'Reconnaissance' from SimonM: "Warlord Games" Linx The Sontaran

This 35mm metal Sontaran model is produced by “Warlord Games" and can be bought from their "Doctor Who: Into The Time Vortex" range as part of their two-figure boxed set "The Time Warrior". Forced "to make an emergency landing on Earth while on reconnaissance when his ship was attacked by a squadron of Rutan fighters", Jingo Linx was created by Robert Holmes and made his BBC Television debut in the 1973 story "The Time Warrior".

The Sontaran Commander in the Fifth Sontaran Army Space Fleet was initially undercoated with two layers of "Vallejo" Black, roughly dry-brushed with Heavy Charcoal and heavily washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then pigmented the clone soldier's knee-pads, belt and neck armour base-coated with "Citadel" Ironbreaker as I have previously done before when painting these Classic Third/Fourth Doctor monsters. However, having checked the 'official' "Warlord Games" painting guide, and subsequently some colour photographs of actor Kevin Lindsay in his costume, it became clear that the Sontaran's knee-pads were actually black as opposed to silver, so I went back and re-painted this area in "Vallejo" Black. The remaining metallic areas were shaded with (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

The alien's awkwardly held rheon carbine was 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" Dead White and Pale Grey. Whilst Linx's somewhat swarthy look was created by shading his "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone flesh with some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

'Characters/Scene from' KyleC, ClintB, IanW, SimonM - 'Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep?'

So with this years entry figure being a group collaboration, ClintB was kind enough to set up a small group of us to put together a set for Curt!

After batting around a few ideas, it was agreed that a few of us would paint up some Sheep. But what to do with them from there was going to be the question. Should we just base them separately or in mini groups, and then ship them altogether? Or should we do a larger scene?

I was not really in the mood for painting sheep ( cause the rest of the guys were doing a fantastic job on them already ) so offered up putting them all together onto a larger base and make a small diorama out of it!

I had no idea what I was going to really do with them so began to work on a few ideas first.. penciling in some scenes or theories of what could be done.

It was while chatting with Clint about how I had some robots kicking around that the idea of Philip K Dick book "Do androids dream of Electronic sheep?" came in... was more intrigued when I found out it was the inspiration for Blade Runner.. 

So off I went trying to find the most appropriate socket to fit this all on. And in the end I actually used 2! One for the main base there, and the other to help create a ledge/cliff for the robot to sit on. 

I think that the work that ClintB, IanW and SimonM put into the sheep to make this happen was really what pushed the project forward. And I was lucky enough to receive them to put together such a scene. Their faith that I wouldn't botch it all up at the finish line was great to have!

Now final photos are being taken, and the package being boxed up ready for the long trip to the Prairies, Canada to sit at its new home!

'East' from SimonM: "Heroclix" Doctor Doom And His Doombots

"For no one knows what's best for you... except your mighty sovereign... Doctor Doom!"

This 28mm pre-painted plastic model of Doctor Doom is by “Wizkids” and can be bought as number 105 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Secret Invasion range. The son of Romani witch Cynthia Von Doom, Victor is the leader of the Eastern European nation of Latveria, and "both a genius inventor and a sorcerer." Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the July 1962 edition of "The Fantastic Four" and would go to be the chief opponent of Reed Richards super-team.

"Who dares to enter the chamber of Doctor Doom?"

Originally undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Green in order to 'cover over' the figure's somewhat 'slapdash' pre-paint, the facially disfigured monarch was washed with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and subsequently dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Green. I then layered the suit of armour (with "scowling mask") which Victor forged whilst living with a clan of Tibetan monks, with "Citadel" Ironbreaker and later washed it with Nuln Oil.

"Stand aside for the glory that is Doom!"

With both Doctor Doom's "trademark metal mask and green cloak" essentially finished, I turned my attention to 'picking out' the model's belt and buckle  with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Gold. Both of these areas were then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. As a final touch I lightly 'dry-brushed' the armour with more "Citadel" Ironbreaker in order to give it a bit more shine.

Doctor Doom as seen in the "Marvel Worldwide" comic books drawn by Jack "King" Kirby

Alongside the "soul-stirring…super sensational new villain" I additionally painted three of the character's infamous Doombots. These unarmed automatons can be bought as number 006 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Galactic Guardians range and actually "have the face of the real Doctor Doom but with no hood." Regularly used by Latveria's sovereign on missions "where he fears defeat", the robots are sometimes programmed to actually believe themselves to be the real Doctor Doom...

'Armour' from SimonM: TESS-One (Total Elimination of Super-Soldiers)

"Quarry in range. Eliminate."

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of TESS-One is by “Wizkids” and can be bought as number 027 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Age Of Ultron range. Created and published by both Mark Gruenwald and artist Mike Zeck in September 1986, this giant "special robot" was built by Professor Schumann in case an army of super-soldiers, like Captain America, returned home after World War Two and took over the United States. Eventually abandoned in a bomb shelter underneath its late inventor's residence, the  Adamantium-armoured machine would be activated and attempt to neutralize the Sentinel of Liberty in "Captain America" Annual 8...

"Target detected."

90mm in height, TESS-One was first 'cut' from it's somewhat diminutive 'clicky-base' and super-glued to a "Games Workshop" 50mm circular stand. The model was then primed with two coats of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and subsequently washed with Nuln Oil. I then spent a good thirty minutes patiently dry-brushing Schumann's robot with more Ironbreaker. The sculpt's detail was rather soft in places so I ensured that there was very little paint on my brush each time I drew it across the figure preferring to build-up the 'effect' rather than lazily apply a single heavy application. Once this process was complete, I used the same brush to 'polish' the flatter areas of the model. Finally I 'picked out' the automaton's face plate with Abaddon Black and applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to its menacing eye-sensors.

TESS-One - First Appearance "Captain America" Annual 8 (September 1986)

'Defensive Terrain' from SimonM - 'Molly Hayes'

This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of Molly Hayes is miniature number 41 from the Marvel “Heroclix” Hammer Of Thor range. Despite being the daughter of two evil telepathic villains, the mutant child’s powers are superhuman strength and invulnerability. Indeed the young girl is already the fourth toughest female in the “Marvel Universe”, after Rogue, She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel. Created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, Princess Power first appeared in July 2003 within the pages of Issue One of “Runaways”.

The figure originally had three ducklings on its ‘Clicky’ base which the adolescent had torn up some concrete to protect. However as I wanted to use the birds as a possible objective marker in my games, I re-based them upon the thin 40mm circular bases I use for such purposes. In addition I quickly painted the feathered fowls with a couple of coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and then washed them with “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. Finally I dry-brushed the tiny creatures with some more “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre.

I initially undercoated Molly with “Vallejo” White and then painted her jeans with a combination of Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Asurmen Blue. I next applied a layer of “Vallejo” Squid Pink to her T-shirt and cuddly animal hat. These areas were then given a wash of “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, before I painted her flesh with “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. Once I had applied some watered-down “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade to her skin, and picked out her facial features and fingers with a little more “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone, I finished the model by painting the large piece of concrete the powerhouse was using in order to defend the ducklings from any danger, with a combination of Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

As soon as I saw that one of the Themed Bonus Rounds was going to be Defensive Terrain, I immediately thought of young Molly grabbing a piece of concrete and protecting the trio of ducklings with it as they merrily went about their business…

'Epic Fail' from SimonM - The Death Star Plans

These five large 28mm scale plastic “Fantasy Flight” models of Darth Vader, a pair of Imperial Stormtroopers, See-Threepio and Artoo-Deetoo are from the company’s “Star Wars” strategy board game “Imperial Assault”. The miniature of the Dark Lord of the Sith can be found inside the Core Set. Whilst the bucket-heads come from the Stormtroopers Villain Pack and the droids from the R2-D2 and C-3PO Ally Pack.

Based upon the Empire’s attempt to recapture the stolen Death Star plans from the Rebel Alliance I thought this small ensemble of figures would rather fittingly encapsulate Vader’s ‘Epic Fail’ to do his master’s bidding…  

The Stormtroopers were initially undercoated with “Vallejo” White before being heavily washed with Pale Grey. This transparent acrylic not only gave the models some much-needed shading but also helped me ascertain where the joins in their overlapping plastoid composite plates were so I could ‘pick them out’ using “Citadel” Abaddon Black. Once all the ‘gaps’ between their standard armour had been finished, I washed the areas with some Nuln Oil, allowing some of the Shade to occasionally be brushed over the adjoining areas in order to create some heavier shadowing. Finally their E-11 blaster rifles were simply painted with more Abaddon Black.

Having finished his ‘escort’ I set about applying several coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black to Darth Vader, as for some reason the plastic model did not seem to like the paint. Once I had a reasonably even undercoat in place I dry-brushed the Sith Lord’s clothing with “Vallejo” Charcoal and washed it with “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Once this was dry I then applied some Ironbreaker to his neck chain, shoulder plates, light-saber, chest and belt units. These were then also washed with Nuln Oil.

Originally I had tried painting his laser-sword with a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson. But the end result was much darker than I wanted, so it was soon redone using “Vallejo” Dark Vermillion and the “Citadel” Glaze Bloodletter.

See-Threepio was originally undercoated using some “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, before the droid was given two coats of Gold. He was then heavily washed with some “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade before being dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Gold.

Artoo-Deetoo was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” White before being heavily washed with Pale Grey. As with the Stormtroopers this transparent acrylic gave the model some much-needed shading and also helped me to ‘pick out’ his numerous panels. These were either painted using Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Asurmen Blue or “Vallejo” Gunmetal Grey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. As I wanted to add a little more colour to the astromech droid I decided to use a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson for his wiring.

Having realised that his dome was actually metallic, it was given a coat of “Vallejo” Gunmental Grey and a wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil, before being dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Gunmetal Grey. I then ‘picked out’ all the details and plates on the R2 unit’s ‘head’ with Heavy Blue and some additional “Citadel” Asurmen Blue.

'Nostalgia' from SimonM - The Incredible Hulk

These two bulky 38mm tall plastic “Wizkids” models of the Hulk are both miniature number 58 from the Marvel “Heroclix” Infinity Challenge range. The figures have been given different paint-jobs in order to represent Bruce Banner’s grey alter-ego when the scientist first transformed into an “unidentified creature”, and then the gamma-powered monster’s more recognisable colour scheme; green skin with purple pants.

First published in May 1962 the creature’s co-creator Stan Lee chose grey for the Hulk because he “wanted a colour that did not suggest any particular ethnic group.” Unfortunately colorist Stan Goldberg had problems with the grey and this resulted in the behemoth appearing throughout the publication in different shades of grey, as well as green. After seeing Issue One of “The Incredible Hulk” Lee chose to change the skin colour to green and for the next two decades whenever the monster’s origin was retold he was depicted as being green. Indeed even the reprints of the original comic were recoloured…

In December 1984 however Issue 302 of “The Incredible Hulk” reintroduced the grey Hulk in flashbacks and confirmed that when the scientist was first struck by the detonation of a gamma bomb, his transformation was grey-skinned. Since then the reprints of the first issue have reverted back to displaying the original grey colouring, and the official “Marvel Worldwide” fictional canon states that the Hulk was initially grey.

In order to cover up the grey Hulk’s pre-paint I initially painted the model with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and then pained his split trousers using a combination of Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Asurmen Blue. As Banner’s shirt during his first transformation is usually depicted as being a yellowy-orange in colour so I painted it using “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre. To dirty it up I gave it a wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally I applied more of the Shade to the anti-hero’s skin.

For the green Hulk I used a very similar approach and just changed the paint colours. I therefore used “Vallejo” Heavy Grey and “Citadel” Thrakka Green for his ‘gamma-irradiated’ skin, “Vallejo” Heavy Green” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil for his hair, “Vallejo” Heavy Violet and “Citadel” Druchii Violet for his trousers, and finally “Vallejo” White with some watered-down “Citadel” Nuln Oil for his torn shirt.

As a child of the Seventies I knew little of the situation concerning the change in the Hulk’s skin tone at the time. In fact most of my super-heroes were black and white, courtesy of the British weekly reprints of American comics which I constantly read. I was though collecting “The Incredible Hulk” in the Eighties, and my shock and confusion at his sudden appearance as a grey-skinned monster within that title still remains with me to this day.

'Comedic' by SimonM - 'Hellbaby'

This 28mm plastic model of an infant Anung Un Rama (“and upon his brow is set a crown of flame”) is model 007 Hellbaby from the “Wizkids” Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. “Heroclix” Action Pack. The demon was created by writer/artist Mike Mignola and the character’s comic book adventures are published by “Dark Horse Comics”. 

Having removed the miniature from its ‘clicky’ stand and super-glued it to a 25mm round base, I undercoated it with two layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Red. I then picked out the little fellow’s hooves with White before washing them with “The Army Painter” Warpaint Quickshade Strong Tone. As the red-skinned creature was discovered by the Allied Army, I painted his trousers with “Vallejo” Heavy grey and his shirt with Heavy Brown. I then washed his trousers with “Citadel” Thrakka Green before using more of “The Army Painter” Quickshade Strong Tone on his shirt. For his flesh and ‘Right Hand of Doom’ I simply tidied up the “Vallejo” Heavy Red before applying a heavy Shade of Carroburg Crimson over the areas. Finally I picked out the eyes of Professor Bruttenholm’s adopted son with “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre.