ASMUS TOYS : Aragorn @ The Battle of Helm's Deep

[FlyAndFight]

I believe that the figure is an improvement from their "Slim" version in regards to the head sculpt and hands. Nice touch on the bloody hands paint apps.

But the head sculpt is just not at the "Wow! / Honey, they've shrunk Viggo." level yet.

I've got "3" different versions of Aragorn on display and while I could use a "Two Towers" version, I'm not pulled in enough to order, as of yet. Perhaps the in-hand pics will change my mind but I'm still waiting for THE Aragorn head sculpt. I'll most likely be passing on this figure, which is the first "pass" of an Asmus LOTR figure since jumping into the line.

 

[Sassafras]

I had to cancel my orders for the Deluxe version and the Galadrial as well today.
Too close to Xmas AND trying to sell some Hot toys to make getting these easier,but it's that time of year.
Aragorn looks so good!!

Sorry to hear it - am holding back or delaying stuff as well. Brutal year. But I figure no point in digging a hole over something I can get down the road. Or if not, then that's that. Like at the moment I'd like to order Galadriel. But I can't - gotta clear some other stuff first.

 

[Wor-Gar]

A little billowy...







In hand reviews will be what determines this for me...

 

[Jbeltram4]

Same; waiting to see some collectors do their thing before committing. Not that he looks bad, just already having mixed the parts from the first two releases to make a great representation has made it easier to hold off.

 

[ThomastheTank57]

This was not done very well. Asmus has really dropped the ball lately. Accessories look cheap. Sculpt, off. Pass. Please do black gate aragon in crown series

 

[superdoug]

Same; waiting to see some collectors do their thing before committing. Not that he looks bad, just already having mixed the parts from the first two releases to make a great representation has made it easier to hold off.

I have both of Asmus’ previous Aragorns and ACI’s version. I have hopes that this one will top them all but the pictures are all over the place with some looking real good to me and others looking off. I ordered one day one so I will pass along my feeling when he finally arrives. If the head sculpt is better than the other two and the boots are two piece then worst case scenario I can piece together a great Aragorn between all the different releases but I hope I don’t need to do that.

 

[hoodonit00]

Putting my 2 cents out there again. Asmus I don’t even know if it’s possible anymore but I for one wouldn’t be put off if the head sculpt was redone which pushed the release back. I’m sure it’s no longer financially feasible but I really wish it would have been redone when you first showed the first images and many didn’t like it. I really hate to be ungrateful but I just don’t feel this sculpt.

 

[Kalkylen]

I think it's way too late for a revision on this. I'm waiting for more in hand pictures before I pull the trigger on it personally. I only really want it for the head sculpts and a few parts of the costume for my various customs.

I was hoping for a decent overhaul on the sword gear and weapons but alas! I've already made my own sword belt and straps from real leather for my current Aragorns but would have definitely liked to have a definitive version from Asmus this time around to use on additional versions of the character. Plus not everyone has the time or patience to bother making their own so it would be nice for everyone to have it done correctly.

I know I'm a broken record on Aragorn's costume but it's just really frustrating when you look at the level of intricate detail on the Asmus Eomer, Theoden, Gimli and Elrond figures but we are still struggling to get correct Aragorn parts even though his costume is probably the easiest to do!

The perfect Aragorn figure is a mix of parts (either stock or heavily customsised) going back to the old Sideshow, DID, Asmus and ACI versions even though it is a nuisance to get em all for a reasonable price now!

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[gaiden1992]

Putting my 2 cents out there again. Asmus I don?t even know if it?s possible anymore but I for one wouldn?t be put off if the head sculpt was redone which pushed the release back. I?m sure it?s no longer financially feasible but I really wish it would have been redone when you first showed the first images and many didn?t like it. I really hate to be ungrateful but I just don?t feel this sculpt.

Actually this is exactly what happened. When they showed the first prototype everyone was let down here and on social media. Therefore, they decided to redo the head sculpt and they also provided us with ongoing samples of it. They asked if it was the right direction and after a few tweaks the sculpt was approved by the majority of people. We could argue it is neither perfect nor it reaches high standards such as the Crown Gandalf, but I really believe this is the best Aragorn ever made. It's even better than the Prime 1, as far as face likeness is concerned.
However, most importantly, Asmus listened to us and tried to come up with something better.

Inviato dal mio Pixel 2 XL utilizzando Tapatalk

 

[hoodonit00]

Actually this is exactly what happened. When they showed the first prototype everyone was let down here and on social media. Therefore, they decided to redo the head sculpt and they also provided us with ongoing samples of it. They asked if it was the right direction and after a few tweaks the sculpt was approved by the majority of people. We could argue it is neither perfect nor it reaches high standards such as the Crown Gandalf, but I really believe this is the best Aragorn ever made. It's even better than the Prime 1, as far as face likeness is concerned.
However, most importantly, Asmus listened to us and tried to come up with something better.

Inviato dal mio Pixel 2 XL utilizzando Tapatalk

I don't remember them asking if they were on the right path? I do know they did a second sculpt after complaints but I don't remember them asking for feedback on it. If I am wrong then apologies to Asmus. I know I may seem ungrateful. I'm not trying to be rude. As other have stated, Aragorn is my favorite character and I wanted them to nail it.

 

[mitraheroe]

I must say that I feel kind of dissapointed too. I am an ASMUS LOTR collector from the beginning and have most of their amazing figures. But when this new Aragorn was shown, I had the feeling that it would be a miss: not only the headsculpt, but the out-of-scale dagger, plastic boots and chainmal (I have an experience with chainmails of this kind, and it is not the Elrond sort unfortunately, let alone real chain mail). In my opinion, the price point was too high for what it actually is.
Furthermore, I preordered in August the Deluxe through ASMUS site because they said it that place and time frame was the only moment to purchase the Diorama. Yesterday (beginning of December 2020), the Deluxe version was still available on their site. If I would had known what they are showing now, I would had never preordered it.
As I don't want to loose any NRD, I guess I will pay the rest, keep the diorama, and sell the figure directly (this, considering that they proceed as they did with Legolas and offer the Diorama in an extra box). In this case, I can't hide my disappointment with a company that otherwise has constantly proved to treat collectors the best possible way.

 

[ThomastheTank57]

I don't remember Asmus asking g for feedback either. Theybjust threw it out there, and said they were proud of the work they put in and end product. Felt like they knew they couldn't do much but didn't want to admit it.

 

[Sassafras]

Actually this is exactly what happened. When they showed the first prototype everyone was let down here and on social media. Therefore, they decided to redo the head sculpt and they also provided us with ongoing samples of it. They asked if it was the right direction and after a few tweaks the sculpt was approved by the majority of people. We could argue it is neither perfect nor it reaches high standards such as the Crown Gandalf, but I really believe this is the best Aragorn ever made. It's even better than the Prime 1, as far as face likeness is concerned.
However, most importantly, Asmus listened to us and tried to come up with something better.

Inviato dal mio Pixel 2 XL utilizzando Tapatalk

It reminds me of a polystone version of Aragon, where that media by default just looks - like a statue.

This is not my favorite character so am more tolerant of things bothering others. I wouldn't purchase tho if I saw a lot of issues. To me it looks like a very good Aragon keeping within a reachable price range. On the shelf with Gimli there's no way you don't know who this is.

 

[gaiden1992]

I don't remember them asking if they were on the right path? I do know they did a second sculpt after complaints but I don't remember them asking for feedback on it. If I am wrong then apologies to Asmus. I know I may seem ungrateful. I'm not trying to be rude. As other have stated, Aragorn is my favorite character and I wanted them to nail it.

I don't remember Asmus asking g for feedback either. Theybjust threw it out there, and said they were proud of the work they put in and end product. Felt like they knew they couldn't do much but didn't want to admit it.

On page 28 of this thread, message #272, Asmus wrote:
"Just got this quick update, would like to hear what you guys think about it? See if we are in the right track or not."
Then they attached three samples.

Some people said it was yet to be adjusted, but most people expressed their full approval on what they saw.

Finally, some days (and some comments) later, on page 33 Asmus showed new pictures during the photoshoot and declared they were satisfied with the result.

I do not mean to be rude at all, it is just to prove they really asked for feedback.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

Yup, Asmus did ask us for feedback. They showed all the previous attempts at the likeness (I think three or four, if memory serves) and asked what we thought. The final result may not be perfect to everybody, but I respect the hell out of their openness and willingness to engage with the fans.

 

[hoodonit00]

It appears I am mistaken and a public apology to Asmus for my mistake. I am a couple thousand dollars poorer because of you. I hope that makes some sort of ammends.

ETA I just went back through my posts in this thread. Damn I can be a whiny ***** sometimes.

 

[superdoug]

Yup, Asmus did ask us for feedback. They showed all the previous attempts at the likeness (I think three or four, if memory serves) and asked what we thought. The final result may not be perfect to everybody, but I respect the hell out of their openness and willingness to engage with the fans.

Same here. I don’t really recall Sideshow or Hot Toys ever doing something similar with openly asking for feedback and taking it into account.

 

[ShadowGuardian]

Gotta have mad respect for Asmus whether you like the final product or not (I for one think it looks fantastic, their best attempt easily). Hot Toys could learn a thing or two when it comes to customer and fan interactions from Asmus.

 

[Asmus]

I must say that I feel kind of dissapointed too. I am an ASMUS LOTR collector from the beginning and have most of their amazing figures. But when this new Aragorn was shown, I had the feeling that it would be a miss: not only the headsculpt, but the out-of-scale dagger, plastic boots and chainmal (I have an experience with chainmails of this kind, and it is not the Elrond sort unfortunately, let alone real chain mail). In my opinion, the price point was too high for what it actually is.
Furthermore, I preordered in August the Deluxe through ASMUS site because they said it that place and time frame was the only moment to purchase the Diorama. Yesterday (beginning of December 2020), the Deluxe version was still available on their site. If I would had known what they are showing now, I would had never preordered it.
As I don't want to loose any NRD, I guess I will pay the rest, keep the diorama, and sell the figure directly (this, considering that they proceed as they did with Legolas and offer the Diorama in an extra box). In this case, I can't hide my disappointment with a company that otherwise has constantly proved to treat collectors the best possible way.

I think you are mistaken,
the Exclusive version should be out by the end of our Carnival.
what you see available should be the standard version

 

[Asmus]

Gotta have mad respect for Asmus whether you like the final product or not (I for one think it looks fantastic, their best attempt easily). Hot Toys could learn a thing or two when it comes to customer and fan interactions from Asmus.

Thank you guys,
but it is the least we can do.

Trust me, my boss Andy had made many decisions that is for the best of the products,
and I respect the way his attitude remain the same along the way.

He is a hardcore LOTR fan, he wants to do every single characters and diaromas...
we need to hold him back for the benefit of the company so many times