Zomtober 2023, Week 5

<== Go here for Week 4

Introduction

It's the last week of Zomtober, at least for 2023.  As is required by the rules of that competition, I've completed another model - or rather two models.  My self-imposed extra goal is to finish figures for both a zombie and a survivor, then present the pair as a "duel".  The idea is that readers can then speculate on the likely outcome 😁.

Logan vs Old Man Zombie (OMZ)

This week sees Logan facing off against "Old Man" zombie (OMZ for short).  Logan is a fairly average-looking man, wearing an (army surplus?) sweater and a woolen hat.  He's wielding a very big tyre iron, so maybe he's a driver for some large vehicle (truck?  tractor?  excavator?).  Or perhaps it's a piece of plumbing instead - a bent pipe with a connector on the end of it?  Either way, it looks solid and heavy - as long as Logan keeps his grip then it ought to do some real damage when wielded.

The model of Logan comes from Offensive Miniatures "modern rioters" range; the traffic cone on his base is from the same pack.

OMZ is a straight build of a Studio Miniatures plastic zombie.  As such, he's not especially animated; swaying or shambling rather than anything else.  In fact, he's the epitome of the "crowd filler", back-rank zombie - there's nothing much to distinguish him from the rest of the horde.

I'm going to be blunt: I think that this week's models are some of the most generic, bland figures I've painted in a while.  Neither of them is especially exciting, though I have tried to add a bit of interest by placing the traffic cone on Logan's base and by painting a slightly more complex jacket on OMZ.  Still, neither model is especially memorable.

Conclusion

The eternal question is this: what happens next?

In my opinion, Logan is healthy, alert and armed, while OMZ doesn't look especially threatening.  I'd say that Logan is probably about to pulp the zombie's skull and carry on with the rest of his day as if the encounter had never happened?

On the other hand, what about that traffic cone?  Was Logan carrying it - and forced to drop it in order to defend himself?  If so then for what purpose?  Either way, Logan had better be careful not to step backwards as he makes his swing.  Tripping over such an obstacle would put him at a considerable disadvantage and could give OMZ the opening needed for the zombie to bite the man.

Zomtober 2023, Week 4

<== Week 3 is this way

Introduction

Right, so Zomtober 2023 is in progress and my self-appointed goal for this event is to finish off one survivor and one zombie model each week, presenting them as a 'duel' on the Sunday.  This week it's going to be a day early because I'll be busy all day on Sunday - so here's a Saturday duel instead!

Alicia vs. "Shirley Temple" Zombie (STZ)

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My pairing this week sees "Alicia" facing off against "Shirley Temple" zombie?  I've given the zombie this name because of her flowing golden locks and short stature - she has a (slight!) resemblance to the famous child actress.  STZ has lost one hand and at least part of her clothing, though her tartan miniskirt seems to have survived.  She's also carrying some shopping bags; I imagine that these are an indicator of the last thing she was doing before becoming infected.

Alicia looks like a fit, healthy woman, perhaps in her 30s or 40s.  She's dressed in decent, comfortable clothes and seems completely at ease with the situation - or perhaps she is day-dreaming and hasn't noticed the zombie approaching?  Alicia also has a pistol, though she hasn't raised it yet.

This picture from behind shows just how ragged is STZ's top.  It (and the missing right hand) suggest a significant trauma in her recent past.  Is that - and her waif-like frame - a significant disadvantage if it comes to a physical struggle?

Both models are straight builds from old, Wargames Factory sets - the Female Survivors and Zombie Vixens (sic!) kits.  Although that company is long gone, I believe Warlord Games own the moulds now and still produce the sprues.

Conclusion

What happens next?   Is Alicia just sizing up the situation, ready to shoot or run as appropriate?  Or has she been caught unawares, in the middle of an unrelated train of thought?  Will the lack of a right hand (and the use of her left hand to hold shopping bags) hinder STZ's attack?  Indeed, will STZ even attack Alicia - the zombie seems to be heading in slightly the wrong direction?  If Alicia freezes on the spot, will STZ fail to notice her and just carry on down the street?

As always, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts on the matter!

Follow this for week 5 ==>

Zomtober 2023, Week 3

<== Go back to last week's duel

Introduction

Another week, another duel!  At least, that's how I'm marking Zomtober - by finishing some survivor and zombie models.  It's customary for me to present a pair of such models and ask my readers: what happens next?  Here you go...

Marion vs Emaciated Female Zombie (EFZ)

This week's survivor is called Marion.  She's a sporty-looking woman with a modern compound bow, but it seems that she has very little other equipment: only a single arrow and no knife or other reserve weapon.  She is also lacking a bracer or even thick clothes to protect her arm, so I imagine she'll end up with a bad burn from the bowstring when she does release the arrow.

It seems slightly unfair to call this zombie "emaciated", but I chose that title on account of her upraised arm.  At the very least, this looks quite thin, even to the point of being withered.  Does EFZ have any strength in that hand, or is it too weak to be useful?  The rest of her appears to be fairly sturdy, if now somewhat damaged.

Like Marion, EFZ appears to be dressed for some athletic activity, or partly so.  Maybe she was changing before or after exercise when she was turned into a zombie?

So, what's the scene?  Were these two both at the same sports club when the plague struck?  Or are they total strangers; just a chance encounter in the street?

Both Marion and EMZ are straight builds of old Wargames Factory models - respectively from the Female Survivors and Zombie Vixens kits.  I'm quite pleased with how they both look.  They're nothing very complex; just nice, simple figures.

The only minor quibble I'd have is that the female zombies kit from Wargames Factory had far too many very thin arms.  This is especially irritating when the bodies from that kit are reasonably well-proportioned (for healthy, good-looking young women, at least.  Not much diversity of body shapes here!)

Conclusion

What happens next?

On the one hand:

• Marion has a weapon which is probably very effective
• She seems to be able to wield it
• She hasn't been taken by surprise.

On the other hand:

• It looks as if she's aiming high (perhaps going for a riskier head shot?)
• I do wonder if she really knows how to use the bow properly (lack of a bracer, spare arrows and not drawing quite to the chin - as is modern practice in Western archery).

If Marion hits her target then it should finish the zombie off, no question.  But if she misses then does EFZ have enough strength in her outstretched arm to grapple with the survivor?  Or is this relevant - does the zombie need anything other than teeth?

Forward to Week 4! ==>

Zomtober 2023, Week 2

<== Go here for the previous Zomtober article

Introduction

It's been a while since I last did a Zomtober post - I missed the whole of 2022 as well as the first week of 2023.  But here we are again!

As before, I'm presenting the initial stage of a duel or encounter between a zombie and a survivor.  The important question is "what happens next"?  There's no "right" answer, just use your imagination (but try to stay within the bounds of possibility 😀).

Harvey vs Dead Average Zombie

This week's survivor is called "Harvey".  He's well-armed, with twin automatic pistols - though he appears to be waving these in the air as if trying to scare off the zombie rather than destroying it.  Maybe Harvey has been taken by surprise - he is twisting his body in a manner that might suggest being off balance?

I've designated this week's zombie as "Dead Average Zombie" ("DAZ" for short).  DAZ is really quite unremarkable.  He's not particularly animated or rotten, though he does seem to have lost most of his shirt somehow.

Harvey is a straight build from the old Wargames Factory "Apocalypse Survivors" kit.  I'm not completely happy with my choice of parts for him, though.  In particular, the baseball cap doesn't really go with the shirt-and-tie body.  Hmm, maybe I should have given him a cowboy hat?

DAZ is a simple build from the Studio Miniatures zombie sprue.  As such, he's not particularly animated, but would be good filler for a crowd scene.

Conclusion

So, what happens next?  Is Harvey merely readying his weapons to blow the zombie away?  Or is he firing into the air as an intimidation tactic (which probably wouldn't work)?  If the latter, will he realise his mistake in time to take another, more fruitful course of action?  After all, DAZ doesn't look particularly fast-moving or tricky to deal with.

Look ahead to next week's entry ==>

Zomtober 2021, Week 5

<==  For week 4, go this way

Introduction

You lucky people!  There are 5 Sundays in October this year, so that means you get to see 5 Zomtober posts from me.  Here's the article detailing my efforts for this fifth week.

"B" vs Fairly Average Zombie

Here we have an encounter between "B" ( a member of my occasional "Men in Blue" quasi-governmental organisation) and a fairly average zombie (who will be referred to as "FAZ" for short).

"B" has an assault rifle in one hand and that ought to stand him in good stead.  However, he has a magazine in the other hand.  Is he in the middle of reloading and about to insert fresh ammunition into the gun?  Has he removed the magazine because his weapon is jammed and he's trying to clear the blockage?  Or is there some other reason for the magazine in his hand?

Whatever the reason, "B" seems to have been taken by surprise.  Although FAZ doesn't look especially threatening (for a zombie!), I imagine that he's still quite capable of inflicting a nasty bite..

"B" was built from the old Wargames Atlantic "Apocalypse Survivors: the Men" kit.  Although the original supplier is long gone, I believe that this has just been relaunched as part of Warlord Games' "Project Z" range.

FAZ is a mixture of parts.  Most of him comes from Studio Miniatures' plastic zombie frame, but the arm with the briefcase is from one of the old Wargames Atlantic kits (I cannot remember which one).

Conclusion

As always, it's up to my readers to decide what happens next?  Will B reload his gun in time to blow the zombie's head off?  Or, failing that, will he quickly reverse the gun and use it as a club to beat FAZ down?  Or is the element of surprise in FAZ's favor: will the zed close and bite B before the man can react?

What do you think?

The next Zomtober post is here ==>

Zomtober 2021, Week 4

<==  Week 3 is back this way

Introduction

Another October Sunday, another Zomtober duel - you should understand the format by now, I hope...

Stewie vs Cart Guide Zombie

Today's encounter is between Stewie and "Girl Guide zombie with cart" ("GGZC" hereafter),  On the face of it, Stewie looks like a soldier but in my mind he is an "urban militiaman".  In other words, a self-appointed guardian of truth, justice and apple pie (as long as these concepts don't clash with his own prejudices).

I think that Stewie has come onto the streets, heavily armed, intending to face off against communists, hippies or some other existential threat.  Instead he has come across a rather pathetic, sick little girl - who is dragging a toy cart full of unsold packets of biscuits and a few body parts.

In this situation, Stewie is confused.  He's staring vacantly into the distance (I assume - it's hard to tell when he's wearing dark shades) and trying to work out what is the right thing to do.  Meanwhile, the zombie is inching ever closer to him.

The model for Stewie is one of  the figures from Wargames Foundry's Backstreet Militia pack.  He is mounted on an Escenorama resin base (I've almost finished the large pack of these I bought cheap several years ago).

GGZC is from a range of figures currently sold by Dragon Bait Miniatures (though I'm almost positive that I obtained mine from somewhere else, probably quite a long time ago).  She's fixed on a simple disk base that has then been covered in sand & painted.

Conclusion

I've laid out my thoughts on this encounter above, but somehow it doesn't seem totally convincing.  The zombie is well enough, but what about Stewie?  He's just standing there as if nothing was happening.  Is he all right?  Maybe he's listening to a radio earpiece and has forgotten to look down?  Maybe his shades are so dark that he cannot see properly?  Please, help me out here!

If you're interested in Week 5 then go this way ==>

Zomtober 2021, Week 3

<== Back to Week 2

Introduction

It is another October Sunday, so it's time for a Zomtober post!  By this time, I imagine all my readers know the drill...

May vs Bible-Waving Zombie

Here's a confrontation between May, a small Girl Guide (Girl Scout in some parts of the world) and a fairly ordinary adult zombie.  I'll call him "bible-waving zombie" (BWZ for short), since the book he has in his hand is just about the only thing to make him distinct from any others of the walking dead.

BWZ is constructed from a Studio Miniatures plastic body and head.  From memory, I took the arms out of a different kit; probably one of the old Wargames Factory ones.  He's a fairly plain "lurcher", though he carries a fairly large bible in one hand.  It's not obvious how he came by this item, but he seems intent on using it as a makeshift club.  Or maybe BWZ has simply forgotten that the item is in his hand?

May is, I think, a bit unusual for a Girl Guide.  She has acquired a firearm from somewhere - I think it looks like a silenced machine pistol.  She's bracing the gun in both hands and appears to be aiming appropriately.  However, just in case the zombie escapes her initial attention, May also has a knife in a sheath attached to her belt.  Indeed, she seems to be living up to the Girl Guides' motto: "Be Prepared"!

Just to show that she hasn't left all childish things behind, May is wearing her favourite purple and blue satchel - the one with the pink unicorn design on the back.

Conclusion

So, does the zombie have a chance?  Is May completely in charge of this situation?  Usually when I pose one of my Zomtober duels the outcome is in doubt, or at the very least an argument can be made for either side to be victorious (or neither, which is quite a popular choice!).  However, this pairing seems to be much more one-sided.  Or is it?

What do you think?

For week 4, follow me! ==>

Zomtober 2021, Week 2

Introduction

<==  Week 1 is here

Another Sunday in October; it must mean I need to produce another Zomtober post.  My usual format is to suggest a duel between two of my recently-painted models.  I see no reason to break with this tradition of mine, so here we go...

April vs Smart Casual Zombie

Today's confrontation is between April, a girl guide/girl scout (depending on which side of the Atlantic dominates your use of the English language) and "smart casual zombie" (hereafter SCZ).

April is young and small, but she does seem to be well-prepared.  She has a hockey stick for offense, a helmet for defense and a backpack for supplies.  It's not completely obvious, but I think there's a molotov cocktail sticking out of the corner of her pack, so April has a backup weapon if she chooses.  Mind you, firebombs are often regarded as having poor performance against zombies, so maybe April is showing a little inexperience here?

SCZ was a smartly-dressed young woman, but as a zombie she has suffered a bit.  She's lost a shoe (which probably isn't much of an issue for her now), is missing part of one arm and has a bad scalp wound.  Does this damage lessen the threat from the zombie?  I don't know.

April is another of the set of Girl Scouts that I mentioned in last week's episode.  She's a metal model and possibly my favourite of the entire pack.

SCZ is built from the old Wargames Factory "Zombie Vixens" set.  I still have maybe enough parts to build one third of the figures in this set, so it should keep me going for a while yet.

Conclusion

So, as ever, what happens next?  April has a look of gritted determination and seems to be determined to attack SCZ.  Is her plan to hook the zombie's legs from under it with the hockey stick and then bash its head with the same?  Or is she just trying to fend off the zombie, perhaps so that she can run past it?  Or maybe the helmet has fallen over her eyes and she hasn't even seen the zombie?

If fit and healthy, I think that SCZ would be more than a match for April, however confident the little girl might feel.  But the zombie is somewhat damaged.  Does this alter the balance here - and if so then by how much?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.  We need to know how this ends!

Here is week 3 ==>

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 ==>

Zomtober 2020, Week 4

<==  Missed week 3?  This way

Introduction

Well, I've managed to survive Zomtober for another year.  This is the last Sunday of the month, so with this post I have completed the challenge for 2020.  Doesn't it feel good 😁!

So, without further ado, here's another zombie/survivor duel.

Ritchie vs Dapper Old Zombie (DOZ)

This "duel" is between "Ritchie" - a survivor and "dapper old zombie" ("DOZ").  Now, I try not to judge, but I don't think that Ritchie is the sharpest tool in the toolbox.  For starters, he cannot spell his name correctly (or at least, using the more common form: "Richie").

For the first time ever in a Zomtober pairing, I realised that I mounted both of these figures on identical bases.  Too bad - when I noticed the duplication it was much too late in the month to produce another, different model for either or both participants.

Ritchie is one of Offensive Miniatures "Street Kids", whilst DOZ is from Studio Miniatures.  I think the latter may be from a pack of "celebrity" zombies rather than rank-and-file, but if so then I don't recognise the reference.

Ritchie is armed with a petrol bomb, which has been universally ridiculed by "experts" as a terrible anti-zombie weapon.  It's hard to light and throw accurately - and even if you succeed in this then flames won't necessarily incapacitate a charging foe.  Instead, you'll simply be mauled to death by a burning zombie.

I believe that Ritchie has added yet another level of incompetence to the mix.  It looks to me as if he's using a champagne bottle for his Molotov cocktail.  Such bottles are very thick-walled and strong (so they don't blow apart when full of "bubbly").  I wonder if it would shatter and ignite the petrol when it hit the target, or merely bounce off and lie smoking in the gutter?

This survivor does get credit for heavy clothing and a face mask, though.  These may slow down or impede zombie bites and protect somewhat against splashes of infected blood.

Conclusion

The question, as always, is this: what happens next?  DOZ seems quite fit and active (for a zombie) and appears to have the edge in awareness as well.  I suspect that Ritchie's only chance is to weather the initial onslaught, break free (possibly discarding his anorak to the clutches of the zombie) and flee...

Skip forwards to Zomtober 2021 ==>

Zomtober 2020, Week 3

<== Go back here if you missed Week 2

Introduction

It's another Sunday in Zomtober!  [If you need help in understanding Zomtober then look up some of my earlier posts; I'm not going to explain it every time].  So, as is my custom, here's a "duel" between a survivor and a zombie.  Your job is to decide "what happens next?"

Bill vs Skateboard Girl

Today's pairing is a bit unusual (even for me), as the zombie has a name ("Bill") and the survivor doesn't.  In the latter case it's because I forgot to give her one; perhaps my readers could suggest a suitable name?

Anyway, for the rest of this article I'll call her "SG".  It's less of a mouthful than "skateboard girl".

So, I think the first question is this: is Bill a zombie at all, or is he a survivor who is posing as a zombie.  He might have reasons to do this, either to move more freely among real zombies or to scare off the less-determined surviving humans.

If it's just a ploy, I think it's a dangerous one.  SG appears to be lost in thought, or possibly is just humming along to whatever music is playing on her portable CD player.  Either way, she's about to be startled when she suddenly notices Bill's presence.  What will she do next?  She's heavily armed and seems strong and healthy (she's quite a big lass).

"Bill" is from Studio Miniatures; he comes from one of their slightly more specialised packs of zombies (as opposed to being one of the "horde").

SG is another model from the Street Violence range, sold by Wargames Foundry.

Conclusion

I'm quite pleased to be finishing some of my older Foundry models this month, after many years of neglect.  It's not much in material terms (the lead pile is still enormous), but mentally it makes me feel like I'm making progress.  Given another century or two I might even run out of unpainted figures, who knows?

So, questions:

• What name should I give to SG?
• Is Bill a zombie who looks somewhat like a survivor (healthy skin colour, no sign of wounds or ripped clothing)?  Or is he a survivor who is pretending to be a zombie (shambling walk, moaning)?
• Will SG notice Bill before he "tags" her?
• If she does, will her reaction be fight or flight?
• Or will she do something else altogether, such as freeze in disbelief?  Or ask for an autograph?

Only you can tell...

Forwards to week 4 ==>

Zomtober 2020: Week 2

Introduction

<== Week 1 is here

OK, it's Zomtober, it's another Sunday - I can do this.  It's no big deal.  Just put up pictures of another zombie vs survivor "duel", like I've done before.  OK?  Here we go, then...

Polly vs Prison Escape Zombie

This week's confrontation is between a young woman called "Polly" and a zombie who is possibly in prison uniform.  Did he escape from a nearby incarceration facility?  Perhaps; the broken sign over which he is stumbling would add weight to his idea.  Let's call him "prison escape zombie" (PEZ).

Polly is a classic example of the concept that there is no dress code during the zombie apocalypse.  All I'm doing to say about her costume is that it is (to my way of thinking) a very weird assortment of styles and colours.

So, are these her working clothes?  Did she choose to dress this way when leaving home in the morning?  Or were these the only items of apparel that she could find?  All these theories seem somewhat implausible and I'm not entirely sure that I want to know the answer.

Polly comes from one of Wargames Foundry's weirder packets in the hit-and-miss Street Violence range.  I'm happy enough to have one such model in my collection, but I don't think I want a whole load more "sluts with guns".

In contrast, PEZ is a fairly plain zombie, dressed in a ripped (more accurately, shredded) tee shirt with orange trousers and gym shoes.  He's moderately damaged, both on the face and the belly - but is still lurching along.  PEZ is a Studio Miniatures model.

So, who will win this duel?  Polly seems totally relaxed and confident, she has a potent gun and seems healthy, aware and fit.  Is this a slam dunk for her?  Can anything go wrong?  Does PEZ have a chance?  You decide...

Bonus Article

Some weeks ago, when I was contemplating how to tackle the Zomtober challenge, I thought that it would be nice to include a scatter terrain or objective piece with each week's entry.  Well, I failed completely to have anything ready for Week 1!  However, I had one large (70mm?) urban base left from my long-serving, assorted packet of Escenorama resin pieces.

I also had a packet of "corpses" from TT Combat, plus quite a few bits from various Wargames Factory zombie & survivor kits.  I decided that I could put these all together to build a pile-of-bodies model.  Note that several of the contributor models have been converted, mostly to reposition limbs.

If you think that this is somewhat macabre then I agree completely.  My only defence is that this is no more associated with real life than is any zombie movie or book.

So, for bonus points, what happened here?  It looks as if someone with a gun shot down several zombies, maybe because they were feasting on the fat man.  But one of the models (centre) has no obvious injuries.  Is he/she dead?  Indeed, is he/she a zombie or a human?

Final thought: maybe Polly is feeling confident because she knows that she can kill any number of zombies; she may have been the cause of this massacre!  Just like swatting flies...

Follow me for Week 3 ==>