Dark Angels Funko Pop!

Hi folks,

I must be going soft in my old age...

When I saw that Funko was releasing a set of 40K inspired Pop! figures I suspected that I would end up getting one, even though I don't collect Pop! figures (I have avoided them like the plague). When I saw it in my local Zing! store, I found that I couldn't leave it behind... so here we are!

I have heard a few people complaining about them online, wishing that GW would just bring out the models they have desperately been waiting for. These kinds of products, like the Conquest magazine series and the children's chapter books, are not everybody's cup of tea. I am not sure if they are an effort to tap into the mainstream, in the hope of hooking some new business, or just juicy bait for dyed-in-the-wool 40k collectors, like me. They are probably both, and people have reasons to be grumpy about both (because internet, mostly). I don't think about these things deeply enough to get grumpy and, besides, just look at how cute he is.

For a dedicated Dark Angels fan with 25 years of fanboy neck-beard, this little guy was going to have to pack in a lot of fun detail for me to bring him home. The figure had nice weight to it and was immediately recognisable as a Dark Angel with his hooded robe and dark green armour. The bionic eye with the scarring behind it was a nice addition, matching one of the heads I have used in the past from the Dark Angels veteran sprue. He also has a service stud just poking out from under his hood. The Dark Angels symbol on his right shoulder is very clear and the shield is also a piece I recognise from my 28 mm collection; I giggled just a bit on the inside when I noticed the head of the angel on the shield matched the Pop! style.

The backpack is as cute as heck and also matched a piece I have used before in my Dark Angels army. The sword he is carrying matches one of the older powerswords from the Dark Angels veteran sprue. I prefer the newer ones, but just the fact that I recognised it gave it the tick for me. To top it all off, he has a veteran symbol on his right shoulder pad. That is a whole lot of accurate, recognisable, detail for such a little "mainstream" figure.

So, I recruited the little guy, and now he guards my paint table from the Fallen. I may... maybe... if I can't hold out... get the Space Wolf as well and have me a little Lion and the Wolf thing going on. We'll see...

See you across the table,

Marc

Dark Angels Predator Annihilator TO-DONE!

Hi folks,

My "Armour in April" offering this year is a Predator Annihilator for my Dark Angels army. I have loved Predator tanks since the very beginning of my 40K journey. In fact, a 2nd Edition Predator Annihilator was one of my first purchases, using money that my sister gave me for my 15th Birthday (many moons ago). I loved them back in those days because they were good for killing Eldar Avatars.

A while after that, I fell in love with them again for killing Nob bikers! My old Predator was profoundly broken during a moving house incident, so has been languishing in a bitz-box, waiting to be turned into a terrain piece. A while ago, Craig R. decided to stop collecting 40K and offered some of my gaming buddies parts of his collection. I gratefully snaffled this Predator, in Black Templars livery, and vowed to relieve the glory days of lascannon sniping hard-to-kill nuisances.

This was my first serious go at using an airbrush to apply an undercoat, shading and weathering. Overall, I am very happy with how the new techniques turned out, though I still feel like there is so much left to learn. I added all of the finer details by hand, which was surprisingly quick.

This model is the last nail in my retro 2nd Edition 40K Dark Angels list. I am just re-basing some sniper scouts, then I will be able to post the complete army. Unfortunately, I am off to supervise a school camp for the rest of the week, so the project finale will have to wait until the weekend. On the up-side, the camp is at Cockatoo Island on Sydney Harbour, so I can't complain too bitterly...

See you across the table,

Marc

Callidus Assassin TO-DONE!

Hi folks,

I have been on holidays, so the blog has been a little quiet of late. I have had plenty to do, but have been focusing on spending time with my family and recharging after what turned out to be a very hectic first Term at work. Just before I headed to the beach for a getaway, I managed to speed-paint this Callidus Assassin.

Back in the 90's I had the original sculpt of this figure, which I obtained by swapping a fairly well-painted Grey Knight Captain. I was experimenting with assassin allies a lot in my Dark Angels lists at the time, so I was very excited to get one. I painted it as best I could, trying techniques I had not done before, such as wet blending and highlighting on the blade to provide it with a glow effect. I remember using it in a game with all of my mates one afternoon, then heading out with my Dad to pick up pizza, and, when I got home, it was gone. My suspicion is that the guy I swapped it off took it back. I was very cut, but remained diplomatic on the night. Some of my other mates were not so diplomatic about it; they knew it had been stolen (straight off the gaming board) and that the thief was literally in the room with them.

Anyway, a while ago Sgt Waz, having heard this story, donated this model to my collection. It is testament to how cut I still felt (after over 20 years!) that it has taken me this long to paint it. I couldn't bring myself to paint it the same way, so have changed the hair and neural shredder colour. I am really happy with how it has turned out, and it feels like some kind of justice has been done. With this figure done, I have one left to go in my 2nd Edition 2000 pt Dark Angels army. But it is a big one...

See you across the table,

Marc

Dark Angels Techmarine TO-DONE!

Hi folks,

A couple of days ago I added the final touches to this guy's servo-arm, then proceeded to base him three times! I tried two other bases that were either too detailed or had detail that messed around too much with the colour pallet. I settled on a plain base with flock and static grass, which contrasts properly with the red of the armour and compliments the green of the purity seals and axe haft (I hope!).

I managed to scrounge a few of my old 3rd Edition Dark Angels shoulder pads, which saved me messing about with a decal. I need to just bite the bullet and get myself some Micro Sol and Micro Set; they make the whole "decals on a curved surface" gig so much easier. I decided to arm him with the classic 2nd Edition combo of plasma pistol and power axe. On the turn when the plasma pistol is recharging you get to use the axe two-handed for extra clobbering power.

Befitting the Native American theme, this guy's Plainsworld name is Walks-Like-a-Bear, which is a Miwok name ("Enyeto"). For his three wargear cards, I am going all out to give him a Power Field Generator (2+ invulnerable save, but counts as encumbered in close combat) servo-arm (negates encumbered in close combat and affords an extra attack) and bionic leg (another extra attack and a special kick attack). That gives him a wicked number of attacks for a Techmarine, but with only one wound I am going to have to be NOT unlucky with my 2+ saves!

With this guy finished it just leaves me with a Callidus Assassin and Predator tank to go. Then my 2000 point Dark Angels (2nd Edition) Army list will be ready for the tabletop. That deserves a stamp, I think!

See you across the table,

Marc