Dawn of the Lead

Note: At the moment these miniatures are not available to buy. I still wanted to review them for the simple fact that there is some brilliant stuff here, and some – hopefully most – of these will be picked up by one manufacturer or another.

The competition held by the Frothers Unite! UK web community, which was open to professionals and amateurs alike had Zombie Apocalypse as the theme. Needless to say, I couldn’t have been happier with the choice. While my own humble entry didn’t make the podium, I was more than happy to not only buy the winning sets but also pimp them. Actually receiving the miniatures turned out to be a bit more difficult than ordering them, with the sets finally arriving some two months after the ordering date. For all that juicy drama and gossip, feel free to browse through this thread.

Waiting for minis for two months instead of the usual week or two didn’t really get on my nerves that much. FU-UK is primarily a hobby community instead of a “true” miniature manufacturer, and I honestly have too many zombies on the painting backlog  as it is. Even with that long long wait, I’m happy to say the models were worth it. There are lots of minis to review, so I’ll get on with it. This is the first part of the review, and includes the winning set as well as a few extras.

First up is the Winners set:

Model #1 – Intensive Care is a continuation of the popular theme of hospital zombies. These seem to have popped up all over the place, with companies such as Recreational Conflict and Studio Miniatures producing their own sets. However, I don’t think I’ve seen this good a take on the subject yet. The miniature is of a bald zombie in a hospital gown, leaning on his IV stand. The IV line is still attached to his arm, while a rat sits on top of the stand, adding to the feeling of corruption. The zombie is very zombie-ish, with a very emaciated – almost skeletal – appearance, an exposed  spine, a missing cheek and strange pustules on his shoulder and buttock along with injuries all over his legs and arms. I almost forgot to mention, that he carries the severed head of a doctor in his left hand. By the poor doctor’s eye socket, no less. To make some room for the zombie’s fingers, the doctor’s eyeball is hanging on his cheek. Wonderfully gross! The model comes on a separate scenic base depicting a hospital floor with a rat crawling out from the floor drain. I unfortunately had to ditch the base to keep the basing consistent with my other zombies. The model is sculpted by Filin.

Model #2 – Zombie Girl is creepy, like children (and circus folk) in general. Child zombies are luckily making their way into miniature lines in growing numbers, which is a fine thing since their small stature helps to create a more varied zombie horde. This girl has pretty pigtails and a somewhat tattered dress. These combine with a seriously vicious look on her face to make a miniature reminiscent of Vivian, the horrible zombie girl from 2004′s Dawn of the Dead. The zombie sports very light injuries to her arms, legs and face. The model comes with a small oval slotted base, and is sculpted by Sylvain Quirion, who reigned in this year’s competition.

Model #3 – Male Zombiehunter with Axe is…well, a man with an axe, who I assume from the name hunts zombies. This model is one of those that manage to deliver a lot with very little. It’s very plain, with the man standing in a fairly neutral pose, wearing an open shirt with the sleeves rolled up, trousers and shoes and carrying an axe. There’s no extra clutter. No generic belt pouches, canteens, bags, bedrolls, anything. Just a regular guy with an axe, looking very very determined to survive a zombie apocalypse. In this case, less is more. The sculpt is wonderfully crisp and characterful and deservedly won the category for survivor miniatures. Like the zombie girl, the zombiehunter is sculpted by Sylvain Quirion and is similarly based.

Click for a larger view

And the extras:

Model #4 – Colonel Marbles with Chainsaw is the favourite fat little fellow of the Frothers community. In his tweed jacket, waistcoat (complete with pocket watch) and deerstalker hat and wearing a monocle, he’s the perfect picture of an English gentleman. This makes an excellent contrast with the large chainsaw he’s starting up. Some zombies are really going to be sorry that they wandered on to the good Colonel’s estates. I absolutely love this miniature, it’s probably one of my alltime favourites. The model is really characterful and brought to life by the fine sculpting. Even the herringbone pattern on his tweed jacket has been sculpted. Colonel Marbles comes on a small integral base and is sculpted by Kev White of Hasslefree Miniatures. This model wasn’t originally a part of the ordered deal, but I believe it was added to compensate for the long wait. Since this model has been – and still is – available pretty exclusively, this is a very nice way of saying “sorry”.

Model #5 – Zombie Marbles is an unfortunate debunking of the myth of a chainsaw being the ultimate zombie killing weapon. The poor Colonel is staggering around with his entrails pouring out from his considerable belly, and his left arm has disturbingly been twisted around. There are rips and tears in his clothing and mild injuries to his face – which I assume is still keeping a rigor mortis stiff upper lip despite all this living dead tomfoolery. A wonderful, wonderful miniature. I also like the fact that while this miniature is by a different sculptor (Mr. Quirion, again) than the living version, it is easily recognizable and as such a skillful zombification of a model. This model is based just like models #2 & #3, above. The zombified Colonel was a special miniature offered to people who ordered both sculpting competition sets.

Click for a larger view

This concludes part one of the FU-UK 2009 sculpting competition review. In part two we take a look at the runners up, and let me tell you, there’s some really good stuff up ahead. Stay tuned, dear readers!

Oh, one more thing. I’ve been thinking about my practice of splashing black ink on the models to bring out depth and detail. It sometimes tends to obscure some detail, however. From now on, do you want to see the reviewed models in clear metal, inked, or inked, but more carefully?

From Wikipedia:

HorrorClix is a collectible miniatures game by WizKids Inc., and was released August 30, 2006. The game’s tagline is “wicked fun.” The product was discontinued when WizKids owner Topps shut down the company.

The “Clix” series of games features pre-painted plastic miniatures. Each game piece comes with a special dial base – which makes the clicking sound from which the games take their name – containing the gaming stats of the piece. The painting standard on the models varies massively, with some sporting a good amount of detail and shading while others are crudely painted in block colours. The plastic used is softer than that in most plastic wargaming miniatures and I’ve heard of it being spoken of as vinyl, which just might be the case.

Every now and then discussion sparks up on miniature forums on the suitability of Horrorclix zombies for 28mm gaming. Arguments are varied: they’re too big, they’re horribly painted, they’re dirt cheap, they’re wonderful, they’re awful, they’re too soft, the clicky bases are a pain and so on. Reviews exist, but I haven’t been able to find anything detailed enough so decided to tackle the thing myself.

For this review I picked the eight Horrorclix zombies that I’ve bought. A few others exist, but from the pictures I found them rather unappealing and skipped ordering them. It has to be mentioned, that there are a few nice ones missing from this review, as they are somewhat rare and thus pricey. As mentioned above, all the models come on clicky bases, which most gamers will probably want to remove. This is easily done by sliding a sharp craft knife under the miniature’s foot and either slicing through or popping the foot free of the base by gently twisting the blade. The models are pre-painted, but I don’t really feel that it’s necessary to strip them of their paint. Just give them a new basecoat or paint over the existing paintjob, both should work. Or if you don’t fancy yourself much of a painter, the models can be used as-is, as they have been painted to a sufficient gaming standard.

Horrorclix minis are a bit larger than 28mm, being closer to 33mm in scale. This doesn’t really bother me, as once the models are based like the others in my collection you don’t really pay much attention to the small difference in scale. Size comparison pics later on in the review. I have based the Clix on standard 25mm round slottabases.

Model # 1 – Zombie Patient is an elderly male in a bloodied hospital gown. He’s missing his left hand altogether, while a large piece of skin is missing from his right arm, exposing muscles beneath. There’s also damage to his face, as he has also lost his lips and most of his nose, although the sculpting does give him a bit of a lampreyish look. The hand and feet are a bit thick and he doesn’t really have a wrist even on the remaining arm. He has a nice shuffling zombie walk going on, and the hospital look adds to his creepiness.

Model #2 – Undead Vendor is an awful miniature, and in a bad way. The concept is fun, a vendor like those you see in baseball and handegg games and the like, undead but still selling his wares. That’s where the fun ends, though. The anatomy appears off, with spindly legs and arms and malformed hands, the pose is something you’d see in a disco for the aesthetically challenged and the hand holding the bottle doesn’t look like it’s holding anything. Instead it’s like a bottle has been glued to an open hand. The vendor’s tray has a severed hand and forearm alongside the bottles, which might be considered humorous.

Model #3 – Zombie Strongman is a positively huge fellow, standing tall at roughly 40mm. In addition to a sweet moustache he has a pair of shorts on, and is bound with padlocked chains, through which coils of entrails pour out. Half of the strongman’s right calf is missing, exposing the bone, and he has various wounds about his body. He holds aloft the severed one-armed torso of some hapless victim, again trailing guts. I love this model. He oozes raw, brutal strength uncontained by any conventional intelligence. He towers over 28mm miniatures in a good sense and in keeping with the scale. Just imagine a huge pro wrestler turned into a zombie.

Model #4 – Zombie Lawyer might be considered the embodiment of poetic justice. He’s wearing a tattered brown suit and has a sharp piece of metal – a crossbow bolt? – sticking through his right thigh. Bones and muscles show through in several places, and the left ankle is completely twisted around. The model is in a nice, classic shuffling stance and all in all is a nice addition to your horde.

Models #1-4

Model #5 – Zombie Trooper is in my opinion the pick of the bunch, being a great sculpt of a good concept. While he lacks major visible damage, his emaciated features and classic pigeon-toed stance are a sure giveaway of his state. The trooper still carries his MP5 SMG, and wears body armour complete with a helmet and com-link set. The paintjob is better than average, too. I could use this model straight from the package, but I’ll paint him to match the SWAT survivors that I have.

Model #6 – Zombie Cop is another unfortunate public servant to fall to the undead menace. His clothes are torn, he’s missing half of his face exposing the skull, his right ankle has been chewed to the bone and coils of entrails pour out from his stomach. His sidearm is still securely in its holster, suggesting that he was attacked and taken completely by surprise. Again, a pigeon-toed classic stance and all in all a nice model.

Model #7 – Hardhat Zombie is a solid blue collar worker wearing what I suppose is something like a track jacket and a pair of jeans along with the eponymous yellow hardhat. His entire right arm is missing, as well as his left shoe. These combined with the pigeon-toes, vacant stare and tongue lolling out make him a prime example of a zombie. The sculpt is fine, and the model is an overall good effort.

Model #8 – Zombie Ventriloquist is a refreshingly twisted concept. I’ve always loved characterful and creepy special zombies, such as Romero’s zombie clowns and Dixieland band, Studio Miniatures’ zombie chicken mascot and so forth. It’s no surprise, then, that the zombie ventriloquist with his classic puppet and worn and torn suit is right up my alley. The model is almost bald and somewhat hunched, suggesting an elderly gentleman, and as a nice touch he has a wedding band on his left hand. While there is no major damage, the numerous holes, nicks and cuts in both his suit and his skin imply that he has been undead for quite a while. Buy this model, he’s excellent.

Models #5-8

And here are two size comparison shots. Unfortunately I forgot to put in a Mega Miniatures zombie, look here for comparison.

From left to right: Games Workshop, HorrorClix, Hasslefree, Copplestone Castings, HorrorClix

From left to right: Games Workshop, HorrorClix, Recreational Conflict, Studio Miniatures, HorrorClix

HorrorClix zombies can be bought from various sources, with many gaming stores selling single miniatures for a pittance. Most of mine cost well under a euro apiece from Miniature Market, which I found to be one of the best retailers available in terms of stock, price and shipping costs. Do a Google search for “HorrorClix singles” for plenty of dealer options.

Overall verdict: HorrorClix zombies are very nice miniatures for a cheap price. There are people who scoff at pre-painted plastic, but it’s entirely their loss when it comes to these, as any zombie miniature collector would do well to check these out. As the comparison pic shows, though, the HorrorClix zombies are a bit taller than your average 28mm heroics and giants compared to true 28mm, so scale purists will want to avoid these. The pre-painted part will be a burden or heaven-sent gift to some, depending on painting skill. Do note that the quality of the sculpts and the paintjobs varies immensely, with others like the trooper being mighty fine and others complete rubbish.

I can’t remember how I ran into Recreational Conflict. Maybe they were listed in some forum discussion, maybe I was just googling for zombie miniatures, I’ve no idea. However, I’m happy I did.

The last few weeks have been pure zombie miniature goodness for me. Not only did I buy the Studio Miniatures zombies which probably are the best on the market (for reviews, see here and here, they already said the same things I would), but followed it up with Recreational Conflicts’ miniatures which aren’t far behind.

Recreational Conflict sells 8 different zombies in their Lead Bones range, all of them sculpted by Brian Cooke. The models span a wide range of concepts, and will add a nice touch of variety to your zombie horde.

Model #1 – Chewed Up Shambler is a fairly generic modern male zombie. He has a warm looking fur-lined jacket on and has not only lost one of his shoes, but his left arm from the elbow down as well. There’s a large chunk of meat missing from his chest, exposing the ribcage. There’s a bullet hole in his back as a nice detail. The model’s face is very skeletal, which I think lets an otherwise lovely model down a bit as there’s no expression on his face. The face is well sculpted, though!

Model #2 – She Was The Sherrif is again really what the name tag says, a female police officer. The model is fine, if a bit boring pose- and face-wise. Bonus points for the empty gun holster and elegant damage, as the poor lady has had her throat torn out some. This one might be the weakest of the 8, though, simply for the bore aspect.

Model #3 – Skewered Vicar is my favourite of all the RC zombies. As the name suggests, he’s a priestly type who has had a large grave marker sized cross rammed through his chest. Apart from that he’s not really sporting other injuries. The vicar is set in a wonderfully vacant and casual zombie pose. The model comes with a hole through the chest and a separate cross. A tiny bit of filing was required to fit the cross in the hole, but the amount of work was minimal.

Model #4 – Chopper/The Beard is a biker type, wearing a Prussian spiked helmet (with a massive spike!) and sunglasses in addition to his normal clothes. This model baffles me a bit. The pose is a bit awkward, which can be explained through zombieness, but the lack of damage and other zombie features make this model a potential survivor as well. There are three teeny tiny holes in his back and two in his front which I assume are bullet holes. However, there is no corresponding damage on the other side, and the holes are small indeed. That leaves this model in a bit of a limbo, as it isn’t really very zombie-like, and the awkward pose eats from his suitability as a survivor. The only skin visible is on his hands, his nose and his cheeks, so he isn’t really easy to zombify by painting either. He competes with #2 for the title of weakest mini.

The first four models. They've been given a black ink wash to bring out the detail

Model #5 – Sharkbait is a different story altogether. A gruesome zombie surfer in a pair of shorts, with the entire left half of his upper body missing and what’s left of his ribcage showing. For further evidence of his demise Sharkbait carries what’s left of his half-eaten surfboard. He still has his ankle strap, used to keep a surfer’s board from straying too far if he falls over, on. The remains of the strap are hanging from the board’s end. This kind of loving attention to small detail really makes for a nice mini.

Model #6 – Sister Mary is a zombie nun, which we can never have too many. She’s a lovely sculpt with a torn habit which shows that one of her impressively large breasts has been torn off exposing the ribs. She wears her rosary beads and crucifix around her waist.

Model #7 – Altar Boy adds to the too-slowly growing number of zombie children miniatures available. The sculpt is simple and flat, with the only damage being a missing right arm. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen a zombie kid sporting a lot of damage. Maybe it’s just the size of the sculpt, or is the subject still a bit taboo? This little altar boy combined with the nun and vicar above should be proof enough that religion simply won’t keep you from being eaten by the undead.

Model #8 – Thin Lizzy is a thin punk rocker zombie girl wearing an oversized – her boyfriend’s, maybe? – leather jacket, a miniskirt and a pair of combat boots. The model is very tall, the size of Sharkbait and standing half a head taller than Sister Mary. The sculpting is nice, with chains hanging from both her belt and her leather jacket and a mohawk hairdo on her head. Oddly enough the skirt only has fold on the backside and not on the front. Could be a fashion thing, can’t really tell. As with model #1, I feel that this model is let down by her skeletal head, which is basically just a skull. Yes, a skull with a mohawk on top. All the comments that apply to #1 apply here as well. Still, I like her!

Models #5-8

The overall quality of the RC zombies is excellent. They are crisp, clean sculpts and quality casts with next to no flash. A few models had some tiny moldlines to scrape off, but other than that they were fine out of the box. The zombies are set on cast round bases.

I liked the variety of the sculpts, as well as the nice gender distribution. Three of the eight miniatures were female, one of the five males was a child. There were some nice specialties to stand out from your horde, namely the clerical types, the surfer, the biker and the punk rocker and the cop…basically everyone apart from #1. Sizewise the models fit perfectly with other 28mm manufacturers, being of average build. See the size comparison below for reference.

From left to right: Games Workshop, Recreational Conflict, Copplestone Castings, Mega Miniatures

You can buy the models separately at the price of $2.50 each, or in sets of four for the price of $10, amounting to…waaaait a minute, $2.50 each! Funnily enough, I didn’t even notice this while ordering. While this doesn’t offer you a discount, neither are you stuck with having to buy minis you don’t want to save money on individuals. Shipping costs are very reasonable, too, with overseas shipping for the eight miniatures being only $5.00. For comparison purposes, many US companies charge ~$20 for a similar order, effectively doubling the price of the miniatures.

Overall verdict: I would definitely recommend Recreational Conflict’s zombies to everyone looking to add quality to their 28mm horde. They are fine minis, and have made me consider buying some of RC’s S.P.R.U. agents to fight them.

The miniatures are available directly from Recreational Conflict.