Investigating the Darkness: Why eM4's Dunwich Detectives are Perfect for Pulp Horror
If your tabletop adventures involve trench coats, forbidden books, and things that shouldn't be, you know how hard it is to find the right miniatures without breaking your sanity—or your budget.
Enter the Dunwich Detectives range from eM4 Miniatures. These classic metal miniatures capture the gritty, atmospheric feel of 1920s pulp and horror, making them an ideal starting point for investigators, adventurers, and those unlucky souls who stumble across the wrong kind of cult.
A Journey Back to the Roaring Twenties
The charm of the Dunwich Detectives range lies in its perfect evocation of the interwar period. This isn't just a handful of generic characters; it's a cast ready for a low-budget black-and-white thriller.
Whether you're battling sanity loss in an Arkham Asylum or chasing down smugglers on a misty English moor, these figures are designed to fit seamlessly into any scenario set in the early 20th century.
The Cast of Characters: You’ll find all the archetypes you need: the grizzled Detective with his Tommy Gun, the well-equipped Adventurer, the scholarly Professor, and even the hapless Criminal. Every sculpt is brimming with character, instantly sparking ideas for their own dark, personal history.
Ready for Any Game: While they are a natural fit for classic Lovecraftian role-playing games like Call of Cthulhu, their versatility is their true strength. You can easily use them as militia forces in a Very British Civil War setting, as hardened gang members, or even as unlikely heroes in a cinematic pulp adventure game.
Metal Miniatures, Affordable Prices
One of the cornerstones of the eM4 mission is making tabletop fun accessible to all, and this is perfectly reflected in the Dunwich Detectives range.
Many of these are quality metal sculpts, often sold individually at a fantastic price point. This allows you to build your core investigation team piece by piece, focusing your budget on the specific characters you need rather than buying a large box with unwanted figures. This is great for skirmish games where every miniature matters and needs a unique identity.
Spotlight on Versatility: Beyond the Cthulhu Mythos
If you’re not deep into cosmic horror, don’t dismiss these figures! With a little creative repurposing, the Dunwich Detectives become highly versatile assets for your collection:
| Miniature Type | Primary Use (Pulp Horror) | Secondary Use (Historical/Pulp) |
| Detective with Tommy Gun | Investigator facing a cult raid. | Gangster boss or hard-bitten mercenary. |
| Adventurer in Tropical Kit | Explorer searching a hidden temple. | World War II intelligence officer or early 20th-century explorer. |
| Country Gent with Rifle | Local guide or an elderly survivor. | Volunteer soldier or VBCW militia member. |
| Female Adventurer | A journalist or academic seeking the truth. | A tough operative in a Gothic Horror setting. |
The Dunwich Detectives range proves that high-quality, atmospheric metal miniatures don't need to come with an exorbitant price tag. Grab a figure or two, arm yourself with a mysterious flashlight and a healthy dose of paranoia, and get ready to investigate the darkness.
Which Dunwich Detective figure is your favourite and what non-horror game would you use them in? Let us know in the comments!