Sunday 3 October 2021

Zomtober 2021, Week 1

[<== This way for Zomtober 2020]

Introduction

Would you believe that I have been participating in Zomtober for 9 years now?  At least, this is the 9th year in which I will have put up such a series of posts.  Indeed, I'm not even sure that anyone else is participating in this event any more.  Still, it gives me a sense of purpose and I enjoy these articles.

The Zomtober format is simple: publish a picture of at least one recently-painted zombie or survivor model every Sunday in October.  Just to show that you are making progress in painting all those miniatures which would otherwise be unloved and neglected.

Martha vs Girl Guide Zombie

To make it a bit more exciting, my own usual format for a Zomtober article is to present a duel between one survivor and one zombie.  The reader's task is to decide "what happens next?"

This week, we have a face-off between "Martha" and an unfortunate Girl Guide zombie (hereafter "GGZ").  [I am not sure, but what we call Girl Guides in the UK may be known as Girl Scouts in the USA?]


Martha is heavily armed; she is wielding a machine pistol in each hand.  She also appears to be shooting sideways whilst running past GGZ.


It may be easier to see in some of the pictures than others, but GGZ is holding a couple of boxes of what I assume are cookies (because Girl Scouts are associated with selling cookies in the USA, right?)


Both models are based using my simple "sand and drybrush" technique.  In each case, I've added a hint of road markings to the tarmac, to break up the monotony.  I suppose I could have used some litter, autumn leaves or something like an oil stain for the same purpose - but road markings are cheap and easy to paint.


Martha is a plastic model, made up from the old Wargames Factory "Apocalypse Survivors: The Women" kit.  I'm not sure how she is dressed, as the moulding on the model isn't entirely obvious.  However, I've interpreted her clothing as a white vest and some kind of black corset, with a loose, chunky belt around her waist.  It seems like a slightly odd outfit in which to survive the apocalypse, but I suppose that it works for her?


GGZ is a metal model, one of a set still available from Dragon Bait Miniatures.  Mind you, I'm fairly certain that I didn't buy my packet from them, so I think the figures must have been distributed more widely at some point; I've had these models (unpainted) for quite some time.  Expect to see more from the same set later in Zomtober 2021!


Conclusion

So, what happens next?

My own view is that Martha won't manage to shoot GGZ because she is firing whilst running - and shooting off to her side at that!  I cannot imagine that her aim is any good under these conditions.  In addition, she seems to be mistaking the height of her opponent and is probably going to fire high.

On the other hand, GGZ doesn't look especially strong or fast.  I suspect that Martha can just keep running and be past the zombie without much risk.

But why is Martha pointing her other gun as well?  And why is she running in the first place?  Is there some other threat just out of the picture, either to Martha's other side or behind her - or both?  Is GGZ merely one obstacle of many between Martha and safety?

Suggestions, please?

Follow this link for week 2 ==>


11 comments:

  1. I felt the same, sure that it was just me this year as I was prepping minis for it, but it looks like there’s a few of us still plugging away with Zomtober every year!
    I especially like the bases, the road marking really make it for me.

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    1. Thanks! Doing the bases this way is really easy: just sand, black undercoat, 2 drybrushes and then a white or mustard yellow marking somewhere on it. The marking can be a straight line, single or double, solid or broken - or if you really want to get creative then try a turn arrow, disabled parking bay, give way or other road sign. Easy!

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  2. I felt the same, sure that it was just me this year as I was prepping minis for it, but it looks like there’s a few of us still plugging away with Zomtober every year!
    I especially like the bases, the road marking really make it for me.

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  3. Looking good. I am not taking part this year. I am trying to find time to prep an apocalypse cast for next month and a Fantasy event early next year!

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    1. Thanks, Simon. I'm trying to keep an unbroken run of posts at least until next year (which will be my 10th Zomtober anniversary, if I can make it :-) ).

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  4. Always a pleasure to see your one-on-one Zomtober postings, Colgar6, and this confrontation is a great one. I see Warlord Games have found some more of their old Wargames Factory stock and are doing a big pre-order bundle of it currently.

    Maybe the fact the zed is a girl guide is putting Martha off, or she's just avoiding the child altogether and shooting at some 'off-screen' threats around her? There's definitely something between Martha and where she wants to get to in a hurry.

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    1. Again, thanks. I never understood why Warlord withdrew the Apocalypse Survivors from sale. Presumably they already have the moulds and so running occasional production wouldn't cost much, as I understand it. Oh, well.

      Yes, I don't think we're seeing the whole of Martha's story here...

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  5. Another great duelling conundrum and onther great pair of paint-jobs too. It;s good to see a zed that has a recognisable past life, but goodness knows what MArtha was !
    As for the outcome of the scenario, firing t=like that Martha may well empty her guns very swiftly, with litttle effect,imho (headshot? - no chance !). I reckon GGZ will rip her apart !

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    1. I agree that Martha seems to be shooting with more enthusiasm than skill! Even so, I'm not convinced that a scrawny little child zombie will have more than a 50:50 chance against an apparently fit, adult woman.

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  6. Glad to see your participating again Colfar. I intend too, but this past weekend was rather hectic. Hoping to do 2 posts this week to make up for my 'excuses' As to the girl-guide Zombie, I always knew there was something off with those mint green cookies. The proof is in the pallor!

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    1. Thanks, Terry. Hmm, so you're suggesting that the zombie apocalypse was sparked by mint-flavoured cookies. Intriguing...

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