Making Death Guard Great Again: Plague Marine Finished

Built for brutality.

At the end of 2017, we showcased a collection of Death Guard models that were created by a talented group of hobbyists in response to anatomical mess that was the new Death Guard models. While I also built a Death Guard model for the challenge, I was only able to start painting it recently. The model was a great opportunity to experiment with painting styles and techniques, similar to painting the Elder One that I built earlier in the year. With this post, I wanted to talk a little how I went about the process.

Between the Bolter and Me: 2017, a year in review

Onward to 2018!

It is hard to believe, but 2017 has come to a close, marking five years for Between the Bolter and Me! Just like each year before it, 2017 proved to be quite different from the previous years. While 2016 was filled with attending collaborative events (the Pilgrym and Curse of the Alabaster), 2017 was much more introspective, as we honed our image of what makes a responsible and effective model (namely by examining female representation as well as logical anatomy). We also learned a lot of new techniques, including resin casting and working with non-acrylic paints. With this post, we wanted to recap all of the projects that we have been working on over the last 12 months.

Season's Greetings from Between the Bolter and Me

Happy Holidays from the Thorn Moons!

2017 is finally coming to a close, and while we will do some posts to recap the highlights shortly, we wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays! The year would not have been nearly as special without this community and all the collaborations we got to do with people this year, from exploring  the sandy wastes of Tor Megiddo, the boreal Thorn Moons, and the virulent Plague Planet with their Death Guard inhabitants. We know 2018 holds great things to come, but wanted to wish warm tidings to all on these last few days as we get ready to welcome in the new year!

Adam, Eric, and Greg Wier

Making Death Guard Great Again: A Compilation

Karl Kopinski shows us the true potential of the Death Guard.

When the Death Guard models were released this year, we were very critical of them. Although released alongside the Primaris Space Marines, they did not benefit from the improved anatomy that the new Imperial warriors did. Despite their increase in size, the Death Guard models still suffer from unsightly thigh gaps and have precious little in the way of abdomens. Instead of simply complaining about Games Workshop’s questionable design decisions, with encouragement from bigbossredskullz, we decided that we would try our hands at correcting the Death Guard’s anatomical issues. Rather than just doing this ourselves, we proposed a challenge, encouraging anyone interested to convert some Death Guard models that would live up to the legion’s despotic legacy. To our delight, nine talented hobbyists took up the challenge and created some of the finest Death Guard models you will ever have the pleasure of seeing! Below, in no particular order, we showcase their fantastic work.

Making Death Guard Great Again: Plague Marine WIP

Creeping Death.

After the release of all the Death Guard models this year, we were quite critical of them, disliking their distorted anatomy, with their huge thigh gaps, and their general lack of abdomens. Rather than simply complain about these issues, with the suggestion from bigbossredskullz, we decided to invite anyone interested to take part in a challenge to convert some new Death Guard models to address them. Much to our excitement, we have already gotten some amazing entries, which we are going to share on the blog on December 18th. That leaves a little over two weeks for anyone new to join the challenge. As inspiration, we wanted to share the current progress of our Death Guard plague marine!

Making Death Guard Great Again: A Challenge

“I shall reap a terrible bounty from the death that I sow in your name, Father Nurgle…”

In our last episode of Dragged into Turbolasers we had a lot of critical things to say about the majority of the new Death Guard models. In recent years, we have become increasingly concerned with scale and anatomical accuracy of Games Workshop’s models, and were thrilled when they released the Primaris Space Marines that corrected many of traditional Space Marines’ egregious errors. Unfortunately, aside from Mortarion, the vast majority of the new Death Guard models have not benefited from the Primaris’ improved anatomy, and instead are plagued by massive thigh gaps between their legs and a veritable lack of abdomens, making the range looks awkward and seem like a step backwards. Now, I know that it could be argued that the blessing of Grandfather Nurgle and the passage of thousands of years would have vastly changed their anatomy, so it does not need to make sense. I can accept this to some extent, but I am still doubtful that their proportions were purposefully left wonky to fit with their patron god. But maybe Grandfather Nurgle blesses all of his followers with kyphosis as their first rite of passage? But, I digress… Upon the suggestion from the talented and prolific bigbossredskullz, we decided that we should try to convert a Death Guard model using some of the new models, trying to live up to their storied legacy, instead of simply criticizing. Spiralling from the discussion with bigbossredskullz, together we decided it would be fun to start up a challenge, reminiscent to our Kingdom Death multipart kit Challenge, but open it up to anyone interested in participating.