Hot Toys Royal Guard

[kyloblack]

the whole "SPOT" conspiracy was overstated, to say the least I purchased 2 of these and had no issues I saw a small discoloration from where it rubbed against the plastic but a quick rub of the cloth and the spot dissapearted right away without issue and its non existinet at this point, i think we pay $200-$300+ for these figures and expect absolute perfection on every level. We willnever get 100% accuracy nor will we ever get a 100% percet figure without mild imperfections, threw all my time and due dilligence with working on my 1/6 figure book, i found that a majority of these are still produced/manufactured by hand with exception of a few pieces/accessories, but a lot of R&D goes into each figure that also speaks to the long release dates from announcment, even package design can take a few months alone to assure all goes well during shipping and placement to create the least amount of stress and possible damage to a figure during transport and even storage. These figures are phenominal I ve had very very few cmplaints but I feel whenver there is a new relase or new figure finally shipping out we scrutinize the figure to a level where we start to see or even fabricate issues that are so minimal or even non existant or lastly possibly expected. I get it as a collector myself I want perfection but these are not mass manufactured, i even read on a past forum thread I believe in a Marvel one that someone said that some figures are produced in the high number of 20,000 pieces maybe even more try half that at best. hence re issues or revisions. but sideshow limits most between 2,000 to 4,000 pieces and hot toys at best maybe 5,500 and thats for some of the more popular. none the less I believe some found the "white" spot but it was rub against plastic during shipping and easily removable even without removingand washing or soaking. it took one minute or less with a quick rub of the fabric between the fingers or even just a light brush with afabric brush. I think we are getting way too overzealous and I understand that between the money invested and the time ivested in waiting for the figure to arrive it can send us to scrutinize for the most smallest of imperfections almost naked to the human eye. With that said I have both guards with Palpatine and they all display amazing!!!!

 

[Hoody999]

I agree. I originally suggested to some of the first owners to try a little water or something. I believe some think the materials used by Hot Toys are otherworldly and may fall apart when a little bit of water touches them. Anyway we're pretty much all guys here (most middle age I guess), which if we're honest with ourselves means not much washing experience (me included). (And yes I know that's a broad stereotypical statement).

Anyway, I think most of us have fixed the issue. At least mine removed relatively easily with some light ironing.

What does the book you're writing on 1/6 figures cover ? How's it been getting info from Hot Toys and other companies ?

Did you see that video I posted where the 20,000 figure came from ? That was probably more peak production volume where multiple figures could be running in parallel.

 

[kyloblack]

I agree. I originally suggested to some of the first owners to try a little water or something. I believe some think the materials used by Hot Toys are otherworldly and may fall apart when a little bit of water touches them. Anyway we're pretty much all guys here (most middle age I guess), which if we're honest with ourselves means not much washing experience (me included). (And yes I know that's a broad stereotypical statement).

Anyway, I think most of us have fixed the issue. At least mine removed relatively easily with some light ironing.

What does the book you're writing on 1/6 figures cover ? How's it been getting info from Hot Toys and other companies ?

Did you see that video I posted where the 20,000 figure came from ? That was probably more peak production volume where multiple figures could be running in parallel.

Hi Hoody

the book has been about 10 months in the making, i have included many sections included but not limited to licensing, likeness, concept, design, reseach and development, costs, production, distrobution, focus and interviews on with and by sculptors, painters, even touch on fabric design and selection, theres a subject on customizers, a few interviews I have to finish up to include some customizers, but its been busy reaching out to and touching base with a number of the companies that produce 1/6 figures. I had a fairly great and welcoming experience from just about every company with th exception of Sideshow which completely shut me down??? everyne from medicom, HOT TOYS, enterbay etc.. where all gracious and happy to give input , feedback and even some intimate details however they also had no issues telling what i could and could not ask or what they would or wouldnot share, rightfully so but my most interesting find was the start from idea or concept to completeion of the figure ready to be distrubuted. I was able to grab some great interviews with some actors who where happy to dicus what the process is like becoming a 1/6 figure of their character however as interested as some maybe not all were open to dicussing the licensing fee's etc.. but the companies gave a broad breakdown of licensing and costs and limitations, A bigpiece thats in there is why do we see some figures that have us ready to throw our dollars down without hesitation yet the figure never sees the light of day or never goes past concept or pre production design or display I.E deathstar trooper.. some are easily answered others have very specific reasons. I wanted this book to be a nice hardcover bound book that of for collectors about collecting. Itll be a part of your collection so to speak and will include almost all licenses meaning all characters from most movies or other franchises that were converted to 1/6 figures. it will retail for about $55 and lastly we are just finishing up some aspects and trying to get our last segment together which is featuring collectors I want to do a chapter on collectors and their collections, i was able to set up an interview with the youngman who literally has one of the largest 1/6 iron man collections, so i want to include some collectors who have a specific focus like star wars only, marvel only etc,, and others who collect any and all that catch their eye or have nostalgic value. So im happy and somewhat surprised at how well it all came together, but again all went well and i actually thought i would get pushback from companies like hottoys/secretbase and NOPE they were even willing to allow me a visit for som ein action or behind the scenes shots which they said they would need to review but suprisngly Sideshow wanted nothing to do with it which is odd... ive included them but i wanted to have som einside info for collectors some detailed info some detailed interviews not just what we already know now but it wouldnt be complete without including sideshow since they play such a big part. Something makes me thing that they may be making a book on theyre own as initially i received a response stating they already had books available on their site and i stated yes but they are about small fractions of the process at best or mostly photography, while they are nice books I think this is th eone segment of collecting where we do not have a book of refference for our collections and I will have a simple but dedicated website as new figures are released and will include some updates and checklists to accompany the book. im not trying to compete with blogs or forums as they do a great job bringing us plenty of info but the book will touch upon a lot fo what we always dicuss or wonder or question and have some apsects of care and cleaning depending on where you live such as climate, humid, dry, sunlight, display and so on so althou this answer wa sprob much longer than you were asking and for fear of going off topic on this threadof the royal guards i hope it atleast sparked some interest.

 

[dukefett]

Holy **** paragraphs.

 

[steelhegemon]

I’m overly excited for this book because, even though you can argue that speculation and theories are what makes these forums, I would LOVE some facts on the business end. Too bad about Sideshow. Would making your dealings with them more public maybe improve their PR? Put them in the spotlight and they might talk a bit more. Most likely not-but worth a shot?


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[TaliBane]

Hi Hoody

the book has been about 10 months in the making, i have included many sections included but not limited to licensing, likeness, concept, design, reseach and development, costs, production, distrobution, focus and interviews on with and by sculptors, painters, even touch on fabric design and selection, theres a subject on customizers, a few interviews I have to finish up to include some customizers, but its been busy reaching out to and touching base with a number of the companies that produce 1/6 figures. I had a fairly great and welcoming experience from just about every company with th exception of Sideshow which completely shut me down??? everyne from medicom, HOT TOYS, enterbay etc.. where all gracious and happy to give input , feedback and even some intimate details however they also had no issues telling what i could and could not ask or what they would or wouldnot share, rightfully so but my most interesting find was the start from idea or concept to completeion of the figure ready to be distrubuted. I was able to grab some great interviews with some actors who where happy to dicus what the process is like becoming a 1/6 figure of their character however as interested as some maybe not all were open to dicussing the licensing fee's etc.. but the companies gave a broad breakdown of licensing and costs and limitations, A bigpiece thats in there is why do we see some figures that have us ready to throw our dollars down without hesitation yet the figure never sees the light of day or never goes past concept or pre production design or display I.E deathstar trooper.. some are easily answered others have very specific reasons. I wanted this book to be a nice hardcover bound book that of for collectors about collecting. Itll be a part of your collection so to speak and will include almost all licenses meaning all characters from most movies or other franchises that were converted to 1/6 figures. it will retail for about $55 and lastly we are just finishing up some aspects and trying to get our last segment together which is featuring collectors I want to do a chapter on collectors and their collections, i was able to set up an interview with the youngman who literally has one of the largest 1/6 iron man collections, so i want to include some collectors who have a specific focus like star wars only, marvel only etc,, and others who collect any and all that catch their eye or have nostalgic value. So im happy and somewhat surprised at how well it all came together, but again all went well and i actually thought i would get pushback from companies like hottoys/secretbase and NOPE they were even willing to allow me a visit for som ein action or behind the scenes shots which they said they would need to review but suprisngly Sideshow wanted nothing to do with it which is odd... ive included them but i wanted to have som einside info for collectors some detailed info some detailed interviews not just what we already know now but it wouldnt be complete without including sideshow since they play such a big part. Something makes me thing that they may be making a book on theyre own as initially i received a response stating they already had books available on their site and i stated yes but they are about small fractions of the process at best or mostly photography, while they are nice books I think this is th eone segment of collecting where we do not have a book of refference for our collections and I will have a simple but dedicated website as new figures are released and will include some updates and checklists to accompany the book. im not trying to compete with blogs or forums as they do a great job bringing us plenty of info but the book will touch upon a lot fo what we always dicuss or wonder or question and have some apsects of care and cleaning depending on where you live such as climate, humid, dry, sunlight, display and so on so althou this answer wa sprob much longer than you were asking and for fear of going off topic on this threadof the royal guards i hope it atleast sparked some interest.

Sideshow probably thought you'd reveal that the paint apps on their human heads are at the level of ebay recasts from 2013, and their level of sculpt detail is about where Hasbro would be now had they continued with their 12" line.

While they sometimes have "overall" better likenesses than HT (though tend toward caricature,) their level of sculpt detail and paint apps are almost laughable at times, and looks like even their soon-to-release Mythos Ben is continuing in that tradition. Fortunately, SSC priced that figure at $160, a clear $40-50 cheaper than HT would charge, to make up for this lack of quality... oh... wait... (correction: I meant $260, $40-50 more than HT would charge.)

At a time when HT is producing for-the-ages 1/6 figures like TLJ Leia and Bespin Leia, SSC are wise to refuse to talk to anyone about the state of 1/6 and their place in it.

 

[Hoody999]

Sideshow probably thought you'd reveal that the paint apps on their human heads are at the level of ebay recasts from 2013, and their level of sculpt detail is about where Hasbro would be now had they continued with their 12" line.

While they sometimes have "overall" better likenesses than HT (though tend toward caricature,) their level of sculpt detail and paint apps are almost laughable at times, and looks like even their soon-to-release Mythos Ben is continuing in that tradition. Fortunately, SSC priced that figure at $160, a clear $40-50 cheaper than HT would charge, to make up for this lack of quality... oh... wait... (correction: I meant $260, $40-50 more than HT would charge.)

At a time when HT is producing for-the-ages 1/6 figures like TLJ Leia and Bespin Leia, SSC are wise to refuse to talk to anyone about the state of 1/6 and their place in it.

Yep, sad but true. But SS don't like to help themselves much on many fronts, shipping cost, figure cost, book interviews.....the list goes on.

I would also be interested in that book. Would be quite interesting. I've picked up quite a bit over the few years I've been enjoying the hobby, but agree with Steelhegemon that a few facts would help.

Going by Kyloblacks post there will be a fair bit of text to read too

 

[kyloblack]

sorry fellas was on a mobile device. my apologies for anyone who got a headache

 

[jkno]

Hi Hoody

the book has been about 10 months in the making, i have included many sections included but not limited to licensing, likeness, concept, design, reseach and development, costs, production, distrobution, focus and interviews on with and by sculptors, painters, even touch on fabric design and selection, theres a subject on customizers, a few interviews I have to finish up to include some customizers, but its been busy reaching out to and touching base with a number of the companies that produce 1/6 figures. I had a fairly great and welcoming experience from just about every company with th exception of Sideshow which completely shut me down??? everyne from medicom, HOT TOYS, enterbay etc.. where all gracious and happy to give input , feedback and even some intimate details however they also had no issues telling what i could and could not ask or what they would or wouldnot share, rightfully so but my most interesting find was the start from idea or concept to completeion of the figure ready to be distrubuted. I was able to grab some great interviews with some actors who where happy to dicus what the process is like becoming a 1/6 figure of their character however as interested as some maybe not all were open to dicussing the licensing fee's etc.. but the companies gave a broad breakdown of licensing and costs and limitations, A bigpiece thats in there is why do we see some figures that have us ready to throw our dollars down without hesitation yet the figure never sees the light of day or never goes past concept or pre production design or display I.E deathstar trooper.. some are easily answered others have very specific reasons. I wanted this book to be a nice hardcover bound book that of for collectors about collecting. Itll be a part of your collection so to speak and will include almost all licenses meaning all characters from most movies or other franchises that were converted to 1/6 figures. it will retail for about $55 and lastly we are just finishing up some aspects and trying to get our last segment together which is featuring collectors I want to do a chapter on collectors and their collections, i was able to set up an interview with the youngman who literally has one of the largest 1/6 iron man collections, so i want to include some collectors who have a specific focus like star wars only, marvel only etc,, and others who collect any and all that catch their eye or have nostalgic value. So im happy and somewhat surprised at how well it all came together, but again all went well and i actually thought i would get pushback from companies like hottoys/secretbase and NOPE they were even willing to allow me a visit for som ein action or behind the scenes shots which they said they would need to review but suprisngly Sideshow wanted nothing to do with it which is odd... ive included them but i wanted to have som einside info for collectors some detailed info some detailed interviews not just what we already know now but it wouldnt be complete without including sideshow since they play such a big part. Something makes me thing that they may be making a book on theyre own as initially i received a response stating they already had books available on their site and i stated yes but they are about small fractions of the process at best or mostly photography, while they are nice books I think this is th eone segment of collecting where we do not have a book of refference for our collections and I will have a simple but dedicated website as new figures are released and will include some updates and checklists to accompany the book. im not trying to compete with blogs or forums as they do a great job bringing us plenty of info but the book will touch upon a lot fo what we always dicuss or wonder or question and have some apsects of care and cleaning depending on where you live such as climate, humid, dry, sunlight, display and so on so althou this answer wa sprob much longer than you were asking and for fear of going off topic on this threadof the royal guards i hope it atleast sparked some interest.

You know, paragraphs are not your enemy...

 

[ObiGlennKenobi]

picked mine up today.
such a beautiful figure.

 

[Greejo]

It is a particularly nice figure isn't it.

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

I love it. Second one arriving tomorrow[emoji3]


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[Greejo]

Sounds like a lot of people doubled down on this figure...

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

Yep. I decided on the non-deluxe Palpatine so I could have two guards flanking him. It will suit my display better that way.
It’s actually the only figure I have doubles of!


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[Greejo]

I was thinking about that today.

Only other figures I have doubled down on are Sideshows Tusken and Gamorrean Guard.

 

[FlyAndFight]

I also have doubles of the OT Storm Troopers and Rogue One Death Troopers. (and R2...)

 

[ObiGlennKenobi]

Finally got this bad boy in.

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

View attachment 432741

Finally got this bad boy in.

Excellent!


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[Sixth Scale Man]

Why have one, when you can have two at twice the price?
Love ‘em. Just need the wrinkly little dude now.

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[CrankbaitJon]

Look great as a pair.