Without further ado....

I am pleased to introduce a brand new miniatures and publishing company, Gorgon Studios. Hank Edley, Matthias Weeks and myself, along with master-sculptor Steve Saleh, have put the finishing touches on our new website. We currently have just the one model (40mm Post-Apocalyptic) for sale, but we plan on getting a good start on our first two 28mm historical ranges very shortly.

The first historical range is probably familiar to most of you- Steve's early Spartans (previously at Artizan). The second range, which is extremely near and dear to my own heart, will be an early Etruscan range, also sculpted by Steve.

So check out the website and let us know what you think. As a "boutique" miniature company, we will be very interested in feedback from customers, so don't hesitate to email us.

Wargames Factory- Celtic Chariot

Like my friend, Dave Taylor, I thought I'd post a little commission work. Now, as a rule, I don't do commission work as I barely have time to do everything I'd like to finish for myself. Between historical projects and a few Games Day entries, I'm currently swamped (though the Chicago weather has given me good reason to stay inside). That said, when approached to do a few pieces for Tony Reidy and Wargames Factory I couldn't say no.

Here is the first model: a Celtic chariot. If I were going to give you an honest review of this kit, I'd give it an 8 out of 10. Wargames Factory is climbing the steep plastic-model learning curve very quickly. I have some of the Caesarian Roman infantry and, while good, they are not nearly as detailed as this newer kit. The chariot itself was very easy to work with and it didn't require huge amounts of cleaning. Likewise, the figures paint up really easily. My only criticism would be the horses, which could use a little more detail. But again, this is a model I can recommend whole-heartedly. Now I just wish they did some Egyptian and Hittite chariots....

I'm looking forward to painting some more WF stuff. And I'm excited to see what they come out with over the next few months.

Adepticon 2009 Debriefing

Just wanted to post a few quick pictures from the event (thanks to photographer Brian Sobb). In general, the convention was a tremendous success. Attendance was up, which is great for this economic climate. The Hobby Seminars were all very well attended and, from what I've heard, the feedback was all very positive. I want to thank my fellow instructors profusely: you guys made this year's hobby side of things very encouraging for next year and beyond.

The Warhammer Ancients side of things was, likewise, very impressive. Players like Bennett Blalock-Doane, Eric Hagen and Jamie Welling brought, literally, the best Ancient armies I have ever seen at a tournament (though I am saddened that two of these brilliant painters decided to do Romans). Similarly, Hank Edley and his crew provided the best terrain I have seen, to date, for any Ancients tournament. If aesthetics is a priority, then Adepticon is THE event.

(the comrade-author considering his plight)

I won't bore you with specific details. Jamie and I did well in our first two team tournament games, but then our third game saw my half of the army collapse like a sacrificial Roman infant. The sheep-lovers of Macedon fell upon my Punic army with a particularly intense blood-lust. We'll be back next year...and in greater numbers.

This is Sparta! (or maybe Detroit) and Adepticon

My wife is a Michigan State Spartan. Which sort of makes me a State fan (much in the same way Sam Jackson's character in 'Pulp Fiction' was a vegetarian). I've actually really gotten into the tournament this year, in part because of Michigan State and the team they have. I think they have a decent chance now to win the whole thing.

If they do, I'm going to commemorate the victory by starting a new ancients army (I say "ancients" instead of Warhammer Ancients, because the future of that game system is, sadly, in question). With the Carthaginians now playable at around 1200-1500 points, I think it's safe to start slowly building a second army. And instead of a large army of disparate units, I think I'm leaning toward a very elite, uniform force. You see where this is going? Spartans. Early Spartans to be precise. So look for a few getting done not long after Adepticon.

I'm going to be taking some pictures of the Warhammer Ancients tournaments, so check back next week for shots. If you make it out to Adepticon, you'll find me at the bar on Saturday at 5:07pm, watching the Spartans.

Adepticon 2009

Well, in just over a week is the celebration I like to think of as 'Warhammer New Year', Adepticon. I hope some of you (the two people that read my blog-thanks, mom) make it out this year. New venue, more tournaments. Also, this year sees a great selection of Hobby Seminars, with instructors like Joe Orteza, Chris Borer and Jamie Welling. I'm teaching my metallics class (using washes/tinting to get your metals to look realistic and weathered) and if anyone taking my class mentions the blog, I'll hook you up with some extra "home brew" armour washes.

The one tournament I'm actually playing in (I'm not a big tournament player for various reasons, one of those being my gaming stamina)- the Warhammer Ancients Doubles/Team Touranment. My partner is Jamie Welling and his Republicans (http://www.fivearmies.blogspot.com/). I'm thinking that our team, Pax Africana, is a hypothetical alliance between Carthage and Rome with the goal of kicking Epirote arse. But we'll probably end up fighting Vikings (the other reason I'm not a huge tournament fan).

I have about 5-6 models left to paint and some movement trays. Depending on how much painting I get get done this weekend (my first anniversary) I might try and include a small unit of Baleric slingers. I think even a few of these guys would be a valuable addition. We'll see. In any case, I will take pictures and give a post-Adepticon report.

Dave

'Battles BC', a brief review

A few people have asked me what I thought of the History Channel’s ‘Battles BC’ premiere episode on Hannibal. Now, I’d obviously like to preface this with the caveat that I am not an expert. At best, I’m an amateur who has read a lot of other, more studied, theories and opinions. That said, I thought ‘Hannibal the Annihilator’ was pretty terrible. This is really unfortunate because I think ancient warfare is under-represented on the station and I had moderate hopes. Maybe the History Channel should stick to what it knows best, ME-262s and ghosts.

They tried to “sexy it up.” Instead of saying Hannibal’s army was ambushed in the mountain passes, he was “trapped in a gorge of death!” And the ‘300’ style sequences just got annoying.

But beyond the stylistic choices, there were actually factual errors. Like Saguntum. It was an Iberian city that was allied with Republican Rome. In the show, they just called it a Roman town. I guess it doesn’t make a difference to Joe Hitler-and-the-Occult, but it is clearly a misrepresentation of actual history.

And can I just get a pet-peeve off my chest? It’s not Hannible, it’s Hanni-BAL.

Anyway, I give it 1.5 pila out of 5. Of course, I’ll probably keep watching ‘em. Mondays at 8:00 pm on Histrory HD.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

First off, I apologize for the three month silence. I plan, over the next three or four weeks leading up to Adepticon, to make up for my neglect.

I’m nearly complete with my 1,000 point army for the Adepticon Team Tournament. I almost pushed through to finish my full 2K, but as I’m also teaching and running the Adepticon Hobby Seminars, I wouldn’t have the time to participate in both events.

I should have some more Adepticon information Monday, along with a painted version of this year’s exclusive Adepticon Historical figure, a Celt warlord sculpted by one of my favorite sculptors, Mark Sims. So check back on Monday.

In the meantime, I’m posting my first two Spanish heavy cavalry models. At this point, I have the other four almost done. I’d like to have the eventual completed unit number 10 models, but for the 1K army, I’m forced to stop at 6. I’m posting the army list here. I don’t think it’ll give any potential opponent an advantage to see the list in advance, but if anyone has any comments on it, I’d love to hear ‘em.

Good to be back,
Dave

Team Pax Africana 2009 Adepticon Warhammer Ancients Team Tournament
1,000 Point Carthagian List
Hannibal and the Punic Wars- Hannibal in Italy


General
Subordinate General
horse 90


18 Veteran Infantry
with command 321

20 Spanish Scutarii
with command, heavy throwing spears 235

10 Skirmishers 40

Untrained Elephant 90

6 Spanish Heavy Cavalry
command 153

7 Baleric Slingers 70

Total 999