The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - The Invisible Man

Hawley Griffin was a skilled research scientist who discovered a formula that makes a human being invisible. As all slightly mad scientists do, he tried it out on himself. The formula entailed taking opium and another drug, which made his blood clear, then processing him in a radiator engine. It succeeded, but he quickly found himself unable to reverse the process. Realising not only that his normal life was over, but also the potential for living a life of debauchery free of consequence, Griffin quickly came to embody the worst aspects of the Victorian male.

The invisible man, dressed for a night out on the town, or at least, the start of one.

A psychopathic murderer, rapist, and traitor to mankind, Griffin had to be coerced into joining up with the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and he doesn't hide the fact he feels little to no loyalty towards his fellow team members. A monster among men indeed.

Aheheh... careful Miss Harker, you won't see me coming, you know...

He may not be a team player, but it doesn't occur to Griffin that other Extraordinay Gentlemen may have a trick up their sleeves of their own.

Wha...what are you looking at?

The members of the team so far, with the newest addition

The concept for the model was taken from the League group foto from the graphic novel. The reason I went with more of a taupe colour for the suit than the grey from the image is that I used the same base figure as for my Dracula model and I didn't want them to end up looking too similar. 

The base model was the gentleman from the Lemax "attending services" set again. I removed the head and hands, repositioned the right arm, built up the shirt collar and sleeve so it would look hollow and built him a new cane from a piece of paperclip and some putty. The hat was cut off from the head and glued to his side, so he would appear to hold it next to his body.

Don't lose your head!

The Dracula I made earlier from the same figure is slightly bigger because I bulked out his arms and legs with putty, as well as broaden his shoulders and hips. I didn't do that on Griffin as I figured it would help to differentiate the two models a bit more.

Aheheh... I like your tailor.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Faction Overview

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a group of heroes and misfits, brought together to defend the British Empire in its hour of need.

Artist's interpretation of the main members of the team

The figures so far...

The team comprises of:

1. Allan Quatermain 

(to be added)

2. Captain Nemo

Source: King and Country

3. Wilhelmina Harher

Source: Lemax (converted and painted)

4. Mister Hyde

Source: Knight Models (converted and painted)

5. Hawley Griffin, the Invisible Man

Source: Lemax (converted and painted)

6. Dorian Grey

(to be added)

Chinatown Gangs - Boss Wang and Secretary

Fu Man Chu has made extensive use of the various Tong gangs active in Chinatown and beyond. One such gang is boss Wang's. Having grown up on the streets of Shanghai before making the journey into the west, boss Wang made his way from petty street thief to the leader of one of the most ruthless gangs prowling the streets of London. These days, he rarely goes out with his men, prefering to lead from his headquarters, but he does like to hand out his own brand of justice to enemies and traitors that are brought before him. Styling himself a bit of a modern businessman, rather than the thug he is at heart, he rarely goes anywhere without his secretary by his side.

Boss Wang, taking on airs...

Boss Wang's secretary and occasional mistress.

Both figures are from King and Country in their streets of old Hong Kong range. I modified and repainted the bases to match my other figures, but otherwise, they are straight from the box. Boss Wang was initially the client from the barber set (the barber became the sorceror Wei Long Wu, while his secretary came with the street scribe set (the scribe becoming Fu Man Chu's accountant, Li Peng).

Boss Wang, getting a visit from the law to answer some questions...

Boss Wang with his faithful secretary reading her notes...

Chinatown Underworld - Faction Overview

The sector of London where Chinese immigrants have made their home, commonly known as Chinatown, is also the place from where evil mastermind Fu Man Chu directs his criminal operations, ranging from Chinese Tong street gangs to skilled assassins and magic users.

On this page, you will find an overview of the various figures that compose this faction of the setting, which are shown in more detail on other pages of this blog.

The models so far...

1. Fu Manchu

(To be added)

2. Wei Long Wu, sorceror

Source: King & Country, with Games Workshop conversion

3. Li Peng, accountant

Source: King & Country (base repainted)

4. Hopping Vampire

(To be added)

Chinatown Underworld - Bookkeeper

You'd be forgiven for mistaking the bespectacled Li Peng for a somewhat dull, but overall harmless old man. He is, after all, a bookkeeper and spends most of his time surrounded by papers and ink. However, this bookkeeper is none other than Fu Man Chu's personal accountant and secretary. His pen is just as often used to write a death sentence as to scribble down numbers. Most of Fu Man Chu's underlings have learned not to offend him as it has been said occasionally a name ends up on that death list that hasn't been ordered by the master.

Li Peng fulfllling his duties

The figure is made by King & Country in their Streets of Hong Kong series and initially represented a scribe offering his services on the street. The base was changed to match my other figures, other than that, the paintjob is the original one.

Her Majesty's Finest - Captain Burnaby

Captain Frederick Gustavus Burnaby joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1859. His service would take him allover the world. In 1875, he travelled with General Gordon in the Sudan and then journeyed across the Russian Steppes on horseback. In 1876-78 he travelled through Asia Minor and Armenia, which he would write about in 'On Horseback through Asia Minor'. In 1882 he crossed the Channel to Normandy alone in a balloon, which was a first. He was fluent in several foreign languages, stood for parliament (twice), published several books and was generally admired by the London ladies.    Barely surviving a spear at the battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan on 17th January 1885 (he was in fact officially reported killed in action), he was offered a place among "Her Majesty's Finest" after his recovery.

Captain Burnaby, in the thick of the fight

The figure is a prepainted one from John Jenkins Designs, with the base raised and repainted  to match the other figures. Despite the epic details of his life, captain Burnaby is an actual historical character and the figure was made to represent him. The real captain however did not survive the spear at Aby Klea.

Her Majesty's Finest - York & Lancaster Rgt. Private

Private Liam Hamstead has been with the 1st battalion of the York & Lancaster Regiment since the mid seventies, and was posted in India until 1882. After that, they were moved to Aden to be held in reserve for the Egyptian Campaign, and subsequently shipped to Sudan at the start of 1884. One day after their arrival, they came under gun fire and made a bayonet charge, capturing two Krupp guns. Prviate Hamstead was instrumental in that feat. He continued to serve with the regiment until he was drafted into Her Majesty's Finest.

Private Hamstead reenacting the bayonet charge

The model is a prepainted W. Britain figure. Not a favourite, but it fits in well enough and adds some more diversity to the unit. The base was changed to match the other figures. The character was made up, though the events mentioned did take place.

Private Hamstead shown here among the other members of Her Majesty's Finest:

For the Queen and the British Empire!

Chinese Market - Plant Vendors

The Chinese community in London has expanded tremendously over the last few years and more and more oriental stalls are popping up on the Lodon market. A popular stall caters to exotic plants and fruits, especially the aptly named mandarins.

Why buy rotten tomatoes when you can grow your own plants bearing more exotic fruits?

King and Country flower stall set (now retired) comes with a vendor and a small, but nicely detailed stand. I only changed the base on the vendor to match my other figures:

Watering your plants regularly keeps them healthy!

The mandarin seller is an older King and Country model and the skintone is more yellow. I may or may not decide to try and change the skintone, but for now, he will be fine. The base was changed to match the rest of the collection.

Mandarin carrying Mandarin. I'll get my coat.

Her Majesty's Finest - Redcoats

Privates Alfred Henry Hook and Frederick Hitch were awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in 1879, after the battle of Rorke's Drift against overwhelming Zulu forces. They continued to serve and were with the 24th regiment when they were called upon to join Her Majesty's Finest.

Heroes of Rorke's Drift, defending the streets of London from supernatural and other foes.

Both figures are prepainted toy soldiers made by Thomas Gunn. I have only adapted the bases to fit in with my other figures. The characters are based on actual heroes of the battle of Rorke's Drift.

Private Frederick Hitch 

Private Alfred Henry Hook

The London Market - The tomato vendor

The London market is full of big and small stands selling anything from fresh produce to dusty  books and antiques. This old woman is selling some (overly?) ripe tomatoes. I originally painted her for my Three Musketeers collection, as she seemed fairly period neutral, but I decided in the end she fit in better in the Victorian age after all, so I rebased her (again).

Riiiipe tomatoes. Buy 'em before they spoil!

Seriously, buy'em now!

The base figure is Lemax' apple vendor, but painting them as tomatoes just seemed to fit. I've also aged her quite a bit with the repainting and I think it suits her.

I remember when I used to be young and was selling apples.

The size fits in perfectly too.

Watson, I believe I may have discovered an entirely new type of tomato disease on this woman's offerings!

Her Majesty's Finest - Royal Navy

Lieutenant Alfred Caine and private Ishmael (no last name given) were serving with the Royal Navy when they were called upon to join "Her Majesty's Finest". Little did they know they would soon be hacking their way through legions of undead in London.

"What's your name, private?" - "Call me Ishmael, Sir."

Alfred Caine joined the Navy in 1875 and served on the 'Britannia' and on the 'Alexandra', the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. He was wounded in the shoulder while serving ashore in the Niger River in 1881, but made a full recovery. The following year he became first lieutenant and was present at the bombardment of Alexandria. He fought in the Sudan campaign of 1885.

Hold fast!

Private Ishmael was added to the unit on the recommendation of Lt. Caine, who praised the young sailor's courage and resourcefullness. Ishamel doesn't talk much about his past, though it has been said he was the sole survivor of a whaling expedition in his youth. Such a tragedy is sure to mark a man.

Both models are prepainted John Jenkins Designs toy soldiers from their Sudan War range. I only changed the bases so they would match my other figures. Lt. Caine is a character I made up, while private Ishmael was borrowed from Moby Dick.

Chinese Market - Antiques Dealer

Chinese antiques have become a bit of a fad with the ladies and gentlemen of London and dealers have started to appear on the market to peddle their wears. It's hard to judge authenticity though, so buyers beware.

Look all you want, I do not deal in fakes!

The models are part of King and Country's Streets of old Hong Kong range of prepainted figures, so I only had to adapt the bases to fit my other figures. As is usual with this range, the detail of the paintjobs is very intricate. A lovely subrange.

The antiques dealer on his rickety stool.

A connoisseur checking out the quality of the goods.

Antique Chinese pottery and scrollwork.

Cult of Nehebkau - Egyptian Cultists

The cult of Nehebkau is an Egyptian sect dedicated to the return of this minor Egyptian god, whose avatar was a twoheaded snake and was said to have guarded the entrance to Duat, the Egyptian underworld. Recently, there have been sightings of the purpleclad cultists in the streets of London. Rumour goes they may have been drawn here by the recent discovery by British explorers of a tomb containing a mysterious sarcophagus. The sarcophagus and its as yet unrevealed contents have been brought to the capital of the realm for further study.

Cultists doing what cultists do.

The figures are partial repaints of Thomas Gunn arab figures. The original robes didn't quite scream cultists of a forbidden sect, so I changed them for stylish red and purple, with a yellow glyph indicative of their god, Nehebkau. The bases were further changed to match the other figures.

Cultist with gun.

Note the glyph depicting the twoheaded snake.

Cultist with sword. Clearly a fanatic.

Look at their robes, Sir! They are clearly Egyptian cultists! 

And a comparison of the figures before and after: