Monkey Business

In honor of the new Fantastic 4 movie, I thought I'd share some of my recent purchases.  The Red Ghost and his Super Apes were favorites of mine from back in the day (1970s).  I loved when they appeared in the animated cartoon at the time.  You have to remember the Cold War was on and the battle between Democracy and Communism was in full swing.  The Soviet scientist, Ivan Kragoff, wanted to beat the U.S. to the moon (Space Race), like the Fantastic Four, his spacecraft was bombarded with Cosmic Rays giving he and his apes super powers.  

I got all four HeroClix figures from Noble Knight Games.  Pictured below (L to R): Peotr, Mikhlo, Ivan, Igor.  For more information on the Red ghost and his Super Apes click here: Red Ghost

Heady Situation

I've been wanting a cave for my Orcs for some time.  I was going to make one out of Crayola Magic Model Clay but decided the better of it.  I found a resin aquarium piece on eBay for a reasonable price and decided to go for it.  The piece was not in the greatest shape.  I added a couple of rocks and gave it a coat of gray paint.  When it dried, I gave it a wash with some brownish-black paint.  I went back in and dry brushed it with a grayish-tan color.  I clear-coated it with a matte spray.  I love the way it turned out.

Here is the final product staged with a Hydra figure I bought at Target years ago.  The Greek soldiers fighting it are from the Heroscape Sacred Band unit.  Take a gander.  Hope you like it.

Spaced Out

On December 9, 1965 a strange object flew through the sky over Western Pennsylvania.  It zig-zagged a few times before it descended and eventually crashed in the woods near the small rural community of Kecksburg, PA.  The object had been spotted over Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan prior to its crash.  Locals at the time claim to have seen a seamless metallic object shaped like an acorn with some type of hieroglyphics on its exterior sticking out of the ground.  Some even claim to have seen some type of creature emerge from the object.

Soon after the crash reports of the U.S. Military began arriving on the scene. The area was coordained off  and civilians were told to stay out.  Various stories from the time indicate that NASA personnel were present and various other government agencies.  Reports that two flatbed trucks eventually hauled off what was in the woods.

Cameras and film taken of the object were confiscated.  Reports of the incident went missing.  Locals were told to keep their mouths shut about what they has seen.  In the days that followed, the media reported that it might have been debris from a satellite or even from a Soviet Space Craft.

Multiple investigations have been done over the years but none have proven conclusive.  Speculation as to what the object really was continues to this day.

Which leads me to the present.  Each July for the past  20 years the community has held a Kecksburg U.F.O. Festival.  This year I finally made up my mind to go.  It didn't disappoint.  I enjoyed checking out the goods of many of the vendors (arts, crafts, many U.F.O. and alien themed items, Big Foot statues, and my favorite, tinfoil hats (Hey, ya can't be too careful!  Swing away, Merrell!).  There was a ton of great food to try. ( Kudos to the Hot Sausage vendor!)  There was a hot dog eating contest, a hay bale toss, live music, and lectures on the incident (I got to hear Stan Gordon speak today.) 

All-in-all, it was a wonderful experience.  The weather held up. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits.  It was great to look at all the different t-shirts and talk  with like-minded folks.  As I was leaving, a guy said to me, "Hey! I remember you.  I saw you that night coming out of the spacecraft."  I laughed and said, "Don't say that too loud.  I might have to mindwipe you."  I don't think he thought I was kidding.  I saw him go buy a tinfoil hat.👽

If you would like more information click here: Kecksburg U.F.O. Incident.  

Welcome to the Jungle

I finished my jungle terrain project.  It was exactly what I hoped it would be.  It allowed me to be creative and challenged me to get the right array of plants together to get that full jungle look and feel.  I am stoked at how they turned out.

Twenty one-of-kind handmade hand-painted jungle terrain pieces were assembled when all was said and done.  Here's a pic for you to check out.  I used HeroClix Alien and Predator figures for scale.  You can take a look at them (Maybe buy some??!!) on eBay: Jungle Terrain

These pieces will be great for historical, fantasy, and sci-fi wargaming.  They could be used with 15mm, 20mm, 28mm, and 32mm scale figures.  I suppose they could also be used as islands for naval miniature games as well.

It's a Jungle Out There

For the past year or so, I have been thinking about a new project to engage the more creative side of myself.  If you recall, I made custom Sci Fi / D & D Spider Miniature Sets a while back.  After careful consideration, I have decided to embark upon a quest to make miniature wargaming terrain...specifically jungle terrain.

I have been gathering supplies for some time now: glues, plastic, Plaster of Paris, small plastic plants, Styrofoam, paints, dried roots, Spanish Moss, Modge Podge, hobby rocks and gravel, etc.  After some online research, I am ready to take on the task.

The bases are finished.  All handmade and painted. The foliage is done.  Most of the plants are also handmade and/or customized.  I'm ready to put them all together.  I have been studying jungle plant life on the internet and while I was on vacation in Florida.  I feel I have a pretty good sense of what I need to do to achieve the right ascetic.

Wish me luck.  It will be the challenge I've needed for some time.  Check right here on my humble little blog for pics of the finished products in the days to come.