BBC Article on Fighting Fantasy Books

A lovely little treat reared its head on the BBC website this morning: an article about Fighting Fantasy. The link:

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28865399

I particularly enjoyed reading about the wacky religionists's responses to the dangers of Fighting Fantasy. There is also a link in the article to the furore that Dungeons & Dragons caused in it's heyday, a subject the Beeb covered back in April. 

It's superb stuff.

Edit: I just remembered a vicar coming into GW when I was a yoof. He laid it on thick. I wish I was as switched on then as I am now, as he was ripe for a put-down, probably something about us yoofs at least being aware of the fantasy (i.e., made up) element of the games we were playing, an irony a vicar might or might not have understood given his reliance on an ancient rulebook and unconfirmed sky gods.

And a marginally progressed shot of my Space Marine just because I feel guilty about my lack of painting:

Heroquest Ending

Sad times at mill: after 5yrs of fun, we've completed the original campaigns on Heroquest. The stepson and nephew are 18yrs old now, but we had one final showdown and completed the final three levels over the last two nights. Great times have been had, but we'll have to delve into Kellar's Keep and Return Of The Witchlord to keep the fun going (if indeed we ever get the chance again, with one off to Uni and the other after an apprenticeship). End of an era, potentially. 

Tiny Painting Success

In an attempt to simulate the high-octane world of sloth copulation by means of figure-painting, I think it's fair to say that I've possibly reached a stage that represents the removal of said sloths' clothes, or at least the female's bra. Don't get too excited now. I certainly didn't as I spent an hour squinting and painting in poor light last night:

Feel free to play 'spot-the-difference' with earlier posts, and then also feel free to feel deflated at the lack of progress. 

My Top Ten Miniatures Ever

The above image has been floating around lately, as people have been listing their top ten miniatures of all time. My top ten is below. I found it hard separating out the figures from favourite paintjobs and got tangled up in all sorts of shapes. In the end I ignored the dispute in my brain and just chose stuff I like. I've thought about this over several days, farming images and all that. I could have chosen a top 50, so ten was rock. Here they are:

Sir Monne de la Monte. Great name. Paladin niceness.  Got him.

Moon Face. What?! A classic. Want him.

Wizards with chainsaws - unstoppable. Want him.

Always tickled me this one. The best of the Thruds. A bitch to paint though apparently. Want him. 

Bit of a cheat here: all the Heroquest figures. Seminal. Great memories. Got them.

A bonafide legend. Had him. Sold him. Stoopid.

Another bonafide legend: Slambo.  Got him.

Reprazenting all Ork Nobz. Got this one. Would like several more please.

Goblin wolf riders for the win. Want them, never free and easy enough to pay for them.

Humour, silliness, Snotlings. Want them.

Here's a list showing what went through my head. Throw in a liberal browse through the Combat Cards, 'Eavy Metal and saved favourites in coolminiornot, it's been exhausting:

Marauder Dark Elf
Sir Monne
Ogre Hryythog
Ork Nob
Dwarf smoking pipe
Marauder Warrior Colombari
Snotling Barrel
Kev Adams Gobbo
Snakey Chaos
Double-end Weapon Minotaur Slannesh
Amazonian
Astropath
Slambo
Thrud scratching head
Heroquest - all of
Gandalf - ME version
Banquo
Jesus Fish thing
Chaos with scythe and devil sign hand
Pointy-beard Inquisitor Terminator
Orc Champion, front of Combat Cards
Redemptionists
Dwarf stilts
Dwarf on toilet
See side of AHQ box for figures
Beakie tech marine, RT-era
Nurgle fly head
Original Leman Russ
Talisman Elf, both variations
Ork Goff Rockers

I think it's time for a rest. Doing this on a mobile phone has ruined me. 

RT-era Marine "progress" and wishlist

For a man as busy as me, actually daubing some paint onto a mini is a great achievement. Hardly much to write home about, but some paint found its way onto a figure lately. See the image below. Most recently, and as a means to inspire, I've been fantasising about doing one thing in particular, something I've been meaning to do for the last couple of years: get in touch with Martyn Dorey so as to visit his home and his unfeasibly glorious collection of Citadel miniatures. Furthermore, I shall be looking to get together with him and the Tman, aka freakinacage, aka Tim Manning, for a painting session at Firestorm. That'd be about ideal I'd say.

The North

Work has seen fit to pack me off to The North later. Not 'The North' of English fame, but rather the north of Wales. The north-west actually, and particularly Caernarfon. I'll be wending my way along the A470, through the heartland of Wales and Mabinogion country. It's an epic place, full of myth and mystery. I may be chased by giants or find myself transported to the otherworldly Annwn. If I make it back I'll almost certainly be a changed person. If I don't, I'll be found with King Arthur and Owain Glyndwr having a pint of mead and planning an incredible return. Safe journey...

Oldhammer on Google+

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/110279641043726842173

Great times.