Kevin Adams - Goblin Master

A5-sized, black and white, authorised biography of Kevin Adams by Wombat Wargames.

Born in Chiswick, London in 1960, Kevin Adams is someone whose name has become synonymous with model orcs and goblins, hence, during his time with Games Workshop, the nickname ‘Goblin Master’ was given to him. Detailing his birth in Chiswick and his early adoption, this book describes Kevin’s time growing up in Haverhill, Suffolk. Listing his involvement with the punk movement of the mid to late-1970’s, this biography sees Kevin talk candidly about some of his experiences, recalling both the joyful and tragic times.

Actively encouraged to leave Castle Manor Secondary Modern School by the school’s headmaster, Kevin entered the world of employment aged fifteen as he began working at a small holding near Abingdon in the summer of 1975. His mischievous nature resulted in Kevin being sacked, though he soon regrouped and promptly secured a position with Winmau, manufacturing the company’s dartboards. Kevin enjoyed his time at Winmau, but his impish nature and lack of self-discipline again prompted his dismissal from employment. This frustrating cycle of events continued as Kevin worked his way through a series of positions as he spent time with Wire Designs Cambridge, Hutchings and Hardens Tannery Sawston Cambs, and EH Price Cambridge.

Then came a period of unemployment for Kevin, a time which he typically filled with gardening, and collecting and painting models. Since childhood, Kevin had been interested in models, his early focus had been around Airfix sets and World War II models. Through friends, Kevin discovered fantasy models. Soon after discovering the likes of Citadel Miniatures and Minifigs, Kevin was hooked, and he became an avid model collector and painter.

In 1983, Kevin entered a Citadel painting competition. His work attracted the attention of Games Workshop’s Bryan Ansell, and Kevin was soon receiving packages of the latest Games Workshop releases so he could paint them for Bryan Ansell’s company. Over time, around 1984, Kevin was welcomed into the Citadel design team. Initially working from his home in Cambridge, Kevin began sculpting models for a living, a craft which was to become a life-long passion and career.

Feeling it was a time for change, Kevin worked for Games Workshop until 1993. With his sculpting skills much sought-after, Kevin began working with many different model manufacturers, including the likes of Heartbreaker Miniatures, Grendel, and FASA Corporation. Then, in 2013, Kevin was brutally attacked in his own home. Suffering severe facial injuries, Kevin was unable to work for several months. Such was their support and appreciation for Kevin, friends and fellow sculptors rallied around to create Goblinaid, allowing Kevin to concentrate on his recovery without the additional stress of financial uncertainty.

A sculptor in much demand, in addition to his extensive freelance work, under the banner of Goblinmaster Limited, Kevin launched his own brand of fantasy miniatures in 2020. An outlet for his own creative designs, Goblinmaster Limited has seen Kevin make a variety of unique models, such as Bogzilleries, Orrible Oddities, and Baleful Boglet Bounders.

Complete with forewords by Chaz Elliott and Bob Naismith, and a special note from the Ansells, this authorised and official biography of Kevin Adams details the life and career of a self-confessed and unashamed non-conformist, a man whose life has seen trials and tribulations, but who continues to remain a true original.

Fusing old-school rules mechanics with innovative new features, while drawing on literary and aesthetical inspiration from the classic age of weird fiction and pulp publications, Wombat Wargames in an independent publisher of wargaming rules, books, and magazines.