Battle of the 1/4 Scales: Premium Formats Vs 1/4 Figures?

[RobertoBagg10]

With the latest surge of high quality 1/4 scale figures with incredibly accurate likenesses aswell as bonus attachments from companies such as Hot Toys and Enterbay, i wanted to know whether this would effect peoples opinions on whether they would rather choose a 1/4 figure rather than a PF? I have to say that i have always been a fan of PF's since i first started collecting but i must admit that i am beginning to move towards the 1/4 figures. Why? Well after recieving the Terminator 2 Battle Damaged Figure from Enterbay a few days ago i was literally blown away but the incredible detail that had gone into this figure. Even now it is hard for me to explain in words how movie accurate this piece, not just in the likeness department but even down the wear and tare on the clothes and boots and the added bonus of the LED light in the eye! Yes, both the figure and the PF have mixed media but i have never seen such amazing detail as this on a PF...I can see alot of people being put of the figures because of visible joints, i can understand this as it slightly takes away the realism that youd get from say a PF where no visible joints are seen...notably on the Enterbay Rambo III figure. I believe alot of people were put off this piece for this reason alone. So where do you stand on this? Do you see a sudden wave of change for the ultimate 1/4 collectable? We've seen some incredible 1/4 figure representations so far such as The Dark Knight, Terminators T-800's, The Joker, Rambo III, Endoskeleton to name a few...for example, if you match the Rambo III figure against the Rambo Sideshow Premium Format then i'd go with the Figure everytime, same with the original Enterbay T-800 from Terminator 2, i personally though this one completely blew Sideshows PF version out of the water! In the past few hours i've been looking at the likenesses between my T-800 Battle Damaged figure and my Dutch PF and i have to say the figure wins hands down...Hot Toys have always been renowned for their incredible likenesses for all their figures and now it looks like we'll be getting the same epicness for 1/4 scale. Not to mention all the added attachments you get with the figures...are you getting more for your money if you choose to buy a figure rather than a PF? Would really like to hear your thoughts on this as i'm seriously looking at my collections and thinking how good all my PF's would look if they had the details youd get in a 1/4 figure!

Premium Formats:

Advantages:

i) Very heavy in weight so feel like your getting your moneys worth
ii) A Solid base
iii) exclusive extras

1/4 Figures:

Advantages:
i) Lightweight, shouldnt smash if toppled over
ii) Superior likenessses and detail in both the face and mixed media
iii) Flexibility/Posability
iv) inclusion of multiple attachments including exclusive extras

 

[Monger]

My main problem with 1/4 scale figures is that at that point, especially with the bodies they use right now, they might as well be statues. The poses you can do and the poses I've seen people do tend to be so minor and underwhelming that I question why even have joints to begin with. To me it makes sense for figures to be 1/6 and below as at those scales you can really pose them and set up elaborate scenes with them. At greater scales I feel like statues are at their strength as the scale shows off the details and paint applications and the heft and sheer magnitude is often further emphasized by the bases and weight.

 

[RobertoBagg10]

My main problem with 1/4 scale figures is that at that point, especially with the bodies they use right now, they might as well be statues. The poses you can do and the poses I've seen people do tend to be so minor and underwhelming that I question why even have joints to begin with. To me it makes sense for figures to be 1/6 and below as at those scales you can really pose them and set up elaborate scenes with them. At greater scales I feel like statues are at their strength as the scale shows off the details and paint applications and the heft and sheer magnitude is often further emphasized by the bases and weight.

Thanks for your views Monger. Do you own any 1/4 scale figures? I have both the figures and PF's in my collection and in some cases (ie T2, Rambo) the likenesses are incredibly far superior. I can see where your coming from but i do like to have the option of moving an arm here or turning a waist there. How often do you hear comments about the Vader PF and people wanting to move the pose...with a figure that isnt a problem...

 

[Monger]

Thanks for your views Monger. Do you own any 1/4 scale figures? I have both the figures and PF's in my collection and in some cases (ie T2, Rambo) the likenesses are incredibly far superior. I can see where your coming from but i do like to have the option of moving an arm here or turning a waist there. How often do you hear comments about the Vader PF and people wanting to move the pose...with a figure that isnt a problem...

I think posing becomes a major factor in it as there are going to be people who do extreme poses and there are going to be statues with very elaborate bases and poses (such as PF Lara Croft. You wouldn't be able to make a figure look nice doing that). Personally I still have no 1/4 figures or statues so what I said is mostly just guessing based on what I hear

The likeness is a lot better on the 1/4 figures though, but I think that's a medium thing. When they aren't working with the heavy duty stuff it's easier to get that sculpt or at least I'm assuming that's the case.

I think the larger problem here is pricing. It's odd how close in price 1/4 figures and statues are right now and honestly that can't be right. One of them should be much more expensive than the other. I don't know enough about the industry to say which one for sure.

 

[RobertoBagg10]

Well if the future of 1/4 scale figures is based on the latest release from Enterbay's Battle Damaged T-800 then let me say that the Premium Formats will have some competition on their hands!

 

[Wah]

yeah i might be in the same boat as you. i love the pf's but if i can get the same thing but in 1/4 scale figure i'm considering switching to figures more so. to be honest, my real decision will come when hot toys releases their 1/4 scale batman dark knight rises figure. if that blows me away, it might end my purchases on any future sideshow premium formats.

 

[Valfar]

I think it is too early to have this debate since you get more variety/selection with 1/4 scale statues then you do with 1/4 action figures currently.

 

[SAB]

The Enterbay 1/4 figures can do any pose a 1/6 figure can.
(well maybe not Batman because of his seamless suit ...but that goes for 1/6 Batman in seamless suits as well right?)

People pose them in standard poses just because they choose to. Most pics people put on here of their 1/6 figures are the same.


I like 1/4 format way better and the divide I now have is:

a) Shirtless/topless character = premium format statue
b) fully clothed character (covering joints) = 1/4 size moveable figure

With the shirt on the new 1/4 Way of the Dragon Bruce Lee is stunning. With the shirt off I don't like it nearly as much as their 2 1/4 Lee statues that have sculpted bodies.

The Sideshow Premium Format Conan is just freaking awesome, and a jointed figure just wouldn't look nearly as good.
...but I have him standing next to the Enterbay Terminator, decked out in black leather and that thing just looks stunning.

I'll keep the Sideshow Temple of Doom PF since he is half shirtless but I'm selling off everything else Indy because I know someone will eventually release a Raiders 1/4 figure and that'll be a must buy.

My 2 cents....

 

[Theokan]

One thing you'll notice, all 1:4 HT/Enterbay figures are based on movies and real actors only, if you want a 1:4 comicbook version of Thor without the Chris Hemsworth's likeness for example, you would have to look into the Premium Formats. Same thing with Wolverine, you can't get the iconic costume from the movie version, but there's the PF and Comiquette as well as various 1:6 statues based on the comics.

There's also the Disney PF, comicbook Conan, Ninja Turtle comiquette, etc..

As far as collectables based on live actors, I always thought that HT/EB had an advantage in that, they specialized in it and excels at it, it's the only thing they do. I always go for HT/EB for movie figures, and SSC for comic/cartoon PFs.

-

 

[Uncanny Web-Slinger]

For the pros & cons...

1/4 figures cost more.
1/4 statues cover Comic characters whereas figures are just inferior movie characters

 

[SAB]

I think its a little too early to say 1/4 figures are only movies.

Sideshow's PF line is 10 years old and they are an enormous company (by high end collectible standards).

Enterbay's 1/4 line is 18 months old and it still often seems that company is about 5 people.... I'm sure they'll branch out sooner or later...

 

[Theokan]

I think its a little too early to say 1/4 figures are only movies.

Sideshow's PF line is 10 years old and they are an enormous company (by high end collectible standards).

Enterbay's 1/4 line is 18 months old and it still often seems that company is about 5 people.... I'm sure they'll branch out sooner or later...

I'm just saying the HT/EB's winning formula works best when doing realistic actor sculpts, for things that don't require realism, they loose that advantage, and it becomes an even playing field with Sideshow.

Hot Toys did some anime characters in the past, and without the realistic sculpts they don't look as premium as they usually do. A statue of a stylized character can still maintain that high-end feel without using realism, look at the Captain Hook PF for example.

-

 

[Solarsailor]

I have both and I wouldn't pick one over the other.

I personally just pick pieces I love and I think the 1/4 scale is the best scale to collect in period , whether it be a figure or a PF. I love the mythos line but at 1/5 it blows a collection out of scale and 1/6 Hot Toys are too small.

If I were to pick Pro's for each I'd say-

1/4 scale figures -

1) Better posing options
2) Better likeness due to the materials used

1/4 scale PF's -

1) Much better bases and displays
2) More presence than a 1/4 scale figure (see the Dark Rider of Mordor, Hulk etc etc)
3) No joints

 

[Great Pheidias]

the more competition out there the better...and I hope it means the PRICES DROP!! Getting way too expensive!!

 

[JAWS]

I think its a little too early to say 1/4 figures are only movies.

Sideshow's PF line is 10 years old and they are an enormous company (by high end collectible standards).

Enterbay's 1/4 line is 18 months old and it still often seems that company is about 5 people.... I'm sure they'll branch out sooner or later...

1/4 figures of comic characters will basically never compete with PF and comiquettes IMO. The joints always seem to ruin the look of those pieces unless it's a film version of Batman. I hate how most of the HT comic figures look so I figure it won't be much better in larger scale. To many Muscles on the Comic characters to give it true justice. IMO of course.

 

[3timesacharm]

Roberto paragraphs are your friend mate!!! that wall of text was hard to read - you need to add a paragraph or two to break it up

im rather new to collecting really only got into about 2 years ago, i own both a PF and a EB fig and i must say the head sculpts on figures are way better just my opinion. You brought up some great points which i totally agree with! at the end of the day it really is just a matter of preference i guess. I cant wait to see what HT and EB have in store for us in the future, love the 1/4 scale!!

Cant wait for my BD T-800!!!

 

[RobertoBagg10]

Roberto paragraphs are your friend mate!!! that wall of text was hard to read - you need to add a paragraph or two to break it up

im rather new to collecting really only got into about 2 years ago, i own both a PF and a EB fig and i must say the head sculpts on figures are way better just my opinion. You brought up some great points which i totally agree with! at the end of the day it really is just a matter of preference i guess. I cant wait to see what HT and EB have in store for us in the future, love the 1/4 scale!!

Cant wait for my BD T-800!!!

sorry dude, will remember to not get too carried away when writing and remember the paragraphs!

I think we are at the same place with both of us being relatively new to collecting. I too have a vast array of PF's and abt 4 or 5 1/4 figures and like you said, at the end of the day its all about preference. Its just that my point was mainly in regards to the movie characters such as Indiana Jones, Robocop, Terminator, Batman, Jack Sparrow, Star Wars, etc...i really think that if SS were releasing a 1/4 Indiana Jones PF at the same time as say EB or HT releasing an Indiana Jones 1/4 figure, i think i would consider the figure first rather than the PF therefore giving the PF's a run for their money...i can see the 1/4 figures really coming into a league of their own in the next few years!

 

[comicbookguy]

How much do the 1/4 scale figures from hot toys costs? I want to compare to a PF. Wow the likeness on batman is amazing! How they do it? Even the PF faces don't get this close.

 

[RobertoBagg10]

How much do the 1/4 scale figures from hot toys costs? I want to compare to a PF. Wow the likeness on batman is amazing! How they do it? Even the PF faces don't get this close.

Well the 1/4 figures arent cheap. I recently paid $430 for the Enterbay Battle Damaged T-800 and that price seems to be the norm for Enterbays figures. Think Hot Toys will be slightly more expensive. There first 1/4 releases will be the Dark Knight and the Endo Skeleton. However, when it comes to detail and likenesses of movie characters then the figures will almost always win over PF's hands down

 

[comicbookguy]

Well the 1/4 figures arent cheap. I recently paid $430 for the Enterbay Battle Damaged T-800 and that price seems to be the norm for Enterbays figures. Think Hot Toys will be slightly more expensive. There first 1/4 releases will be the Dark Knight and the Endo Skeleton. However, when it comes to detail and likenesses of movie characters then the figures will almost always win over PF's hands down

Wow same price as some PF, should be very interesting where these goes a few years down the road.......