From StephenS: Comic Capers (29 points)

 G'day Everyone,

Cyclops, Rhino and Warmachine

My final post of the challenge are three more characters from Marvel: Crisis Protocol. A villain known as 'Rhino', who first appeared as a foe for Spider-Man in 1966. He is a Russian thug who underwent an experimental procedure and emerged with an artificial skin and superhuman strength.

Cyclops and Warmachine, are probably too more well-known characters as they have also been featured more prominently in the cinematic universe. Cyclops made his comic book debut in 1963 and has been a feature of the X-Men ever since. Warmachine didn't grace the pages of comic book stardom until 1992/1993, but the man behind the suit has been in Iron Man comics since 1979.

I got re-invigorated this challenge for the game of Marvel: Crisis Protocol after seeing some fabulous teams and terrain during a trip with my son to Cancon (Australia's biggest tabletop gaming convention) in January.

These are plastic miniatures in 40 mm scale, and I have scored them at 15 points for the big fellow and 7 points apiece for the smaller two. Not sure if large figures are still scored higher, and you will hear no complaints if the points are lowered.

That will be it from me this year. It has been an absolute blast as always, and I have loved seeing each day's releases, even if I have been quieter with the comments this year. I didn't make it to my target either, which I am disappointed by, but the last three months have still been my most productive of the last 12 (since the last challenge...).

Thanks to Curt, Millsy and all the minions for all their work behind the scenes to make this happen. I can't imagine the time and effort it must take to curate all our posts on top of their own painting, commenting and non-painting life commitments.

All the best until next time.

Steve

_______________________________

A fabulous final post, Stephen. I can't claim much knowledge on the superhero oeuvre. but am always entertained when reading the enthusiastic posts from those who do. Your brushwork is crisp and the colours nicely saturated. I especially like Rhino, but that may be due to nostalgia from him being frequently featured in the animated series when I was a kid. Memory lane aside, I applaud your fine work - bravo! Until next year, Stephen!

- Curt

From StephenS: Late Roman Archers (30 points)

G'day All,

It has been a little while since my last regular post, life and all that, but these little guys have been ready for the last few weeks.

Nothing too fancy, just six archers, plastic 28 mm figures from Victrix. I really like the miniatures they produce, the poses are great for individual basing. Though I have heard getting them to rank up on larger bases can be challenging.

All up, a tidy 30 points to tide me over until next week.

Cheers,

Stephen

From Millsy:

Good to see someone else knocking out some Late Romans, especially someone I game with. It seems to be a pretty common theme this year for some reason!

I've not got any Victrix stuff to date but it might be how I expand now. I very much like you tunic colour choice especially. I've been contemplating what to do with my next batch and this may be the way I decide to go based on how good these look. The red edging is a nice accent and your basing sets them off perfectly.

Great stuff all round and a sold 30 points added you tally. Nice work mate.

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: The Mighty Thor (7 points)

G'day,

In between working on the next themed round, I have been chipping away on a few other projects. This week it is another Marvel: Crisis Protocol character - The Mighty Thor.

Thor Odinson made his debut in the Marvel Universe in 1962 (the original Thor debut a little earlier than that, with the Roman historian Tacitus describing a Germanic god similar to the God of Thunder we all love) and received his very own comic in 1966. He has of course, been popularised by fellow Aussie, Chris Hemsworth, in a number of films from 2011 onwards.

The 1966 debut cover

This figure is a 40mm and plastic from Atomic Mass Games. I had put off painting him for a while, because for some reason black is one of the colours I struggle with the most, but I was happy with the way the new combination of blacks and greys turned out this time.

All up, a thunderous 7 points please.

Cheers,
Steve

From Millsy:

There's nothing like quietly chipping away at small stuff while working on the big ticket items. I'm doing the very same right now. Hemsy would approve mate. Nice work!

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: Marvel... (21 points)

 G'day Everyone,

I have gone completely off script this week and decided to paint up a trio of figures from the Marvel comics/movies for the game Marvel: Crisis Protocol. I believe the mathematical term for the number of these characters I have acquired since the game was released is 'a fair few' and I always enjoy painting them up.

First up are Peter Quill (Star-Lord) and Gamora who both featured in the popular Guardians of the Galaxy films. The lady in green is Viper, a supervillain who has clashed with the X-Men and Avengers for those who are fans of the Marvel Universe.

Viper

Gamora

Star-Lord

They are all 40 mm plastic figures from Atomic Mass Games and I calculate that to be worth a massive 21 points.

Now on to something more empirical in nature.

Cheers,
Steve

From Millsy:

The Marvel and DC universes are something I know next to nothing about but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a sweet paint job!

These are really slick Steve and the basing really takes them to the next level. I think I'd have gone bonkers outlining all the concrete so kudos to you for taking that on.

21 very well earned points it is.

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: Santa Dwarf (5 points)

G'day Everyone,

Santa has been a little busy these last few days, which explains his tardy exit from my painting desk, but it is good to get the first post done.

I had hoped to get this jolly fellow painted up before the family merriment began, but good food and company won.

This is my 10 Year Challenge Anniversary, and it is fitting that this figure was a Christmas gift from a fellow Odin's Night Games Club member this year, as they were the good gentlemen that got me involved in the challenge in the first place. I promised this would be my first entry.

Santa Dwarf is a 28 mm metal figure from Reaper Miniatures and is clearly enjoying himself this festive season. He should be worth 5 runs on the board please.

Cheers,

Steve

________________________________

The Challenge welcomes you back for your 10th edition, Stephen! Bravo!

That is a very jolly Santa and wonderfully painted to boot. I especially like his drinking horn, crown of holly and plate of vittles - this guy knows how to party, probably just finished his run around the world, spreading joy and good cheer. Well done to you both!

- Curt

From StephenS: Fraud and Treachery! (66 points)

G'day,

I am clearing the final circles of Hell with an entry for Fraud and Treachery.

First, for fraud, I present Count Dooku of Star Wars fame. Deceiving everyone as the Leader of the Separatist forces, while secretly being a Sith, and fraudulently ordering an army of clones and charging it to the Republic earn him the title of Fraudster. This Count Dooku is a 40mm plastic model from Atomic Mass Games from their Star Wars: Shatterpoint line. He is accompanied by two 40mm B2 - Super Battle Droids, also in plastic.

My entry for treachery is a 25mm plastic Skaven model from Games Workshop. Skaven is almost a by-word for treachery in the Old World (presumably in AOS too), and was a nice quick paint job. My 8 year-old son picked up two Skaven for free from our local GW as part of their model of the month program, and decided we should paint one each. Unfortunately, at time of printing, what would have been his second painted mini ever was not quite ready to be shown off.

Here are the finished models together for a nice group shot.

Points:

3 x 40mm figures for 21 points, 5 points for the Skaven and 40 points for two locations should net me 66 points and put me 2 points over my target.

I doubt anything else on the painting table will make the finish line, so I want to sign off with a big thank you to Curt, Sarah and the Minions (especially my Monday Minion, Millsy), for another brilliant Painting Challenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this community once again.

Best wishes,

Steve

A fine finale, Steve! The Skaven is really nice, suitably dark and dirty, and fitting for the theme too. It's a pity we don't get to see your son's Skaven, but it is great that he is joining you in your hobby! Cou nty Dooku is a fantastic figure, I like the painted huim up. Very crisp and neat painting, resulting in a very vivid figure. Great job! And to top it all off the battle droids. The metal is very good, and putting them together on one base is a great idea! Thanks for your participation in this year's Challenge and showing us your fantastic work.  And of course, congratulations on reaching your target. Well done!

Martijn

From StephenS: Vampires and Death Robots (Heresy and Violence) (85 points)

G'day,

Two entries today to keep the points ticking away as we edge towards the finish line.

My entry for the Sixth Circle are two German Nachtjager from Warlord Games for their Konflikt '47 game. German scientists have merged the DNA of reptiles, bats and alligators with 'volunteers' to produce these horrific creations. A process that is probably contrary to more orthodox views of what is proper in war and science, and thus, heresy! The end result is these two fine 25mm metal sculpts. I haven't played Konflikt '47 for a number of years, but a search in a drawer for something else uncovered these, and I thought they fitted the theme nicely.

My entry for the Seventh Circle is an elite group of combat droids programmed for maximum destruction, perfect for the theme of violence. They are Dark Troopers and were some of the big baddies in the Star Wars: The Madalorian TV series. These are 32 mm plastic figures from Atomic Mass Games, for their Star Wars: Legion game, though they are quite big and are more in line with some of the 40 mm figures I paint.

Both were reasonably quick to paint up, separated by an inconveniently timed week-long school camp, and involved more dry brushing than I normally indulge in. All up that should be 9 x 25-32mm figures and two bonus locations for 85 points.

Cheers,
Steve

From Millsy:

LOL! I think I have a Konflikt of interest (see what I did there?). I've painted these exact same two sets of miniatures, and in the case of the Dark Troopers we were painting them at the same time unbeknownst to each other. Clearly you're also a man of taste and discernment sir!

Like The Addams Family vs. The Muntsers (look up the timing) you can't have enough of a good thing and I very much like your interpretation of the dark metal. Mine is less obviously highlighted and I think yours will read better on the table.

Well done Steve, a cracking way to earn yourself 85 points.

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: The Punisher (Wrath) (27 points)

G'day everyone,

It has been a little while between posts, with the usual humdrum of life and work to blame. 

I have finally finished painting up what is my favourite Marvel comic character, Frank Castle, known more widely as the Punisher. Many moons ago I received a single copy of a Punisher comic as a ten year old for Christmas as part of some supermarket novelty gift. Widely inappropriate for a ten year old by todays standards (it was nearly 40 years ago now), I was of course, immediately hooked. I vacuumed up the story of the Punisher battling the French Foreign Legion for some reason that would have been more obvious, had I had the opportunity to read any of the other comics in the series. 

While I have long stopped reading the comics (I had to make some hard choices when I took up miniature gaming as a 13 year old), I have always had a soft spot for Frank. Driven to wage a very violent one-man war against crime after the killing of his wife and kids at the hands of mobsters, I think he epitomises Wrath.

The miniature is a 40mm plastic model from Atomic Mass Games for their Marvel game. With the bonus, that should be 27 points please.

I had a great trip down memory lane painting this one up.

Cheers,

Steve

From Millsy:

Now THIS is cool. Such an iconic character and you have really pulled off the look. Really impressed with him overall but especially the skull on his t-shirt which is one of those things that's instantly recognisable even in isolation. Was that easy to paint? I know if it was me there'd be loads of touch ups and then touch ups of touch ups!

Cracking work mate, just brilliant. 27 well earned points!

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: It's historical... (25 points)

G'day,

Last week I signed off by saying next up in my queue was something historical in nature. Well, it was a busy week and I didn't get to hit the brushes as often as I would have liked. Also, to be fair, what I did finish painting is historical, in 'a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away' sort of way...

I present the 'Tx-225 GAVw Occupier Combat Assault Tank' (rolls right off the tongue) from Atomic Mass Games for their Star Wars: Legion game. It serves the Empire, and may have appeared in one of the newer movies. It is a 32 mm plastic miniature, that to be honest, is not the prettiest looking tank I have ever painted. 

But a tank it is, and it is painted, so better looking than an unpainted tank on the shelf. Alas, it is missing the head that should be poking out of the drivers hatch. An especially unfortunate disappearance as it occurred after I had helpfully glued the hatch open. It may turn up again, probably amid many mutters of 'if it wasn't screwed on...'

All up, that should be a tidy 20 25 points for the tally.

No predictions about what will be up next this time.

Cheers,

Steve

From Millsy:

This thing is an absolute beast!

I've been tempted to add one of these to my collection a few times and been put off by the size and cost. I'm seriously rethinking that now having seen yours mate. You've absolutely nailed the right level of drybrush / highlight and the driver looks really nicely done too.

20 points seems measly for something this big so I'm adding a 5 point bonus.

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: Kingpin (Greed) (27 points)

G'day,

A quick post and another single mini offering this week in the form of Wilson Grant Fisk, known through out the Marvel Comics and Cinematic Universe as Kingpin.

For fans of Daredevil, the broken sign he is standing on reads 'Nelson and Murdock'.

One of the most feared and dangerous crime lords in the Marvel universe, one whose greed for power and influence drives him to try and own it all. He will always strive to be the cities crime overlord, despite the numerous defeats we know he must eventually suffer at the hands of our comic book heroes.

The model is a 40 mm plastic figure from Atomic Mass Games for their Marvel: Crisis Protocol line.

Together with the location bonus, this should net 27 points please.

I am hoping to switch gears and start painting something more historical this week.

Cheers,
Steve

From Millsy:

This is wonderful work Steve. The starkness of your highlights on the white suit works so well for the subject matter, giving the miniature a feel like it's stepped right of the page or animated screen! Your flesh tone is great too really pushing the hard lines of his face to reinforce the Kingpin vibe.

You choice of Greed is spot on for me. There's cannot be many folks greedier for power, wealth and respect than a gangland boss.

Super stuff and I'm looking forward to seeing more. 27 points!

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: The Blob (Gluttony) (27 points)

G'day Everyone,

A short post this week as work begins its insidious intrusion into my spare time again.

I have painted the beefiest figure in my collection as my offering to the third circle in the Abyss.

A 40mm plastic figure from Atomic Mass Games for its Marvel: Crisis Protocol game. I am not very familiar with background of The Blob, so can't offer much there, except that he is not a friendly, helpful sort of character.

I always struggle with painting large areas of flesh, and was not really happy with the outcome this time either. However, when I took my glasses off and squinted at it from very far away, it looked much better. I was tempted to take the photos the same way, but one must always be wary of displeasing the minions.

7 points for the miniature and 20 for the location is 27 points in total.

Cheers,

Steve

From Millsy:

Work is the curse of the painting man or something like that, right Steve?

What a beast this chap is. I agree 100% about how hard it can be to paint large areas of flesh or even large areas of clothing. Basically anything with little to disrupt the surface and add variety.

I think you've nailed it despite your own misgivings mate. The musculature is nicely defined and the blue suit has just the right amount of shading too.

Well done and another 27 points for your growing tally.

Cheers,
Millsy

From StephenS: Limbust! (Limbo and Lust) (50 points)

G'day All!

Submitting two weeks in a row, and hitting two circles of Hell, it might be time to check if we need to crack out the ice-skates down there.

My submission for the first circle of Hell is Darth Vader, in all his 32 mm plastic glory from Atomic Mass Games. This has sat in limbo on my painting desk since its release in 2018, as I find painting black a challenge and didn't want to stuff up such a signature character. I have done my best to differentiate between the materials of his suit by varying the shades and highlights for the black.

My second model is the character Rincewind, a failed wannabe wizard, from the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. It is a 28 mm figure from Micro Art Studio in Poland. When I was a wee lad of 12, I remember walking into a local book shop with some birthday money to buy a specific book, and walking out instead with a copy of The Colour of Magic, after being mesmerised by the cover. 30 odd years later and I still love the world and writing of Mr Pratchett. Rincewind has always been my favourite character, and I have been itching to get my hands on a mini to paint up. It is great to have my lust for all things Discworld slightly sated by adding this figure to the display cabinet. I almost kept this miniature for the Inconstant Circle, but couldn't hold out. I think the miniature captures his belief that certain doom is only around the corner quite well.

Wizard spelt with two Z's. That's how you know he is the real thing...

The book that started the obsession...

2 x figures for 10 points and a 40 point bonus for the two locations, hopefully netting 50 points all up.

Cheers,

Steve

From Millsy:

I have the same Darth Vader in my collection but I think you've done a better job on the blacks Steve. I also opted for a gloss finish on the helmet but your pained highlights look more realistic which is weird but that's painting minis for you!

Rincewind is such an iconic character and you've packed him with every bit of it. The basing in particular is really cool and gives the mini a real sense of place.

Nice work! 50 more points.

Cheers,
Millsy