Category Archives: 28-34mm Pulp SciFi

HYDRA MINIATURES, Retro Raygun

Hydra Miniatures Retro Raygun pupl scifi rules

I was excited to learn last weekend that Hydra Miniatures is in the final editing and layout phase of a forthcoming set of rules for their pulp science fiction universe.  Retro Raygun: Action Adventure in the Atomic Age is currently scheduled for release in August 2014, and “will feature complete force lists for the Galacteers, Robot Legion and the Valkeeri.”

Hydra Miniatures warbot, pulp scifi

The announcement was actually quite fortuitous.  I have been spending part of my weekends photographing the complete catalog of miniatures for Mannikin Studios in preparation for our official relaunching (more on that later), and for testing purposes have also included into these sessions some of my painted legacy models.  Last weekend, one of those models just happened to be my warbot by Hydra Miniatures.  Expect more pictures and updated painting guides for the Hydra Miniatures painted models in my collection some time in the near future.

 

KICKSTARTER, Backing the Underdogs

COUNTERBLAST
I’m currently backing three projects on Kickstarter: Shadows of Esteren: Tuath, COUNTERBLAST, and World of Twilight: Travels through Anyaral.  None of these are mainstream brands, but based on the quality of their products and design alone they should be more well known than they are.

Shadows of Esteren is the most successful of this group.  With three very successful Kickstarters under their belt, the Esteren team has built up a reputable brand and can rely on a strong customer base to propel their projects along at this point.  I don’t foresee myself ever having time to actually play this RPG, but as an example of artistic design and deeply imaginative world-building, it has few contenders.  In many ways it reminds me of the efforts Rackham put into similar products when they were still leaders of the avant-garde in this industry.

COUNTERBLAST.  My preferences in miniatures have always been eclectic.  I don’t obsess about a particular scale, probably because I rarely  game, and I’ve never been particular about a single genre over the others.  In recent years, however, I’ve noticed a growing trend toward historicals, pulp, and more old-school flavors.  I’ve also started moving away from highly detailed miniatures in favor of models that are simpler in design.  Currently, for example, I’m working on some Copplestone Back of Beyond and High Adventure models, a Crusader Miniatures Carthaginian army, Warlord Soviets, Flames of War Soviets, Gripping Beast/Ebob Normans, and Baueda Vikings for DBA.  COUNTERBLAST appealed to me in part due to its apparent influence from Star Frontiers, which scratches a nostalgic itch, but also the simple yet characterful designs of the models, something that also distinguishes some of the models noted above.

COUNTERBLAST - Miniatures Game -- Kicktraq Mini

World of Twilight.  I first encountered Mike Thorp’s work when he won a sculpting contest on Frothers for his unique Traveling Court of the Brownie King model.  I’ve been following his related Twilight project ever since.  I was lucky to get one of the old Twilight starter kits when they were still available from Hasslefree, and have collected the odd model from his range from time to time.  The Twilight Kickstarter has rekindled my interest in a big way, and I count myself lucky that I got in at the early bird level.

World of Twilight
World Of Twilight: Travels through Anyaral -- Kicktraq Mini

VICTORIA MINIATURES, New Models and Heads

Victoria Miniatures has just released two new sets of models and a pack of heads for their modular kits (or anything else you might find a use for).

Victoria is on something of a roll right now.  A new store and several releases in the last few weeks.  If you like high quality miniatures and something a little out of the ordinary, you can’t go wrong with Victoria’s wares.

HYDRA MINIATURES, Robot Queen

Hydra Miniatures recently posted an update on their website that included a preview of this fantastic model.  Mechanika, Queen of the Robot Legion was sculpted by John Winter, and will be a part of Hydra’s Retro Raygun line of miniatures.  Be sure to visit their website to read more about what they have planned for the coming months.

I’m a huge fan of Hydra (proof!).  Not just Hydra, but other companies devoted to making simple, quality, well-conceived models.  I’m thinking specifically of companies like Artizan, Pulp Figures, Copplestone Castings, TinMan Miniatures, etc.  My equal appreciation for Rackham models, which are fiddly and filled with copious detail, and the likes of Hydra’s wares has been difficult for me to reconcile in discussions I’ve had on the matter, but so be it.  When this model is released, my Hydra collection will grow a little more.