12" Aragorn Image Thread

[sunohc]

aw man...
this is gonna require some esoteric custom work to make it look mroe accurate...

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

I think this is a case where Sideshow did far too good of a job on the prototype. They made it look like a premium format, and there's just no way you can mass produce that for $65. I still think the production piece is great because I expected the drop in quality, but for those less experienced with this, I could see how they might feel a bit of bait and switch going on.

 

[Poggle the Greater]

I think this is a case where Sideshow did far too good of a job on the prototype. They made it look like a premium format, and there's just no way you can mass produce that for $65. I still think the production piece is great because I expected the drop in quality, but for those less experienced with this, I could see how they might feel a bit of bait and switch going on.

I'm one of those people and if it's making the rest of the new SSC customers feel as weary to keep ordering these figures as me then SSC should reconsider their business practice. These and the Star Wars figures sold out quickly at first but it's obvious the excitement is wearing off. All of the regular edition figures after the Jedi wave are still not sold out as we speak. Even figures I'd imagine most collectors are excited about like Leia Boushh are still sitting there where as the first figures only lasted a few days.

I think it's starting to become a case of fans realizing there is no use getting psyched about these figures because we now know the finished product we will recieve will look nothing like the amazing images we're sold on.
I hate to say it but it really is a bait and switch when you compare the immense difference in quality on the example of the 2 Aragorns a few posts above. The fact they have that "prototype shown" text doesn't constitute an excuse to me. It's like ordering a Ferrari and recieving a Mazda RX7. It's still a nice car, but's not what you were sold on when you commited to buy it.

Don't take this as bashing because I think SSC is a great company. I'm just starting to get really disheartened instead of excited whenever I see the first images of these figures at ordering time because all I can think about is how diminished in quality the actual figure will end up when it's in my hands.

It seems to me that a lot of you here have bought from SSC for many years and have simply accepted their ways but to myself and possibly other new customers, it just seems like they are (and I hate to use the word) decieving us in a way by showing us these fantastic figures and making it seem like that's what we'll be getting for $65 and then sending a finished product that looks like a lesser imitation of what we were sold on. If you used that business philosophy as a seller on ebay you'd have the worst feedback in the history of the site.
I'm not a customizer so these are not model kits that should need to be worked on to me. Nor do I subscribe to the "well, they have hits and misses" ideology that many have. They have almost a year from the time the orders are placed to get these figures right.
In my opinion, I believe instead of them having us pre-order 9 months early based on images of a figure that the production version will not even be in the same ballpark with, they should just make X number of figures and then sell us on the finished product.
It would make them true limited edition pieces (which I always assumed Sideshow Collectibles were about just that) instead of them doing these "inclusive" editions in order to sell as many figures as possible.

I just hope they do something that will help make these figures come out of the factory looking more like the figures they use to make the sells on.
Either that or start showing prototype images that more reflect what they expect the production version will look like.

I'm still keeping my Aragorn and will reserve my final judgement when I have it in my hands but I already know enough from the images posted that I'm going to be disappointed to some degree. If the first pics of Legolas even look close to the reduction of quality in Aragorn then I'm through with the LOTR line which will be a major bummer for me as I was very, very excited to have the figures from the pictures that I ordered from.

Sideshow needs to get more involved into the quality control of these figures or they will not reach the level of success with these 2 major properties that they could have if they went the extra mile to make sure they are not delivering figures that look sub-par to what they promised to deliver.

I sincerely hope they get it a little more together and can start making the production versions look more like what I'm doing backflips over seeing at ordering time instead of something that looks like it's in between being better than a Hasbro figure but far less than the supposed SSC figure in the pics they used to sell me on it.

 

[samuraiwarrior]

I'm one of those people and if it's making the rest of the new SSC customers feel as weary to keep ordering these figures as me then SSC should reconsider their business practice. These and the Star Wars figures sold out quickly at first but it's obvious the excitement is wearing off. All of the regular edition figures after the Jedi wave are still not sold out as we speak. Even figures I'd imagine most collectors are excited about like Leia Boushh are still sitting there where as the first figures only lasted a few days.

I think it's starting to become a case of fans realizing there is no use getting psyched about these figures because we now know the finished product we will recieve will look nothing like the amazing images we're sold on.
I hate to say it but it really is a bait and switch when you compare the immense difference in quality on the example of the 2 Aragorns a few posts above. The fact they have that "prototype shown" text doesn't constitute an excuse to me. It's like ordering a Ferrari and recieving a Mazda RX7. It's still a nice car, but's not what you were sold on when you commited to buy it.

Don't take this as bashing because I think SSC is a great company. I'm just starting to get really disheartened instead of excited whenever I see the first images of these figures at ordering time because all I can think about is how diminished in quality the actual figure will end up when it's in my hands.

It seems to me that a lot of you here have bought from SSC for many years and have simply accepted their ways but to myself and possibly other new customers, it just seems like they are (and I hate to use the word) decieving us in a way by showing us these fantastic figures and making it seem like that's what we'll be getting for $65 and then sending a finished product that looks like a lesser imitation of what we were sold on. If you used that business philosophy as a seller on ebay you'd have the worst feedback in the history of the site.
I'm not a customizer so these are not model kits that should need to be worked on to me. Nor do I subscribe to the "well, they have hits and misses" ideology that many have. They have almost a year from the time the orders are placed to get these figures right.
In my opinion, I believe instead of them having us pre-order 9 months early based on images of a figure that the production version will not even be in the same ballpark with, they should just make X number of figures and then sell us on the finished product.
It would make them true limited edition pieces (which I always assumed Sideshow Collectibles were about just that) instead of them doing these "inclusive" editions in order to sell as many figures as possible.

I just hope they do something that will help make these figures come out of the factory looking more like the figures they use to make the sells on.
Either that or start showing prototype images that more reflect what they expect the production version will look like.

I'm still keeping my Aragorn and will reserve my final judgement when I have it in my hands but I already know enough from the images posted that I'm going to be disappointed to some degree. If the first pics of Legolas even look close to the reduction of quality in Aragorn then I'm through with the LOTR line which will be a major bummer for me as I was very, very excited to have the figures from the pictures that I ordered from.

Sideshow needs to get more involved into the quality control of these figures or they will not reach the level of success with these 2 major properties that they could have if they went the extra mile to make sure they are not delivering figures that look sub-par to what they promised to deliver.

I sincerely hope they get it a little more together and can start making the production versions look more like what I'm doing backflips over seeing at ordering time instead of something that looks like it's in between being better than a Hasbro figure but far less than the supposed SSC figure in the pics they used to sell me on it.

Now thats one piece of writing, someone should forward that to SST.

 

[scriff]

Well said Poggle.

Scriff

 

[nash]

wow Im most dissapointed with the way his inner brown leather vest thing looks. It just looks so cheaply made on the production figure, look how it is hanging down by his knees. it's like a piece of cardboard or something

 

[Poggle the Greater]

wow Im most dissapointed with the way his inner brown leather vest thing looks. It just looks so cheaply made on the production figure, look how it is hanging down by his knees. it's like a piece of cardboard or something

Man, I didn't even notice that.

They didn't even cut it down the middle like the prototype version much less sew along the edges.
How hard would it have been to continue how they did it down his chest to the bottom of the material?

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

Heh, at least now we know why there was a delay. Apparently they couldn't get it any better? Should have been delayed for even longer IMO... Until the final product looked like the prototype, or as close as possible. Still, final vote when I hold this figure in hand.

 

[sebcanadaceo]

I think this is a case where Sideshow did far too good of a job on the prototype.

Let's not forget "Obi-Wan" from the SW 12" line!


:emperor

 

[The Josh]

Hadn't noticed that before. Yeah, that's a bit of an issue to go with how new the coat looks. Don't see an issue with the boots though.

I don't think SS is pulling a bait and switch nor decieving us. I don't see how in any way someone could honestly say that they are. Folks have the right to say this and feel this way of course but I just don't see it at all. It has nothing to do with being a fanboy or blind mindless devotion to SS either. Things will change from Proto to Production that's just a simple fact. If you expect them to turn out exactly the same then you might as well wait a year or more. No company can afford to do that it just wouldn't work.

I'm also not seeing a slow down in the sales of the SW figures either. So the regulars aren't selling out as quickly. They sell out still and that's the main thing. Not to mention the exclusives are selling out in no more than 24 hours unless they are an inclusive. So I'm not sure where the lack of enthusiasm is coming from.

 

[sebcanadaceo]

I'm one of those people and if it's making the rest of the new SSC customers feel as weary to keep ordering these figures as me then SSC should reconsider their business practice. These and the Star Wars figures sold out quickly at first but it's obvious the excitement is wearing off. All of the regular edition figures after the Jedi wave are still not sold out as we speak. Even figures I'd imagine most collectors are excited about like Leia Boushh are still sitting there where as the first figures only lasted a few days.

I think it's starting to become a case of fans realizing there is no use getting psyched about these figures because we now know the finished product we will recieve will look nothing like the amazing images we're sold on.
I hate to say it but it really is a bait and switch when you compare the immense difference in quality on the example of the 2 Aragorns a few posts above. The fact they have that "prototype shown" text doesn't constitute an excuse to me. It's like ordering a Ferrari and recieving a Mazda RX7. It's still a nice car, but's not what you were sold on when you commited to buy it.

Don't take this as bashing because I think SSC is a great company. I'm just starting to get really disheartened instead of excited whenever I see the first images of these figures at ordering time because all I can think about is how diminished in quality the actual figure will end up when it's in my hands.

It seems to me that a lot of you here have bought from SSC for many years and have simply accepted their ways but to myself and possibly other new customers, it just seems like they are (and I hate to use the word) decieving us in a way by showing us these fantastic figures and making it seem like that's what we'll be getting for $65 and then sending a finished product that looks like a lesser imitation of what we were sold on. If you used that business philosophy as a seller on ebay you'd have the worst feedback in the history of the site.
I'm not a customizer so these are not model kits that should need to be worked on to me. Nor do I subscribe to the "well, they have hits and misses" ideology that many have. They have almost a year from the time the orders are placed to get these figures right.
In my opinion, I believe instead of them having us pre-order 9 months early based on images of a figure that the production version will not even be in the same ballpark with, they should just make X number of figures and then sell us on the finished product.
It would make them true limited edition pieces (which I always assumed Sideshow Collectibles were about just that) instead of them doing these "inclusive" editions in order to sell as many figures as possible.

I just hope they do something that will help make these figures come out of the factory looking more like the figures they use to make the sells on.
Either that or start showing prototype images that more reflect what they expect the production version will look like.

I'm still keeping my Aragorn and will reserve my final judgement when I have it in my hands but I already know enough from the images posted that I'm going to be disappointed to some degree. If the first pics of Legolas even look close to the reduction of quality in Aragorn then I'm through with the LOTR line which will be a major bummer for me as I was very, very excited to have the figures from the pictures that I ordered from.

Sideshow needs to get more involved into the quality control of these figures or they will not reach the level of success with these 2 major properties that they could have if they went the extra mile to make sure they are not delivering figures that look sub-par to what they promised to deliver.

I sincerely hope they get it a little more together and can start making the production versions look more like what I'm doing backflips over seeing at ordering time instead of something that looks like it's in between being better than a Hasbro figure but far less than the supposed SSC figure in the pics they used to sell me on it.

I agree completely, this "Inclusive" mass producing bull**** has got to stop! Quality over quantity people!

(Sigh, here we go again...)

At the very least Sideshow should be honest and not show us these great looking prototypes only to give us completely different figures... That's not what we agreed to pay for!!!

If this is the figure we are getting then this is the one that should have been showed to us... That way there are no surprises or let downs! Saying that the final product cannot look like the prototype is NO EXCUSE! Don't show us these suped-up prototypes then!

From now on when they announce new figures, are we supposed to guess what they will look like???

- "WOW, this figure looks great! Wait a minute... He won't look anything like this when he comes out... So what will he look like!?!"

How can anyone pre-order blindly?

I fooled myself into liking this figure but the more I look at these pictures, the more I am dissapointed...

I am now extremely worried about future figures like "Legolas", "Leia/Boushh" and "Darth Maul"... These figures looked so great, especially their faces/head sculpt... I don't believe what we will end up getting will look anything like what we saw...

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

I am now extremely worried about future figures like "Legolas", "Leia/Boushh" and "Darth Maul"... These figures looked so great, especially their faces/head sculpt... I don't believe what we will end up getting will look anything like what we saw...

I'm more concerned about Boromir. The biggest set back with Strider is his costume IMO. I fear that Boromir could look equally 'doll-like' because of a to stiff and unweathered costume...

 

[The Josh]

I agree completely, this "Inclusive" mass producing bull**** has got to stop! Quality over quantity people!

What's the problem with the Inclusive System? The fact maybe a couple "K" more figures will get made? We haven't even had our first Inclusive figure arrive yet so we don't know if this will hurt anything as there hasn't been much of a drop off anyways. People are freaking out over numbers which are less than 10k when the Hasbro figures produced most likely numbered in the 100k plus area.

At the very least Sideshow should be honest and not show us these great looking prototypes only to give us completely different figures... That's not what we agreed to pay for!!!

So SS is lying? Or I should say you're calling SS a company of liars? Prototype means it could change. I'm not sure where folks don't seem to understand that. Not to mention we don't know why some changes happen.

 

[choopie]

I wonder what the folks at Sideshow truly think of this figure? And I wonder how their judgement can be so far off from the fans who have strongly voiced their opinion on this board and others that they are not happy with it? When the majority of the comments are those of people planning on altering the paint, sculpt or costuming then something is not clicking. Customizing because it's a hobby and you like doing it is one thing. But customizing because the figure looks nothing like you expected is completely different and you shouldn't have to do that...not at $75 a pop at the very least. And I also think one shouldn't have to wait until the product is in their hands before they can truly judge on whether or not the figure will be acceptable. I, for one, don't have that kind of money to play those games. That's what prototype photos, convention photos and fan photos are for. What is advertised should be pretty close to what we get. I don't think we are even close in this case.

Sure, the detail of the costume looks great. But these are also figures of the movie characters, and in that, one would expect some likeness of the actor playing those characters represented on the figure. I just don't see that with 12" Aragorn.

I haven't been into the LOTR 12" line since day one. I personally don't care for any of the figures planned for release so far. And what I'm seeing here makes me worry what we are going to get from 12" Faramir. It's the character I want the most and I want to like it. I'm just afraid I'm going to be so disappointed.

 

[Calle_Sandell]

I haven't said so much in this thread but when I see this picture I can't beleive that SS really want to release something that looks like Aragorn does.(It must harm their reputation! right?)
I mean, Shouldn't they have a policy that says that they shouldn't realease stuff that looks like crap!? And one that says that the picture they realese at their site should atleast look alittle bit like the one they actually sell.

He looks HORRIBLE (IMO). And I wouldn't mind getting him delayd for another month or two, to correct him.

Starting to wonder if it still is possible to cancel mine.....

 

[edwint]

found this on a chinese site

 

[sunohc]

I've seen many other aragon rotocast figures that look FAR more REALISTIC and accurate than this sideshow version.
Because they paint and sculpt on the wear and tear onto the costume, while sideshow puts on generic and default jackets and little-to-no weathering.
It's mostly because it'd be hard to achieve a consistent weathering of the figures in the factory. And the fact that this is one of the more expensive sideshow figures is also put the stakes higher.
I'm still gonna get it, but like someone said before:

the figure should just walk right out of the box.

 

[The Josh]

found this on a chinese site

In these pics he looks much better in every aspect. I'm sure in person he'll look fine.

Edit: Looking at that one pic the middle section is cut and hemmed.

 

[FlyAndFight]

I'm looking at those new "Chinese" pictures posted above (I'm not about to copy and paste them here for a 3rd time) and I'm really getting more fustrated with this figure.

The boots continue to look like a chunk-o-green-plastic. Horribly cheap looking. Is that Viggo the transvestite? The eyes look like they have eyeliner! Ugghhh. The weathering job looks pathetic. I would have preferred that it come squeaky-clean instead. Perhaps it's the bright lighting but the materials used look cheap in general. The just don't look like the same quality of materials that appear in the prototype pics.

In defense of the hair, it does look better when those "tree roots" are pushed to the sides of the head.

I was SO looking forward to this line. More than any other 1/6th scale line. I would have sold my Star Wars figures in a heartbeat for a well done LOTR 12" line but I'm really losing interest in this one. I'm sure that many of you customizers will be able to save this one and make it look great with some work but for those of us that expect a $70+ figure to look good straight out of the box, it's quite disheartening. As I mentioned before, I'm waiting to see it in hand, but if it doesn't pull a "Jedi Luke" and actually look good in hand (compared to the pics posted prior), I'll be returning it, canceling the rest of the line and moving on. Perhaps I'll revisit the old Sideshow/Weta polystone lines for some pieces I'm missing, but it still won't ease the disappointment of what could have been.

 

[Radagaster]

F&F . . .you may brought up a good point there. For the non-customizers in us, I would like to see this thing match as close to proto as possible. If they had blown the face but not the costume, or blown the costume but wowed us on the face . . . either would have eased the concern. But here we get a double-whammy: vines for hair, poor face paint, and sub-par costume material. It's times like these when I'm thinking Sideshow is willing to do a "recall" if the quality is not there. It's quite disheartening that they were 80% there with the plans, and then production doesn't deliver on the goods.

On that note, I'm now debating whether or not I should exercise the right to return him once I see him out of the box. I'm hoping I wouldn't want to, and that I'm pleasantly surprised when he's in hand. Still, this whole thing is not sitting well with me.

On that note, I didn't like the Legolas face sculpt either, and Boromir is better. But, prior to this I was not of the mindset of returning LOTR items to Sideshow especially when it comes to exclusives.