Sideshow's next diorama

[Josh]

I was kind of thinking that the inspiration was derived from here...



With some customization (cape, "C" on his chest, change Julies dress to Supergirl colors) this could be a lot of fun.  I think I'm actually getting a little excited about this piece now. 

[darkmonkeygod]

Hey Anton,

First up, lemme say thanks for posting the pic. I truthfully saw your post right after having perused Sideshow's site to see what, if anything, they were announcing Universal wise around Halloween and, found nothing.  So again, big gratitude to you for posting the photos. As an aside, where'd you see the statue?

On hating on Sideshow, I don't. Quite the opposite, I really, really dig MOST of what they do and have been quite a proponent of their products, booth as a buyer and retailer, and even just as a fan.  Even when, as the majority of their output is, the items they make hold no interest to me personally in terms of characters and properties, I always find their works interesting.  I own the majority of their 8in UM output, lacking a glow figure here and a silver screen version there, the little big heads in numerous permutations, a host of 12inchers, Pozers and a few of the Premium Format figures along with several promotion only items (holiday, Toy Fair and such). Their 12in Creature from the Black Lagoon is something I wanted all my life, and barring some production / materials issues, so is the 8in.

The Premium Format figure diverges from the quality of those, and it looks as if the diorama is following down the same dismal path.  Both are designed needlessly complex in their viewing range.  The PF is best viewed standing above it, an odd presentation.  This new statue, while closely following a studio still tilts the Creature's head back and to the right, like he's roaring or something. Not a great pose.

It looks like she's dead, and he's lamenting that... and I don't recall that at all in the movies.

It does look like a lamentation of his woman, or a Kong like roar of conquest.  Either way, not iconic for the Creature.

It looks like she's dead, and he's lamenting that... and I don't recall that at all in the movies.

That foolish "frog" look was give to Gill in the Universal style guides from the early '90s, copying Steve Wang's work on Monster Squad and the Predator films.  That organic, mottled coloring works great for those characters, but applying it to the work of Bud Westmore and Millicent Patrick, it's just needless and ugly and, most damning, wrong. That's not the color he should be. It's not two toned in the film, the posters, they myriad of products, nothing until some hot shot art director thought it'd be cool to update it with the trend du jor.  The worst of it is disgrace it does to the design, in that it's obvious from the form of the Creature that this color scheme is a late and incongruous edition.  That's the problem. I'm a huge Creature fan, and want more cool Creature items (I think I'm the one who posted on here about the survey Sideshow held, and I agitated for the Gill-Man). These last two, the PF and this one are so close, don't cross the finish line.

But thanks again for showing the photo, if nothing else, it gives me more time to resolve my disappointment, and at best, perhaps someone will reconsider the paint scheme.

Best,

sts

[Gareee]

My issues with sideshow is milking the market for as many dollars as possible. When they were doing mass market items, I bought almost everything they produced.. I even have both the frank n wolfing Pozers.

But then they saw $$$ signs, and shifted to "exclusive collectables".. 12" figures that had cost $30 or less suddenly jumped to 45, 65, 70, and now 140! Granted, prices have increased, but almost 5 TIMES what they cost 5 years ago? They even had to add a "installment payment plan" because it was getting that people were buying less, because they couldn't afford the high prices.

And their latest deal is to partner with hot toys, or electric tiki, and then raise prices even HIGHER on items like that because they split the profits on them.

I LOVE some of the items they are putting out, but I just do not HAVE $5000 a month to buy sideshow figures.

[kklloo]

But then they saw $$$ signs, and shifted to "exclusive collectables".. 12" figures that had cost $30 or less suddenly jumped to 45, 65, 70, and now 140! Granted, prices have increased, but almost 5 TIMES what they cost 5 years ago? They even had to add a "installment payment plan" because it was getting that people were buying less, because they couldn't afford the high prices.

   They didn't see money signs, they actually produce less, and in doing so, costs go up and which in affect prices go up too. They were mass producing products but this was at a time when Toys R Us, Target and whatever company purchasing toys stopped buying from sideshow since they weren't making money on it. Let's face it, this genre only appeals to a small market. It does not appeal to a mass market crowd, mainly kids who want their parents to buy toys to play with. Instead of discontinueing their monster line, they kept it going but at a cost. So in one hand, yes it's a bit pricey but at least you have a choice on collecting the piece rather than not seeing any of it come out.

    Name another company that is producing less costly Universal products such as the more expensive Sideshow. I don't see any out there. 

[Gareee]

Not universal stuff, but amok toys is kicking their ass all over the place on pricepoint and features.. how many sideshow figures came with FOUR replaceable heads like the recent NOTLD release? AND they delivered that for one quarter of the retail price of the recent sideshow releases.

Ask the guys who were buying the 12" Lord of the rings figures what they think about Sideshow NOT completing the fellowship.. and ask them what they think of a 75% price increase in the last year alone.

Sorry, but if you don't think they are milking the market, yer brainwashed.

[Anton Phibes]

Someone on another site posted these photos from a tour they took of Sideshow Collectibles.

The head tilt doesn't bother me any more than the Wolfman jumping in mid air on the FvsW diorama did.  They seem to be combining elements from film and stills.  The Creature is opening and closing his mouth while he's out of water quite a bit. As for color scheme, it doesn't bother me.  The 1960's and other times have brought us Creatures with garish red lips, etc.  One of the benefits an artist has when dealing with a b&w film is freedom of color expression.  I think the issues with paint apps where the monsters are concerned is why some people prefer the SSE versions of the pieces.

As for the Crisis #7 cover, why not choose this one:

The pose has been done a zillion times in every medium imaginable, LOL!

[Creature Features]

If so, what would be the tune?

"Under The Sea."     

[Josh]

As for the Crisis #7 cover, why not choose this one:

The pose has been done a zillion times in every medium imaginable, LOL!

Yeah! Thats a good one to, especially with the other monsters standing behind him looking shocked.  

[Anton Phibes]

If there was a tune blaring from his mouth it would be a et blaring BBAA-BBAAA-BAAAAAAAA!!!

[kklloo]

Call me Brain Washed but...I lIke Sideshow....I like Sideshow...I Like Sideshow...I Like Sideshow...
I Like Sideshow...I Lke Sideshow.....

[Gareee]

LOL!

[Anton Phibes]

Officially up for order. $159 on Sideshows website. I like it.

[michblk]

Creepy, I want one, what can you do for me/us?

BK

[Gareee]

From an upper angle, it doesn't look at bad as from front on shots.. much like th epremium format figure...

[CreepyJeff]

Creepy, I want one, what can you do for me/us?

BK

Hiya Brian - I will be ordering these for myself and all of my UMA friends and family (whomever wants it and is willing to pay for it that is.   He will be the same price as the Frank VS Wolf Man and Drac/Renfield Diorama...$139.95 plus actual UPS Ground shipping.  Email me at jeff(at)cjclassics(dot)com or send me a PM if you're interested.  Thanks as always. 

Best,
Creepy Jeff