InArt Christopher Reeve Superman/Clark Kent

[Gipetto0812]

I would prefer a 2 pack with one base for both. Isn't that how the originally showed it?

No, you’re thinking of the JND dual set that ppl were posting in here as a comparison. The first InArt prototypes shown had them on separate bases like the mock up posted

 

[batfan08]

IA seriously needs to get their **** together and I hope this is just to hype people up for whatever their Fan Event in Japan on the 18th is because…really? Concept art of a figure you had a finished prototype for a year and a half ago. Granted, it wasn’t a good prototype, but, if after a year and a half, you no longer have something tangible to show people, they’re going to lose interest.

When they came out with that first Joker, whatever your thoughts on the final product, they came out swinging. Rooted hair, real metal and wood display bases, diecast weapons that were licensed from actual arms manufacturers. They were going to be the Giant Killer and, since then, it feels like they’ve sort of crawled back with their tail between their legs. I know The Walking Dead is exciting for some people and I won’t piss in anybody’s cheerios, but, objectively, the show’s over, isn’t it? And from my understanding, it’s not as revered as when it first started.

Even the Batfleck mock-up; as someone who’s not really got any interest in that particular iteration of the character, how is that supposed to generate excitement when Hot Toys has already shown a finished prototype of the same thing and it looks pretty damn great?

Don’t get me wrong, I adore my IA Battinson. I’m holding out for a TDK Bats from them after being disappointed in HT’s most recent offerings and loving what I saw of their 1/12th scale Morfig, but I guess, when it comes to Supes, I’m looking at this and I’m kind of like “really?” No smiling head, it looks like they actually removed some accessories from their prototype showing. I’m excited about a Clark Kent, but I think my big thing is I’m not an “upgrade for the sake of upgrading” person. If you can show me something that wows me, I will give you my money, but I still very much like my MMS 152.

Obviously, Arnie Kim himself has even made leaps and bounds in likeness when it comes to his own private stuff since then, but it’s a damn good figure and it gives the vibe it’s supposed to, which is “Christopher Reeve as Superman.” Can it be improved? Sure, but, in my mind, improving something doesn’t mean rehashing it. I think that’s why the smiling head is such a huge thing for me. It’s never been done before except by Mezco and it’s some of the defining imagery of the character, to the point where that’s literally how they had him sign off in the movie: Supes banks his body, looks into the camera, and smiles.

The CK is awesome and hands down, at this point, is the biggest selling point, but Superman just kind of looks like more of the same in photoshop form.

 

[davejames]

The photo just shows that they realize they have quite a ways to go to nail his Superman, which is fine by me.

And yeah, we definitely need some alternate sculpts and expressions to justify the price.

 

[Johnny Utah]

HT will likely announce their own Reeve 2.0 this year and beat this to the finish line.

 

[Cap'n Cook]

HT will likely announce their own Reeve 2.0 this year and beat this to the finish line.

I’m counting on it at this point.

 

[Gipetto0812]

It’s possible since one of their New Years “announcements” was celebrating 90 years of DC. But, also HT doesn’t really do much in the way of logic. They still haven’t “retaliated” with their supposed BvS Superman or Wonder Woman 2.0s either

They sure were quick with the back to back Batfleck releases, though

 

[Johnny Utah]

I'd say they were ready to show Cavill and decided to lump it into this year's releases.

I'd much prefer a Man of Steel 2.0. The better film, I'm sick of seeing BvS everywhere.

 

[Gipetto0812]

I'd much prefer a Man of Steel 2.0. The better film, I'm sick of seeing BvS everywhere.

100% this

It’s why I’m hoping the new found love of MoS by the customizers incentivizes HT to make one

 

[batfan08]

HT will likely announce their own Reeve 2.0 this year and beat this to the finish line.

This is honestly what I think’s going to happen. I’m really rooting for InArt and their presence has absolutely benefited this hobby. Right down to the marked difference in Hot Toys products before they came on the scene and after, but I also feel like they need to hustle if they want to stay in the Industry. Because HT seems to be throwing all of their resources and capital into effectively burying them before they can grow. The way they’ve been pumping out releases, for instance, is uncharacteristic of what we’d been used to for years, but they are, and, in the case of something like Gunn Superman, for instance, if InArt wants to compete? They’re going to need to be efficient.

People waited patiently for the IA Batman but they also started to wear that patience thin for a lot and, by the time they got around to shipping, people had already customized the hell out of their HT releases to the point where the cost/benefit analysis of which to choose was pretty much a wash. I like a lot of what IA is doing, but they need to be mindful of their shortcomings, too, and how to improve. Honestly? Rip off JND’s magnet eyes thing. That’s the best feature about that Joker figure, if you ask me. They need stronger magnets and, if they’re going to persist in that, ratchet joints that maintain their integrity and can withstand the force of the magnets without the figures falling over. On that note, I also think, it they’re going to continue down that magnet route, they need fully magnetized surfaces instead of those weird, shifting plates like Batman had (I’m not sure how their newest LotR and Dune releases are, so, hopefully, they’ve addressed that).

Overall, I just really want them to succeed because, if not? JND’s not impressing me with their writing checks with their egos that their overpriced products and while I’m excited about this new chapter for Hot Toys, I 1000% see them backsliding into their same old **** if they become the only game in town, again…

 

[Johnny Utah]

InArt are taking the absolute piss not having one new Batman to start the year.

I'm seeing QC issues here and there too. It's funny they and JND came out all guns blazing and still aren't able to get enough great product out.

HT aren't perfect after that horrendous Torchgate this week but on average they consistently make 4 PO's a month. A pretty impressive feat given all the work that goes into each figure.

 

[Gipetto0812]

This is honestly what I think’s going to happen. I’m really rooting for InArt and their presence has absolutely benefited this hobby. Right down to the marked difference in Hot Toys products before they came on the scene and after, but I also feel like they need to hustle if they want to stay in the Industry.

100% Not only HT, but I'm pretty sure their presence is also what made JND want to get into 1/6. They were originally sort of only competing with Prime1 and to some extent Queen (though more directly now with LOTR 1/3) at the statue level. But, once InArt came along, it wasn't long before HT decided to improve while keeping costs somewhat controlled, and then JND entering 1/6 with their cool tech but polarzing headsculpt and clothing.

I like a lot of what IA is doing, but they need to be mindful of their shortcomings, too, and how to improve.

Same. I get excited about their releases and prototypes, but get worried about the final products and potential QC issues. If they can button that up with consistency among batches, rather than hoping you get a good one or later batches getting better paint/hair apps, I'd be a lot happier with their end products.

They need stronger magnets and, if they’re going to persist in that, ratchet joints that maintain their integrity and can withstand the force of the magnets without the figures falling over. On that note, I also think, it they’re going to continue down that magnet route, they need fully magnetized surfaces instead of those weird, shifting plates like Batman had (I’m not sure how their newest LotR and Dune releases are, so, hopefully, they’ve addressed that).

I believe they've decided to forego magnets for future releases. At least that was the impression when Legolas was released.

JND’s not impressing me with their writing checks with their egos that their overpriced products

Even though I've teetered on ordering their Joker, I honestly feel like JND should have just stuck to doing statues and feel like they had no business getting into 1/6 figures.

 

[sj2106]

If both companies are making the same figure I'd choose InArt every time.