Realm of Chaos 80s : Doom Brothers or the Brothers Grim?

Realm of Chaos 80s : Doom Brothers or the Brothers Grim?: I expect that some of you well be familiar with these models. The pop up quite regularly on eBay though they are a rare sight painted. Though that will change as both models will be seeing the attentions of my paint brush this weekend.

But why are they named so? Who were the two orcs? Were they really
brothers? Interestingly, they seem to be a little confused about their
actual name, as when they first appear in White Dwarf 91 they refer to
themselves as the Doom Brothers. 

Here, have a look...

Later on, our friends reappear (seen here in one of the late '80s

catalogues) with a new moniker, that of the Brothers Grim in a suitably
Warhammer reference of the modern world. If the original brothers
collected stories, I wonder what the goblinoid versions collected?

Actually, I dread to think!

Check them out...

There are a number of theories about their provenance, with most of them
linking these characters to the aborted Malal comic strip staring Kaleb
Daark. Perhaps the change in name was an attempt to reuse the models
after the partnership with GW broke down. However, it seems strange to
me that a comic strip story already containing a set of brothers (Helwud
and Jaek) would need another. 

So I had a word with the original sculptor of the models, the legendary
Kev Adams, but he couldn't remember working on them at all. Judging by
the design of the armour on the bigger model he said, they were earlier
on in the 1980s, which certainly puts them in the right time frame with
the Malal strips. Incidentally, Kev is looking very well after being
chopped up with sharp surgeon's blades and hopes to be back at work
soon. 

So, I guess the models will remain a small mystery in the Oldhammer world. Unless you dear reader know something more..?

Orlygg