HT MICHAEL JACKSON DX: a good or bad choice for a DX figure?

[Master Wayne]

A fresh pack of weak sauce.

I voted bad choice.

 

[Valfar]

It looks like a great figure, the sculpt is awesome and the outfit has enough going on with it to be worthy IMO. I am not really a fan of MJ but, i believe Hot Toys has to start pumping out more figures based off musicians.

 

[ebor]

I voted 'bad choice', but should we be surprised? HTs is MILKING TDK, and MJ, both cash cows.

I would have rather seen a DX Iron Man.......oh wait their milkin' that line too

 

[plasmid303]

Are you really surprise... HT is gonna shoot themselves in the foot if they keep pushing variants.

I think a lot of people have a ground level misunderstanding of what the term variant means in context of collectibles.

Do you really think this figure is a variant? It's not.

I voted 'bad choice', but should we be surprised? HTs is MILKING TDK, and MJ, both cash cows.

I would have rather seen a DX Iron Man.......oh wait their milkin' that line too

I don't see how that applies to this figure. Technically, it's a completely different character and completely different look.

 

[thenammagazine]

I think a lot of people have a ground level misunderstanding of what the term variant means in context of collectibles.

Do you really think this figure is a variant? It's not.

Actually, technically, it is. It's a variation of a character they've already released, albeit twice. You can argue all day about it being a completely new figure, and you'd be right. But it's still a variant of a character they've already released. Filing that under "you don't understand" is a failed attempt to discredit the other's argument. It's not a variant figure, it's a variant OF a figure they've already released.

 

[plasmid303]

Actually, technically, it is. It's a variation of a character they've already released, albeit twice. You can argue all day about it being a completely new figure, and you'd be right. But it's still a variant of a character they've already released. Filing that under "you don't understand" is a failed attempt to discredit the other's argument. It's not a variant figure, it's a variant OF a figure they've already released.

I don't want to go into the extended semantic discussion, because it seems we have a fundamental difference in the connotational understanding of 'variant', but I want to say that I don't believe that this figure is a variation of a single Michael Jackson persona. Arguably this 'BAD' character is different from Smooth Criminal or the character from Thriller. This extends more towards overall design and appearance than personality, but the difference is there and apparent.

When I hear of a variant of a collectible, I think of examples from both low end and high end. Low end: A chase version of a Hasbro toy. Different paint apps, maybe slightly different accessories, low R&D cost, and ultimately the same character. High end: Sideshow's Iron Man life sized busts, one in traditional red & gold, another in stealth colors or silver -- all easily apparent as the same character. Another example: Sideshow's Stormtroopers -- different paint schemes, but ultimately the same stormtrooper, both in R&D and design. Another: Hot Toys John Connor (both versions), Hot Toys Bank Robber Joker.

The most defining signifier of a variant is the sharing and reuse of design and manufacturing aesthetics and also (most importantly) the reuse of the same character. In that sense, the BAD MJ figure is not a variant figure nor is it a variant of A figure they've already released. There has never been a BAD MJ figure released prior to this one from HT. The only thing that this new figure shares with the previous released MJ figures is maybe the underlying base body.

If HT had split the Thriller set in two and sold the zombie MJ as a standalone release, then that I would consider a variant.

Ultimately, this discussion hinges on whether or not one considers these MJ characters as just that: different characters.

 

[Murderofcrows71]

A variant would be the same headsculpt, same body, different paint apps or outfit. A great example of a variant is the multiple versions of the babysitter figure from sideshows The Dead line.
This figure is a new outfit, new head and hand sculpts, completely new figure just a different version of MJ.
Really whether the 3rd version of MJ should be the first DX is pointless, remember the first DX was the 3rd version of the Joker.

 

[plasmid303]

Man I thought a DX MJ was inevitable, and I do think this thread is just a place for the weepy folks to vent over their disappointment of their desired character not getting the DX treatment. In that sense this thread really is pointless.

I'm just a bit underwhelmed by this DX set itself and how lacking it is when it comes to included goodies and stuff (something that is being discussed in my infinitely more awesome DX/DX03 thread).

And I'm not even remotely interested in this figure! I'm worrying for those who are! Good Samaritan, I am.

 

[Kuzeh]

Don't be,
I'm not, and I'm getting it!

 

[thenammagazine]

Sideshow's released quite a few Lukes, Bespin, ANH, Yavin, and Jedi. They're all variations of the same character and therefore, variants of Luke. They're not figure variants (like the several Dead 805s Sideshow produced), but variations of the same character. In that respect, this Bad Michael, is a variant. Again, not a figure variant, but moreso a character variant. Go to HT's website and type in Michael Jackson. All of these should come up. They're all variants of Michael.

 

[Kuzeh]

Sideshow's released quite a few Lukes, Bespin, ANH, Yavin, and Jedi. They're all variations of the same character and therefore, variants of Luke. They're not figure variants (like the several Dead 805s Sideshow produced), but variations of the same character. In that respect, this Bad Michael, is a variant. Again, not a figure variant, but moreso a character variant. Go to HT's website and type in Michael Jackson. All of these should come up. They're all variants of Michael.

Are Cosbabies considered variants then?...

 

[thenammagazine]

Are Cosbabies considered variants then?...

Variations of the character, yes.

 

[cerealkeller]

I voted "no" because i honestly have no interest in the figure or MJ. It's probably a smart move on HT's part, but I would rather have a Rambo or some other iconic movie character. Pure biasness on my part. I'm just dissapointed in the choice as I have no interest.

 

[PapitoMX]

Great choice, just lack of accessories. I'm very happy that they went out of the "norm" as some have complained. I just hope they continue to go in any direction with this line and not tied down to just a better version of a figure they came out with. Hopefully next DX will be T1 Arnie though.

 

[plasmid303]

Sideshow's released quite a few Lukes, Bespin, ANH, Yavin, and Jedi. They're all variations of the same character and therefore, variants of Luke. They're not figure variants (like the several Dead 805s Sideshow produced), but variations of the same character. In that respect, this Bad Michael, is a variant. Again, not a figure variant, but moreso a character variant. Go to HT's website and type in Michael Jackson. All of these should come up. They're all variants of Michael.

My reply was in context of what 'wookielover' had posted. He used the term variant as a pejorative, as if it was a bad thing that this MJ figure was being made...as if it was a mistake for HT to even consider doing this figure because it was a rehash variant of some sort, which it is not.

How is it a bad thing when a new figure based on a variation of a character is released if it's an entirely new product from almost all aspects of its manufacturing? In that sense, the figure itself as a product that you trade your money for is NOT a variant of an existing product. How could it be? I don't understand. And I called it out. That was my intention in quoting his post as well as Ebor's.

I had said I didn't want to get into this semantic discussion, which this has become.

I cannot imagine a less consequential debate.

 

[thenammagazine]

My reply was in context of what 'wookielover' had posted. He used the term variant as a pejorative, as if it was a bad thing that this MJ figure was being made...as if it was a mistake for HT to even consider doing this figure because it was a rehash variant of some sort, which it is not.

How is it a bad thing when a new figure based on a variation of a character is released if it's an entirely new product from almost all aspects of its manufacturing? In that sense, the figure itself as a product that you trade your money for is NOT a variant of an existing product. How could it be? I don't understand. And I called it out. That was my intention in quoting his post as well as Ebor's.

I had said I didn't want to get into this semantic discussion, which this has become.

I cannot imagine a less consequential debate.

I actually agree. From a business standpoint, it makes total sense that HT would put this out while all the Michael Jackson press is still somewhat present in the news. As for being a good or bad choice, as I stated earlier in this thread, nobody really has a right to tell HT whether it is or isn't and from what I've seen, the majority of this thread is just a huge tittybaby rant because douchy people feel they can tell HT off for not making the figure they selfishly hoped this new DX would be.

 

[Grange Wallis]

It's a shocking outfit... But it's Iconic as! Its the look I think of when I think of MJ...

 

[Master Wayne]

I was really hoping for Superman.

 

[Valfar]

Superman from Hot Toys is going to be awesome.

 

[Devil_666]

I think it was a good choice (not something I would personally buy though).

Honestly, I don't think it's the choice that's bothering people. I think it's what's being offered.

Compared to a normal HT release, the first two DX Figures are superior as far as what and how much you get. Same can't be said for this third release. Hell, the Thriller MJ figure came with more.