Re: Palpatine Image Thread
Great pics guys!
Sean, knowing you're such a fan, what's your mini-review of the 2 figures?
Ok, sculpt wise, both figures are fantastic. Palpatine could be a bit more rigid to define his age, like Old Ben has going for him, but it's minor, the McDiarmid likeness is great though. Sidious really captures the look well and the detail is amazing what survived production paint apps, so big kudos on that. As for the paint apps comparison to Old Ben, I think Sidious is on par with Ben, though I like Sidious a little more for the lack of gloss in his hair and face. Palpatine could use some age highlighting paint as Ben has for wrinkles and such, and his eyebrows seem just a bit too pure. Overall great, but compared to the somewhat unanimous benchmark of Old Ben, that's my thoughts and regardless, we're seeing some great, consistent paint apps from production, another critical element on the path of excellence.
Lack of force wield / Sith lightning right hand for Palpatine is a bit dissappointing as he did it as much in that outfit as the Sidious costume of this pack, but it's ok, Sidious has both hands that way which is huge.
I've heard some griping on the saber hilt paint apps, I don't know why, mine look nice and clean and I think someone may not have understood that the "gold" band down the length of it is really this odd purplish-gold mix, I have the MR mini and the color almost blends with the silver parts, I think to mirror Palpatine's character more so.
Costuming, I think Palpatine's is just a hair better. I find Palpatine's neck could be like an 1/8 of an inch longer so that the collars don't press right up to his jawline, but that's ok. The overall layering and texture on him are well done. I agree the fuzzy part could be darker to better capture the screen look, but it's not bad and in most lighting here at home, it comes out darker looking. Sidious' costume is great, I love the lace work on his inner shirt and the attention to detail it shows. It's an undershirt and still they worried about the detailing. My only real issue with Sidious' costume is the hood could be a bit bigger, hang lower in the back and front, but still one of their better hoods and I love how clean the trim came out, no frizzing threads, big plus there. The wire in his fur wasn't necessary, but it's a great touch so kudos to SSC for going that route.
Overall, 2 great figures, whichever be your preference you will be happy, and now all I can say is, we NEED ROTJ Emperor Palpatine 1/6.
A little nostalgia ala 1983 
