Check Out The New Universal Lifesize Frankenstein Bust for $450&500

[Dr.Terror]

Personally, I'm sick of the retro-look kiddie stuff.What's the point of making modern toys that look like they're from another era? Kinda pretentious, if you ask me.  The reason toys didn't look realistic in the past is because they lacked the technology that we have today. If Sideshow quality figures existed when I was a kid, that's all I would have bought.

Sounds like you just don't get the juiciness of vintage items.  The smell, the texture, and most of all the chaming crudeness.   I think most folks have to grow up with monsters to truly appreciate the Kids stuff.    60's 70's and early 80's.     I don't mean any of that style guide 90's 2000 poop.

[Monster Bob]

Here here!

[creaturerevenge]

I was born in 1985, a number of years after the original monster kid craze and I know all about and appreciate vintage toys quite a bit! Frankly, I appreciate and get more excited over them BECAUSE they were before my time. I never got to experience them first hand as a kid which adds to my fascination with them. Some people like to collect vintage toys because they had them as a kid, I like to collect them because I didn't!

[Mord]

I'm sorry, Dr. Terror, but I am an original sixties monster kid. I grew up reading Famous Monsters, building Aurora kits, wearing Don Post masks, and controlling my Marx Frankenstein. Retro toys are great for the memories we have of our childhood when times seemed simpler and carefree. I do appreciate vintage toys. Hell, I just paid $1,400 for a MIB Marx Frankenstein! What I think is silly and pretentious is to make current toys look crude and simple (as if 50 years of technology never existed). I love Marx , Aurora, Hasbro etc. but I would be blind not to include Sideshow, Billiken, and maybe even DST among the very best Universal monster toymakers. It's OK to live in the past, but, if you open your eyes and mind, the present isn't too bad either.

[Dr. Blasko]

I was born in '92. I love the Retro stuff, its stuff I never had XD

[Factory]

Wow... thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear what you like and don't like and do listen.

But we should say this is not the response we are getting from customers , particularly face to face with people over the last 5 days at Comic Con where the finished product was on display and people loved it. People of all ages could not stop playing with it and many many people posed for pictures with it.

We wanted to address the eyes comments (hesitantly  as we fully expect a raft of further vitriol) but here goes..

The Eyes. Yup they are stylized. But you can turn em off. They are not permanent and they are shut off with the flick of a switch, you can still play the sounds without the lights. When they are not lit up they are realistic 'glass' eyes in the correct hazel color to match Karloff's real eyes. As far as goofy they are inspired by artwork on the original posters where eyes do appear to glow, or one case actually have lightning out of them. Besides, put this in a darkened room like a home theater and turn em on and it looks brilliantly creepy. In all  honesty you really cannot appreciate this item fully until you have seen it in the flesh.

Everything else is personal taste, you either like it or you don't. and that's fine. The base design is not something we just made up, it's inspired by the creations of the late great Mr Kenneth Strikfaden, which consisted largely of period scientific equipment, including wooden and metal panels with bolts nuts and rivets. There are no greeblies or detail on the sides or back as like a classical bust they are considered part of a 4th wall between the viewer and the piece,.

This product is aimed at new monsters fans and or  people who don't have any of the previously produced pieces. There are no currently available officially licensed life sized bust products of this type on the market. Its not intended to replace or better anything that's been done before, merely add to the pantheon of cool monsters products.

The message, reading these posts is that no new people should get into monsters, its a closed shop for established fans only. Pitchforks and flaming torches await you if you dare! (only  kidding stop planning our painful and drawn out deaths) But seriously... are you all saying if something has ever been done before  you never want to see it again even in a different format or with a new twist? 

We only have the license to produce replicas and replica type items... that's why we don't produce vinyl or figures. We would if we could believe us... but other people took those categories.

So no more life size busts of any kind is the feeling here then?

Barry

[Factory]

Wow... thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear what you like and don't like and do listen.

But we should say this is not the response we are getting from customers , particularly face to face with people over the last 5 days at Comic Con where the finished product was on display and people loved it. People of all ages could not stop playing with it and many many people posed for pictures with it.

We wanted to address the eyes comments (hesitantly  as we fully expect a raft of further vitriol) but here goes..

The Eyes. Yup they are stylized. But you can turn em off. They are not permanent and they are shut off with the flick of a switch, you can still play the sounds without the lights. When they are not lit up they are realistic 'glass' eyes in the correct hazel color to match Karloff's real eyes. As far as goofy they are inspired by artwork on the original posters where eyes do appear to glow, or one case actually have lightning out of them. Besides, put this in a darkened room like a home theater and turn em on and it looks brilliantly creepy. Give us the benefit of the doubt, until you have seen the item in person and played with it you cannot really appreciate it

Everything else is personal taste, you either like it or you don't. The base of the pieces is inspired by the creations of the late great Mr Kenneth Strikfaden, which consisted largely of period scientific equipment, including wooden and metal panels with bolts nuts and rivets. There are no greeblies or detail on the sides or back as like a classical bust they are considered part of a 4th wall between the viewer and the piece,.

This product is aimed at new monsters fans and or  people who don't have any of the previously produced pieces. There are no currently available officially licensed life sized bust products of this type on the market. Its not intended to replace or better anything that's been done before, merely add to the pantheon of cool monsters products.

The message, reading these posts is that no new people should get into monsters, its a closed shop for established fans only. Pitchforks and flaming torches await you if you dare! (only  kidding stop planning our painful and drawn out deaths) But seriously... you are saying if something has ever been done before  you never want to see it again even in a different format or with a new twist? 

We only have the license to produce replicas and replica type items... that's why we don't produce vinyl or figures. We would if we could believe us... but other people took those categories.

So no more life size busts of any kind is the feeling here then?

Barry

[Dr. Blasko]

Wow... thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear what you like and don't like and do listen.

But we should say this is not the response we are getting from customers , particularly face to face with people over the last 5 days at Comic Con where the finished product was on display and people loved it. People of all ages could not stop playing with it and many many people posed for pictures with it.

We wanted to address the eyes comments (hesitantly  as we fully expect a raft of further vitriol) but here goes..

The Eyes. Yup they are stylized. But you can turn em off. They are not permanent and they are shut off with the flick of a switch, you can still play the sounds without the lights. When they are not lit up they are realistic 'glass' eyes in the correct hazel color to match Karloff's real eyes. As far as goofy they are inspired by artwork on the original posters where eyes do appear to glow, or one case actually have lightning out of them. Besides, put this in a darkened room like a home theater and turn em on and it looks brilliantly creepy. In all  honesty you really cannot appreciate this item fully until you have seen it in the flesh.

Everything else is personal taste, you either like it or you don't. and that's fine. The base design is not something we just made up, it's inspired by the creations of the late great Mr Kenneth Strikfaden, which consisted largely of period scientific equipment, including wooden and metal panels with bolts nuts and rivets. There are no greeblies or detail on the sides or back as like a classical bust they are considered part of a 4th wall between the viewer and the piece,.

This product is aimed at new monsters fans and or  people who don't have any of the previously produced pieces. There are no currently available officially licensed life sized bust products of this type on the market. Its not intended to replace or better anything that's been done before, merely add to the pantheon of cool monsters products.

The message, reading these posts is that no new people should get into monsters, its a closed shop for established fans only. Pitchforks and flaming torches await you if you dare! (only  kidding stop planning our painful and drawn out deaths) But seriously... are you all saying if something has ever been done before  you never want to see it again even in a different format or with a new twist? 

We only have the license to produce replicas and replica type items... that's why we don't produce vinyl or figures. We would if we could believe us... but other people took those categories.

So no more life size busts of any kind is the feeling here then?

Barry

No, $500 for a product that isn't worth $500 is what the main issue is. Especially if you're catering towards new monster fans (such as myself), there is no way they would be willing to pay so much when there are much BETTER and CHEAPER options out there. I would MUCH rather spend $20 on the DST bank which has an alternate purpose then something that does not look that great, is about $400 over priced, and is from a company represented by someone with a very poor attitude when it comes to criticism as your post has indicated.

[Factory]

Our apologies you thought we had a poor attitude to your criticism. That was not intended. We value your opinion and are trying to engage in debate.

We were just a little perplexed at the comparison of something that stands almost 17" tall, weighs 20lbs  and has electronics and complex paint effects with a small injection molded coin bank. The coin bank is a great product I saw it at SDCC and love it, but it hardly seems fair to compare it? Its like saying that nobody should buy Hot Toys 12" dolls because Hasbro makes  3 3/4 Inch action figures. Or am I missing something?

If you look at other life size busts , say Sideshow's current range I think its fair to say that  our price point is pretty similar. Their cheapest life size bust is around $400 and the more expensive ones are over $1000. These products are complex to make and have a high cost we understand that. They are aimed at a certain kind of customer and are an informed purchase. Would be love to offer products like this at $100?... of course... but its just not possible. Nobody can make them at those prices.

Please let me know  the other better cheaper versions of this that are available?  I am not trying to be argumentative or confrontational, I would really like to know as its very important to us to be informed and I cannot find anything.

We are all big monsters fans, just trying to make cool products and this kind of fan feedback and debate is appreciated and very interesting

Regards

Barry

[creaturerevenge]

I Think Dr. Blasko hit the nail on the head. I don't think any monster fans here are completely opposed to repetitious items. If we were, we wouldn't even be discussing a lot of the new action figures, model kits, etc. I think the issue is the price. There have been other Karloff Frankenstein busts in the past that have been been a lot more reasonable, and thanks to sites like eBay, a number of the older pieces are still readily available. I think you are getting this kind of response here due to many people looking for something different. There are a LOT of different items and products that can be produced, I think a lot of us are really looking for something a little more outside the box. I'm sure some people are really liking this bust quite a bit, and at the end of the day it really does come down to a matter of opinion. But in a market that has a large number of people who have been exposed to other collectibles and model kits, if you are going to come out with a product like this and especially one you are asking $500 for it, you should really be prepared for a very high level of scrutiny on it.

[creaturerevenge]

Didn't Spirit Halloween do a full life sized Karloff Frankenstein with light up eyes last year for about 300? Albeit that one wasn't the best Karloff that I've seen, but it terms of cost, how can they do an full life size figure with light up eyes, moving head, and moving arms, and sounds for $200 less than a bust? I make a LOT of masks, busts, statues, models and toys myself with my own company, and I just can't see how you can say it's not possible for anyone to do it for less that $500. I'm not trying trying to call you out on it or anything, I just don't understand. 

[aura of foreboding]

If you can sell this bust and make a hefty profit, I say, congratulations.  I am not an expert, so I have no idea how many "new collectors" are going to spend $500 on an item when more established collectors won't bite, but if it work, it works. 

I paid less than the asking price for a lifesize Frankenstein last year, though.  And while it had issues, I still felt I was getting more bang for my buck.  Its eyes lit up, it made sounds, it moved its head and its arms.  It was cool.  It required a repaint, but that wasn't out of the question.  I was just happy to receive an animatronic Frankie.  If I were going to buy a lifesize bust, I'd probably get one of the ones on eBay for $100 bucks or less.  I won't pay these kinds of prices unless an item is exceptional in every way.  Heck I even capped the new (and fantastic) Creature statue at a price less than this. 

DST's bank is unique.  It has a great sculpt, the proto paint looks fantastic (This could change), and it reaches a wide audience.  I know I loved your Dracula ring.  It was affordable and well done.  If you want to aim for the latter day Sideshow types, feel free.  But I know that I didn't support many of Sideshow's later efforts.  But if that's the market you want, you can definitely try to go after it. 

When you first came to this board, you asked us what we wanted to see.  We told you.  I know a lot of us were enthusiastic about your proposed dioramas, which you equated to a different take on "play sets."  You say you can't do figures, but you knew you couldn't do figures then, but had figured out a way to make it work.  Now, if they happened and were good enough, I may lay down a couple hundred on those.  But we haven't seen them.  But there's something new that we'd all love to see.  So maybe fight a little harder to get those done.   

[Mord]

Price is the main reason I'm not interested (that and that awful base and light up eyes). Yes, your product is much more detailed than the DST $20 bank, but not $480 worth. People appreciate a break from over-the-top, "high end" items. Have you noticed the economy lately? I don't see why a low budget plastic or vinyl version can't be made for under $100 with no frills (light up eyes, base). I personally appreciate you guys taking the time and effort to make Universal Monster products, but you will have more success using Rubie's as a role model than current Sideshow or Hot Toys. You want an example of a good deal that everyone on this site loves? Try the Creature gravewalker ....$80 from Rubies. Near life-size quarter body piece. We can forgive them the eyes at that price. Please keep trying, we'll be watching.

[Dr. Blasko]

It just seems rather odd to me to say "we're targeting new collectors" at the price point that only VERY dedicated long time fans would buy. People can SAY what they want about it, but that doesn't mean they will buy it. Even if I thought it was the most amazing piece I had ever seen, as a relatively new collector who is in college during this economy, there is no way I could justify the purchase. $100-200 I might, and others with full time jobs could certainly, perhaps even up to $300, but during these times, there is just no way. No the bank does not have as much detail, but it is priced accordingly and very reasonably.

[Factory]

If you can sell this bust and make a hefty profit, I say, congratulations.  I am not an expert, so I have no idea how many "new collectors" are going to spend $500 on an item when more established collectors won't bite, but if it work, it works. 

I paid less than the asking price for a lifesize Frankenstein last year, though.  And while it had issues, I still felt I was getting more bang for my buck.  Its eyes lit up, it made sounds, it moved its head and its arms.  It was cool.  It required a repaint, but that wasn't out of the question.  I was just happy to receive an animatronic Frankie.  If I were going to buy a lifesize bust, I'd probably get one of the ones on eBay for $100 bucks or less.  I won't pay these kinds of prices unless an item is exceptional in every way.  Heck I even capped the new (and fantastic) Creature statue at a price less than this. 

DST's bank is unique.  It has a great sculpt, the proto paint looks fantastic (This could change), and it reaches a wide audience.  I know I loved your Dracula ring.  It was affordable and well done.  If you want to aim for the latter day Sideshow types, feel free.  But I know that I didn't support many of Sideshow's later efforts.  But if that's the market you want, you can definitely try to go after it. 

When you first came to this board, you asked us what we wanted to see.  We told you.  I know a lot of us were enthusiastic about your proposed dioramas, which you equated to a different take on "play sets."  You say you can't do figures, but you knew you couldn't do figures then, but had figured out a way to make it work.  Now, if they happened and were good enough, I may lay down a couple hundred on those.  But we haven't seen them.  But there's something new that we'd all love to see.  So maybe fight a little harder to get those done.   

Thanks for the thoughts.

At the moment we have not been able to find any sculptors willing to take on the dioramas. The lack of reference is part of the issue. The other is the complexity in relation to cost. To get enough detail in we need to enlarge them  to such a point where they become prohibitively expensive from a time and materials point of view. We can supply figures that compliment a diorama but they can only be included with the diorama. If there are any UMA reading sculptors out there who would be interested please get in touch with us.