Hasslefree Survivors: Bubba (HFA038)

Hello all,
As mentioned earlier, I recently bought a test sample of Hasslefree's miniatures. Just to check if the quality was really as good as it seemed from the internet pictures. And the quality was perhaps even better. The first chap I got to paint was the Elvis impersonator, Bubba (HFA038).

Bubba comes in three parts, probably because of his bulk, with each arm separate. A large man, there are few details on him apart from the ornate details on his chest and legs. An easy paintjob, fun, and a very charismatic mini. I'm actually quite happy with how he turned out - deadly guitar and all.
I didn't add any blood or gore to him as I wanted him to stand out from the Survivor crowd in his Sunday Whites.

Hasslefree's note on Bubba:
So is Elvis dead or not? Rumours abound that he didnt die and is making a living as an impersonator! Move over for the Elvis impersonating zombie hunter sporting a deadly guitar (!) and a 357 magnum.
Creator: Kev White

One should definitely listen to the King's music while painting this chap.

Anyways, thanks for reading - if you found the post interesting then any comments or tips are greatly appreciated!
Until the next time; stay safe and prepare to slaughter Zombies!

All the best,
Kasper

Alternative Survivors: Hasselfree Miniatures

Hello all,
Faced with fifty zombies yet to paint for Zombicide and having run out of Survivors to alleviate the dullness of repainting the same mini over and over again, I decided to treat myself to some fine figures.
I've kept a close watch on the miniatures produced by the company called Hasslefree Miniatures for quite a while now, and decided to try them out. The whole process was indeed free of any hassles - the webpage works very well, the prices are fair, and the shipping was cheap and quick. Thumbs up to the initial phase.
I only bought five figures as these were merely a test, but I promised myself that if they were good quality, I was entitled to some more once the Zombie horde have been completed. This was helped by the 50% discount Wayland games offered on their entire Hasslefree range the other day. This means I've got a ton of Hasslefree minis ready to get some paint :-).

Group shot!

So, the five miniatures chosen were selected based on 1) their suitability as survivors for Zombicide, and 2) their paintability factor, i.e. how much they made me go - I need to paint that figure! Unfortunately, this meant that quite a few of the Hasslefree miniatures were on my 'must-buy' list.

Kevin 'talented' White

 The primary sculptor, Kevin James White, is a bloody talented guy, and based on various interviews on the net (examples can be read here, here, and here) also a quite nice chap. As far as I have been able to deduce, it appears the company is run by his wife while Kev sits and labours, creating minis - primarily shapely women.

So without further ado, here are the beauties I bought from Hasslefree (and stay tuned - most are already painted, so once the sun starts shining again, I'll begin uploading painted miniatures again):


Mad-Dog (HFA013)

Mad-Dog is a suave and sophisticated Zombie hunter who unfortunately got caught 'with his trousers down'. We aren't implying that he was 'up to no good' but merely that when the thrill of the hunt calls, there are obviously more important things to think about than putting on your trousers! At least he remembered his fire-axe and his protective helmet although i am not sure what use they would be with a bunch of zombies approaching. He is approximately 28mm to eye level.

Temporary Verdict: A supreme Sculpt. Also the happies chap I've ever had the pleasure to paint :-).



Renato Ramirez, from the Legends of Golo range (HFGGL1)

In the dark near future of the zombie apocalypse some people thrive, others go a little crazy, but every now and again someone grows a Hitler moustache and throws on long johns and a tutu and starts shotgunning things!

A crazy little sculpt by the ridiculously talented Tom Meier.

Temporary Verdict: Well done to Tom Meier! This guy is a psycho, without all the usual melodrama. He just likes to wear his little tutu. The sculpt is excellent, and how often do you get to paint a ballerina-Hitler in long johns?


 Bubba (HFA038)

So is Elvis dead or not? Rumours abound that he didnt die and is making a living as an impersonator! Move over for the Elvis impersonating zombie hunter sporting a deadly guitar (!) and a 357 magnum.
Creator: Kev White

Temporary Verdict: An Elvis impersonator? Whats not to like? Not a fan of the multi-parts but as Bubba is a hefty guy (plenty of peanut-banana sandwiches...) I guess it couldn't be helped. Excellent details, and this might be the first 28mm guitar I've ever painted.

Bunny Boiler Alice (HFA028)

Always think of Alice and the White rabbit as a cute fairy tale experience? Not this version....more bunny-boiler than bunny-loving. There are two variants of this figure, this is a slight conversion of the Fu-uk winner to having high heels rather than combat boots.

Creator: Kev White

Temporary Verdict: A beautiful, and disturbing, woman. The dress and face are brilliant - the shoes are a bit too 'hidden' for my taste. And the whole 'I shot my stuffed bunny' theme is brilliant :-), Wonder how Kev thought of that detail :-).


Maria (c) (HFA109)

Maria is back with a new hairstyle and some possible plastic surgery. We haven't yet asked her what it is she constantly thinks is over her shoulder, mainly cos she's always carrying a gun.

Creator: Kev White

Temporary Verdict: As with Bunny Alice, Maria is a petite, well-shaped woman. An interesting stance, great motion to the pose, great face. Brilliant mini.

So, what do I think of Hasslefree Miniatures now that I've had a chance to look more closely at them? Well, they are as brilliant as they look on the net. Great details, crisp castigns (little to no cleanup and nearly no mold lines), interesting elements, and great faces on all of them.
So far I cannot recommend them enough. I only regret not having bought some ages ago, and these will definetely not be my last Hasslefree purchases. I need them all!

Anyways, thanks for reading - if you found the post interesting then any comments or tips are greatly appreciated!
Until the next time; stay safe and remember to have fun!

All the best,
Kasper

Hasslefree Miniatures half price, today only!

Howdy people,
I do not normally advertise for companies in this way. Yet, having recently discovered the brilliancy that is Hasslefree Miniatures, I was happy to see that Wayland Games are offering a 50% discount on all their Hassle free miniatures, today only.

They do not stock the entire range, but they have a fair selection and I know I have just bought more minis than I should, but hey, they were half price :-).
Link:

All the best,
Kasper

DIY: Manly Toothbrush Holder

Howdy Folks,
So I share my bathroom with my two boys and, yes, the wifey got her own wellness room, whereas ours is a complete mess. One of the things that does slightly annoy me is the inability of boys (in this case aged 5 and 8) to stow away their toothbrushes after use.

So, we thought about it hard (i.e. for ca. 30 seconds) and came up with the following, must-have, manly toothbrush holder:

 Making these were as easy as it looks - we each chose an action man-type toy, drilled a hole, screwed the figure into the wall, and superglued the arms stuck in a hug. Toothbrushes fit snugly into the caring embrace, and wont fall down. Just wait for the superglue to harden before inserting a toothbrush, otherwise I won't be held responsible :-).

The only problem was that the oldest son (who had originally chosen the army guy on the lower right) strongly felt that he was entitled to 'my' toothbrush holder (the cool green dude). So now I'm stuck with the weird nazi-guy...

Needless to say, since these beauties have been put up there hasn't been a single toothbrush resting on the sink after use. Works like a charm, costs a penny, and looks cool - what's not to like?

Anyways, thanks for reading - if you found the post interesting then any comments or tips are greatly appreciated!
Until the next time; stay safe and have fun!

All the best,
Kasper