses telekinesis, telepathy, transformation, as well as superhuman strength, and made his first comic book appearance in the April 1981 issue of "Rom".

Removed from his 'clicky base' with a sharp modelling knife, Jacob Marks' offspring was super-glued onto a 40mm circular stand, and undercoated with "Vallejo" Squid Pink. The model was then washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson, before being dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Squid Pink. Finally the grotesque figure had his large luminous eyes 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

"Victrix Limited" Grenadier WIPs - The Frenchman is slowly having all his equipment blocked out with black

With such a reasonably 'simple' subject finished, I have found myself with a little extra time to progress the first of my Grenadiers for my "Portable Wargame" Napoleonic French force. As with my Fusiliers, this particular model is one of four figures I assembled over six years ago, but unlike my "ordinary line infantry" I only need to paint a quartet up in order to represent my regiment's elite company.

Interestingly, I seem to have decided upon a white undercoat for this particular foursome, as opposed to my usual "Citadel" Chaos Black, and resultantly, I have started 'black-lining' all the different elements of the soldier's equipment, straps, uniform, baggage and bottles rather than 'pick out' all the "Vallejo" Dead White parts as I've done in the past. Time will tell whether this change in tactic will help speed up my progress on the "Victrix Limited" project or not, but I'm hoping that I'll soon have worked my way up the Grenadier's instantly recognisable bearskin.

Wight WIPs - The two Undead Kings are slowly being dry-brushed and having their armour 'picked out'

My enthusiasm for "Kings Of War" by "Mantic Games" is also currently running particularly high, doubtless aided by the superbly sculpted Wights I am currently working on. I have been extremely tempted to simply leave my test 'warrior king' well enough alone, having applied my usual ethereal combination of watered-down "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and Agrax Earthshade over a "Vallejo" Dead White basecoat to the piece. But having given the matter some thought, I'd decided to try and make parts of his (doubtless) rusty armour and weapon far more tangible.

For now though I have simply added some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to areas of the Wight, in preparation for a future application of Ironbreaker. I've also, having eventually determined how I want to paint the trio, started applying my ghostly washes to the regiment's second combatant, and in doing so noticed how much more of this model's armour, weapon and shield I believe I'll be able to make corporeal.

"Work Gangs Carry Weaponry Adapted From Mining Machinery..."

"...A kind of compression device called a mass compactor."

This 28mm metal Boromite Ganger is manufactured by "Warlord Games" and comes as part of the Boromite Work Gang boxed set for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". "Supplied unassembled and unpainted" this extra-terrestrial miner is the first of five miniatures I require in order for me to field a 123-point Reflex Armour-wearing Work Gang armed with Mass Compactors and Implosion Grenades.

Initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, the figure was washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and then had a layer of Chaos Black applied over all its weaponry, ammunition packs and hip-flask. The alien's metallic areas, including its firearm's nozzle, were subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, whilst its Mass Compactor had its hand-grips and main body slightly corroded with a light touch of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Finally I 'picked out' the weapon's power lighting (and visor lenses) with "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

Hybrid WIPs - Jimmy Marks has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

The Boromite's pouch was painted using a mix of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre, Heavy Red and "Citadel" Abaddon Black. This reddish brown was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Lastly, the model's yellow(ish) armour, his "separate multi-functional nanite receptor nodes" and mining tool's distortion compensator were carefully coloured by heavily washing a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre with some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

With my latest "Beyond The Gates Of Antares" figure finished, I have turned my attention back to another of my plastic "Heroclix" models by "Wizkids". Having so recently finished four Dire Wraiths, I thought I'd spend a little time progressing the half-human, half-dire wraith Hybrid, known as James "Jimmy" Marks. Significantly pinker in colour than his father, this super-villain has already been primed, washed and dry-brushed, and is now ready for some detailing...  

Wight WIP - The supernatural creature has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Lastly, I somewhat fallen foul of a desire to play some sort of mass-battle game, and resultantly have turned to "Kings Of War" by "Mantic Games" to 'scratch' this particular 'itch.' Unsurprisingly one of the first things I have done is purchase the second edition of the "mass-battle fantasy wargame" rule-book and been rather encouraged to see just how few miniatures it takes to actually field a tabletop worthy army.

To begin with I am therefore going to paint-up an Undead force, requiring just a regiment of Wights in order to 'unlock' two troops and either a war engine, monster or hero. The beauty of selecting the "once mighty warrior kings" is that they are large infantry, so I only require just three models in order to create a fully-fledged regiment; as opposed to twenty skeletons, ghouls or zombies...

"Forward, Sisters! Forward, To The Kill!"

"Strike savagely and strike swiftly, wraith sisters..."

These four 31mm tall plastic pre-painted Dire Wraiths by "Wizkids" are all number 010a from the "Marvel" Guardians Of The Galaxy "Heroclix" range, and are based upon the extra-terrestrial opponents of Rom the Spaceknight. Created by Bill Mantlo and Al Milgrom for the December 1979 issue of "Rom", the shape-shifting aliens "are an evolutionary offshoot of the Skrulls from the Andromeda Galaxy" and are "able to take the forms of other creatures."

Once the models were removed from their clicky-bases and super-glued onto 40mm circular bases, they were all primed with "Vallejo" Squid Pink and later treated to a layer of Heavy Red. The "Skrullian Deviants" were then heavily washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade before being dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

The Avengers confront a group of Dire Wraiths

Each Wraith's pair of eyes were 'picked out' first with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then a tiny spot of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre. As I wanted the super-strong sorcerers' pupils to particularly stand out, I didn't bother shading them, and instead simply tidied their edges up with some additional "Citadel" Abaddon Black.   

Sticking with "Heroclix" I have also finished another of "Gotham" gang members for the former cryogenics expert, Mister Freeze. This particular 28mm plastic pre-painted "Wizkids" Lackey is number 019 from the "DC Comics" Hypertime range, and is one of five I rather embarrassingly started working on over eighteen months ago. Intended to resemble one of Doctor Shivel's bobble-hat wearing goons from the February 1966 "Batman" Television story "Instant Freeze", the figure has been slightly converted, courtesy of a small ball of two-part modelling putty, and was originally going to submitted during the 2016 "Forgotten Heroes" challenge.

 "You are not sending me to the cooler."

Having drilled a small hole in the top of the figure's head, inserted a small piece of metal rod, and sculpted a simple 'bobble', the henchman was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and had his trousers painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then layered his jumper and hat with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, and treated them to a wash of  "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

The lackey's 'bobble' was 'picked out' with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, whilst his crowbar was given a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Finally, I painted the chilly criminal's flesh using some "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and then simply picked out his fingers, nose, ears, lips and cheeks with more "Vallejo Heavy Skintone. The miniature's base was flocked using some "Games Workshop" Snow.

"...Bonaparte Crossed The Scivia On June 13th..."

"...And near to San-Guiliamo, integrated with Victor's corps (Gardanne and Chambarlhac's division)..."

This 28mm plastic French Fusiliers have been built using parts taken from the “Victrix Limited” French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807 boxed set, and resultantly has provided me with enough finished soldiers with which to populate a fifth musket-armed infantry quartet to use for Bob Cordery's "The Portable Wargame". Pigmented to replicate a Line infantryman, the soldier was initially undercoated with "Citadel" Skull White and had his boots, musket, pouches, backpack and hat layered with Chaos Black.

I then started the somewhat painstakingly slow process of 'picking out' all of his straps with either "Vallejo" Dead White or Heavy Sienna, and washed these areas with Pale Grey or "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The uniform was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Asurmen Blue, whilst his cuffs and collar were treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Bloodletter.

"Joined later in the morning by Lanne's corps they had seen no sign of the enemy on the left bank."

Lastly, having decided against 'highlighting' each and every one of the Frenchmen's numerous buttons, I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to the wooden areas of the private's flintlock firearm, as well as some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil to the weapon's metal parts. The Fusilier's bicorn hat, "worn throughout the Revolutionary Wars" and "during the famous Austerlitz Campaign in 1805", had its additional details picked out using "Vallejo" Gold, "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and "Vallejo" Dead White.

With four Fusiliers completed, I arranged them appropriately upon a single 40mm x 40mm plastic base, and later glued some modelling grit over it in order to try and replicate the same 'texturing' I used on my previous infantry bases a few years ago. Later, I dry-brushed the small sedimentary rocks using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, Doomsbull Brown and Rakarth Flesh, and gave the stand a heavy wash of Agrax Earthshade, before partially flocking it with static grass.

Spoilpox Scrivener WIPs - The "downright dour creature" has been primed, washed and dry-brushed"

The "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" battletome for "Age Of Sigmar" continues to tease and tempt me with its marvellous array of recently released "Games Workshop" miniatures, so despite my best intentions I have simply had to purchase this multi-part plastic miniature of a Spoilpox Scrivener. Essentially a third Herald of Nurgle for my ever-expanding Chaos Army, this particular mortal "who resisted Nurgle's Rot for a lengthy period" is specifically "responsible for ensuring that the Plaguebearers of their Tallyband do not shirk" from their duties during a battle.

This particular Plaguebearer will also provide my force with a much-needed range attack, on account of his "Disgusting Sneeze", and, like so many of the Nurgle models, is entirely compatible with "Warhammer 40K". Such dual-usage really is a great motivator for me when it comes to painting up this sort of arguably over-detailed sculpt, as it means that I can justify, in my own mind at least, the significant time it takes me to just paint-up one of these figures...