The more I write The MiniGamer, the more this hobby opens my eyes. I was going to liken myself to Alex in A Clockwork Orange, but I don’t think he particularly enjoyed that eye-opening experience, did he?

Anyway, real horror show… grab your glass of milk and let’s take a tour around the dystopian Milton Keynes that is our hobby…

• What a collection these 1605-1615 Jacobeans are, eh? Lovely stuff from Bloody Miniatures, a company named after my wife’s favourite saying.
• Proving that it’s never too late to launch your music career, John Blanche has released some singles. In all seriousness, the great master’s Army Painter range looks amazing.
• If you’re a fan of kitbashing, Mad Robot Miniatures is a treasure trove. The possibilities are endless with these new Tricorne Reaver Hybrid Torsos.
• Doctor Spork has an erection. Check out this absolute stonker of a retro fortified tower.
• And if you want to build a classic Old World-inspired village around said erection, here are some brilliant German Renaissance Buildings from Steve Barber Models. I’m also delighted that this range includes two 18th-century drunks. Cheers, lads!
• Peter Pig has added a bunch of new Persian ancients. Their commitment to the ancients even extends to their charmingly retro website.
• Thanks to the Wee Blokes blog for introducing me to Interloper Miniatures by way of these Chicken Robot Hunters. If you’ve ever wanted to field Foghorn Leghorn in a sci-fi warband, then you’re all sorted!
• From the Wargames Atlantic blog, a nice short, sharp piece on why tabletop gaming beats doomscrolling every time. To be honest, standing on a plug beats doomscrolling every time, too. But I heartily agree with Steven, and he even brought some science along for the ride.
• Ramshackle has a new Gumpas Set. I’ve no idea what a Gumpa is, but I’m here for them.
• Stop Press! Thanks to Mark in the Bedroom Battlefields community for the heads up, here. “On Owen’s Time Between Times podcast, he tells traditional tales, and two characters from one of these stories – The Robbers of Penwyllt, Iago and Gronwy – have been brought to life as 28mm metal miniatures”. Sculpted by Richard Dickens of Cold War Miniatures, these guys ooze character, and this is a very exciting and heartwarming collaboration!

On the Podcast: Geoff of Oakbound Talks Aesthetics, Folklore, & Hand Sculpting

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I first met Geoff at Bring Out Your Lead 2024, where he wandered up to me with a box full of random old miniatures and invited me to help myself. I later found out he ran Oakbound Studio and was an unbelievably talented sculptor, too. Having followed his amazing work since then, I figured he was long overdue for an invite onto the show. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.

On the Gaming Table

I played a 5500-point game of Hobgoblin with The Good Doctor last week, using the ‘Burn Them Out’ scenario. His undead horde had to capture two of my three buildings, which, in our narrative, represented the pub, the brewery, and the landlord’s house. By the end of turn three, poor old Lord Marshall Longfellow was dead (again), and his forces were defeated (again). As ever with our games of Hobgoblin, it was an action-packed affair full of fun cinematic moments, and certainly never a dull one.

Hullo, folks!

We had a nice family holiday in Northumbria last week, managing to visit a handful of historical sites in between beer gardens. We did Corbridge Roman Town, Roman Vindolanda Fort, then Jarrow Hall & Bede Museum. When we finally arrived at Beamish, it seemed almost futuristic.

Here’s a quick photo of Corbridge for you. Talk about the death of the Great British High Street, eh?

Anyway, I’m no Bill Bryson, so I won’t dwell on my travel adventures any longer. Let’s get to the toy soldiers stuff. Here’s what caught my eye recently…

• A pair of King Johns sounds like a slang term for your Y-fronts, doesn’t it? But after releasing the King John sourcebook for The Baron’s War, Footsore Miniatures now offers a mounted and an on-foot version of this mercurial medieval monarch. I’m fascinated with this historical period after reading Sharon Penman’s Plantagenets series. It’s a minor miracle I’ve been able to resist buying any Baron’s War stuff yet, though it’s unlikely I’ll hold out for much longer.
• Staying with Footsore, the inimitable Trish Carden’s new HarrowHyrst beastmen will be available for dispatch before the weekend arrives. One common criticism of beastmen interpretations is that they’re all just goats. Well, not in Trish’s world. My personal favourite is Snail Guy, who actually reminds me a bit of trying to get changed underneath my towel at the beach.
• Elsewhere, if you’re looking to take your miniature habit to a more literal level, check out The Monks of Midlam Abbey.
• I’m late to the Meridian Miniatures party, but what an utterly stunning range. I don’t have the words for these chaps, which is unfortunate, given that I’m writing a newsletter. I also love the Moonblins, am devastated the Synth Wizard is sold out, and if you’re a Doctor named Spork, how about some orcs for your non-Citadel Genestealer cult?
• If there’s a single hobbyist out there who doesn’t own a squad of Space Rangers, is 80p a figure cheap enough for you?
• Here’s a couple of Celtic Cavalry lads from North Star. Or is it a photo of me and my imaginary friend running round those Roman sites I visited last week?
• Finally, The Little Soldier Company has announced they’ll be bringing back Hinchliffe’s fantasy range from the 1970s, sculpted by the late Peter Gilder. Some incredible stuff in there, including the Marauder Giant’s great-grandad.

On the Podcast: DBA Tournaments, Painting Armies, & Hobbying in Retirement

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Martin from the Bedroom Battlefields community is a regular contributor to our monthly hobby update episodes. I’ve been keen to get him on for a more in-depth chat about his hobby life, and fortunately, he was happy to oblige!

Find the Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

The Hobby Desk

Having never tried the Chariot troop type in Hobgoblin, I was keen to rectify that, and I’m now pleased to present ‘The One King Chariot’. I don’t know if it counts as “kitbashing”, but I swapped out the chariot’s intended barbarian riders for a dwarf hero (all from Ral Partha). The result is a usurped dwarven King turned mercenary whose aim is to raise the funds he needs to take back his golden throne. For now, though, he’ll need to make do with a very bumpy wooden one (not to mention, a spectacular view up a boar’s rear eye!)