Sunday 3 November 2013

The Riddler (BMG)

The Riddler is my first finished mini for the Batman Miniatures game/DC Comics range of models from Knight Models.

As soon as I saw the first mini in the line (Batman, naturally) I was impressed, and when  I learned of the range I was in. I don't play the Arkham series of video games which much of the imagery and character design for this range is drawn, but I do like the minis range. A lot. So much so I can see myself collecting the loot given a chance. They have already begun to diversify the line to include DC Comics characters from outside the games (Deathstroke; Green Arrow), Watchmen characters, and other DC movie characters (some Dark Knight characters; Superman as seen in the Man of Steel), so it is an increasingly eclectic mix.

I don't know that I will ever actually play the game to be honest. The current English translation is in need of a lot of work I feel, although it clearly has a strong following among fans of the rules, and I have a much more established preference when it comes to super-powered gaming! But the minis are mostly great, although the metal is super-soft which is less than pleasing, and at least one mini (DKR Bane) is clearly out of the established scale, but they are tolerable issues.

The sculpting is exquisite in my humble opinion. Ultimately I struggled with this, simply because some parts to paint were so finely detailed. That said, I am fairly happy with the final result all told, and I will continue to add to my collection of the minis. I just expect to paint them occasionally, focusing more on other ranges I am more likely to game with right now (Pulp City; Anima Tactics; MERCS; and Freebooters Fate). Still, maybe another will be painted up before too long, just watch this space....

11 comments:

  1. Nice job buddy. I do like these mini's but the the things you've highlighted, rules, soft metal, scale, has put me off them a bit. Not to mention they can be quite pricey.

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    1. Cheers mate. :) Definitely a premium price; I cannot think of other 'boutique' ranges priced accordingly, but then that will be partly off-set the license.

      The metal is way softer than i would prefer, that is for sure, and this may be the first range I paint with no real intention of gaming, which as I regard myself as a gamer first, painter/modeler second, is unusual for me to say the least! :)

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    2. I always forget about the license of such mini's thats a good point about it reflecting on the price. Some of my friends have had issues with thin parts like blades etc not being form properly or arriving bent and snapping off when trying to reshape them.

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  2. I don't play the video game either and when I heard about the miniatures game I thought about it early on but the price scared me off. Now seeing the loveliness of this model I may take a page from your book and pic up some of the models.

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    1. I do think the price is at about the limit of what I would bear for minis, and only then due to accepting they are licensed, although the big models (AC Bane; Croc) actually seem pretty reasonable considering their size (they are huge) and the amount of metal in them.

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  3. Wow, that's a bit tasty, a chap could be easily distracted by miniatures that look this good.

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  4. That's just a bit brilliant...

    The game plays quite well from my limited experience of it, but the price of the models (as well as their fragility - Mr Freeze's gun snapped off whilst he was in a foam storage tray) means that it needs to be really good to last. I sadly suspect that the line will not be around forever.

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    1. Thanks Keiron. :)

      Not based on any specific knowledge, but I would not be surprised if we only see this for another 1-2 years. KM made the Star Wars models for 2 years, and the life-span of this line will be interesting to watch as an indicator of their strategy for accessing licenses.

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  5. Really nicely done! Was the question mark sculpted on or freehand? It looks pretty crisp.

    I'm dying to get my hands on some of the models from this range. You're not helping my resolve, here!

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    1. Thanks!

      The question marks are sculpted on, but fairly finely so, which is a good thing I think.

      Sorry re: your resolve! :)

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