July 27th, 2010
“Isn’t it funny how sometimes you feel as if you’ve got it right – hit the nail on the head etc..
I with the rest of Mantic have noticed that there has been considerable comment on the Web regarding our Ghouls – you have been kind enough to give us lots of positive feedback on those models (we love ‘em too!)
One issue that kept arising was the notion that our Ghouls were a little too ‘aware’ as undead – possibly too aware to be good zombie figures.
Well . . . . . . .
That’s just what we had thought too! We knew that in the undead pantheon that ghouls occupy a specific place in our fantasy wargames mythos ie they are the human guys who run about in a flesh crazed frenzy, rabid for the blood of the enemy.
Now Zombies – they are different. Necromantically raised from the ground, these are once dead bodies shamble across the battlefield, puppets of their evil master, their bodies in varying states of decay and disassembly.
So in making our Mantic Zombies we deliberately took into account our Ghouls – the Zombie models are designed to crossfit with the Ghouls giving you even more variety in your undead horde.
Again we’ve had a bit of ‘ManticFun’ – we have included a base which allows you to model a Zombie without legs – this little piece is similar in design to the ‘emerging skeleton’ base in our Skeleton warriors and Revenants sets. Of course we’ve also added a couple more little touches that we think you’ll appreciate…!
Bob”
ED: We’re bursting with excitement at the moment at the thought of Zombies (maybe there’s something wrong with us?) so couldn’t resist giving you a little sneak peak at some of the early work-in-progress sculpts that Bob kindly photographed! Check back for more tomorrow!
From the Sculptor's Table
9 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sculpting, Concept Sketches, Kings of War, Undead | | #
July 6th, 2010
So, Grafe’s Steel Legion – 40 plastic dwarf Ironclad warrriors, 40 plastic Ironwatch, 4 Iron Belcher cannon/organ gun kits, 1 Flame Cannon, 5 metal Ironbeards and 10 Dwarf Berserkers…
Something’s missing…
Ah yes, the Dwarf King’s War Counsel! A premium metal boxset containing 4 metal models, this set will contain a Dwarf King, Warsmith, Army Standard Bearer and a Berserker Lord!
Kev’s going to be working from the art you see here which, if these pieces iare anything to go by, means that our Dwarf hero models are going to be the best looking dwarfs anywhere. We’re certainly looking forward to seeing them!
Here’s some more:
Let us know what you think!
13 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sketches, Dwarfs, General, Kings of War | | #
May 23rd, 2010
Hmm apparently, they do!
One chap on the first days of Dwarf week one wrote a great post on the forum, it went thus:
Brandlin
I’m a huge dwarf fan so I am really hoping you do this properly! Here are a few hints for you and Bob Naismith.
* Dwarfs have knees, and they can see their own!
* There is no such thing as a dwarf berserker.
* Dwarfs have beards but they are not stupid enough to grow them so long they fall over them.
* There is no such thing as a dwarf berserker.
* You don’t have to do dwarfs with guns but if you do then at least make them look like early experimental gunners. and give us the option of crossbowmen too!
* There is no such thing as a dwarf berserker.
* If you have to do cavalry then they ride bears, not sheep or goats or any of that nancy-boy rubbish you get from west wind! Oh, and do them in PLASTIC not metal.
* There is no such thing as a dwarf berserker.
* If you do artillery and feel you have to do a cannon then at least give us something to pull the damned thing!
* There is no such thing as a dwarf berserker.
Looking at the Dwarfs I think we pretty much nailed his comments (and I am avoiding the Dwarf cavalary discussion for another blog!), however, I think we have missed his subtle point about the Dwarf berserkers – I hope this picture changes his mind!
25 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sketches, Dwarfs, Kings of War, Renton's rambling | | #
May 17th, 2010
Welcome to Dwarf Week!
This week we’re taking a closer look at the Dwarf Ironclads, warriors of immeasurable presence despite there stature. Armed with mighty warhammers and heavy iron shields, the Ironclads are implaceable warriors and form the mainstay of any Dwarf army; new or otherwise.
In Dwarf Week, we’ll have a look over the latest artwork, showoff some of the Threeups and what you can do with the forthcoming plastic kit.
First off, to start the week with a bang, here’s a new piece of concept art from Des Hanley and worked on by Stef Kopinksi – personally, we think it’s stunning, and really epitomises what our dwarves are.
Remember, click on the thumbnail above for a larger view and make sure you drop us a comment below!
To finished off with, a quick question for you all – what would you like to see from Dwarf Week?
15 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sketches, Dwarfs, General, Hobby, Kings of War | | #
April 22nd, 2010
It’s nearly the end of Dwarf Week – “We must be approaching some miniatures by now!” I hear you cry!
Well, we’ve had some shiny very new pieces WIPs of art in from Stef on another new unit for the range, nicknamed “Sharpshooters” in the office (more on that in a later blog). These guys are a little less armoured than the Ironclads to help with wielding their weapons, aiming, or making it less restrictive to take a swig of their favourite Ale! Click on the thumbnails below for a closer look.
Now then I hear you say, there’s two different types of weapon there! And you’d be right; not only will this kit let you build your Dwarfs armed with rifles, but they’re also getting crossbows too! The variety across the range is immense, as you’ll discover in later blogs – Stay tuned, don’t miss it.
Next time on Dwarf Week: Boring Stuff. Completely missable, nothing to see here type stuff…
Or maybe a threeup? Which would your preference be? Let us know by dropping us a message below!
14 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sketches, Dwarfs, General, Kings of War | | #
April 21st, 2010
It’s the middle of Dwarf Week at Mantic, and we’ve been pushing Stef hard with the art – this is just a first glimpse of the early artwork but just look at the results we’re getting:
Filled with explosions, fire and dour dwarfs, the art for the Dwarf Ironclads depicts them pre-battle; a solid wall of grim determination and slabs of muscle where the only thing that’ll keep them apart from the enemy is the reach of their warhammers, and the storm of shots that blast past them…
… Or maybe a hangover.
Next time on Dwarf Week: Dwarf “Sharpshooters”
21 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sketches, Dwarfs, General, Kings of War | | #
April 20th, 2010
So, Dwarf Week continues apace as we start building up to our brand new army release, and what better way than with the concept art (okay, you want pictures of the finished sprue – but where is the anticipation in that!)
As you can see from the art, squaring up against a ‘Dwarf Ironclad’ is about as sensible as calling an orc a dancing queen!
These chaps were designed to be very tough cookies – and they look it.
Please come back for more tomorrow – until then…keep building those armies.
Next time on Dwarf Week: Dwarf Colours
7 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sketches, Dwarfs, General, Kings of War | | #
April 19th, 2010
This is the first blog of Dwarf week – we will have news and pictures everyday this week previewing the next Mantic Games plastic army -The Dwarfs.
To start it all off we go to the Sculptor…
‘So we knew that we had to – just had to – make the Dwarfs (is it Dwarfs or Dwarves? – not sure – we’ll use both, not to placate, just to make editing easier!).
Again a lengthy discussion (i.e. much bacon butty munching) followed between me and the folks at Mantic about what we wanted the Dwarfs to be – solid but not fat, strong and bulky.
I also wanted them to have a more sculpted, muscular feel. The Elves have a character all their own, being slender and graceful – the figures are very graphic in their pose and line. The Dwarfs are solidly 3D, they occupy space and all show grim determination – the antithesis of an elf in fact.
Also we saw the Dwarfs as being very different to the elves with respect to our Dragons and other animals. The Elves revere and cooperate with the Dragons – they are their companions and pupils. To the Dwarfs however, Dragons are animals to be controlled or destroyed and used. They see the Dragons as sources of great power and utilise them in that way. Each dwarf as a rite of passage has to take from a live dragon one of its scales – no mean feat as I’m sure you’ll all agree! This scale once recovered becomes the first part of the Dwarfs armour and is the last thing taken from him at death. Some dwarfs of course take more than one scale (greed is good if you are a dwarf) and several of our veteran and champion dwarf models show this. The dogs they care for, but when battle comes around they are quite happy to throw them (literally!) into the melee!
The Dwarf concept sketch
Anyway back to the models. Hammers abound, helms and shoulder armour give them a top heavy appearance and they all stand ready to face their foes, armed to the teeth – full of blood, beard and beer. Plus of course the usual Mantic treatment as far as fun and entertainment goes..!’ Bob N.
(p.s. from the editor – come and see the three-ups at Salute this weekend – and for those who can’t make it, don’t worry every day this week you’ll get more via the blog!)
12 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sculpting, Concept Sketches | | #
April 6th, 2010
For the Elves, dragons are revered and powerful creatures. Mighty lords ride atop their Battle Dragons in hushed reverance, and only the most noble and able Elven warrior may ride beside them, flanking the great warbeasts on lesser draconic steeds.
After the release of the Elf Lord on Dragon Lord and Tydarions Dragon Host army deal, the Elves are going to be further reinforced with a new metal Dragon Cavalry set. Well, we wanted to show you a few “behind the scenes” shots of what we’re doing with them…
Please click the thumbails for a more detailed view!
Concept Art
Work In Progress sculpt
Let us know what you think!
12 Comments | In: Artwork & Concept, Concept Sculpting, Concept Sketches, Elves, General, Hobby, Kings of War | | #
