Sunday, February 8, 2026

'Toy Story' from JP - One of my earliest passions!

Back in 1965, Edmonton, Canada, when I was 6, my parents decided that the best way to nourish my english reading skills was with Classics Illustrated. I received these on every opportunity imaginable. One of the first, and I still have it, was:





 That's a scan of my copy, I'm rather attached to it. My love of mythology, ancients and fantasy, started here. At the same time, I came across this ad in comic books:


I immedeiately wanted a set (and the other ACW, AWI and WW2 sets too). Father had been buying me Britains and  Minot 54mms, so he was a bit taken aback by his son wanting cheap american 20mm plastics... Still, he got me a set. When the Greek set came out... well, Trojan Wars it was. Airfix was still two years away for me ...

I remain fascinated by Bronze Age warfare and it was a short hop in 1968 to the Hobbit and then Dark Ages Britain. I have raised multiple bronze age armies in 15mm, in the heady days of WRG and sold them all... rather stupidly. 

About 20 years ago, I started collecting Foundy and Redoubt Trojan War figures, quickly settling on the former as they were a bit more delicate. I lack opponents for the era, but I keep coming back to the collection, working away at it. The advent of Midgard rules has stoked the ageing flames.

I thought I'd 'dash off' some skirmishers and their bosses, just enough to see if I could still do it. Being rather slow with the brush, it's a good thing I'm retired and that my better half is busy with the financial closure of the firm she works for! 

So, here it is: 4 Mycenean warriors, 4 slingers and 4 javelinmen. 









Points:    12 x 28mm figures = 60 points
                Toy Theme            = 50 points
                                                110 points

Thanks for looking, as always!

11 comments:

  1. Nide work JP, I also remember those mysterious adverts in the back of US comics in the 70's

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  2. Terrific post, JP. Funny, I was just commenting on Dallas' post about these great sets of plastic historicals that were offered in the 60s and 70. I was wondering about those comic book book sets and that image of the Romans really took me back - so awesome. Your skirmishers look fabulous and I especially like the hide shields.

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  3. Great painting on your new Myceneans. Sadly I only bought “sea monkeys” and flat generic green army men from the comics back then.

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  4. Lovely work JP - the arrival of Midguard is certainly going to get some wallets emptied and paint on miniatures

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  5. Awesome work JP. I remember these books!

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  6. Lovely looking figures and a great backstory!
    Best Iain

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  7. I know the comic books, I think every country had them, and I know the advertisement of the Roman Soldiers. And I have some of those figures. Maybe one day I must show them.
    Great job on those figures! I like them.

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  8. I was always intrigued by those adverts.

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  9. Great set of skirmishers, I like the patterns on the shields.

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  10. Great story, my sister had an American pen friend and then my cousin married an American and so magazines came over the sea - I always remember the back page of the comics having these ludicrously large soldier sets for a few dollars? My mum always said it would be too difficult to get them sent over the sea, so airfix it was - alas no Bronze Age from them. Your modern metals look great painted and hopefully will drive your obvious enthusiasm further into the period

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  11. Fabulous work and I too had that very magazine. I still have some of those plastic soldiers from the 70’s in a box. Medieval and classic Greek style I believe. Took 3-4 weeks to receive and my parents figured money out the window.

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