Hot Toys TDKR: 1/4th scale Batman [QS001] - Full Reveal & Specs

[Darkavatar]

The problem is you have lots of crazy people who no matter how great a sculpt is will declare"this looks nothing like ....." . I amazed when I see a RDJ head this looks at least 90 percent like the actor and someone makes a crazy statement like that.

Yeah but then you hav those other people, where the sculpt looks nothing like the actor and people think it is the best sculpt they have ever seen because Hot Toys made it.

It's because we've seen hundreds of headsculpts now, and it's caused us to be more selective in what we choose to add to our collections. If a headsculpt is 90% accurate, no way in hell would I be satisfied enough to display him with the rest. It could ruin the lifelike effect of the entire display

Yeah I am too spoiled, I want a Joker that looks like Ledger after seeing Adam's sculpts and now want a Batman that looks like Bale after seeing Enterbay sculpts!

People see things differently I suppose. Some people may see it, some may not. Take the DX11 for example. Whilst I don't think the likeness is spot on, I definitely see some Ledger in the sculpt when viewed on an angle, but some people think it looks nothing like him.

I admit I was one of them, until I saw it unpainted, it is the best Hot Toys toys Joker sculpt to date. Only thing that is really off with that is the jaw is really wide and round and nose is too thin, sculpt wise. I think it has potential just like the Enterbay one does, but nevertheless, needs to be resculpted for it to come to close to be 90% accurate. Plus it would look more realistic with sculpted eyes and not plastic ones!

You can also have a sculpt that looks very good and very lifelike, as in, it looks like a real person, but doesn't look like the actor. I think the cowl head sculpt on the QS001 looks quite detailed and realistic, I just don't think it looks like Christian Bale at all, and when you're paying that sort of money, it should look like Christian Bale, and not kind of like Christian Bale, but 100% Christian Bale, or damn close to it.

Yeah that is true, but I have to disagree with one thing though, I don't think this looks realistic at all. Like I said before looks kind of cartoony looking with large eyes, which also look like googly eyes in some pics. Then again, I guess it looks kind of realistic from a distance.

 

[xpl0sive]

Yeah but then you hav those other people, where the sculpt looks nothing like the actor and people think it is the best sculpt they have ever seen because Hot Toys made it.

lol agreed.

Yeah that is true, but I have to disagree with one thing though, I don't think this looks realistic at all. Like I said before looks kind of cartoony looking with large eyes, which also look like googly eyes in some pics. Then again, I guess it looks kind of realistic from a distance.

Yeah the PERS eyes are not the best, but they look better than the 1/6 version to me. The mouth area looks pretty realistic though, and the detail on the Bale head is just insane, with the skin texture and wicked paint job.

 

[Darkavatar]

lol agreed.

Yeah the PERS eyes are not the best, but they look better than the 1/6 version to me.

Hmm the PERS might be a bit more realistic how you can see veins etc in them. However, big plastic eye ***** will still make the figure look like a toy regardless how well they are painted.

The mouth area looks pretty realistic though, and the detail on the Bale head is just insane, with the skin texture and wicked paint job.

I would agree with all that.

 

[Darkavatar]

The bottomline here is simple:

HT should give both Kojun and Yulli -- their most overrated sculptors, who sculpted QS001 proto (as well as th RDJ headsculpts) and Heath Ledger Jokers respectively -- a break. I don't get why these 2 are so applauded while their sculpts are inconsistent at best, and HT's stable of less popular sculptors are dishing out quality portraits on a regular basis.

I agree about the Yulli part as most of her sculpts look like cartoon characters whether they have PERS or not, hence the reason they got Kojun to take over doing Batman. I think her best work was the 89 Joker. However, what is so bad about Kojun? I mean this 1/4 scale Bruce Wayne Bale sculpt isn't perfect but it looks fine and better than Enterbays one ironically. Yet I know so many people that hate it. Then again, I heard he is the one responsible for these ugly face plates. Can anyone confirm this? However, remember he is also the one that did the DX12 Bale Bruce Wayne head and so many people use the mouth that was sculpted by Kojun to do mod their DX12. I think if Kojun had more creative control we would see better head sculpts maybe?

 

[DX12]

The bottomline here is simple:

HT should give both Kojun and Yulli -- their most overrated sculptors, who sculpted QS001 proto (as well as th RDJ headsculpts) and Heath Ledger Jokers respectively -- a break. I don't get why these 2 are so applauded while their sculpts are inconsistent at best, and HT's stable of less popular sculptors are dishing out quality portraits on a regular basis.

Agree. Kojun did great with Jack Sparrow and quickly became my 2nd fav sculptor after YJ Park. However with the DX12 BW and this 1/4 BW, I look at it in some angles and say,,,,eiieeehhh kind of in a certain angle under a certain light trying to convince myself. Iminime's Wallstreet Killer is pretty spot on for Bale's likeness. If Hot Toys does attempt to touch Nolan's Batman again they should hire that crew. Kojun and Yulli both had their chances with Nolan. Time to move them away especially from Ledger's Joker.

 

[Darkavatar]

Agree. Kojun did great with Jack Sparrow and quickly became my 2nd fav sculptor after YJ Park. However with the DX12 BW and this 1/4 BW, I look at it in some angles and say,,,,eiieeehhh kind of in a certain angle under a certain light trying to convince myself.

I find it weird how you agree, yet you call your self DX12 and have your avatar pic as the DX12 Bale head sculpt.



Nevertheless, I can see where you are coming from, I just think the 1/4 scale Bruce Wayne one doesn't look too bad but the DX12 one is horrible.

Iminime's Wallstreet Killer is pretty spot on for Bale's likeness. If Hot Toys does attempt to touch Nolan's Batman again they should hire that crew. Kojun and Yulli both had their chances with Nolan. Time to move them away especially from Ledger's Joker.

Yes it is, but even if Hot Toys did hire them, the final product would most likely be as good as Iminime's hand made limited figures.

Remember Kojun sculpted John Connor and that looks like Bale, for some reason he can't seem to nail the Batman Bale as good.

 

[HeubertMichael]

Agree. Kojun did great with Jack Sparrow and quickly became my 2nd fav sculptor after YJ Park. However with the DX12 BW and this 1/4 BW, I look at it in some angles and say,,,,eiieeehhh kind of in a certain angle under a certain light trying to convince myself. Iminime's Wallstreet Killer is pretty spot on for Bale's likeness. If Hot Toys does attempt to touch Nolan's Batman again they should hire that crew. Kojun and Yulli both had their chances with Nolan. Time to move them away especially from Ledger's Joker.

DX06 Sparrow is one of HT's all-time finest figures, and one of strongest Kojun sculpts ever, no doubt about it. It was mentioned here though (by Gippeto) that Kojun had to re-sculpt the head/face quite a number of times before finally getting the approval of the licensor. While I think that it's normal for a sculptor to go through several revisions, what I can't fathom is how he can't get to do better on a figure he's done earlier versions of before -- like DX 12 and QS 001, and those Tony Stark heads. Same with Yulli's Jokers and Arnies -- they look different each time. No one would mind if you can see consistent progress, however, that's just isn't the case.

 

[DX12]

I find it weird how you agree, yet you call your self DX12 and have your avatar pic as the DX12 Bale head sculpt.

Actually, the DX12 was my first DX. I've been waiting for a long time for a Nolan Batman and couldn't justify the price of a DX02. I couldn't think of a good name and I was really happy to have it so for a lack of creativity I just went with it. Sure their are a ton of problems that I could nickpick but overall I'm happy to have a DX12. That doesn't mean I'll defend it from it's obvious flaws.

As for my avatar pic. Yeah that's what I expected to get but not what I got. Sure prototype and production will have a slight difference but sometimes that slightness makes a world of a difference.

That's my story.

 

[DX12]

DX06 Sparrow is one of HT's all-time finest figures, and one of strongest Kojun sculpts ever, no doubt about it. It was mentioned here though (by Gippeto) that Kojun had to re-sculpt the head/face quite a number of times before finally getting the approval of the licensor. While I think that it's normal for a sculptor to go through several revisions, what I can't fathom is how he can't get to do better on a figure he's done earlier versions of before -- like DX 12 and QS 001, and those Tony Stark heads. Same with Yulli's Jokers and Arnies -- they look different each time. No one would mind if you can see consistent progress, however, that's just isn't the case.

Sometimes an artist really needs to work on a project and get away from it for a while to revisit and see the difference. As an artist myself there are times I work on something for hours and think it is a masterpiece. Looking back at it after a few days I see that I can do a lot better. That would probably explain why Sparrow was a success. Somebody had to tell him nope, nope, your getting there, almost, THATS IT!. It's nice to have a lead supervisor but it's better to have a unanimous vote by the whole team. Kojun nor Yulli should have final say without a team approval, especially if they are personally handling the sculpts. They probably do, I'm just throwing a pitch here, however if they are - some of them aren't being honest or critical.

 

[Darkavatar]

DX06 Sparrow is one of HT's all-time finest figures, and one of strongest Kojun sculpts ever, no doubt about it. It was mentioned here though (by Gippeto) that Kojun had to re-sculpt the head/face quite a number of times before finally getting the approval of the licensor.

So that is the true story? I heard it was because Kojun was a perfectionist and would not release the sculpt unless it met his high standards. Then again, that is what Hot Toys said.

While I think that it's normal for a sculptor to go through several revisions, what I can't fathom is how he can't get to do better on a figure he's done earlier versions of before -- like DX 12 and QS 001, and those Tony Stark heads. Same with Yulli's Jokers and Arnies -- they look different each time. No one would mind if you can see consistent progress, however, that's just isn't the case.

Yeah true they look different, but not better, I agree with you now. I think it is time for a change.

Actually, the DX12 was my first DX. I've been waiting for a long time for a Nolan Batman and couldn't justify the price of a DX02. I couldn't think of a good name and I was really happy to have it so for a lack of creativity I just went with it.

No worries bro, I was just busting your chops

Sure their are a ton of problems that I could nickpick but overall I'm happy to have a DX12. That doesn't mean I'll defend it from it's obvious flaws.

Point taken, other than the cowl and Bruce Wayne I am pretty happy with it as a figure overall as well.

As for my avatar pic. Yeah that's what I expected to get but not what I got. Sure prototype and production will have a slight difference but sometimes that slightness makes a world of a difference.

That's my story.

Which what I meant when I said innimies Bale would probably not end up looking like that if it got mass produced.

 

[DX12]

Which what I meant when I said innimies Bale would probably not end up looking like that if it got mass produced.

That's why I didn't put my money down on them until I see one

By the way speaking of busting chops . I understand you hate the PERS. I don't blame you cuz of the DX12 was a primary example of one gone horribly wrong and possibly in the 1/4 scale too. However I think it worked well for the DX11. Ledger's Joker usually tilts his head in all kinds of angles following a side glare. This allows different expressions being made which offers versatility in display options. So long as it doesn't look googly or cartoony. PERS for me was a winner with DX11.

 

[Gipetto0812]

So that is the true story? I heard it was because Kojun was a perfectionist and would not release the sculpt unless it met his high standards. Then again, that is what Hot Toys said.

Yea it's true that he made about 10 different sculpts for DX Sparrow before it was approved. He said so (and showed a pic of al the sculpts) a few years back when HT did the interviews with their top sculptors. All sculpts have to be approved by the licensor. If the licensor says to change something then HT has to. RDJ didn't approve of his sculpt for the BD MarkIII (I believe that was the one) so HT used the same head they had made for the original MKII. Also it's been said that what caused the Thor version of Loki to take so long is that Hiddleson (like RDJ) is a hard man to please when it comes to approving his likeness so HT opted out of making the Thor version and went ahead and made the Avengers Loki instead

 

[Darkavatar]

That's why I didn't put my money down on them until I see one

By the way speaking of busting chops . I understand you hate the PERS. I don't blame you cuz of the DX12 was a primary example of one gone horribly wrong and possibly in the 1/4 scale too.

Yeah I don't like it for several factors.

1. The Eyes are too big, makes it look cartoony

2. The sockets have to be enlarged to accommodate the large eyes.

3. They all have this stupid same Sun pattern on the iris that looks like a kid drew it.

4. The eyes are plastic, which makes it look more toyish. Should be glass eyes.

5. Like you said can look googly, but I have never seen a PERS that is completely alined, the iris in one eye is usually slightly higher than the other one.

6. Finally, the system is too fragile so many people have broken their PERS. So it is not something you should use again again.

Now the DX11 appears to look ok and the eyes look the right size but it is an illusion. The eyes are set back which makes them appear smaller than they really are. However, as far as PERS goes it is probably the best one out there but the PERS IMO ruined the likeness. Granted, this didn't ruin the likeness for Jack Sparrow but that is because he has large eyes anyway, so you can't notice it.

I thought the DX11 head sculpt sucked, until I saw it unpainted. The DX11 sculpt does look like Ledger but those dam eyes make it look kinda stupid looking. That being said, I am glad the eyes are dark so I don't notice that horrible sun pattern on the iris which is what makes me cringe when I look at my 89 Joker.

However I think it worked well for the DX11. Ledger's Joker usually tilts his head in all kinds of angles following a side glare.

This allows different expressions being made which offers versatility in display options. So long as it doesn't look googly or cartoony. PERS for me was a winner with DX11.

Yeah I am the type of collector who wants something the best it can be, in other words I want something that is the most accurate and most realistic. I am not interested in gimmicks like playing with eyes if it sacrifices realism and likeness, not that there is anything wrong with that, as other people like to have the option of having different looks and are happy enough to just have the character. However, I think having 3 different head sculpts is a better option than moveable eyes, if you want to have multiple options, but that is just my opinion.

 

[Darkavatar]

Yea it's true that he made about 10 different sculpts for DX Sparrow before it was approved. He said so (and showed a pic of al the sculpts) a few years back when HT did the interviews with their top sculptors. All sculpts have to be approved by the licensor. If the licensor says to change something then HT has to. RDJ didn't approve of his sculpt for the BD MarkIII (I believe that was the one) so HT used the same head they had made for the original MKII. Also it's been said that what caused the Thor version of Loki to take so long is that Hiddleson (like RDJ) is a hard man to please when it comes to approving his likeness so HT opted out of making the Thor version and went ahead and made the Avengers Loki instead

That doesn't make any sense, I mean what about kids toys that look nothing like the actors, are you saying RDJ approved them because they were kids toys and the idea was not aimed at producing great likeness?

 

[DX12]

Yeah I don't like it for several factors.
Yeah I am the type of collector who wants something the best it can be, in other words I want something that is the most accurate and most realistic. I am not interested in gimmicks like playing with eyes if it sacrifices realism and likeness, not that there is anything wrong with that, as other people like to have the option of having different looks and are happy enough to just have the character. However, I think having 3 different head sculpts is a better option than moveable eyes, if you want to have multiple options, but that is just my opinion.

I'm the same kind of collector. It's tough to call the PERS a gimmick since I believe in theory it has a practical purpose but like you said they need to work on polishing it. Having 3 sculpts would be ideal but imagine the cost. Enterbay's idea of giving stickers for me to place is too much of a hassle for me to work with. Give them time buddy. I'm sure they will get it right eventually and DX11 was a slight progression in that aspect.

 

[Gipetto0812]

That doesn't make any sense, I mean what about kids toys that look nothing like the actors, are you saying RDJ approved them because they were kids toys and the idea was not aimed at producing great likeness?

Depends on if RDJ is the one that approves the Hasbro toys or not. If he is, he could probably careless b/c they are kids toys and not meant to be scrutinized by the crazy adult collector. and from what Ive seen of the very few Hasbro figures that actually have an Stark sculpt, they don look half bad for the price, especially the Walmart exclusive 6" figure back for IM2. HT figures however are meant for the adult collector and are expected to look like incredibly realistic and just like the actor. Look at LFL, it's been said by many board members (and even Sideshow I believe) that LFL prefers to have have sculpts that capture the essence of the character, and not necessarily the actor portraying them. Sideshow's original Bespin Luke sculpt looked much more like Hamil but LFL didn't approve it and instead we got that terrible sculpt that hardly resembles Hamil and with Sideshow's shotty paint at the time made it even worse. It really depends on who's the one approving the sculpts. It could be the actor and it could be some random guy. Plus, if you look at the bottom of most HT official pics, many say "prototype Pending Licensor Approval" or something to that extent. HT can't release anything that hasn't been approved.

 

[Darkavatar]

I'm the same kind of collector. It's tough to call the PERS a gimmick since I believe in theory it has a practical purpose but like you said they need to work on polishing it. Having 3 sculpts would be ideal but imagine the cost.

True, but Enterbay did it, with the Enterbay Batman.

Enterbay's idea of giving stickers for me to place is too much of a hassle for me to work with.

WTF? Enterbay's idea now is to give stickers (decals) to place anywhere on the eye? When did they come up with this idea?
I totally agree it is too much of a hassle and I CBF doing it either.

Give them time buddy. I'm sure they will get it right eventually and DX11 was a slight progression in that aspect.

Yeah I am just unhappy with the current system, I think the most important thing they need to fix is how fragile it is, at least Enterbay's one was not fragile.

This is especially important for those type of collectors that like to change the pose or look every now and again.

 

[Darkavatar]

Depends on if RDJ is the one that approves the Hasbro toys or not. If he is, he could probably careless b/c they are kids toys and not meant to be scrutinized by the crazy adult collector. and from what Ive seen of the very few Hasbro figures that actually have an Stark sculpt, they don look half bad for the price, especially the Walmart exclusive 6" figure back for IM2. HT figures however are meant for the adult collector and are expected to look like incredibly realistic and just like the actor. Look at LFL, it's been said by many board members (and even Sideshow I believe) that LFL prefers to have have sculpts that capture the essence of the character, and not necessarily the actor portraying them. Sideshow's original Bespin Luke sculpt looked much more like Hamil but LFL didn't approve it and instead we got that terrible sculpt that hardly resembles Hamil and with Sideshow's shotty paint at the time made it even worse. It really depends on who's the one approving the sculpts. It could be the actor and it could be some random guy. Plus, if you look at the bottom of most HT official pics, many say "prototype Pending Licensor Approval" or something to that extent. HT can't release anything that hasn't been approved.

Hmm interesting, I never knew the actor ever had anything to do with it, I thought it was the company like for example what you said LFL. Thanks for the information, however, I am not familiar with the horrible Luke sculpt sideshow made, since I thought Trevor sculpted him. The paint on sideshow statues always suck so I am not surprised there. So someone different other than Trevor sculpted Luke for sideshow?

 

[DX12]

True, but Enterbay did it, with the Enterbay Batman.

WTF? Enterbay's idea now is to give stickers (decals) to place anywhere on the eye? When did they come up with this idea?
I totally agree it is too much of a hassle and I CBF doing it either.

Well in regards to offering 3 sculpts, Batman is less work for them given the mold of the cowl is the same. Imagine providing 3 different Joker sculpts? More hand painters needed means more cost. 1 sculpt looking left, the other looking right and one dead center. What if I wanted a face down upwards stare?

I read up somewhere that Bill was playing with the idea of sticker decals for options to compete with HT's signature PERS system about a month ago. Mind you it hasn't be confirmed but he's playing with the idea.

 

[a-dev]

To use on their existing Joker?