12" lotr line on hold

[Wor-Gar]

That's the best attitude to have. I personally collect 1:6 figures from all 3 companies (and many more) and I want nothing but the best products from ALL of them. I'm really rooting for Medicom to start making a comeback (their Indy and Jack Shephard figures really take the loss), because they have done some cool stuff and still hold some good licenses.

Medicom got "Watchmen".

Lucky you.

 

[IrishJedi]

Medicom got "Watchmen".

Lucky you.

Medicom could probably make a decent Matthew Goode as Adrian Veidt figure, though.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I just wanted to see how much you were really rooting for them.

 

[The Josh]

Cool. That's been my stance from Day 1.

Indeed

 

[Wor-Gar]

 

[IrishJedi]

Wor-Gar that is the best "de-railed" thread ever.

The other thing is obviously a lost cause.

Back to the topic of Sideshow snuffing out the LOTR line while asleep in its crib...

 

[thenammagazine]

But Honestly, Hot Toys is the best company in the business. And you point regarding the True Type are a little over dramatic, which is tough to say about something that was written!

They're all legitimate issues I've experienced with the many TrueTypes I own. My intent wasn't stating it's the worst 1:6 figure ever produced, merely that it's far from perfect on it's own and not without it's own issues.

 

[Grange Wallis]

Fair enough, but I do think your points were over the top. I think the figure is a touch hippy, but the figure hangs clothes on them the best and the body is the best on the market in most collectors minds next to brilliant ACE body!

 

[thenammagazine]

Fair enough, but I do think your points were over the top. I think the figure is a touch hippy, but the figure hangs clothes on them the best and the body is the best on the market in most collectors minds next to brilliant ACE body!

I think it really depends on the outfits as well. With the TDK Batman rubber suit, the TrueType is aesthetic perfection. Even on my waiting custom Professor Jones (w/Giles suit), the TrueType looks great. However, dressed in something with an exposed neckline, it's considerably less appealing. Or how the shoulders on a Bespin Luke custom, look a bit too "shruggy."

As far as the ACE body goes, we'll see when it gets here.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Nope. Not sure why people believe this. Go look at the pics of the Hobbit costumes. They are not a simple "mix and match" at all. Their costumes are every bit as complicated as anyone else's. new vest, jackets, shirts, scarf, pants, accessories, heads, etc.

Actually I've studied them pretty closely. Frodo has a band collar shirt and Sam has a standard collar shirt - just like Pippin and Merry. The pants are essentially the same. Frodo's vest is the same pattern as Merry's. The designs on Merry's vest and on Pippin's shirt could be done like the faux-embroidery on Gandalf's culottes. Merry's coat is close to Frodo's although a slightly different pattern. Pippin's jacket is the only clothing item that would require a completely new pattern. Throw in Pippin's scarf and they're just about as screen accurate as you could hope.

I think the line didn't sell as well as expected because:

1) Line moved WAY too slow to keep interest.

2) Paint application and coloring were substandard.

3) Tailoring was weak in some areas.

But I must say the accessories were very cool.

If Sideshow doesn't want to deal with the license, they should offer it to Hot Toys. They are capable of making figures look so good, they will draw people in who haven't seen LOTR...even asians!

3) I know you keep saying that you don't have anything against SSC - but saying the tailoring was weak on the LotR line kind of undermines that position.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Also we should all try to get along.

SSC isn't perfect by far, nor is HT. In the 1/6th world HT probably has a higher percentage of complete successes, but they've had SSC blazing the trail for many years. When HT has released over 300 figures we can then make a more substantial comparison.

 

[IrishJedi]

Yeah, I can't imagine having much of an issue with the tailoring... particularly in this line.

 

[thamesvalidude]

Accuracy tossed to the wind, I for one, would buy a Merry and Pippen if the only things they had that were not reused were the head sculpts. It's a hell of a lot easier to customize a figure, than scratchbuild one.

That is something I would definitely go for. I have customised an imperfect Gimli and am quite happy with it, but for Merry and Pippin we need high quality head sculpts. As for the clothing I totally agree with Dave, Pippin's scarf is about the only unique item that anyone would notice. Sideshow have the bodies and with a touch of mixing and matching I'm sure production costs could be kept to a minimum. Merry and Pippin don't need pans and sausages. An apple and a pint of ale would suffice!
And come on a hobbit two pack has gotta be worth $140.

By the way, for those calling hobbits gay. I'm smallish, with big ears and hairy feet......watcha saying?

 

[thenammagazine]

That is something I would definitely go for. I have customised an imperfect Gimli and am quite happy with it, but for Merry and Pippin we need high quality head sculpts. As for the clothing I totally agree with Dave, Pippin's scarf is about the only unique item that anyone would notice. Sideshow have the bodies and with a touch of mixing and matching I'm sure production costs could be kept to a minimum. Merry and Pippin don't need pans and sausages. An apple and a pint of ale would suffice!
And come on a hobbit two pack has gotta be worth $140.

By the way, for those calling hobbits gay. I'm smallish, with big ears and hairy feet......watcha saying?

Don't forget about their pipes! Which, of course, could just be re-used Gandalf pipes.

 

[Darklord Dave]

That is something I would definitely go for. I have customised an imperfect Gimli and am quite happy with it, but for Merry and Pippin we need high quality head sculpts. As for the clothing I totally agree with Dave, Pippin's scarf is about the only unique item that anyone would notice. Sideshow have the bodies and with a touch of mixing and matching I'm sure production costs could be kept to a minimum. Merry and Pippin don't need pans and sausages. An apple and a pint of ale would suffice!
And come on a hobbit two pack has gotta be worth $140.

By the way, for those calling hobbits gay. I'm smallish, with big ears and hairy feet......watcha saying?

What I've pitched is that they wouldn't need any accessories - pack them like Palpatine and they are each other's accessories.

 

[thenammagazine]

What I've pitched is that they wouldn't need any accessories - pack them like Palpatine and they are each other's accessories.

Why not just do a 3-pack and get the rest of the Fellowship out of the way in one fell swoop?

 

[JustinLuck]

Yeah, I can't imagine having much of an issue with the tailoring... particularly in this line.

When I was discussing tailoring, I was mainly referring to Legolas, as he's the one I have first hand experience with. The aspect I can't really improve on is that the cut of the outfit is too wide on the shoulders and hence, appears bulky. It partly has to do with the thickness of the fabric they used, but also the way it is cut and pieced together. Orlando Bloom is a small guy. The costume should be pretty form fitting, but I know that might have reduced articulation. It all depends on what type of fabric can be used in this scale with that pattern on him. Also, the undershirt has an oversized collar, so it is difficult to position so it will sit evenly spaced below his chin. The more accurate shaped belt from the prototype was switched to use the same pleather as the arrow bag straps for production. Not a huge deal for me. Also, the lower section doesn't droop onto his legs because of the fabric's thickness and instead remained spread out above his knees. Fortunately, I was able to construct a wire skeleton underneath to make the flaps somewhat articulated. I also switched the body with a truetype to make the profile of legs look more realistic under the tight pants.

In the end, I concede that there are indeed limitations of what can be done in 1/6 scale on a mass scale. Even Hot Toys Joker, that cost twice of Legolas, didn't get it quite right when they made the Joker's dress shirt. The collar doesn't close around the neck because it is a few millimeters too short in circumference, preventing the buttoned shirt collar look.

 

[thamesvalidude]

What I've pitched is that they wouldn't need any accessories - pack them like Palpatine and they are each other's accessories.

Yep, I'd go for that in a flash!

 

[thenammagazine]

When I was discussing tailoring, I was mainly referring to Legolas, as he's the one I have first hand experience with.

In the end, I concede that there are indeed limitations of what can be done in 1/6 scale on a mass scale. Even Hot Toys Joker, that cost twice of Legolas, didn't get it quite right when they made the Joker's dress shirt. The collar doesn't close around the neck because it is a few millimeters too short in circumference, preventing the buttoned shirt collar look.

Originally Posted by JustinLuck View Post
I think the line didn't sell as well as expected because:

1) Line moved WAY too slow to keep interest.

2) Paint application and coloring were substandard.

3) Tailoring was weak in some areas.

But your 2nd and 3rd points were general statements about the line itself as a whole (not just a single release) and one of the only three points you stated on why it failed. A single "substandard" release like Legolas (who I thought was fine with an insane amount of detail) doesn't destroy an entire line. Especially when you consider the releases that followed. The Star Wars line alone, contradicts this...and they've had more than one.

 

[carbo-fation]

I think it's the other way around for me. I keep buying more 12" figures than PFs as of late. A lot more fun.