Unboxing Aetherium part 2: the models

So I wrote most of this last week then delayed posting while spending a week in a tent with the family (kids aged 1 & 4, not so much sleep, lots of sunshine). While away I skimmed the rulebook, looking mainly at the fluff.
In the core box you get two factions - the Axiom and the Nanomei. The Axiom are Aetherium's version of quasi-religious officialdom - fanatical leaders in robes and enforcers in riot gear:

We get two characters - the priest waving his hand and the the female leader - five riot shield guys, the grenadier, two hounds and two scenery pieces - these are the little brothers of the monoliths from the last post, they are key to the game (it seems they stabilise areas of the digital dimension to allow human minds to exist there)

This is the Axiom leader - Lady Aemelia Mastrona - I won't spoil the backstory but she's an interesting character. The model is well cast (as they all are), there are a few bits to trim and mould lines to clean but nothing too difficult.

Opposing the Axiom we have the Nanomei - anarchist types, scrappily dressed:

We get two multi-model units (the picketers and the riot grlz) - and three more character like models (although except for the guy in the mask - The Masque - the single models can be fielded multiple times. My favourite at first glance is the Tov:

The Nanomei I received had several shades resin used for different models, as below. Whether there's any difference beyond colour I'll see when I get to cleaning up the models, the detail on each cast is crisp.

There was a third blister pack in the box containing the two Kickstarter exclusive models - an extra riot girl and an Axiom sniper. I decided (after reading the training scenario and seeing I'll need most of the models to play from the beginning) to paint these as test models. Here they are, primed...

... several times over. Yeah, read the instructions! The little paper insert with the model prep info from the caster is IMPORTANT! I cleaned up the vents and mould lines (less than 5 minutes work) and gave them a good wash. The instruction sheet specified a primer to use, but I figured (rather than looking for this or its UK equivalent) I'd just give it a go with what I had... Vallejo white brushed on wouldn't stick, neither would Tamiya spray. A mix of Vallejo white and some old Citadel foundation (Khemri Brown) eventually did the job on the riot girl, and several attempts with Vallejo grey brushed on worked on the sniper... at this point I decided I'd definitely prep all the other models together and prime as one with the advised primer.

Once primed, the paint went on easily - I'm further on than this now but here's how the riot girl started: