HOT TOYS STAR WARS licence?

[metaphorge]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I'm glad SSC has the license and not HT, simply because at HT prices I wouldn't buy them.

I'm not sure why people are approaching this from an either/or persepctive... it would not be unheard of for both companies to produce items in much the same way that SST and Medicom do now. Hot Toys is not really a producer for North America; everything we get from them is either directly imported or is distributed by another company (in most cases, Sideshow). That certainly does increase the flexibility of licensing... there's also nothing that absolutely presents the two comapnies from collaborating and co-branding, as someone pointed out earlier in the thread.

I think one of the reasons discussions like this get pissy is it turns into a ______ vs. ______ situation, and that's not really what I'm going for here.

I wonder if the reason for these unusual pieces (chess, Bubo, etc.) and the lack of any real figures, in the LOTR line too, is because they are developing new bodies. Maybe this is a forced hiatus because they just have to get the bodies ready to replace the Art S. Buck bodies, and when it's finally ready, we'll get figures much more regularly, both male and female and of all sizes--tall, medium, short, dwarf, hobbit, etc. Notice how few 1:6 figures we've been getting; these random items might be all Sideshow can give us until the bodies come out, and after that, we'll be back to our regular influx of exceptional figures.

The other, less favorable possibility is that Sideshow has figured out that profit margins for high end "premium" figures and statues are much more favorable than for relatively inexpensive 1:6 figures. I certainly hope this is not the case, as I'm almost exclusively a 1:6 collector, but it is another possibility. I hope your scenario is what is happening.

 

[Anzik]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I didn't mean it that way at all. If both companies were producing them, that could even be more expensive and alienate many people even more.

 

[metaphorge]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I didn't mean it that way at all. If both companies were producing them, that could even be more expensive and alienate many people even more.

While that might be true of co-branding, it would not necessarily be true if each company made separate items. For example, the Sideshow Terminator 2 figures are pretty cheap, even though Hot Toys is putting out the $130 Endoskeleton.

I'd just like more options. Competition is good. And you can't tell me you wouldn't love a hyper-detailed, hyper-articulated Grievous or a Droideka....

 

[The Josh]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Cap that's an entirely possible guess. A new body is something you could see announced at C4 or SDCC since those are both big events.

crap bodies + lame releases= SS at this point to me. I hope it changes, but HT would own them like a prison b*tch if they did SW.

2 you they're crap bodies and lame releases but I think a lot of SW fans are happy with the releases. They show SS is willing to not be Hasblow. The bodies I guess it all depends on what the hell you're doing with the figures. I don't get why they're so bad really. I can pretty much do anything I want with them. Maybe it's cause I'm not looking to make them posed in some mid-flight poses.

As far as HT owning them like *****es. Well, that's up for debate I suppose depending on how you like each company. However, I don't see the point of being on a board for one company talking crap about how much they would be owned by another.

 

[metaphorge]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Oh god, here we go.

Cut out the sniping guys, please? There's room for more than one toy company on our shelves. See also: Hot Toys and Medicom's Pirates of the Carribean figures.

 

[The Josh]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Oh god, here we go.

Cut out the sniping guys, please? There's room for more than one toy company on our shelves.

No nothing like that. I was just making a comment. Not looking to start anything. If someone wants to go down that path that's not my fault. I just simply gave my two cents.

 

[JGouse0498]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

The bodies I guess it all depends on what the hell you're doing with the figures. I don't get why they're so bad really. I can pretty much do anything I want with them. Maybe it's cause I'm not looking to make them posed in some mid-flight poses.

Here's a short list of what my SSC figures can't do with a believable look:

1) Cross arms across chest

2) Natural flow to body when bent at the torso (e.g. - think about how the body would look if you were weighed down by holding a heavy beam)

3) Getting enough elbow bend to do the "cell phone pose" (I've needed this kind of motion range when doing lightsaber poses)

4) Holding pose in place when mid-torso articulation used.

5) Can't tilt head downward very well at all.


None of those involve mid-flight poses, but the Buck body can't do them. They have a nasty habit of looking very stiff and toy-like. There's a lack of natural flow and hang to the bodies.

Oh god, here we go.

Cut out the sniping guys, please? There's room for more than one toy company on our shelves. See also: Hot Toys and Medicom's Pirates of the Carribean figures.

I agree, meta. Things have been going good so far in this thread. I hope it continues as such. We all know Sideshow isn't the favorite among a certain percentage of the board's population, but I hope everyone can avoid that landmine and just respect others' opinions (as long as those opinions aren't expressed like an 8-year-old, of course).

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I don't get what's heinous about the Buck body. It may not be the most advanced, but it's hardly the atrocity people make it out to be. I've never had any problems getting cool poses out of them.

 

[nash]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

can you post some pics of your cool poses Obsolete?

 

[thundergod]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

My collecting is now ( due to lack of space , finances , impending 2nd offspring etc ) limited to SST Star Wars and H.T Movie Masterpieces (and customs) , but it's just dawned on me that EVERY one of my H.T Marines has needed some kind of custom work to bring it up to scratch as regards accuracy , while my Star Wars figures remain untouched . ( O.k , I had to cure Luke's "monkey arms" and Anakins "dodgy falling-off arm" ). I'm not complaining about the work I do on my H.T stuff , as I'm a model maker by nature anyway and I enjoy this aspect of the hobby , but so far I've not felt the need to re-paint or "tweak" any of Sideshows offerings . And as has been noted earlier in the thread , H.T figures are on average TWICE the cost of Sideshows . ( At least here in the U.K .) Yes , Hot Toys body type IS better and Sideshow need to look at this aspect of their production in the future , but being of a Yoda -like age , I remember the first of Sideshows 12" figures coming out ( Frankenstein's Monster) and being blown away by the quality and poseability of the bodytype . And guys , this was only 6 years ago . As for the opinion that Star Wars fans will buy anything with "The Brand" on , this is untrue . I consider myself a Star Wars fan of the 1st order , being around since the 1st movies release in cinemas , but the only items I buy are the S.S.T 12" figures and this is down to their quality and value . I don't intend to slag off H.T , because I think their stuff is the best thing since sliced bread , but their accuracy IS in question and they have a habit of re-using accessories etc . I think we are in a "Golden Age " of 12" collecting and I think the community as a whole should be appreciating this ,instead of constantly griping about likenesses, body types etc . After all , they all could just decide to stop producing stuff tomorrow . Enjoy it while it lasts , I do .:emperor

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

can you post some pics of your cool poses Obsolete?

Nope.

Besides, we all know what a Buck body can and can't do by now. I doubt pics from me would bring anything new to the table.

 

[The Josh]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Here's a short list of what my SSC figures can't do with a believable look:

1) Cross arms across chest

2) Natural flow to body when bent at the torso (e.g. - think about how the body would look if you were weighed down by holding a heavy beam)

3) Getting enough elbow bend to do the "cell phone pose" (I've needed this kind of motion range when doing lightsaber poses)

4) Holding pose in place when mid-torso articulation used.

5) Can't tilt head downward very well at all.


None of those involve mid-flight poses, but the Buck body can't do them. They have a nasty habit of looking very stiff and toy-like. There's a lack of natural flow and hang to the bodies.

Very well. I'm just saying I don't think the body is that bad and have had little issue getting the poses I want. There have been a few but not many.

I agree, meta. Things have been going good so far in this thread. I hope it continues as such. We all know Sideshow isn't the favorite among a certain percentage of the board's population, but I hope everyone can avoid that landmine and just respect others' opinions (as long as those opinions aren't expressed like an 8-year-old, of course).

I hope it continues as well. I was hesitant to even post in this thread because I figure if it goes down at all it will get blamed on me. I respect not everyone thinks SS is the best or their fave. I have no problems at all with that. Just as I hope everyone is cool that likes HT as the best or Medicom can respect for me SS is #1. Though, I do like the hell out of my Medicom SW figures. They're pretty ****ing good too. I just don't get why someone who thinks SS stuff is crap or whatever would want to be here. That just does not make sense to me.

I don't get what's heinous about the Buck body. It may not be the most advanced, but it's hardly the atrocity people make it out to be. I've never had any problems getting cool poses out of them.

I agree. I think it's more played out against than it really is.

 

[JGouse0498]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Nope.

Besides, we all know what a Buck body can and can't do by now. I doubt pics from me would bring anything new to the table.

I don't think you were being asked to help support a position on the issue. Whenever anyone uses the words "cool poses", at least two pic posting requests spring up. We're just keen on seeing what other collectors can come up with.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I don't think you were being asked to help support a position on the issue. Whenever anyone uses the words "cool poses", at least two pic posting requests spring up. We're just keen on seeing what other collectors can come up with.

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off that way. I'm just not a pic taker.

Besides, my poses aren't that cool.

 

[JGouse0498]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off that way. I'm just not a pic taker.

Besides, my poses aren't that cool.

Oh well now you have to at least describe them...



...seriously.

 

[Captain Faramir]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

In my drawings and artwork I often use the Buck body as a model for my poses, and even in the most dynamic images I've found it to be perfectly sufficient for my needs. I don't think the body is that much of a hinderance as is one's ability to do other things, such as pose the figure well, drape the clothing naturally, and use lifelike gestures and poses. Sideshow has no problems with that, and the differences are actually pretty minimal; we are only more keenly aware of them because we love 1:6 figures and scrutinize every detail.

I myself would love for Sideshow to come out with a new body, but I wouldn't call the present body terrible because, in truth, it isn't. Only in comparison do weaker aspects manifest themselves, and even then, they aren't too significant. For me at least, HT and Sideshow are equals in all regards, they just stress different elements. But those elements are not exclusive, and do not imply that one company cannot match the other in that regard. I say let them balance each other out and not worry about one being more or less than another. Makes collecting less stressful.

 

[MaulFan]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I think above all things, a Hot Toys 1/6 Star Wars line would either die quickly or take way too long to come out. The reason I say this is because if you look at the lines HT is currently doing, they are very niche properties with fairly minimal characters in them. AVP has few marketable characters which have just about been exhausted without going over 10 different figures, then the Aliens line, you have maybe 12 core figures to produce from that line, Terminator 1, also a small ammount of figures to make, same for Rocky and Rambo....Star Wars is packed with marketable characters, look at Sideshow's offering so far. The main line has given us a dozen figures so far with more to come very shortly (in hand that is). Due to the difference between Star Wars and the other licenses HT has, I think a Star Wars line from them would not be successful unless their figures could come down to Sideshow prices. Using Ripley as an example of a fairly standard, not too elaborate 1/6 figure from Hot Toys, it goes for $90 on Sideshow's site, with Star Wars figures currently going for about $25 less or more. Now Ripley is also one of the lower priced HT figures. When you have half a dozen or so characters worth owning in a license, collector's are willing and able to put up $90-$150 for a single figure, but if you basically doubled the price for the ammount of Star Wars figures Sideshow has already delivered, that adds up, and it would force the collectors to be very selective of which figures they buy, and would eventually limit which ones Hot Toys made and ultimately, it'd be a weak line that drags out or dies shortly. HT and Medicom make very nice armored figures, and I'm sure to many of you, it doesn't seem that difficult to accomplish, but it seems clear that Sideshow has feelings about the quality they want their armored figures to have and therefore aren't going to rush getting them out because we're salivating for them, but rather hope to make our wait worthwhile by delivering us a top notch product, and perhaps that means Sideshow prices with quality armor, rather than having to crossover into HT and Medi prices, which I for one and perfectly willing to wait for. I love Clone Troopers and Stormtroopers, but at Medi prices, I've had to pass because of wanting other things, if I could get them at 1/2 to 2/3 the price, that'd be a different matter. As Anakin suggested in ROTS, "I say patience."

 

[wax murderer]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

Allow me to stir the murky waters a little more. There is a set of 'armored' 1/6 SW character figures that have been around a while, are highly detailed,very accurate and fairly posable.the only down side is that they are OOP and therefore need to be hunted down on Ebay(which is well worth the effort in this case). I speak of the legendary Marmit figures, of course. When I discovered them I was amazed at the quality(and still am), to the point of engaging in my own quest to acquire them. Some were expensive, though no worse than HT or Medi figures. Some I actually got fairly inexpensively.

Here's the whole Imperial crew, most of them Marmits

And my Sith lords(2 custom, 2 modified Hasblo
They inspired several customs, including my Vader and Maul figures, as well as my most recent Peter Cushing sculpt. It took a while, but I got 'em all, and don't regret a penny that I spent...PS

 

[metaphorge]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

When you have half a dozen or so characters worth owning in a license, collector's are willing and able to put up $90-$150 for a single figure, but if you basically doubled the price for the ammount of Star Wars figures Sideshow has already delivered, that adds up, and it would force the collectors to be very selective of which figures they buy, and would eventually limit which ones Hot Toys made and ultimately, it'd be a weak line that drags out or dies shortly.

There's a big flaw in this logic. You are assuming that Hot Toys would attempt to make the sheer number of characters that Sideshow has, which I doubt that they would. Medicom has not, and I'm pretty sure that their line is would be considered "successful", and I expect that Hot Toys would more or less follow Medicom's lead.

All that a "line" has to do to be successful is sell through the figures that they choose to produce. There would be no need for Hot Toys to cover all the bases since I'm not suggesting that they be the sole manufacturers of 1:6 Star Wars figures. You guys are acting like I suggested that Hot Toys do Star Wars instead of Sideshow, which I did not.

I speak of the legendary Marmit figures, of course. When I discovered them I was amazed at the quality(and still am), to the point of engaging in my own quest to acquire them.

Marmits are wonderful. Unfortunately, it's tricky to track some of them down at this point.

 

[The Josh]

Re: Wistful thinking: Hot Toys and Star Wars

I like what Medicom has done so far as I've said. I like that SS is doing the sheer number of characters and things in SW more though. I mean there is just so much to do and by trying to do things the way SS is it allows all fans of SW to be included. If you just limit the choices that can have some fans thinking, "when are we gonna get some love?".