Even though
Sideshow takes a share of every Prime 1 statue sold, when the two are offering
(almost) the same characters, looks like Prime 1 wins by more than one neck the
preference of the audience, what may put SS pieces in peril. Prime 1 revealed
at WonderFest their Swamp Thing 1/3 and Dog Alien (1/3 maybe) and they put
Sideshow’s Swamp Thing and Alien Queen to shame according with the opinions
from people from the very Sideshow Facebook group in two recent posts I did
comparing the statues. This could mean Sideshow will need to rethink its strategies for their pieces, like edition sizes and even prices. For the grace
of Sideshow clientele. I’m not certain about that, it’s mere speculation I must
add. But the reception of Prime 1 pieces were so overwhelming that one cannot avoid
to wonder. And I wonder that when the RSVP for both Prime 1 pieces go online,
the number will far surpass Sideshow’s offerings, giving clear sign that Sideshow have two problems on
their hands and that are more to come when the new similar licenses from Prime 1
appear, like Predator and Marvel. It will be hard for Sideshow to justify a $
1,150, 27 inch Jungle Predator Maquette against a 1/3 perfectly recreated
Predator from Prime 1. Times are changing for Sideshow. The share they receive
for each Prime 1 figure sold will not cover the loss of not selling their own. I
don’t know if it will really happen. It’s just an indication from the answers
to the questions I’ve posted regarding the four statues. Sideshow will need to review
their market plans or only the more artsy guys, like me, will get their Swamp
Thing, which I believe are a minority group in collector’s universe.
Swamp Thing
went in two completely different directions in his characterization by the two
companies. Sideshow dared to design an out of the box piece, with a bold and
creative art direction that changes all about Swamp Thing but the essential for
him to look like the character. Prime 1 stuck to the norm and made a very
traditional ST statue (that will certainly please the purists) and added a ton
of detail and attachments to it. Of course, the crowd, more conservative and
amazed by the sheer amount of detail of the piece, preferred Prime 1 version over
Sideshow’s. And, to be honest, the piece is fabulous, the small foliage and other
plant parts compounding the figure are put in so much detail that are nothing
short of magnificent. The only problem is that it carries no expressiveness
whatsoever. It’s extremely well done but has zero personality. In one word,
looks lifeless. In addition, it is too big for my room. The pose is uninspired
and the expression looks dull. Looks like a computer thing generated to look
perfect but looks much more like a doll than Sideshow’s statue.
Sideshow
Swamp Thing lacks the detail and the fidelity but oozes personality through every
vine. And has that vibe of a hand sculpted piece which I’m almost certain it is.
For all of this – and for being 1/4 instead of 1/3 – I will go against the
flock once more and opt for Sideshow. As I said in one reply, my mind says one
thing regarding these statues and my heart tells another. I tend to follow my
heart. This if I can afford Sideshow Swamp Thing, I mean.
About Alien
Queen Maquette (Sideshow) and Dog Alien (Prime 1), figure alone, Dog Alien draws
more attention and looks more detailed and well painted, even bigger than Alien
Queen. Counting with the base Alien Queen surpasses greatly Prime 1, presenting
an amazing highly detailed and rich display. Furthermore, Sideshow have the Queen,
a pivotal character of the series. Much more than Dog Alien is. It’s a tougher
match but those who didn't choose Prime 1 alone said would stay with both, none
chose Sideshow only on the post. So, in the end, Prime 1 is still in advantage
over Sideshow on this one too. The only differential Sideshow will have from
now on is the price since an Alien fan or a Swamp Thing fan probably will not
bother to have one 1/3 scale of their
favorite character in their collections being the statues so amazing. If
Sideshow keep prices on the rise, they may end up losing this game on the long
run. Even getting a percentage of Prime 1 revenues, Sideshow may wind-up having
lots of statues stuck in their stock and being forced to appeal to promotions
to move pieces Prime 1 did better than them (in the majority of collectors’
eyes, I mean). Sure, in terms of RSVP, Sideshow began with a head-start since
their pieces came out first and both were very praised on SDCC. But let’s see
how many of these will convert into actual sales now that Prime 1 put its cards
on the table. More chapters to come as Prime 1 starts to release all the others
new licenses it now detains.
Don’t get
me wrong, I’m a Sideshow fan. The only Prime one piece that I would have would
be Batman Beyond Golden Version (but, then again, not enough room or money and
SS Swamp Thing and new Red Sonja come first). However, it will be a fierce battle
against Prime 1 from now on. Imagine a Prime 1 1/3 Wolverine Jim Lee style? I can
imagine eBay flooded with Wolverine Legendary Scale statues…
On the 1/4 front
they go almost head to head. Almost. I think Sideshow has the advantage as
much as I disliked the new Wolverine and the new Magneto but these two pieces
does not overshadows all Sideshow history of creative, expressive pieces. In
the 1/4 realm, I believe XM is closer to Sideshow than Prime 1… for now. I find
P1 pieces to be without personality whatsoever, just oozes detail and a nice
finishing. It’s all bells and whistles and not much more. Additionally, I just happen
to hate the “translucent resin” they use for skin, it only reminds me those sex
dolls. Lol. But this is a personal taste. Or lack of it. Lol. Then again,
Sideshow still have the advantage of price, but with its market strategy of increasing
the prices of the figures at every new launch, soon it won’t be a factor
anymore.
What I know
is that a cold war has begun. Between allies. It is a very interesting moment to
be part of this hobby. Who wins? The collectors with more options to choose, of
course. Or loses if they choose to get the statues from both companies. Lol.
On a final
note, I might be delusional and at the end there won’t be cannibalization of
the SS market by Prime 1. Let’s wait and see. It will be fun to watch.
RUN. FLEX PAYMENT STARTS IN AUGUST.
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