IRON STUDIOS INTERVIEW: GABRIEL EBEHARDT

Iron Studios is a relatively new player in the statues arena. As XM Studios which is from Singapore, Iron Studios is not from United States or Japan, but from Brazil. So how a Brazilian company took the statues’ market by storm? Let’s find out with Gabriel Ebehardt, in charge of Projects and Developing of Irons Studios

GE (Gabriel Ebehardt): First of all we would like to thank the opportunity of this interview. Is very nice and important for us to see how great is our brand outside Brazil.

1 – I think the first question is the more relevant of all: how a Brazilian company got Marvel, DC and Star Wars licenses?

GE: Warner, Sony and Disney has their own offices in Brazil. Our country is always top 5 in the blockbusters movies so the companies are very stronger and do an amazing job in Latin America and of course Brazil. Today Brazil is the top 1 country in Latin America and Iron Studios has a good relationship with the licenses because of other companies from the same group: Piziitoys (the biggest collectible distribution company in Latin America) and CCXP – Comic Con Experience (the 3 biggest Comic Con in the world). Since all the companies are part of the same group, the connections are very good and make it possible.

2 – How did you the partnership with Sideshow – as a distributor I imagine – came about?

GE: Piziitoys is the official Sideshow dealer in Brazil since 2008, so the companies are very close to each other and since the Iron Studios became real, was very comfortable for everybody to make this partnership happen.

3 – To how many countries your products are available today?

GE: Depends of the license and scale, but for Ghostbusters (Sony), for example, we’ll sell for more than 10 countries.

 

4 – How many years of existence Iron Studios have? Tell us a little about your trajectory.

GE: Actually, Piziitoys has a great partnership with Kotobukiya since 2007 and in 2009 the companies decided to produce an Ayrton Senna Statue, they did 2 statues one in 2009 and one in 2010, Piziitoys had the license and Kotobukiya the production, the same thing happened with Minichamps, they did a Ayrton Senna 1/18 car holding the Brazilian flag.

This was a new game, a new part of the company, the part of “production”. So the group decided to create a manufacturer company, then Iron Studios was created and started in 2012 very small, doing Saint Seiya and Simpsons statues. The company became bigger when they signed with Disney for all these years. It was great for Iron Studios and great for Disney in Latin America…then everything developed very quickly as you know.

5 – How much time it takes from the first concept to the final product consumers will receive?

GE: Depends. It can take 8 months it can take 2 years. We started to work on Hulkbuster, for example, almost 1 year before the movie was released on big screens, was a very, very complex product. So it all depends, there is no rule. Depends of the character and details.

6 – How is the status of the collectible figures hobby in Brazil? How much of your production is bought by Brazilians?

GE: Piziitoys do the distribution of all the statues in Brazil, we do directly in the other parts of the world. We are companies of the same group but with totally separated sales and administration. What I can say is that Iron Studios is huge in Brazil now, 90% of the items sold out at Piziitoys during the pre-order, so is great. We can’t complain.

7 - Do you think the collectible statues frenzy is a global phenomenon or are there specific countries where the hobby is stronger (apart US, obviously)?

GE: We always research and study a lot about it, I think the Pop Culture is a worldwide phenomenon. Of course collectibles are kind of a niche compared to toys and apparel, but it takes so much attention of everybody, because they are perfect and represent exactly the characters it calls so much attention but I don’t think it will get bigger than toys, for example.

8 – How do you answers to fans complaints about the lack of better quality control of mass production pieces and poor packaging?

GE: We always want to improve, this is how we treat everything in all the companies. So you’ll always see a better and better work from Iron Studios.

9 – In what Iron Studios needs to be better or are there issues you need to address first (if any)?

GE: I think we need to do things that are different, trying to innovate. The biggest issue of a company is to be stagnant. So this will always be the biggest issue, we must always think differently and do better all the time.

10 – Do you use 3D software to build your sculpts or there is a part that is handmade? Is handmade statues era coming to an end?

 GE: We use both. 3D is not perfect yet. Everybody must use hand (and will use for a long time, I think)

11 – Which figure(s) are you most proud of?

GE: Oh, hard question, I think Captain America Legacy Replica 1/4 because of likeness and Thanos Deluxe Art Scale 1/10 because of the difficult to produce such details in a very small piece.

I think he forgot this one. :)

12 – What figure is your all-time bestseller product?

GE: For 2016 was the Batman Vs Superman Art Scale 1/10 line up. Batmans disappear in less than 1 week.

13 – What do you think will happen to the market when 3D printers become efficient and mainstream as today paper printers?

GE: It’ll never be easy, you can find 3D printers that can print anything, but quality 3D printers cost millions, very hard to find and especially very difficult to buy because of the high cost. This is like a graphics companies, you can’t print a box of a TV in your house, you need to go somewhere else. With products will be the same. Quality is everything at the collectibles market and will take some time until the best 3D print can do everything, now we still need a lot of human hand.

Now I don’t see as a threat. Maybe for the toys market, but even then, the print and material costs for are much higher than to order a manufactured piece. Our Hulkbuster 1/6 Diorama Age of Ultron for example costed more than U$ 15,000.00 just in materials to print, then we have all the costs of shipping the master, tax, handmade work, mold (huge cost) etc…

14 – What is the most difficult part of running a collectible figures company in Brazil? Is there any part of the mass production made in Brazil or – as all others – you rely on Asian countries to produce your figures due to costs?

GE: All pre-production is made in Brazil. So yes, we do have a great team here to make everything happen. The hard part of the day are the taxes, port and customs in Brazil. Sometimes a container stays 3 months stocked on customs until be released. Costumers don’t know about it but is a very difficult situation because it don’t depend on us, depends on the workers and fiscals at Brazilian customs.

15 – Are you being on San Diego Comic Con? If not, do you intend to someday?

GE: Yes, for the first time we’ll be in SDCC. We’ll be at Sideshow and Bluefinn booth.

16 – What advices would you give to a person who wants to work as a sculptor for a living?

GE: Study a lot. Our sculptors are the best in Brazil, they study more than 5 years to became what they are right now. So do just do it. Study a lot.

17 – What do you think is the best scale to convey your ideas? The 1/4 series of movie Avengers is fantastic by the way. Any plans to specialize in this size of statues since it seems to be international preferred size of sculptures?

GE: With 1/4 you can achieve a lot of details. But we do have a huge success with 1/6 and 1/10 as well. It all depends on your pocket and room available.

18 – To most fans the base of the figure is like a second sculpt in itself, so they care a lot about the base. Do you take this in consideration when creating your pieces?

GE: Yes, we do a lot of work in the base. We love the Dioramas and especially the figure been part of the history somehow. To convey this we need to create bigger and more sophisticated bases. This is what we do.

19 – Any final words or bombastic announcements you want to share with the fans and readers?

GE: Stay tuned, we can’t talk too much about future lines, but we can say there is much more coming out soon. We have a lot of new stuff coming at CCXP 2016 (1-4 December this year).

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Thank you so much for the interview, Gabriel. I’m sure our readers got to know a lot better Iron Studios now. Good luck on putting Brazil on the collectible figures world map. Hope Iron Studios continues to experience this growth of popularity among fans around the globe!

TO SEE A LIST OF LINKS TO ALL 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM CCF

CLICK HERE.

EXCLUSIVE SIDESHOW'S MATT BLACK INTERVIEW (PART II)

[Note of the editor: if you missed Part I of the interview you can access it here]

13 - I believe you experienced a lot of creative freedom on The Executioner from Court of the Dead. Is it more fun to have such liberty on your work?

MB (Matt Black): Yes, and no. I was free to explore, but did so within the confines of Tom’s rules. It was freeing to an extent, and fun to shoot ideas over to Tom. The overall look of scratch was largely mine. With Tom steering the ship.  I find it’s most comfortable to be working in companionship with another artist. My own ideas can sometimes feel stale, so it’s nice to have a sounding board.

The other person will challenge the way to think about a problem, and provide solutions you would have overlooked.

14 - What is (are) the favorite(s) statues you did so far?

MB: Jeeeez... that’s tough. I loved working on He-Man. That was a fun challenge. I really loved working on Darth Maul. I just love the character.

I seem to sculpt a lot of Jack Sparrows, he is always one I’m willing to take another crack at.

He's gonna do me? And who am I goin' to do?

15 – Which Sideshow statue you wish you have done?

MB: Anything sculpted by Schu [editor: Matt is talking about artist Steve Schumacher]. That man has the talent of 3 people. Some of the stuff I have seen him do lately is just breathtaking. I can’t wait for it to be seen this year at the Con. some stunning pieces from Schu this year.

16 – Three bands and three movies.

MB: This changes with the winds...

Lately, I have been listening to wht (?) White Stripes a lot. I used to love them years ago, but lost track of them. Recently I have had them on heavy rotation.

The sound track for "only lovers left alive" has been in HEAVY rotation as of late as well. So haunting and meditative.

And you can’t go wrong with Adam Ant.  He will always be heard coming from my speakers.

Movies. well that’s easy. I watch “Interview with the Vampire” just about once a month

then switch to "What We Do in the Shadows" best vampire film ever made!!! Ok, no…

"Only Lovers Left Alive" that’s the best vampire film ever made. I love Jim Jarmusch.

17 - Do you have an unfulfilled dream, not necessarily linked to your job?

MB: Hmm.... I just don't know. I’m a simple man, with simple wants. I just like being alive every day, having a lovely wife, and kids, and getting to do what I do.

I feel extremely fortunate to have what I have. I dream small.

Of course, I’d love to have more time to work on personal art, but that time will come eventually.

18 – To you what’s more fun to do: head sculpt or body sculpt? And which is more laborious?

MB: I love to work on likenesses. I usually save them for last like dessert.  But I also love to sculpt anatomy.  The portrait is always the most work, and can set the entire tone of a piece, which is also why I like to do it last. The sculpt may evolve as it progresses, and you may find yourself with a portrait that no longer fits the attitude of the pose.

19 – Personally there’s a scale of figure you prefer to work or it doesn’t matter?

MB: Scale does not matter, especially working digitally. You can change your mind at any step. Even after you print, you can just print one out bigger.

For my personal work, I like life size best. It’s just more fun!

Life-size goblin head from Harry Potter universe.

20 – Do you still do hand sculpt (even if only for leisure or practice)?

MB: Most of my personal work I do in sculpy, or WED clay. It’s nice to get yer hands dirty sometimes. Just not all the time.

21 – Do you collect statues or do you have any other hobby?

MB: I collect what I work on. Just to archive it in my garage. Sometimes I’ll ask for a piece that one of my friends from work did, that I really like. But usually I don't collect anything. Or if I do, I get sick of it pretty quick and give it to a friend. I see enough of this stuff at work that I don't feel the need to have it in my home. I do have a few select Disney statues displayed that I did, but if I had everything I worked on over the last 10 years out, there would be no room for me!!

22 – What advice would you give for a person who wants to sculpt professionally?

MB: For one, be aggressive, be ambitious, and meet lots of people. Practice every day, and open yourself up to criticism, and LISTEN!! If it’s wrong, throw it out, and start over. Do not fall in love with your creation, just the process used to create it. If you love the sculpt, you are doing it wrong, and will be reluctant to destroy it, in order to improve it. Just relax and enjoy the process of creation, ultimately it’s the only part you get to keep.

In this industry it’s 50% talent, and 50% who you know. So get out there, and get to know people. Shake hands, get business cards. Keep in touch, also learn to sculpt REALLY well!!

23 – Please leave a final word or quote you like to close the interview.

MB: Well, I don’t have much to say to inspire future generations... but if anyone really wants to be doing what I do, it’s entirely possible. All it takes is vigilance. Be curious, and inquisitive. Ask questions, be humble, work for people who will let you learn from them. Take criticism to heart, and learn from it.

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I would like to thank you, Matthew, for your sincerity and humbleness in doing this exclusive interview to the readers of CCF. I hope all of you enjoyed and learnt as much as I did with Matt about the labor of a sculptor nowadays and the way Sideshow works their projects. It was very insightful, man. Huge thanks and always hoping for your next piece. Speaking of piece, I wish peace to you and yours. :)

CLICK HERE TO READ PART I OF THE INTERVIEW

TO SEE A LIST OF LINKS TO ALL 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM CCF

CLICK HERE.

EXCLUSIVE SIDESHOW'S MATT BLACK INTERVIEW (PART I)

After interviewing the father of our hobby, Randy Bowen (see interview here), I decided to look for an artist that is on the forefront of today’s collectible figures wave and chose Matthew J. Black from Sideshow Collectibles, one of the most talented and skilled sculptors today.

First, I must say I’m a big fan of your work and am very proud of having a piece sculpted by you and two more coming and I would like to start this interview specifically for these pre-orders.

Two masterpieces from Matt Black

1- Matt, you worked on the sculpts of He-Man and Skeletor from the Masters of the Universe Sideshow line, which I personally find some of the best statues to come out this year. How was the process of reimagining the characters from the franchise?

MB (Matthew J. Black): I was thrilled to hear first of the announcement that we were going to tackle the subject. Then when I saw the Stjepan Sejic designs, I knew I had to get involved somehow. He really killed it. All through the sculpting process, there was a lot of interaction with the design team. Lots of back and forth, and brainstorming.

In the end, it was a true collaboration.

2 - Is there a general guideline (or guidelines/rules) to this line so to keep the unity of the collection? Can you share it with us?

MB: Generally, we think of it as a language. We try to keep elements of the design to have a similar language, similar story telling.

Motifs, and imagery is kept in a similar vein no matter who the character is. We like to have a layer of detail laminated throughout the composition, that really tells you a little about who this person is.

3 - Is there a special character (or characters) of MotU you would like to sculpt? Which one(s)?

MB: Too many!! I’d love to tackle Trap Jaw, Orko, Hordak, Merman, Stinkor.. etc. there is just a wealth of cool characters that would be so fun to sculpt!!

4 - Can we expect more characters of this series to be launched or Evil-Lyn will be the last one?

MB: I certainly hope so. I’m sure you will see some movement on this soon.

5 - This line uses mixed media (i.e. real cloths, pvc). How mixed media affects the process of sculpting? When the use of mixed media is decided? Who decides it?

MB: I love sculpts that involve cut/sew elements personally. I think it really can bring something to life, in a way and all sculpt piece can lack at times. It’s a process we work closely with out cut and sew team on. There are certain accommodations we make sculpturally to allows this process. Usually this is decided early on in the process.

6 - One of the most creative and complex use of mixed media l saw was Captain America - Allied Charge on Hydra Premium Format Figure. How was sculpting that figure?

MB: Thanks very much. That was one of my last full wax sculpts, and a lot of fun. It was a really cool design, and I wanted to do it, because it was a companion to the Red Skull I sculpted.

Captain America.Complex use of fabrics and polystone.

7 - I assume that nowadays everybody at Sideshow uses 3D software to sculpt figures. I would like to know how was the transition from handmade to computer generated sculpts to you and which was your last fully hand sculpted statue and which was your first 3D (ZBrush, I assume) created statue.

MB: Not all just yet, we have a few amazing sculptors such as Alfred Peredes still using wax. but more and more it is all digital. It just makes things easier. You can ship a sculpt from Argentina in an email plus the speed and dexterity you can achieve is unmatched. Not to mention the level of detail.

 I think the sculpt I was on when I made the leap was the Heath Ledger Joker. I ended up sculpting his hands, feet, and head in wax, and doing the body, guns, base etc. digitally.

The transition for me was very easy. I (was) very intimidated at first, but had been using Photoshop for years. So I was used to a similar interface. It’s really just a matter of relearning the mental part. Sculpting is sculpting. It never really happens with the hands anyway. It takes place in the mind.

8 - Beside the use of 3D software what else changed in the industry since Bowen Designs period?

MB: Well, there is a lot of competition for one. It’s a very exciting time. I LOVE to see what other companies are achieving. Designs are getting better and better every day, and sculptors are rising to meet the challenge. I love seeing that someone in Brazil, now has the opportunity to work with a team in Korea to make an amazing masterpiece. Before digital, and things like Facebook, this just wouldn't happen. These are very exciting times to be a part of this.

Now two prickly questions. I’m sorry about that, but internet community is crying to know.

9 - One of the biggest complaints about Sideshow is quality control of the mass production statues that the community sees as a hit or miss issue (not to mention cheap casting). How - if so – Sideshow is addressing these issues?

MB: Well, this isn’t really a part of the role I play at sideshow. I do know that we have a very good team of people working directly with our partners at the factories to make sure everything is coming out amazing.

10 - The other biggest complaints is the astounding inflating prices of the statues. How would you justify that a figure that would cost, let's say, $400.00 last year is now being priced at $500.00?

MB: Again, not really my area of expertise, but as you can imagine costs everywhere are on the rise.

Now to more lighter questions. I’m sorry about the two last ones but I feel obliged to ask as these issues scratch the image of Sideshow among the fans.

11 - Well, did somebody influenced you? If so, who?

MB: This is a tough one to answer. I never really had a mentor, or really anyone who I looked up to. I started down this path kinda on accident. I was just looking into sculpting some anthropological models, and ended up at Jordu Schell's mask making class. He is an amazing artist, and encouraged me to do more in the area of toys/ statues. I applied at SOTA right after, and Jerry Macaluso graciously allowed me to help mold and cast while I picked people brains about sculpting. Eventually I was allowed to help out on a Scooby Doo fishing rod, and the rest was history.

12 - Is there a character you really want to sculpt but didn’t have the chance until now?

MB: Honestly, I’d love to get back into sculpting some Harry Potter stuff. I love Potter, and miss working in that world.

That and the vampires of Anne Rice. My first love has always been vampire fiction, and I LOVE Anne Rice. Some day I’ll have the time to complete my life size Lestat I have had in the works for a couple years.

Matthew J. Black. The face behind the sculptures we love.

(Note of the editor: since the interview ended being too long I decided to divide it in two parts.)

CLICK HERE TO READ PART II OF THE INTERVIEW.

  TO SEE A LIST OF LINKS TO ALL 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM CCF

CLICK HERE.

EXCLUSIVE! RANDY BOWEN INTERVIEW

With SDCC approaching and (almost) all the new stuff being revealed, there’s a lot to talk about, especially about the foreseeable future. That’s why this blog decided to take the opposite direction and went look for the guy who started it all, the man who founded the industry as we know it today, Randy Bowen, for an exclusive interview. It felt at first to this editor like I was talking to the President or something, but Mr. Bowen showed himself to be a very approachable figure who’s not afraid of edgy questions and quickly the “President-feeling” disappeared. With a surprise kept under wraps, Randy Bowen talked about the past and the present, gave a hint about the future while doing what he does the best: sculpting.

X-Men by Bowen Designs

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PART I

CFF (Comments on Collectible Figures): Primarily I would like to say that it is a great honor to interview the man who was decisive to shape the hobby of collectible figures as we know it today. So without further ado, let’s start the interview.

Randy Bowen, the Stan Lee of collectible figures.

CCF: Do you ever think in coming back to the Market? Why and how (doing super-heroes or a more authorial work)?

RB (Randy Bowen): Yes, I do think about coming back into the statue industry… But it will be likely in a different capacity than before. I was recently divorced, and the terms of my divorce prevent me from utilizing the same business model as previously.

In other words; if I have a statue company that sells and distributes and manufacturers, then I would need to pay a large chunk of the profits to my ex-wife.

This is for a period of five years. So until the year 2021, I'll likely just do sculpting for other companies. And then, after that, I'll be poised for the rebirth of Bowen Designs at some point.

I'm not sure what you mean by "more authorial work"... Do you mean: more original work?

CCF: Yes. Not based on pre-created characters (i.e. Marvel or DC) but original creations from scratch.

RB: […] I would like to do more original characters as I've done in the past (i.e. Decapitator, Jimmy Legs, Bionica, etc). But the fact is it is a more difficult task to make sales. People generally want characters that they are already familiar with.

Having said that: it's always more satisfying to do something that comes from your own mind.

Bowen's original creation, Jimmy Legs

CCF: What do you think of the industry today, an industry you helped to found and shape?

RB: What do I think of the industry today? I think it's amazing. There seems to be no end of the creativity and variety that's out there. It's a little overwhelming. Especially, since there were no other people or companies doing this when I started.

CCF: Is there any new brand you identify yourself the most? Why?

RB: I'm not sure that I'm clear on the meaning of your question:   Are you asking which company I like the most?  Or are you asking who I would most like to work for?

I cannot answer at this time.  I will be doing something soon, but there will be an official announcement, and I cannot say anything at this time.

CCF: Ok. I completely understand. Will look for it! So let’s go to the next question: what do you consider the three best statues you ever done? The ones you’re most proud of?

RB: Difficult question, as I'm never totally satisfied with anything I've done...  Probably: Frank Frazetta Death Dealer statue, Iron Fist, and Hulk.

CCF: Cool. I love your Silver Surfer (the one that went Chrome and Faux Bronze).

RB: Thank you;)

Death Dealer and Iron Fist, two of Randy Bowen's most cherish sculpts

CCF: Is there any Marvel character that always sold well no matter the sculpture?

RB: Captain America, Hulk, Thor are a few...

CCF: I see... the first name that came to my mind was Spider-Man, but turns out fans think otherwise... :)

RB: No Spider-Man is in the group as well...So is Wolverine... Many sell really well... That's why I produced so many variants of these...

Thor: a favorite character among collectors

CCF: I get it now. The more variants the more successful the character is. Now you said it I realized the Market has really this "law". The ones that sell the most are the ones with more statues variants! Next question: What do you think about 3D software sculpting?

RB: I think it is the direction the industry is moving.  It has good points and bad.

I am learning brush myself (a digital sculpting program)

CCF: ZBrush, I suppose.

RB: Yes- sorry for the typo...

CCF: Let me rephrase the question. Is there anything you cannot do with the program that you can only do by putting your hands on the clay or is this a myth?

RB: I am no authority on the subject, but there is virtually nothing that can't be done digitally.  I like the natural look of something that is sculpted by hand myself, (even random tool marks and fingerprints).  But I'm sure there's a way even to add those elements.

CCF: It’s a bit personal question, so don’t answer if you feel uncomfortable, but did you make enough money with Bowen Designs that you no longer need to work and still have a comfortable life?

RB: Yes- I can retire from working if I wish... but I do not wish to do so completely.

CCF: Do you still sculpt? Do you collect statues?

RB: Yes- I am working on a sculpture now... :)

CCF: Amazing! Wish I could see it.

RB: I'll need a bigger house to continue collecting...lol...

I cannot participate in the interview much longer. I need to start my day.  I can answer more later today.

CCF: That's cool. I'll wait and start to format what we have. I'll just leave you with the next question for you to think over: what do you think of the inflating prices of the statues in the last couple of years? Do you think is a tendency or it tends to slow down? What is causing this inflation in your opinion?

RB: Prices on all materials relating to statue production is increasing, as well as the cost of fuel for shipping these items.

CCF: I didn't factor these variables, I thought it was only greed from the companies.

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PART II 

CCF: Where any of the Bowen statues hollow inside? If so, why? I’ve heard several explanations and I would like to know the real ones. And also what do you think about this picture?

Thin, cheap casting of a Red Hulk by Sideshow Collectibles

RB: Is the photo of the Red Hulk a Bowen Statue?

No not every large statue was hollow cast.  The factory makes the decision regarding whether it’s hollow.  It has to do with shipping costs, but mores, because large solid-cast statues generate more heat in the casing process, and therefor burn-out (wear-out) the molds faster.
Most of the statues were solid. But the were a few that were semi-hollow. It's to reduce weight for shipping.

Also; larger pieces tend to generate a lot of heat in the casting process.

CCF: No, it's a Sideshow Statue. What’s your favorite Marvel or DC character? And what’s your favorite character overall?

RB: DC - Batman Marvel - Thor. Bay, an overall... Batman overall favorite.

CFF: Is there any character you would like to sculpt but never did? Who?

RB: Metal Men.

Metal Men

CFF: Why did you leave the industry?

RB: I needed to take a break...  I went through a long and expensive divorce, and needed to liquidate and divide the assets of my corporation.

CFF: What your advices to people who want to make sculpture for a living?

RB: Learn Z-brush, traditional sculpture, and drawing... All very important skills...

CFF: Just to finish with a sound number, fifteenth question: is there anything you want to do that you didn’t yet?

RB: Have sex with a beautiful woman while skydiving...Oh...you mean sculpturally? :)  Yeah, there are lots of things, but I'm going to keep my ideas to myself, or otherwise I'll never do it!

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So that was the pleasant conversation I had with Randy Bowen I hope you enjoyed as much as I did. And sex while skydiving it’s sure to be one of the wildest experiences someone may have in life! I would never thought about if it wasn’t Mr. Bowen. Or worse, without him we would never been collecting statues. We owe this guy a lot.:)

TO SEE A LIST OF LINKS TO ALL 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM CCF

CLICK HERE.

A NEW STRANGE TREND IN COLLECTIBLES? – REAL BLACK MAGIC STATUES

They are entities with supernatural powers, come from another dimension but are not superheroes. Sometimes they can even be the villains depending on who’s using them and with which end. They have a huge line of characters and their respective representation as collectible statues. but they’re not from comic books, or movies, or TV.

And there’s more: many believes they exist, a belief that has his origins in Africa, many centuries ago and have spread with slavery throughout the world merging itself with local religions. Are they religious statues? Not in Judaic/Christian way. They belong another ancient and obscure belief: “Candomblé”.

“Candomblé” has a division/fission: the right and left sides. “Quimbanda” or Kimbanda is said to be the “left side” of Candomblé, an afro-religion very present principally in Brazil, where “Pais” e “Mães-de-Santo” (Saints’ Fathers and Mothers) who have developed medium capabilities serve as “horses” and incorporate the entities they are bonded to for several reasons or purposes.

It is said that “Quimbanda’s” practitioners’ activities are different from the “right side” or “white table” of “Candomblé” (Umbanda) because involve cosmology of malign entities revolving - besides rites of protection and wishes for fortune, health love or luck (as Umbanda) - black magic, with rituals of curse, vengeance among others evil purposes.

The “Exus” (“Eshus”) and “Pomba-Giras” (“Pombo Giras”) the main entities of Quimbanda, are said to be less developed spirits still too attached to the flesh and human frailties like envy, anger and vices like alcohol and tobacco. By being rebellious spirits they are difficult to control and sometimes incorporate in the medium or horse against his/her will.

Some of the offerings given to praise these entities generally are drinks, cigars, animal sacrifices depending on what the adept want them to do.

The Exus and Pomba-Giras inhabit in their majority into the woods, cemeteries and crossroads among other places of lower spiritual vibration.

Each Exu has a Pomba-Gira and vice-versa and each of them may have several partners. It is said that each Exu or Pomba-Gira has generally 7 partners because this number - as well as six - has a very strong meaning in Quimbanda's mythology.

The trend of collecting genuine handmade statues from these entities is slowing spreading among more daring Terror/Horror movies fans. They’re difficult to find, but if you look for it on eBay or Googling “Eshu”, “Exu” or “Pomba Gira”, “Pombo Gira” you may find them. It’s the scarcity and difficulty to locate these pieces besides being the “real deal” that make them so special among collectors. One can find images from 8 inches to 24 inches tall. And prices are not friendly (while not absurd either).

One should not expect nothing along the lines of a Sideshow or XM, not even close, but they certainly have a crude, rustic appearance that gives them this strange mystical appeal. And some of them are made by commission. Besides, it is said the statues are source of spiritual protection to the owner, his/her home and close people, and may realize the wishes of who believes and praises them. Being it good deeds or bad deeds, it depends on the owner. But be careful about what you ask because your wish, if you have faith enough, can come true!

The heart of the matter is: do you have the guts of having a genuine black magic statue among your collection? Even if only for spiritual protection? Some of us certainly do. And some even felt strange spiritual perceptions or insights after getting these figures. Go figure, literally!

PRIME 1 MAKING 1/4 FIGURES?! TROUBLE AHEAD, SIDESHOW AND XM (AND ALL THE OTHERS)!

Times they a' changin’ to Sideshow and XM since no other less than Prime 1 Studios will enter the 1/4 market and what's more important with DC and Marvel licenses. Below, the image of the new 1/4 Superman statue study from Prime 1.

In my humble opinion, pretty cool, perfect digital sculpting, nice outfit but, as everything Prime 1 does it lacks personality, soul, life even though it was made in partnership with Sideshow (as I heard it was). Though, if these pieces heritage the same production quality of their big brothers, Sideshow and XM (and all quarter scale manufacturers for that matter) will be in big trouble and will need to raise their production quality a lot so they can stand a chance against this new though adversary on the 1/4 arena. Who wins is the collector because more competition means price wars, overall improvement in the quality of the products and other details as consumer service, rewards etc. I believe that if this line of Prime 1 products be launched at SDCC it will steal the show, not only because of the quality intrinsic to the figures but for the relevance and impact it will have on the market. Especially if the prices are akin to Sideshow's.

Besides being a Sideshow fanboy I must admit I’m very glad and very excited to see Prime 1 Marvel and DC 1/4 scale statues officially announced. I think it is the launch I'm looking for the most at SDCC. This will only enrich the market as we're bound to watch from the better possible place a clash of titans to see who makes the better statues for the better price. Times they are a' changin’ for the best. Sideshow and all others will have a hard time trying to match Prime 1’s quality control and attention to detail but they'll certainly try (or they'll languish) which means good news to all of us. I can't hardly wait for the fight to begin.

I must admit the Green Lantern pose is pretty cool. Congrats, Prime 1

A LESSON IN CREATIVE POSING II (DEDICATED TO PRIME 1 STUDIOS)

In my post “A Lesson on Creative Daring Posing” dedicated exclusively to Prime 1 Studios, I compare a pose of a Japanese figure with the dull, lifeless poses of Prime 1 Batman’s line. Community argued I could not compare an anime with Batman. So now I come back to reaffirm that Prime 1 Studios doesn’t dare in giving their statues movement and distinctive poses. But now I bring to table two Sideshow Batman figures – Arkham Asylum Batman and the recently release “Dawn of Justice” Batman – to prove my point.

Cool. Cool with movement and personality

I cannot argue that casting and finishing of Prime 1 Studios are light years ahead of that of Sideshow (and so are the prices). But that’s not my point. My point is that Prime 1 Studios doesn’t take any risks regarding the poses of theirs characters. They’re all standing tall erected in a surely imposing pose but it gets damn repetitive. The max they change is the arms positions, the rest is always the same, immutable. I don’t know why they don’t invest in more creative posing but it certainly annoys me. Not that I have the money to buy a Prime 1 Studios piece (if I did I’d rather buy two Sideshow statues that invests in creative poses that reinforces the personality of each character). In other words if I had the chance or wanted to buy an Arkham or Dawn of Justice Batmans I would go for Sideshow without a trace of doubt. I wouldn’t like to have my collection looking as a bunch of soldiers in formation. I prefer it varied, with different unique poses for each character.

Incredible production value but dull. Less stellar production value but with life.

Addendum:

Community alleges that Prime 1 “museum” poses are due to 1/3 format of the figures, that figures that big with movement would need a lot more space to display and that bigger boxes would mean bigger shipping costs. They’ve made a good point on that if the statues come in one piece and no assemble is required.

So for the sake of comparison in equal scales (even same characters) let’s take a look at the poses from ¼ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles statues both from Prime 1 and Sideshow:

Same scale and oh, so much difference on the poses. 

 Although a lot more dynamic than the 1/3 scale figures, the poses don’t compare to Sideshows immensely creative take on the turtles. Sideshow poses (and expressions) are much more dynamic and engaging than those of Prime 1 turtles. No surprise the exclusive version of Leonardo from Sideshow sold out in a couple of days.