Dawn of the Lead

People with suits and guns, everyone loves them. At least in miniature, that is. Generic armed models are suitable for countless different roles for any gamer dabbling in modern or near future gaming. Hired guns, detectives, assassins, agents, undercover cops, robbers, bodyguards, survivors…you name it! Up for review is a group of exactly such fine miniature people, namely the pack “Juno’s Crew” from Foundry’s Street Violence range. I’ve owned them for ages, and only now finished painting them, so here’s a review to celebrate it.

Juno’s Crew consists of five people – three men and two women – wearing suits and packing light weaponry. The models come on small integral bases, and are very clean, characterful sculpts with good detailing and a smooth finish. Their style is of the heroic variety, so they’re fairly chunky with large hands on the males especially. Next to no flash was present, and mould lines were absent as well. I have no idea who the sculptor is, but he is very talented so If you happen to know, drop me a comment!

The following names have been lifted from Foundry’s site, so despite my love for narratives for miniatures, these aren’t my invention.

Model #1 – Juno is the leader of the team. She’s wearing a business suit and a pair of shades and carries an MP5K submachine gun in her right hand and a pistol in her left. The pose makes her look very alert and business-like, and I think that the model just oozes character and she certainly looks like a leader. As is customary for a lot of miniatures, she has a bust of pornstar proportions. It doesn’t really bother me, but while it certainly contributes to her figure, it doesn’t really contribute to the figure overall.

Model #2 – Ace wears a suit complete with tie, and you can’t help but instantly notice his mane of swept-back hair and his impressive sideburns. He holds a pistol in his left hand. His posture and face makes it seem like he’s seen something and been alerted by it, so again very characterful stuff.

Model #3 – Carter Hagget is in a very dynamic pose, firing his MP5K single-handed with his tie and coat tails flying. While the pose suggests that he’d be lucky to hit the broad side of a barn, I love how the model captures the essence of an action movie. You can practically see the muzzle flash and the debris flying all around him, so he’d be a prime candidate for a diorama as well.

Model #4 – Tracy Smith looks very relaxed with her tilted hip and her MP5K pointing towards the ground. Considering that she has a SMG which she probably knows how to use, the model gives off a feeling of almost mocking confidence. Excellent! The comments about Juno’s bust apply here as well, although the model in my opinion has more sex in her than Juno, with her open hair and posture.

Model #5 – Mac Taylor is a big fellow, measuring approximately 35mm from the soles of his shoes to the top of his head. Accordingly he carries what appears to be a Desert Eagle, meaning a bloody huge pistol, in his right hand. The posture is similar to Ace’s although he’s looking the other way, and I think the two of them would make for a nice pair of bodyguards.

Juno’s Crew costs €17.15 for the pack, which amounts to a little under €3.50 per model. It’s not that bad a price for quality wares, but still almost double the price of Copplestone Castings miniatures, which these resemble in style and size.

Juno's Crew, painted over the course of 4 years or so

Overall verdict: As far as packs of gun toting suits go, this one is top notch. As mentioned earlier, there’s a ton of uses for these, and the sculpts are characterful and interesting. Although the price is on the high side, it’s not bad enough to put you off these. In other words, if this is what you’re looking for, look no further.

Juno’s Crew is produced by Foundry, and is available direct from them or from various retailers. Foundry has a fairly harsh fixed p&p rate, so you might wish to look elsewhere if you’re only ordering a pack or two.