Jul 6, 2013

Alternative Survivors: Hasselfree Miniatures

Hello all,
Faced with fifty zombies yet to paint and having run out of Survivors to alleviate the dullness of repainting the same mini over and over again, I decided to treat myself to some fine figures.
I've kept a close watch on the miniatures produced by the company called Hasslefree Miniatures for quite a while now, and decided to try them out. The whole process was indeed free of any hassles - the webpage works very well, the prices are fair, and the shipping was cheap and quick. Thumbs up to the initial phase.
I only bought five figures as these were merely a test, but I promised myself that if they were good quality, I was entitled to some more once the Zombie horde have been completed. This was helped by the 50% discount Wayland games offered on their entire Hasslefree range the other day. This means I've got a ton of Hasslefree minis ready to get some paint :-).

Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide
Group shot!
So, the five miniatures chosen were selected based on 1) their suitability as survivors for Zombicide, and 2) their paintability factor, i.e. how much they made me go - I need to paint that figure! Unfortunately, this meant that quite a few of the Hasslefree miniatures were on my 'must-buy' list.
Kevin White Hasslefree Miniatures Interview
Kevin 'talented' White
 The primary sculptor, Kevin James White, is a bloody talented guy, and based on various interviews on the net (examples can be read here, here, and here) also a quite nice chap. As far as I have been able to deduce, it appears the company is run by his wife while Kev sits and labours, creating minis - primarily shapely women.

So without further ado, here are the beauties I bought from Hasslefree (and stay tuned - most are already painted, so once the sun starts shining again, I'll begin uploading painted miniatures again):


Mad-Dog (HFA013)
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Mad-Dog
Mad-Dog is a suave and sophisticated Zombie hunter who unfortunately got caught 'with his trousers down'. We aren't implying that he was 'up to no good' but merely that when the thrill of the hunt calls, there are obviously more important things to think about than putting on your trousers! At least he remembered his fire-axe and his protective helmet although i am not sure what use they would be with a bunch of zombies approaching. He is approximately 28mm to eye level.
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Mad-Dog
Temporary Verdict: A supreme Sculpt. Also the happies chap I've ever had the pleasure to paint :-).



Renato Ramirez, from the Legends of Golo range (HFGGL1)
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Renato Ramirez
In the dark near future of the zombie apocalypse some people thrive, others go a little crazy, but every now and again someone grows a Hitler moustache and throws on long johns and a tutu and starts shotgunning things!
A crazy little sculpt by the ridiculously talented Tom Meier.


Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Renato Ramirez

Temporary Verdict: Well done to Tom Meier! This guy is a psycho, without all the usual melodrama. He just likes to wear his little tutu. The sculpt is excellent, and how often do you get to paint a ballerina-Hitler in long johns?


 Bubba (HFA038)
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Bubba
So is Elvis dead or not? Rumours abound that he didnt die and is making a living as an impersonator! Move over for the Elvis impersonating zombie hunter sporting a deadly guitar (!) and a 357 magnum.
Kev White
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Bubba
Temporary Verdict: An Elvis impersonator? Whats not to like? Not a fan of the multi-parts but as Bubba is a hefty guy (plenty of peanut-banana sandwiches...) I guess it couldn't be helped. Excellent details, and this might be the first 28mm guitar I've ever painted.

Bunny Boiler Alice (HFA028)
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Bunny Boiler Alice
Always think of Alice and the White rabbit as a cute fairy tale experience? Not this version....more bunny-boiler than bunny-loving. There are two variants of this figure, this is a slight conversion of the Fu-uk winner to having high heels rather than combat boots.
Kev White
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Bunny Boiler Alice
Temporary Verdict: A beautiful, and disturbing, woman. The dress and face are brilliant - the shoes are a bit too 'hidden' for my taste. And the whole 'I shot my stuffed bunny' theme is brilliant :-), Wonder how Kev thought of that detail :-).


Maria (c) (HFA109)
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Maria
Maria is back with a new hairstyle and some possible plastic surgery. We haven't yet asked her what it is she constantly thinks is over her shoulder, mainly cos she's always carrying a gun.
Kev White
Hasslefree Miniatures Survivors Alternative Zombicide Maria
Temporary Verdict: As with Bunny Alice, Maria is a petite, well-shaped woman. An interesting stance, great motion to the pose, great face. Brilliant mini.

So, what do I think of Hasslefree Miniatures now that I've had a chance to look more closely at them? Well, they are as brilliant as they look on the net. Great details, crisp castigns (little to no cleanup and nearly no mold lines), interesting elements, and great faces on all of them.
So far I cannot recommend them enough. I only regret not having bought some ages ago, and these will definetely not be my last Hasslefree purchases. I need them all!

Anyways, thanks for reading - if you found the post interesting then any comments or tips are greatly appreciated!
Until the next time; stay safe and prepare to slaughter Zombies!

All the best,
Kasper

1 comment:

  1. nice collection, I like the children set better :)
    here's my selection:
    http://51-cent.blogspot.hk/2013/08/Zombicide-Proxy.html

    ReplyDelete

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