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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

"The Mouth Of Sauron Was A Living Man."

Updated: Nov 15, 2023


"His true name had been forgotten, even by himself."

This 28mm scale metal model of "the herald and messenger of Sauron" is produced by "Games Workshop", and can be bought as part of a two figure set from the Nottingham-based company's "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" range. Somewhat embarrassingly however, I purchased this particular sculpt separately at a wargaming show's second-hand stall many moons ago, and didn't even need to assemble it.


The fourth of my entries for this year's Zomtober challenge, the Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr was given an undercoat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, enthusiastically dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' his belt with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before layering the miniature's armour, formidable-looking face-grill and two-handed sword in “Vallejo” Gunmetal.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Black Panther is slowly having his base colours applied

These metallic areas were subsequently drowned in “Citadel” Nuln Oil and carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. I next 'picked out' the devoted servant of Sauron's sharpened teeth with a few dabs of White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and his partially-visible chin with a smear of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. Finally, to slightly 'bloody up' the fangs and flesh I applied a little "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to them.


Other bloggers taking part in Zomtober 2023 are:


With the potential leader of my Mordor "Lord of the Rings" army completed, at least as a foot figure, I was planning on pigmenting some Nazgul for the rest of Zomtober. However, that cunning idea has been somewhat thrown into disarray by the unexpected arrival of my Devourer Pledge for the Marvel Zombies Kickstarter by "CoolMiniOrNot". This huge addition to the "Zombicide" boardgame apparently contains no less than 87 models (or rather "game pieces) in its core box alone. So having bought the expansions too, I thought I'd best start cracking on with some of its contents.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - This Zombie Hulk has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Intriguingly, the base game actually sees the players cooperatively "control ravenous Zombie Heroes against the last remaining living Super Heroes", so I thought I'd start with something reasonably large and straightforward, such as the set's undead Incredible Hulk. I plan to follow the palette I used on my Marvel United Hulk last year, and then add plenty of flesh-rotting decay to Bruce Banner's grotesquely green alter-ego.


This clearly will be a lengthy endeavour, so I may well also use the models I paint for some simple tabletop games using some homemade rules. To that end I thought I'd grab one of the surviving heroes to paint too - in the shape of the Black Panther. The boxed set also comes with a dozen Bystanders, so to maintain something of a theme I may well try to squeeze both Betty Ross (Hulk's former wife) and Okoye (the head of Wakandan armed forces) into the mix too before the month is out...

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undercoat2670
Oct 27, 2023

The Mouth of Sauron looks brilliant. Those Middle Earth sculpts still look great don't they? Nicely done and he will fit in with your other models perfectly.

Wow. Those Zombicide models look awesome! I can't wait to see them finished. Cracking post.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 27, 2023
Replying to

Thanks Undercoat. I still think most of the metal sculpts for LotR still stand up very strongly today, its only the range's original plastics which are troublesome, and frankly I don't think many were all that great back when they were first released.


The Zombicide sculpts do indeed look great, imho, so hopefully I can manage to finish a couple every month, and get the Core Box Set at least finished.

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Dai Dead
Dai Dead
Oct 23, 2023

Mouth is super good! Looking forward to the mounted version.


That HUlk is a great sculpt too! Loved the original Marvel Zombies comics - just a cool idea.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 23, 2023
Replying to

Cheers Dai. I'll hopefully post up some WIPs of the mounted Mouth of Sauron soon. I certainly intend to keep the LotR stuff going beyond Zomtober now, so there's no longer the rush I was in earlier this month - especially as I've added some extra Zombicide models into the mix. 😁

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wsd50
Oct 21, 2023
Rated 1 out of 5 stars.

Smashing work mate, Sauron looks suitably scary (I've said it before but you do, do black phenomenally well!), and some Marvel goodness as well! Should have guessed you'd have a few super zombies in reserve mate! 😉


Cheers Roger.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 21, 2023
Replying to

Thanks Roger. Sauron's messenger was a lot of fun to paint, and I'm really pleased with past-me for picking him up second-hand. LOL. The Marvel Zombies stuff took me by surprise as I have more Nazgul planned for Zomtober so will need to squeeze everything in before the month is out. 😁

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Michał Kucharski
Michał Kucharski
Oct 20, 2023
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Woooa! Lovely work on the Mouth of Sauron!

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 20, 2023
Replying to

Cheers Michal. Hopefully I can get his mounted version finished too, and a few Nazgul before the month is over.

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wargamesterrainworkshop
wargamesterrainworkshop
Oct 20, 2023

The Mouth looks excellent Simon, and the armour is nice and dark to represent the character, great start on your zombicide survivor and zombie

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 20, 2023
Replying to

Thanks Dave. Pretty simple stuff on the Mouth of Sauron, tbh. But a great figure and I'm hoping to get his mounted figure done before the end of Zomtober too if I can.


The Marvel Zombies base set has some great models in it. But the sheer number is quite overwhelming - I believe there's over thirty SHIELD agents alone. LOL!!!

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