As can probably be seen, I’ve stopped regularly reading and thinking about American comic books for the time being — though I still await the new Spider-Man film. I’ve recently returned my focus to my love of tabletop and miniature gaming, particularly Warhammer. My pile of shame has grown quite large as I’ve juggled hobbies in my free time, keeping me away from the painting table — which, ironically, has also kept me away from this blog.

I recently finished a squad of Aeldari Guardian Defenders as a first attempt at an Alaitoc Craftworld color scheme. I enjoyed painting these models for the ease of shading and highlighting. The dynamism and proportions are a definitive upgrade over earlier generations of plastic Eldar sculpts. Perhaps I lack the imaginative muscle, but I don’t see many good places for a decal transfer on the Guardians themselves — a shame, since I’d love to further mark them as my guys. I look forward to painting up a Storm Guardians squad in the future.

Long term, I plan on building a large combined Eldar force drawing playable units and display pieces from Craftworlders, Harlequins, Corsairs, and Drukhari — a collection goal I expect to last a lifetime. I’m also building focused collections of Thousand Sons and Raven Guard, with piles of shame waiting for Bretonnia in The Old World and Traitor Legions in Horus Heresy. When I was a kid, my first Warhammer starter set was Assault on Black Reach. Not long after, I traded those miniatures for a secondhand Aeldari collection of much greater retail (and artistic) value — a real solid from a veteran to a kid. I played that army for a long time before trading it to a friend for some cards so he could get into Warhammer himself. Long story short: a childhood dream of mine is to field the Aspect Warrior– and Ranger–filled armies I saw in White Dwarf, where I imagined my own Apocalypse games with buddies geeking out over the grimdark possibilities of a mass pitched battle. Of course, the first order of business is getting some paint moving from palette through brush to mini. This series will function as my regular hobby update.

As an AuDHD hobbyist, I’m great at planning hobby projects but bad at chipping away consistently before moving on in a cycle of interests. Focusing on Warhammer is a particular labor of love that almost defies my brain’s pull toward leaving projects half-finished and chasing the next shiny thing. Painting in short bursts before switching to other tasks is a routine that actually works for me. I’m also studying for the LSAT right now, so there’s quite a bit to be excited about come summer.

Time to get my brushes wet — 11th edition’s release finds me sorely unprepared.