What can I
say? Lots of great pieces only a few more or less. Superman is the weakest but
we already knew him since SDCC. Nevertheless, let’s go this way. I post a
pictures and comment about them. I’ll only post pictures of figures that
weren’t at SDCC, I guess. I quite don’t remember it anymore. Ah, all pictures
thanks to super Kelvin Loke. (Hope you don’t mind I use them to illustrate my
post since I didn’t have the same luck as you to get to know Tokyo and the
Comic Con. Good envy bro, hope you have the time of your life there!)
Since I
began talk about N52 Superman, let’s begin with his companion Green Lantern.
It’s just a fabulous fresh rendition to the character that makes me prefer that
one over Sideshow version. Even though this is less serious toned and doesn’t
have all the muscular details of Sideshow’s version, the whole concept and the
perfect finishing of the piece are awesome. It’s the first time I like the use
of this translucent material that became a fever among statues, especially
Sideshow ones. Looks like Sideshow pulled some decree that all of their new
figures now must have in some place this translucent effect. Glad Prime 1
didn’t follow this trend using it just when it will really add something to the
figure as is the case of this Green Lantern and Arkham Scarecrow. In one word,
Prime 1 finally showed their creative power on this piece, easily the most
creative piece of them so far.
Darkside
must be the N52 version because his uniform is completely different from what I
grow use to. Nothing against it though, just a different take on the villain.
Although I believe this version is more detailed than Sideshow, I still prefer
SS version with his imposing pose that has a lot more to do with the character
than Prime 1 effort. It’s an excellent figure nevertheless. And proves Prime 1
is going all comics with the N52 line whereas Sideshow prefers a more sober
tone. The collector will decide which fits him/her best. Once again production
is flawless in this piece too with all the cracks and wrinkles of Darkside
perfectly translated.
Now a new
series I didn’t know Prime 1 would tackle into: Spider-Man 2099. To me the show
stealer line of Prime 1 in Tokyo CC. Spiderman 2099 is fabulous and gorgeously
detailed. The pose is spot on and the wow factor is high on this one. Very
impressive piece indeed. I personally prefer these series entries than the N52
(apart from Green Lantern that is on par with this one). I love to see Prime 1
expanding its 1:4 line up every way the licensors allows it. Fantastic entrance
this one. Just love it.
Even more
impressive in 2099 series is the Anti Venom. Just an impressive pose that shows
how powerful and menacing the character is. His deformed arm is a sight to
behold and the level of detail of this figure is simply astounding. For me one
of the three best pieces Prime 1 brought to Tokyo. I’ll mention the other two
as they appear.
Still on
the realm of 1:4 figures we have the three ladies of Witcher 3. I confess that
this line doesn’t appeal much to me because I didn’t and can’t play the game
because I didn’t migrate to PS4 and don’t know if I will having more than 200
games still to play on my PS3 and they generally take a lot of time to finish.
But having said that, I believe this series has the best bases Prime 1 ever
produced. Every one has a different monster defeated at the hero’s/heroin’s
feet. It’s just amazing the amount of detail put in each base and in each
figure. Witcher 3 put to the table some of the most detailed 1:4 I’ve ever
seen. But I have to say that the girls a rather expressionless, especially Ciri.
Yeniffer is passable and Triss is the only one with a truly heroic face. Is
impressive that even the skin marks are translated to the face of characters nonetheless.
Once more (and will be this way until the end) the production qualities of the
characters – and their bases – is undeniable and every piece only solidifies
Prime 1 as the the one who brings the best quality products to the market
today. Being it 1:4 or 1:3 (not counting truly high end figures from ECC
Cinemaquette and alike).
 |
| I just happen to like this frog a lot. ;) |
Another new
1:4 franchise that Prime 1 show on Tokyo was G.I. Joe. Starting with the two
ninja enemies since childhood: Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes. Both statues are
pretty cool and are in very heroic dynamic poses which add points when talking
about Prime 1. The poses alone are an achievement but the statues are very well
modeled (I just didn’t like completely the wolf) and complete each other as
the bases suggest they are near one of the other because there’s the same kind
of rock and broken trees on both statues. Again, finishing is top notch and I
believe these ones will be a huge success among fans of all ages. Prime 1 has in hands one more undeniable hit.
Finishing
the 1:4 part of this article, we have the two pieces from Imaginarium Art that
Prime 1 brought to the show: Green Goblin and Pepper Pot Recue Armor. None of
them left nothing to be desired when compared to Prime 1 pieces. Even if I
think Sideshow Green Goblin one of the best Marvel villains made by Sideshow in
a long time, the Imaginarium Art effort doesn’t fall short in comparison. The
difference being that Sideshow took more freedom on the elaboration of Green
Goblin costume while IA stayed with the classic version. Apart it, both statues
have the same quality overall.
Pepper Pot
Rescue Armor is where Imaginarium Art is at home and is expert: Iron Man
related products. With high production values, IA brings to the show a perfect
version of Rescue Armor with tremendously shiny finishing that other companies
can’t match. I don’t know what’s their trick is but they push seriously cool
Iron Man statues and busts and to bring one of them to the show was a
no-brainer. It’s a pity that was one of the least interesting characters in
Iron Man pantheon but the figure is perfect to what it is with a very cool
gravity defying combative pose.
Moving to
where Prime 1 is really at home we arrive at the 1:3 statues and begin with the
one franchise that started it all to the company: Transformers. All pieces presented
are incredible detailed (as you can see from them pictures), I just didn’t get
Optimus Primal figure. I’m not into Transformers since I was a little kid (even
though I’ve saw all the movies) so I don’t know where this “primal” version
comes from. Maybe I am speaking a heresy here to Transformers fans, but I found
it the less impressive of the big robots on display. All the others, including
classic Megatron, looked pretty impressive to me but one in especial make my
jaw drop as have made many jaws drop on the show floor: Shockwave. I believe
it’s one of the most intricate and detailed statue I have ever seen. For me it
was the big show stealer from Prime 1. It’s just so incredible that I lack the
words to describe it. It’s beyond awesome and certainly will cost a small
fortune that those with pockets a lot deeper than mine won’t think twice in
sinking their teeth in. I would if I could, at least.
Next, the
other show stealer for me was one of the two revealed members of the Arkham
line: the Scarecrow. I remember that the parts from the game Arkham Asylum that
I loved the most was the psychedelic encounters I had with Scarecrow and the
designers of the game really nailed his visual. The result as a statue could
not be different, especially coming from Prime 1: and extremely detailed and
freaky, sinister character that make me feel depressed for not have the money
nor the space to display it. I just love it. It’s IMHO the best 1:3 character
Prime 1 did so far. It’s dark and scary just like the game counterpart.
The Killer
Croc, on the other hand, apart from all the detail and superb finishing, does
not impressed me at all. I know Prime 1 can’t escape from the game design of
the character what is a real creative prison but I found Sideshow Killer Croc PF
much more expressive and cool than this one. For me is a gargantuan size meh
statue with no personality whatsoever. Of course, I won’t deny the quality in
every single detail, from the texture of the pants to shiny glossy multicolored
painted nails, to the little warts in his abdomen, to the scales,
everything is perfect… and lifeless. In comparison, Sideshow Killer Croc looks
almost simplistic but the rough organic lines of a handmade sculpture makes all
the difference and in this one this differential is even more sensible because
there’s an intentional roughness on the SS sculpting style that oozes personality
and ferocity, two things that lacks in Prime 1 effort. But I cannot blame
the company since the source material constraint their possibilities. I believe
I’ll be a lonely voice preferring Sideshow Killer Croc over the gigantic Prime
1 version but it’s my blog and I have the right to share my opinion.
They’re not
one 1:3 scale, I believe, because if they were one would need a real garage to display
them in, but the Batmobiles are perfect reproductions of the killer designs
both from the game as from the Dawn of Justice movie. They’re as cool as should
be expensive, again unfriendly to my pockets but a sure buy to the more
financially fortunate Batman collectors out there. Black to the heart and with
all the details from their sources the cars certainly cause an impression to
the viewer. The difficulty here is to know which to choose since both are
pretty darn stylish.
Prime 1
launched a new 1:3 franchise in Tokyo Comic Con: the Suicide Squad characters.
Two were on display: Deadspot and Harley Quinn. Deadspot sure resembles Will
Smith and the costume with his gazillion of weapons is faithfully reproduced to
the shoelace. It’s pretty impressive the level of detail one can put on a 1:3
figures and Deadshot is a proof of that. I like the statue even though I really
don’t give a dime for the movie and its characters. Again a merely matter of
taste. Fans will (Smith?) surely love and jump onto the figure.
The other
character from Suicide Squad that will most surely arise even more the desire
(and the libido) of the collectors is Harley Quinn. Even though Prime 1 don’t
have the wizardly of Hot Toys in make high fidelity actors faces in their
products, I cannot deny they try it and almost nailed. Almost. Apparently she
will come with several head displays for one to choose and some, like the
one with the bubble gum, can do the trick. Regardless the resemblance or not
with the actress, they managed to make her a pretty face that sure will please
the Harley’s admirers out there and if I would bet I would say that her statue
will be a big hit among collectors. I will content myself with my Yamato Black
& White version of the character that I think is the prettiest Harley Quinn
ever made and the one that I can afford to have. She matches perfectly with
some B&W DC Collectible Batmans I have and with the Hot Toys also almost
all B&W Jack Nicholson Joker I also have. Well this has nothing to do with
Prime 1 on Tokyo CC, so lets leave the divagation apart and go to the last two
figures I’ll cover.
Prime 1 was
much more successful reproducing Wonder Woman from Dawn of Justice then Harley Quinn. The portrait of the WW actress is very accurate and The 1:2
piece is just magnificent certainly closing the 1:2 collection of the movie in
great style. And by great I mean also the size. I would like to see pictures
from a collection that have all the 1:2 statues compared to 1:4 statues just
for sake of comparison and to really have an idea of how big these things are.
I cannot imagine by myself. I know they’re huge but I have no idea of how big
they are. There was also a Heath Ledger Joker there but I couldn’t find a good
picture of it.
Finally,
the most enigmatic and weird of the characters displayed on Tokyo CC: the 1:2 statue
of a character from the upcoming game from Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding. If
there was a 1:2 figure I could have this would be it. It looks like an
astronaut of sorts and the design of the outfit is as strange as interesting.
It certainly causes a strong impression, even more being a 1:2 statue. It’s a
bold step from Prime 1 to bet so high on a game that’s not even out yet what, to
me, makes this an even more desirable piece. Of course I’ll never have it. I’d
rather buy the OG Hulk with that money than this strange astronaut but it
certainly caught my attention amongst the huge assortment of new figures Prime
1 was able to amass to the delight of their fans. I bet there’s something more
lurking in the backstage to come out in the next days of the show since I
didn’t see no Venom, nor the N52 Flash on Kelvin Loke amazing coverage of the
convention. I’m sure he wouldn’t miss these figures.
Well,
folks, that’s it. My overview of what I could see from Prime 1 presence in TCC.
It became such a big article I doubt someone will read it till the end. Or read
at all. All I know is that I’m confident that I did my part. I did the best I
could do. Hope someone happens to read and enjoy it.
-x-x-x-x-
As I
couldn’t lose the opportunity to ask all Prime 1 fans out there to sign
the petition I’m carrying. I think it is a fair plead. If you think too, please
sign and asking more than I should share it among your Facebook friends so we
can make a difference. The idea goes like that:
To those
interested in a good fight, or a fight for good, below is the link for the
petition asking Sideshow to begin their payment plans as soon as the figures
are out for pre-order, giving us more months to pay with smaller monthly fees. If
you like this idea, just click the link below and sign the petition. It will
take just a minute and can make a lot of difference to all of us average-pocket
collectors.
Sideshow
payment plans starting along with the pre-orders means more months to pay,
meaning cheaper monthly fees, meaning more easier payments. If you want this to
happen, sign the petition. It only takes a minute but can bring long term
facilities to all of us Sideshow (and Prime 1 and Hot Toy and etc.) collectors.
-x-x-x-x-
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