Are most 12 inch SS Lines Dead?

[thamesvalidude]

It would be useful if Sideshow would break their rule of a lifetime and let us know which lines are dead so that we can make alternative arragngements!

 

[Murderofcrows71]

I only collect Sideshow's 1/6 stuff so if they get rid of them, they get rid of a LONG time customer.

Me as well, I'm only interested in 1/6 scale and my first Sideshow purchase was way back with the first 12" Frankenstein Monster. Since then I've followed along and gotten most of the Universal Monsters, Buffy, X-Files, Highlander, Modern Horror, Angel, Army of Darkness, Twilight Zone, and Star Wars lines and a few stragglers in other lines. I have little to no interest in any other format.

 

[LordAzrael]

I only collect Sideshow's 1/6 stuff so if they get rid of them, they get rid of a LONG time customer. I just don't see it happening. The 1/6 Star Wars line has been their most sucessful thing since the hay-day of the Universal Monster 1/6 scale figures.

Ditto.

I too would like to know "officially" what lines are dead. As parts and stuff aren't readily available here it costs an absolute bucket to make a custom - and the last thing I want to do is spend a fortune putting together a custom that isn't half as good as the figure that comes out in 6 months time. Its main thing that puts me off any Star Wars customs despite how many I'd like.

 

[tomandshell]

I think they almost always tell you that no line is officially dead. Some lines that seem dead can come back to life unexpectedly. Others go away forever without any official announcement.

 

[Buttmunch]

Me as well, I'm only interested in 1/6 scale and my first Sideshow purchase was way back with the first 12" Frankenstein Monster. Since then I've followed along and gotten most of the Universal Monsters, Buffy, X-Files, Highlander, Modern Horror, Angel, Army of Darkness, Twilight Zone, and Star Wars lines and a few stragglers in other lines. I have little to no interest in any other format.

That was my first figure too! When did that come out? I don't know how long I've been collecting Sideshow figure

 

[Darklord Dave]

Frankenstein was my first Sideshow figure too. Was never into the 8" figures or little big heads.

But remember, SSC will always have at least one foot firmly in the 1/6 world as long as SW is alive. You can complain about the dearth of SW PFs and LotR 12" and PFs, but I don't think anyone can complain about the pace of 1/6 SW.

 

[tomandshell]

I don't think anyone can complain about the pace of 1/6 SW.

https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15281

 

[Amanaman]

I think it's just growing pains. Some lines like POTA or X-files are most likely dead, but they acquired WoW, didn't they? SW, LOTR & Marvel are taxing but they'd be foolish to ignore their roots. Having been a collector of various other companies for years, I can say that SSC is the most responsive of them all (barring that whole kurgan nonsense). :chew

 

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Uni Monsters- the really only NECESSARY figures left are Ygor and a Dr. Frank

Add Claude Rains as the Phantom to that list, and you'll be about right.

 

[chamildav]

Add Claude Rains as the Phantom to that list, and you'll be about right.

As concerns what's needed I cannot agree. Part of what made those Universal melodrama's so great were the supporting human character cast. Edward Sloane as Van Helsing isn't essential? I think he is. Colin Clive as Frankenstein isn't essential? And I thought he was the title lead. I think these and a great many other principal and supporting characters are very important to the line unless it really is a "kids" product, if that's it then I suppose just creatures/monsters may make sense. But from my perspective Gloria Holden as Dracula's Daughter, Zeta Johansen, Rhondo Hatton, Basil Rathbone as Wolf, Karloff and Lugosi in human drag from "The Invisible Ray" or other mad scientist roles, a bunch of others you mentioned earlier yourself are essential for collectors who love the films and not just the dolls.
I don't know if producing more UM/Classic Horror 12" figures is possible economically for SSC. But it's very sad if it's not. Still a lot of important territory to cover. Most of the other lines people have mentioned will find new homes at some point if SSC is through. But SSC are the Universal Monster people and I believe quality 12" dies when they're finished. Makes me very sad to think about.

 

[Dr.Mirakle32]

As concerns what's needed I cannot agree. Part of what made those Universal melodrama's so great were the supporting human character cast. Edward Sloane as Van Helsing isn't essential? I think he is. Colin Clive as Frankenstein isn't essential? And I thought he was the title lead. I think these and a great many other principal and supporting characters are very important to the line unless it really is a "kids" product, if that's it then I suppose just creatures/monsters may make sense. But from my perspective Gloria Holden as Dracula's Daughter, Zeta Johansen, Rhondo Hatton, Basil Rathbone as Wolf, Karloff and Lugosi in human drag from "The Invisible Ray" or other mad scientist roles, a bunch of others you mentioned earlier yourself are essential for collectors who love the films and not just the dolls.
I don't know if producing more UM/Classic Horror 12" figures is possible economically for SSC. But it's very sad if it's not. Still a lot of important territory to cover. Most of the other lines people have mentioned will find new homes at some point if SSC is through. But SSC are the Universal Monster people and I believe quality 12" dies when they're finished. Makes me very sad to think about.

Wait, you canNOT agree? From your post, it seems that I pretty much agree with you on all of those issues.

 

[TOE]

Sadly, Sideshow has forgotten about their old lines. Many members do not frequent this forum anymore due to this as well. I really hope that SS do not just concentrate on SW or LOTR or Marvel. I really hope that SS gets a new Horror license. I'm craving for some horror figs right about now

 

[Buttmunch]

Add Claude Rains as the Phantom to that list, and you'll be about right.

While I'd love a Rains Phantom, he really isn't necessary because they already made a Phantom. He would techniaclly be a 'variant' and therefore not a true "must-make" like the new characters like Ygor and Dr. Frankenstein. I'd still love one though

 

[Vader AL]

i'd love to see more in the military line...maybe even famous generals PFs. the quality that SS could do to them would be outstanding. look at John Wayne PF. but alas won't happen. i hope it's not because of the bad sales of Napolean.

 

[chamildav]

"Uni Monsters- the really only NECESSARY figures left are Ygor and a Dr. Frankenstein"

Add Claude Rains as the Phantom to that list, and you'll be about right.

Must of missunderstood your response. Seemed odd to me based on your previous post which I did agree with. I wasn't trying to start an argument. Just interested in a clarification.
Sorry about not editing "cannot" to can not as well. Appreciate the correction though.

By the by, I will miss other seemingly moribund lines, not just UM/Classic Monsters. But I believe hope exists for most of those through other venues. It just doesn't seem as tragic to see them come to an end.

 

[Ironman1188]

But remember, SSC will always have at least one foot firmly in the 1/6 world as long as SW is alive. You can complain about the dearth of SW PFs and LotR 12" and PFs, but I don't think anyone can complain about the pace of 1/6 SW.

That is of course, if you happen to be a Star Wars collector. Like Toe said, there are some folks you just don't see all that much aroud these parts anymore. Their devotion to Sideshow repaid with cancelled lines and a slew of Lucas' characters.

 

[chamildav]

I'm not really angry with SSC that the smaller 1/6th licenses have taken a back seat to Star Wars and LotR. I believe the fellows doing the creative work feel about as strongly as I do about lines that have become orphans. If they weren't fans I doubt we would have seen so much great UM stuff or the volume of Bond and WWI figures, among others that we have. I hope at some point they are able as a practical financial matter to revisit the western and military, and especially the classic monsters line.

 

[JGouse0498]

While I was officially introduced to Sideshow through the Star Wars 1/6 line (and which I thought I'd stick with), I've since been able to appreciate their other offerings, and I daresay some of them are even cooler than the SW offerings. My Freddy vs. Jason, Highlander, and Goldeneye Bond figures immediately spring to mind.

Personally, I would really like to see Sideshow go back to some older lines or start with newer, more varied lines.

I would love to see variety like an updated Myers or Pinhead or Ghostface (Scream killer). The historical military figures also look very cool, and it'd be interesting to see that expand. I have a feeling some newer genre lines would be successful...Battlestar Galactica (new series), Babylon 5, Serenity, etc. Sadly, my budget is so tight that I couldn't get many of the figures, but there are plenty of collectors out there who can afford them.

 

[Josette]

That is of course, if you happen to be a Star Wars collector.

That's the boat that I'm floating in. I don't collect Star Wars, so I haven't purchased many newer SSC 1/6th figures except for some of the Buffy ones. I've been going back and buying a few of those that I didn't have, but once that's finished.....I'll have no 12 inchers to collect from SSC.

I'm hoping Majestic gets back into the game, and maybe Hot Toys or Medicom will get a license that I'd like this coming year.

 

[tomandshell]

I would guess that the big licenses are expensive for Sideshow to maintain. If they are going to make those licenses proifitable, they need to keep a lot of pieces in production to keep the profits rolling in and have some money in the bank when it comes time to pay Lucasfilm their big fat licensing fees and give George his royalty check. If they fall behind on the big name licenses and run the risk of losing them, it would be a giant leap backwards financially. So I think they still care about the old lines, but there are some practical business concerns that are driving the product choices right now. They have grown in many different ways and are now at the top of the industry, and they need to make certain choices in order to stay there. If they could sell 2,000 Buffy or Bond figures in thirty minutes you can bet we'd see more of them. It goes without saying that if you are running a successful business, you are going to focus your energies where the money is. That doesn't mean that they have forgotten their roots. I think that quite of the few dormant lines may still see new pieces before all is said and done--just not at the rate of the Star Wars line.

But when you see pictures of the staff doing accurately detailed military reenactments in their spare time, you have to know that the customers won't be the only ones that will be bummed if they never do another 12" military figure.