Im currently obsessing about miniature space frog people.
Recently I got my hands on some of the long out of production GW/Citadel Space Slann (a race of space-faring frog folk) figures that were released in the 1980s. They were pricey, but I decided to regard it as a fortieth birthday treat for myself.
The purchase has put me in the research stage of a new project. The first step is obsessing about how to explore the styles and motivations of the concept via the medium of 28mm toy soldiers.
A little time spent at this high fallutin’ stage makes the subsequent push around of the miniatures while making zap, pow and ribbit noises in a room full of grown men and booze all the more enjoyable.
As a child born in the mid-seventies, anthropomorphic frogs have been a influence at Chateau Sho3box for quite a while now. I was drawn to Kermit in particular, his leader like qualities appealing to me likely due to the raging dictatorial, Darth Vader like control freak despot that lurks, unfulfilled in my disco, fondue, drip candle and avocado-heavy-dinner-party, funk-filled seventies soul. Or something.
In retrospect it was inevitable that my lifelong interest in puppet herpetology would collide with my other perennial obsession: toy soldiers.
The point of this post is to do a round up of what space frog models are out there and where they can be obtained, mainly as a process to help me to get my ducks in a row as anything else.
Image from solegends.com
First on the list is these guys, the original Rogue Trader: Warhammer 40,000, first edition “Space Slann”. The models are pricey and difficult to track down (although I did shell out for a set recently, so I have them, lucky me). Included for the sake of completeness.
Image from collecting-citadel-miniatures.com
Above is the unreleased Citadel/GW Space Slann. I dont have one of those, but considering how difficult the model is to get, I likely never will. This model is also listed here for the sake of completeness.
The classic RT era Space Slann are pretty crude, significantly retro sculpts. While I do think that I will enjoy painting them, a lot of my interest in them is sheer nostalgia. One significant thing that these old guys do dictate however, is the Mesoamerican theme that exists in both the old fantasy Slann and theie sci-fi comrades.
An incognito Space Slann, yesterday.
Heavily feathered outfits, ziggurats and ritual sacrifice are not themes that I would have actively sought out for space frogs given a choice, but as its something that other 28mm space frog miniature manufacturers have taken and applied to their own ranges, Im happy to embrace it.
Citadel made a few fantasy Slann models through the years, but as I am trying to avoid fantasy frogs, Im ignoring them for now.
Image from the Phroggs Kickstarter page.
These “Phroggs” went on Kickstarter earlier this year from Ral Partha Europe and are currently shipping. They are quite a bit taller and more substantial than the old Citadel figures, which initially put me off them a bit, but I have warmed to them since.
The range includes some specialists – a medic, a comms frog, heavy weapons etc – which increases the appeal. I reckon that they might be nice as shock troops in my planned force. They also share Mesoamerican stylings with the old Citadel figures, so with a lick of paint to unify them I reckon that they will fit in just fine.
Image from Asslessman from over at the Leadplague
This model of Amphiran Emissary Barcoon Krobosh was supplied as part of the small, but exquisite Colony 87 range that was Kickstarted and fulfilled this year. I have yet to paint my copy (hence “borrowing” the painted image from Asslessman…) but without too much of a leap (sorry), I can think of all sorts of gaming roles to use this guy in.
Mr/Mrs Krobosh could be a trader presiding over a large shipment of exotic and delicious flies for example. Alternatively the Emissary might be a renowned member of some sort of choral group that performs Xmas songs. Folks may simply want to lick its narcotic hide. The options are almost endless.
Image from the Diehard Miniatures Kickstarter
Last but certainly not least are these lovely looking things, the Eru-kin from the Diehard Minatures Kickstarter. These guys are part of the Diehard fantasy range.
The angle is that the Eru-kin magic user equivalents are actually wielding technological remnants of their ancient, devolved, off-world culture as “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” and all that. It also makes the figures fit into regular sci-fi games rather well too, which is my main interest in them, although fielding space frogs in Frostgrave is looking more and more likely…
Image from the Diehard Miniatures Kickstarter
Check that guy out. Pretty nifty. Its a minor thing to some folks I guess, but I really like the holstered pistol. In practice there is very little real difference between fantasy miniatures/ games and science fantasy miniatures/games, but it matters to me: I just prefer space opera. It might be because of seventies influences again, Star Wars in particular. Either way, I do like that model.
Image from the Diehard Miniatures Kickstarter
Lovely as that Warrior Elite miniature above is, this Tech Mage steals the show as far as I am concerned. This is one of those models that I knew that I had to have if at all possible as soon as I saw it. My mind imagines little hi-tech servo sounds every time I see that nifty thing on his left arm. I cant wait to get painting that guy.
A couple of variants of those two Eru-kin sculpts are lined up for release via the Diehard Kickstarter, so Im hoping to get my hands on them in 2016.
Im still trying to work out what sort of vehicle models to use with frog guys. If any of you have any suggestions for either more SCI-FI frog people models or ideas about the sorts of vehicles that I might be able to fit in with them, then please leave a comment.
Filed under: Project Brief | Tagged: Frog, Sci-fi, Slann, Space Frog People |
sho3box 
Space Frogs vs Deadites in Frostgrave perhaps?
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Precisely my thinking.
Deadites appeal to me too, but if you are going for them, then it makes sense for me to go for something else. Working on a project that has sci-fi emphasis makes more sense for me anyway, its more likely to keep me motivated.
And the opportunities for crappy one liners from Bad Ash when he goes toe to flipper with frogs – “Hop to it, lets croak us some frogs” etc are to be embraced.
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Embraced like an old friend at 3am after a feed of whiskey.
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Ill see you at the weekend then 😉
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Hover pads would seem to be a natural choice. What do you think?
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The floating ziggurat thing is something that I initially drew away from, but as I decided to roll with the Mesoamerican vibe, they have more appeal. Hover vehicles and walkers (hoppers?) seem like the way to go.
A hovering lilly pad does have a lot of appeal though, totally ridiculous as it may be. I wonder if I can work a space ukulele into it too somehow 😀
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Great round up and cheers for the plug !
I shall not let my national bias towards frogs get in the way of playing with some at some point.
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And thank you for sharing the great paint job 🙂
My frogs can compete against your yet-to-be-prepared force of lazy, ladder stealing builders and lucky charm hunting leprechauns from spaaace at BOYL next year 😉
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Nice round-up dude, I can’t think of any other models that fit, though the Dr. Who Sea Devils aren’t a million miles out… Vehicles would be interesting – for some reason I’m thinking insect-like rides… some kind of antigrav pond skater? Dragonfly skimmer? Dunno… pyramids would certainly work too! 😬
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Something like the wookie vehicles on Kashykk wouldnt be amiss, playing on the swamp vibe rather than the Mesoamerican one. Worth considering for sure, thanks.
The floating ziggurat is hard to avoid. Rather than fight it, I may just roll with it.
Thanks for the feedback.
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Don’t write off the fantasy slann. For one they are a tad cheaper than the space ones and for two were, if I remember correctly, the base models for the space ones anyway. Even if I ‘m wrong on the second point, converting the fantasy ones into space slann is fairly easy.
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Im pretty certain that the Space Slann are just modified fantasy Slann as you say. Its the difficulty in chasing down another hard to get range that puts me off a bit.
The other thing is that while I enjoy converting, I do try to keep it under control as much as I can, as I tend to take so much time converting that I run out of enthusiasm for the project by the time that I get around to painting.
That said, if I met a guy who wanted to offload a few, it would be a done deal. They could easily be amped up in the tech department.
Thansk for the feedback Erny 🙂
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When I were a lad, all this was swamp!! 😉 Cheers for the mention Paul, we are currently 14 days from completion of the Kickstarter, so plenty of time to unlock more goals!
More plans for the Eru-Kin next year, possibly a Eru-Kin only KS with rank and file and a few ‘special’ figures 🙂
Tim
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In the case of a jungle frogperson society slowly dissolving, perhaps its more of a case of “When I were a tadpole, none of this were swamps” 😉
Your Kickstarter is full of beautiful sculpts Tim, even if my own interests mean that I have a rather narrow focus on it. I hope that you guys do very well out of it.
A dedicated Eru-kin Kickstarter of the same quality of the miniatures seen so far would certainly get a few quid from me, no question.
Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Careful Paul, that’s how Lucas started out & ended up with Jar Jar Binks lol
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Jeez Frank, dropping the JJB-bomb straight out of the traps! ;D
Actually, as tiresome as Jar Jar was immediately, there is something Gungan about the tribal-yet-technologically-advanced classic Slann that I keep coming back to.
Dont worry though, I will use my frog powers for good.
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Speaking to the vehicle part of your excellent rundown of “Space Frogs”. There have been a few vehicles with a sort of “turtle” theme. I don’t have the images at hand, but I could dig them up if it would help.
…and I agree that the Eru-Kin is an all-time great sculpt.
Great stuff as always.
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In the long term I hope to add some lizardmen from a few sources to the project, but thats a while away yet. Im wary about having the vehicles too totemic as it could rapidly head in a 90s boy toy direction that while funny, might be a step to far.
That said, I do keep thinking of the “Leapfrog”, that transport vehicle of the Marvel “Runaways” team, so y’know, Im definitely open to suggestion 🙂
Thanks for the feedback!
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Thank you for this article about space frogmen! It’s nice to see all of these collected in one page.
I also love these frog / lizard people from Diehard 🙂 Besides sci-fi they can be used for fantasy games too, as their background hints that their blasters and hi-tech gizmos can be non-functional relics from the past.
Also, if you don’t like their lizardiness, you can get the masked ones, and practically anything can hind behind those.
If it was you who suggested the ukulele conversion on Facebook too, it’s a great idea, since then I count the blowpipe lizard as the musician of the group 🙂
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I dont think that I mentioned a ukulele on the FB group Kadmon, but Im sure that plenty of folks think of Kermit when they see these guys 🙂
Using the blowpipe model as a musician did occur to me. Im not sure though, I can imagine a sci fi assassin frog man using a blowpipe, like a Bond villain 🙂
It looks likely that I will use the frog people that I paint to play Frostgrave with a few mates, so ancient techno arcana will feature as relic weapons and the like.
Thanks for the feedback!
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Is this where I post to pre-order Battletoads?
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Yes. Yes it is.
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Don’t forget these guys. They are more low tech, but nicely sculpted and paint up well. http://eurekamin.com.au/index.php?cPath=87_126_191&sort=3a
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Thanks Andrew, they do look very nicely sculpted. They are perhaps a little too fantasy (Flintloque maybe?) or Wind in the Willows for my tastes, but they look nice all the same.
The King has a lot of appeal actually, for use as some sort of civilian VIP perhaps.
Thanks for the feedback Andrew 🙂
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First Genestealers, then space Slann? You’re spoiling us.
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Well, it might be a while before some of these materialise yet. But I plan to get stuck into both projects within the next six months.
Baby steps 🙂
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You could also have a look at Dark Sword’s offerings. They have some frogs in their Fantasy range, they have a distinct comic style, but sure they could be made Sci-Fi.
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Wow, those really are quite bizarre! They ave a very bobble head/super deformed lool, like something from Super Dungeon Explore. Great painting on those too.
Thanks for letting me know about them daggerandbrush 🙂
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I own the frog wizard. Excellent casting quality and he is super cute. 😉
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Thanks for posting about the Diehard Kickstarter. I just backed it. I love space frogs. 🙂
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They do look like wonderful miniatures. Im very much looking forward to painting them.
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Thank you for your support Don 🙂
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One step closer to making the next Eru-kin sculpt available Tim 🙂
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Slaan eh? Very intriguing.
As for vehicles, I like the idea of using walkers… have you considered the original IG sentinel? Seems sort of… frogish.
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The original IG sentinel is a great suggestion actually. it really looks the part, with the slender enclosed legs rather than the more idustrial looking later designs.
Its a very flimsy model though. Those legs look like nothing but collapsible heartbreak to me. If there was a resin or plastic equivalent of that design then definitely though.
A great suggestion nonetheless Lasgunpacker, thanks!
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You could make it more fun and try and find one made with the older lead alloy…
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My nerves couldnt take it Im afraid. The look is very close to something suitable for Slann I think though.
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Haha, that’s fun, I’m in the same KS and just for the same minis! 😀
I also pretend to mix them with the Colony 87 guy and the Pisceans from the Space Riders KS to form a warband. Hmmm, it will be most interesting seeing your take on this. I’ll be following you, for sure 😀
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Mixing the frogmen with the fishmen will definitely make an interesting group, good idea. Im not surprised that you are pledging for the Eru-kin Suber, and I am pretty certain that you will get yours painted before I do too.
I will keep an eye out to see how you approach them 🙂
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I cant wait to see backers painting the Diehard figures. It’s a bit lonely being the only one to have splashed paint on them so far 😉
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Suber has a very solid throughput rate. He is likely to be one of the first pledgers to get his Diehard figures painted I reckon.
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Now that the Colony 87 KS is over, I wonder how I could get some of hose figures. I’d really like the frog ambassador too.
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Those.
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I suggest that you message the owner via the Kickstarter messaging system Don. That would be the handiest way to get in touch and find out if there is remaining stock I reckon.
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That’s just what I did, and guess what? They still have some sets in stock, so I get to order one. 🙂
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Hooray! Its a great set of figures.
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Another Eru-Kin is unlocked 🙂
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Diehard Miniatures KS into it’s final 2 hours!! Exciting stuff 🙂 Thx again for all that have pledged!
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