Green Lantern 1:2 Scale Bust

Happy Holidays! Another quick review before the Holiday weekend goes into full swing.

Licensed By DC Direct
Manufactured by Kotobukiya
Sculpted By Jordu Schell
Type 1:2 Scale Bust
Size 13"H x 11"W x 6"D
Ship Date August 2010
Retail Cost $295.00

Zimm's Two Cents
With all of the popularity around Blackest Night, this one should not have surprised me, but it did. I guess it is because I kind-of / sort-of liked it. Initial pass caught my eye. Scrutiny drives me away.

Points in Favor

• While I am not 100% certain about it, I do like the general look of the fabric.
• They captured Hal Jordan's personality in the piece. From the raised eyebrow to the slight grin.
• The Mask is cool.

Points Against

• The Hair. From the front view, it just doesn't take.
• The skin tone looks more like make-up then skin tone.

Recommendation: Neutral. While I was initially leaning toward a Pass, I realized that if you are a die-hard Green Lantern fan that this would not be a bad piece for you. If you aren't, you might want to look elsewhere.

What the.....Blammoids Series 3

They just won't go away! No matter what you think - DC Direct keeps pushing these things out. I'm not exactly sure which one is really 'blammed out' this time. ('Blammed Out' - like it? I made it up.)

Anyway, this series consists of Two-Face, Cyborg, Wildcat, Robin, Catwoman, and Classic Batman. How Batman can be 'classic' as a Blammoid just does not make sense. I understand that it is his classic costume - but a Blammoid is just not classic.

Gremlins Gizmo Plush

Just in time for Christmas, I found a Mogwai! This Gizmo plush just arrived at Entertainment Earth last week.

While Gremlins has never been one of my favorite movies, this little guy has a special place in my heart. I just can't help but smile whenever I see him.

I had considered getting one for my kids, but then I realized neither of them has seen the movie and would have no idea who he was. So I also have to get them the first movie on DVD.

Superman In Training

My neighbor is close to having his baby boy, and my attention has been drawn to which gifts I could potentially give the newborn. Out of all of the 'superhero' based infant jumpers - this one seems to really rock.

However, you are setting some steep expectations for the kid at an early age.

If you like, you can find it here. (click).

Available: January 2010
Retail Price: $17.99

Note from Robert: I don't think I would have bought this for my son when he was small enough to wear something like this. I would have bought it if it were blue though. The gray doesn't really work with the Superman logo. YMMV.

Kotobukiya: Reborn Captain America

Kotobukiya presents the second in a 3 part series that will also include Thor and Iron Man. These pieces are based on the come back of the original Avengers.

Licensed By Marvel
Manufactured by Kotobukiya
Artist Junnosuke Abe
Type Cold Cast Porcelain Statue
Size 12.5"H
Ship Date May 2010
Retail Cost $184.99

Zimm's Two Cents
I still love the Thor piece of this 3 part series, but this one. No. This is what always worries me about multi-part sets. I like one piece, but I don't like the entire set.

Points in Favor

• The little pieces of detail. The boots, belt and chain mail.
• The glove and his holding of the Shield. (Sometimes it is the little things).

Points Against

• Sculpting looks funny. The muscles in his legs look funny.
• Not quite certain that I like this version of his costume.
• The paint looks splochy, which is one of the things that Robert originally pointed out. While I like it at times, it doesn't fit here.
• I've seen one where he is wearing a helmet instead of a mask. Ugh.
  

Recommendation: Pass. While I didn't get a good look at his face (just yet), I don't really have enough interest to go hunting it down.

Robert's Two Cents
Blech!

Points in Favor

• The base is cool. The whole set should look good together even if one or two of them aren't quite right.
  
• The shield looks good.
  

Points Against

• I don't like the boots. They remind me too much of cheesy super hero Halloween costumes.
  
• I know I don't like this version of his costume. It almost looks like a Rob Liefeld design, which isn't necessarily bad in its own right, but it would be one of his worse designs.
  
• I hate when sculptors feel they have to add too much texture with the paint. It makes the paint look splotchy as Zimm says.
  
• The face looks too small to me. Also, he looks like he's smelling his own armpit. I hate this pose on super hero statues.
• He shouldn't have a pouch on the front of his belt.
  

Recommendation: Pass. I don't like it. There's a lot wrong with it. Kotobukiya does some cool things some times. Other times they don't.

Sideshow Toy: Spider-Woman

Licensed By Marvel
Manufactured by Sideshow Collectibles
Artists
*Pablo Viggiano
*Mireya Romo-Bowen
*Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
Type Legendary Scale Bust
Size 18"H x 9"W x 8.5"D
Ship Date 1st Quarter 2010
Retail Cost $199.99 - Sold Out

Zimm's Two Cents
I don't provide a review of all of the statues and busts out there. In some cases, it is an artist rendition, and I would rather see the final product before I provide my two cents. (e.g. Bowen's recent release of Havok.)

In this case, the statue just does nothing for me. I'm not certain if it is the hair, the pose (shoulder lifted up), or the implants. But whatever it is, I opt to pass on writing up a review rather then provide a review.

Points in Favor

• Colors. Clean and clear.
• Sculpting - but all of these Legendary Scale Busts are good in the sculpting area.

Points Against

• Hair. I just don't like it.
• All Busts. I know that works for some guys, but I'm not certain that I want to take up shelf space for those.

Recommendation: You've probably already guessed, but Pass. But can I really say, "Pass"? Its a good piece, but it is just not for me. So maybe, just maybe, this should be a Neutral.

Your Thoughts?

Robert's Two Cents
I really, really like Spider-Woman and her costume. This bust doesn't really impress me.

Points in Favor

• The face looks decent. Although the eyes are shaped wrong I think.
  

Points Against

• I don't like the pose.
• The breasts seem awkwardly positioned.
  
• The hair. If you're going to have her hair going up behind her, you need to include all of her hair. Her hair is supposed to be incredibly long. Instead they hacked it to make it fit. I'd rather they let it hang and chop it where the bust ends.
• The base is extremely bland.
  

Recommendation: Pass. I have always been a fan of the Jessica Drew Spider-Woman, but this bust leaves me feeling a little blah. With that said, I will qualify my review with the statement that I'm not following what Bendis is doing with the character, so this representation may be good for his and Alex Maleev's series.

Sideshow Toy: Scrooge McDuck Bust

Licensed By Disney
Manufactured by Enesco, LLC
Type Polystone Bust
Size 8"H
Ship Date 1st Quarter 2010
Retail Cost $64.99
Find it Here Sideshow Toy

Zimm's Two Cents
What a BEAUTIFUL piece. I'm not a Disney collector, but some of the pieces that they are coming out with are just too fricken sweet.

Points In Favor

• The Colors - Bright, sharp and clean.
• The amount of detail in this piece are not usually seen in busts in this price range. The glasses, the coins, the facial expression.
• It's Scrooge - my favorite Christmas character. Don't ask.
• Awesome Base. I wouldn't expect this much of a base on a bust.

Points Against

• Not quite certain about the texture of the jacket or the safe.

Recommendation: Buy. This would be a nice holiday piece to pull out every Christmas. Take a look at the other pics at Sideshow Collectibles.

Robert's Two Cents
Wow! I haven't seen this one before. They nailed Scrooge. Disney does great stuff with great licensees (licensors?).

Points In Favor

• The details.
  
• I love the safe base. And all of those coins dumping out.
  
• That facial expression is all Scrooge. You couldn't ask for a better Scrooge face.
  

Points Against

• Too bad it's not a statue.
• I gotta figure out where to put it.
  

Recommendation: Buy. I love it. Of course Scrooge McDuck is my favorite Disney character. I loved Duck Tales back in the day. I'm not much of a Disney collector either. I have a few pieces. This would be a super piece to own.

'Back in Black' Spider-man

Licensed By Marvel
Manufactured by Sideshow Collectibles
Artists
Viggiano Studios
Osvaldo Tedesco
Pablo Viggiano
The Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
Type Legendary Scale Bust
Size 11"H x 10"W x 6"D
Ship Date 2nd Quarter 2010
Retail Cost $199.99
Find it Here Sideshow Toy

Zimm's Two Cents
What a rockin piece of work this is! I have been admiring a number of Sideshow Collectibles Legendary Scale Busts for quite a while, and this is another one that jumps right out at me. I just wish I had the room for ALL of them.

Points in Favor

• Simplicity! Sometimes, sticking to the basics makes it work, and this piece definitely does that for you.
• Colors. Yes - it is just black and white, but they could have tried to do more, and why would you?
• Sculpting. Like the colors - simple, but perfect.

Points Against

• None.

Recommendation - Yet another Hot Buy! I love recommending good statues, when I find them, and every once in a while, I feel that I don't get to say it enough. Nice!

Robert's Two Cents
I like it, but I don't love it. The beauty of the black Spidey costume is partially in the chest emblem and without it, it's just a black mask.

Points in Favor

• They did a good job with making the black mask look good.
  

Points Against

• It lacks the personality I've expected from these over-sized busts from Sideshow.
• The eyes should be bigger.
• I need more of the chest logo if it's supposed to be the black Spider-Man costume.
• The face lacks personality...wait, I said that already. Well, let me explain he looks like just another guy in a mask.
  

Recommendation - Neutral. It's nice it just doesn't wow me. The black Spider-Man costume is my favorite Spider-Man costume ever and that may play into my feelings.

Bowen Designs: Ant-Man Deluxe

Produced By Bowen Designs
Sculpted By Jason Smith
Size 12"H
Type Statue
Release March 2010
Retail Price $200.00
WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE!

Zimm's Two Cents
We reviewed the other piece, but as we mentioned, this is the real buy! It has the one thing - Ant Man growing from small to large form! How cool is this!

I've never been that big of an Ant-Man fan, but this piece is sweet.
Recommendation: This is the HOT BUY of the two. Just look at the second pic that Bowen took of the piece. You can just imagine him growing in size.

You can find our original review here for the Ant-Man 'regular' statue, or you can order the Deluxe version by clicking here.

Robert's Two Cents
This Ant-Man statue rocks!

I love the transition between small and large and the way it was executed. The quarter base is just as cool here as on the original piece.

The only question I have is, is this supposed to be Hank Pym or Scott Lang?

Recommendation:This Ant-Man statue is a definite HOT BUY. Now, I just have to figure out which organ I'm going to sell to get it.

Bowen Designs: Arcade Mini-Bust

Licensed By Marvel
Produced By Bowen Designs
Sculpted by Troy McDevitt
Type Mini-Bust
Size 6"H
Shipping Spring 2010
Retail Price $60.00
Click Here for More Information: Bowen Designs

Zimm's Two Cents
I tend to prefer the villains or heroes with masks, but this piece called out to me. I like it. It is increadiblly different from the other pieces, and Troy McDevitt did an incredible job on the piece.

Points in Favor

• Chrome Base - Nice simple touch referencing the pinball machine.
• Good facial expression and characteristics.
• I like all of the detail in the jacket, vest, shirt and gloves.
  
• Even the facial expression, hair and eyes are awesome. Especially his eyes - a little bit of crazy, a tad bit of bags, and nicely painted.
  

Points Against

• If I nick-picked, I might find something, but to be honest, I like this piece too much.

Recommendation: Hot Buy. This is one of those that I definitely want to order.

Robert's Two Cents
I love Arcade. So anything I say here is biased. He was the villain in one of the first issues of the X-Men I ever read.

Points in Favor

• He looks like Arcade.
  
• The captured him in a pose.
  
• I love the bow tie.
  
• The expression is Arcade.
  

Points Against

• I'm not 100% sure he had freckles.
  

Recommendation: Hot Buy. It's freaking awesome!

Might & Magic! The CLASH of HEROES!

The older you get - the easier it is to determine what Santa will be leaving in your stocking. The only downside is that you have to wait until the 24th to enjoy something that you should be enjoying NOW!

For Christmas, I'm getting Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes. It is a turned based RPG, which eliminates any factor of me stressing out over the game. It has some puzzles, which should make take up some time......as I look up the solutions on the web. But here it is!!!!



For those of you would like to find out a little bit more, see some screen shots, or simply order it, I leave you with an Amazon link.



The real game that I should be playing is World of Warcraft, but I realized YEARS ago that I had some other hobbies besides one single online game that I would never leave.

X-23 Vs. Lady Deathstrike

Manufactured by Sideshow Collectibles
Artists
> The Sideshow Collectibles Development Team
> Idol Workshop
Type Polystone Diorama
Size 17"H x 14"W x 9"D
Ship 2nd Quarter 2010
Retail Price $264.99

Zimm's Two Cents
I've been looking at the Sideshow Collectibles line quite a bit lately, as I want to start adding some of them to my collection. I tend to favor their "lifesize busts".
Points in Favor

• Detail, but then again, these Diorama's don't eve tend to skimp on the detail. Look at the scratches on X-23.
• Characters look good. The faces are what usually turn me off with these dioramas, but in this case, I think that they look pretty good. Good and pissed.
• The Paint. Clear sharp colors.
• Action Poses, when done right, really rock!

Points Against

• I don't see any.

Recommendation: This one definitely falls into my 'Hot Buy' bucket. This is just a really nice piece, and I might do some googling on "Idol Workshop" to find out more about them.

As an FYI: One pic does not do this statue justice, I would definitely recommend clicking through and looking at the entire gallery collection.

Robert's Two Cents
This is a really cool piece.
Points in Favor

• I love the details on the costumes.
  
• Great pose.
• X-23 looks awesome.
• Deathstrike looks very good too.
  

Points Against

• I'd like to see a more classic Lady Deathstrike costume, but it's still pretty close.
  

Recommendation:Hot Buy I really like this one. Plus the history and the irony of the matchup.

Uni-Formz: Green Lantern - Blue Lantern

I'm actually enjoying this series; however, I don't remember them promoting a Blue Lantern? In fact, when I went back to look at Robert's post earlier this year, it was "Power Glow" figure.

Manufacturer DC Direct
Designed & Sculpted by Monster 5
Dimensions Over 8" tall
Articulation 12 Points
Type Vinyl Figure
Edition Size Limited Unknown
Release Date December 16, 2009
Retail Price $99.99

Zimm's Two Cents
I actually prefer the Blue Lantern over the Power Glow version. It fits with the recent 'Blackest Night' storyline; however, I would almost ask that they start putting out other ringed characters as well, which would take away from the 3-set pieces that they have been creating.

Recommendation: Great Buy.

Robert's Two Cents
I like it, but it's $100. There's lots better I can do with $100. Plus, is Hal a Blue Lantern now?

Recommendation: Neutral.

What the....$200 Batman Cuff-links???

Now, I know that doesn't sound to astonishing, but when you see the $200.00 price tag associated with the cufflinks, then you are likely to say, "What the frack!"

I double checked, and since the rings are sterling silver, they are $200.00. I looked at them for a while and think that I would opt for the $50 to $65 pair of Superman, Green Lantern, Batman, Star Trek or even Mickey Mouse cuff-links.