Monday 5 December 2016

Stop Monkeying around!

Hi all

When Judge Dredd the Miniatures Game (JDMG) came out a few years ago, they bought out (for me anyway) the best set of miniatures ever - the Ape Gang.

Now none of my gaming group have the same interest in JDMG as I do, so I just sat back and watched the inter webs with envious eyes as they bought out lush miniatures that captured the fun, gangster like nature of the genetically altered simians. But I recently became the proud owner of these...

Image result for ape gang judge dredd

Ok I don't have all of them as I haven't got the Orangutan Leader model, but I have got the rest! As part of the very generous prize offered up by Vampifan a few weeks ago.  I did have a little look around for some cheap apes to bolster the gang over Black Friday but I kinda blew my entire years budget on Bushido, the majority of which will have to be gifted back to me as xmas gifts such was my lavish spending of money I don't have......curse my impulsive love for Bushido models.... so don't expect to see those until after xmas, but I promise there will be some glorious times ahead come 2017!!

Some Background

Most animals were killed in the Great Holocaust with the exception of those in zoos. Later the technology was developed to alter the brain-cells of apes to allow them to speak. The freed apes have all settled in a part of Mega-City One now called The Jungle. The buildings are less uniform and feature staircases designed for ape use. There is an establishment called Banana Brunch there. Mega-City Zoo features Gleeps, Muties and now Monkeys.

The first sentient apes appeared in the pages of  2000ad on 19 Nov 1977, with the introduction of "Don" Uggie and the Ape Gang and was very much based on the idea of Prohibition style gangsters.  There are several story lines that follow with sentient apes and they pop up every now and again including the introduction of Harry Heston - Ape Judge

Judge Dredd Megazine #376

Heston was the brain child of the sadly deceased Stewart Perkins and his friend Jake Lynch.  I had hoped to see Harry Heston in miniature form but alas.

Anyway back to these gorgeous apes.  This is what I got in my excellent bundle...


Note that I assembled these guys with Gorilla Glue! guffaw guffaw... ahem, sorry about that. Once assembled and the bases sanded I gave them a spray of grey car primer, then onto the painting.  First of all I decided to paint the Gorillas.  There are three of them and as apes generally garb themselves anyway they can, it gave me carte blanche to paint an eclectic mix of colours.

base colours



sorry about the fuzzy pic, but with shade and highlights

a little extra detail on the dress with some yellow patterns




With the Gorillas done it was onto the Chimps and the single Orangutan sniper.




the Ape Gang!!
So there we have it, I will be looking out for a suitable leader model and maybe add some of the ape bikers that were produced by Warlord (but not reduced in their sale).

hope you enjoy
dGG



26 comments:

  1. Very nice apes Andy, really captured the feel for them. It is a shame they didn't make the Judge Heston model

    ReplyDelete
  2. There is not very much better than an APE gang!

    So very 2000AD

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have done an ace job on these, Andy. I can't wait to showcase my own ape gang (all painted and photographed apart from the bikers). I have a few extras that will certainly intrigue you. Speaking of ape bikers, Wargames Terrain Workshop make a nice (and cheap) set of ape bikers that perfectly complement the Warlord Games bikers. You can also choose which bikes you want them riding. Jet bikes is a good option. It is worth keeping an eye out on eBay as Judge Dredd apes frequently appear. For example, Don Uggie's gang is currently available for about £15 for three figures - not too bad considering its rarity value. Plus they scale perfectly with the Warlord Games apes. Finally, I too, wish there was a Judge Heston figure available.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bryan. Looks like I'll be scanning the inter webs for bargains, Bushido took my entire budget but I'm going to try and sneak some JD figs too!

      Delete
  4. I am absolutely loving this article and the topic is inspiring me no end with my own endeavours.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those look excellent.

    For an ape leader, have you looked at the Pulp City range? There are quite a few fun apes there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks mate. I'm gonna head over there now!

      Delete
  6. Blimey, what would be a good month's worth of painting for me you've posted in in one go!!! Corking stuff, Andy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Excellent. I was always an angel gang fan, and I have then to paint

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah Martin, they were awesome and are on the list

      Delete
  8. Gerat figures and good paintjob too, I'm sure, like mme they'll bring smile to nanyone's face - really liking these a lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Joe, I hope so cos they bring a smile to mine every time I pick them up!

      Delete
  9. Who doesn't love a bitsimian sci-fi? Should you wish to bolster your forces, Eureka Miniatures do a range of Boiler Suited Apes, including gorillas, gibbons, etc. They're armed with contemporary guns, but at £2.10 each for the basic figures, they're very reasonable. Available from Fighting 15s here in the UK. Probably the best set for you would be the Apes in Space set, with 5 'apeonauts' including Aperella for £9.45. Certainly worth a look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who wouldn't want an "Aperella"? Awesome heading over for a look.

      Delete
    2. Dammit, Jez, now you've got me book-marking this website. There are a lot of their ape figures I want. Who am I kidding? I want them ALL! Unfortunately, it'll have to wait until the New Year as I've already blown this month's gaming budget. :-(

      Delete
    3. I love the "ape on a dirt bike"! It just looks fantastic. What a swine....

      Delete
  10. These look awesome dude! If your ever after some reinforcements check out Pulp City A.R.C they even have a chimpanzer coming

    ReplyDelete