InArt: The Lord of the Rings - Gandalf 1:6

[Wor-Gar]

The staff color does jump out at me now...

 

[jye4ever]

 

[Hologram AI]

Indeed crossing that $500 threshold we are entering custom territory. So yes the criticism will be strong and justified. But even custom runs are getting insane pricing levels now as well. People scoffing at the $500 price for this would likely have an aneurysm if they saw the cost on some of these runs. And there's still a Market even at that level so where is the cut off? Seems there's always someone willing to spend the asking price.

$500 isn't even crossing over to the custom territory anymore. Custom sculpts that are painted and rooted nowadays go closer to $800-$1000+. That's not even counting for the price of having to get something custom tailored.

I personally don't expect perfect with a $500 figure. Sorry but you shouldn't be expecting perfect for any of these figures. When's the last time any of us has ever seen a perfect figure/sculpt from head to toe? Custom territory or not, such a thing doesn't exist. I've seen countless of custom works that have cost thousands of dollars that aren't even perfect.

It's more so about what you're able to accept for the price that the company/artist charges. Are you able to look past the minor imperfections for the price? Circle yes or no.

For me, I'm able to look past the minor likeness issues and other small things there might be. This figure overall seriously looks incredible and if they can even mimic 90% of it in the final production version, I'll be very happy.

 

[Rzeznikk]

View attachment 577962


The staff color does jump out at me now...

Nice comparison. Looks like the cloak color is on point there.

 

[Rzeznikk]

$500 isn't even crossing over to the custom territory anymore. Custom sculpts that are painted and rooted nowadays go closer to $800-$1000+.

I personally don't expect perfect with $500. Sorry but you shouldn't be expecting perfect for any of these figures. When's the last time any of us has ever seen a perfect figure/sculpt from head to toe? Custom territory or not, such a thing doesn't exist. I've seen countless of custom works that have cost thousands of dollars that aren't even perfect.

It's more so about what you're able to accept for the price that the company/artist charges. Are you able to look past the minor imperfections for the price? Circle yes or no.

For me, I'm able to look past the minor likeness issue and other small things there might be. This figure overall seriously looks incredible and if they can even mimic 90% of it in the final production version, I'll be very happy.

Oh I know. I'm on a few runs. I'm well aware
There are still some custom runs lower than the $1k mark yet though. That's why I made the comparison.

 

[dantes2501]

If I should name a complaint, mine would the the staff finish. It's glossy, the way it reflects the light... wood is not glossy... it just looks like plastic.

 

[Rzeznikk]

If I should name a complaint, mine would the the staff finish. It's glossy, the way it reflects the light... wood is not glossy... it just looks like plastic.

Yeah if they don't fix that, gonna have to hit it it will some dull coat.

 

[Henrysharpo]

I'm very curious to see how the hat turns out. The Asmus one wasn't great in my opinion.

Apparently the costume team for the movies struggled when designing the hat. I imagine it's even harder to make at 1/6 scale especially as an actual fabric hat.

 

[chrisstbh]

I don’t feel as pessimistic as some hear. If QS/IA want to make it in the 1/6 game then they can’t afford to seriously mess up their first or even their second figure, the community will eat them alive.

 

[yy0925]

Some people seem to get me wrong. I will probably also get the Inart Gandalf. Not talking me out from anything.
Just trying to say the Asmus Gandalf gives me more of that Gandalf expression than Inart.
People see likeness in some specific facial features others don't see and the other way round. It's subjective and no right or wrong in my opinion.

 

[Rzeznikk]

I don’t feel as pessimistic as some hear. If QS/IA want to make it in the 1/6 game then they can’t afford to seriously mess up their first or even their second figure, the community will eat them alive.

That's another thing too as to why I'm in camp optimistic. Queen has a lot riding on these first figures. If they **** the bed on these they might as well just give the 1:6 game up.

 

[vaanrose]

View attachment 577951



Does anyone without the Asmus Crown Gandalf prefer the Asmus Crown Gandalf...?

Finally someone says it lol.

It's been interesting seeing how much the Asmus figure has warped perception of what Gandalf actually looks like, to the point where the things InArt is doing that bring it closer to the screen are seen as inaccurate. Maybe the cloak is too brown, but it should be brown. Maybe the beard is too frizzy, but it should be frizzy.

 

[choombaz]

Prices from OSK and Sugo are very similar, around $750AU, oh my. I think when factoring in shipping, Kghobby would be similar, $630AU without shipping.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Queen has a lot riding on these first figures. If they **** the bed on these they might as well just give the 1:6 game up.

It's now called "Amber" the bed. If they Amber the bed...

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

Some people seem to get me wrong. I will probably also get the Inart Gandalf. Not talking me out from anything.
Just trying to say the Asmus Gandalf gives me more of that Gandalf expression than Inart.
People see likeness in some specific facial features others don't see and the other way round. It's subjective and no right or wrong in my opinion.

That’s what I find interesting. Perception is summed up best here:

It's been interesting seeing how much the Asmus figure has warped perception of what Gandalf actually looks like, to the point where the things InArt is doing that bring it closer to the screen are seen as inaccurate. Maybe the cloak is too brown, but it should be brown. Maybe the beard is too frizzy, but it should be frizzy.

When I first saw the Asmus PROTOTYPE, I thought holy crap! That looks perfect! Having the figure in hand, even with its flaws I still felt it was great.

Then I watched LOTR 4K...and I’m like “huh...my figure AND the prototype don’t quite look like Gandalf/Ian. I mean, it looks like him...and yet doesn’t at the same time”

Some time goes by and the movies images have left my mind, all of a sudden the figure looks like Gandalf/Ian.

Mind you I’m not saying you need to get your eyes checked or anything of that sort. It’s our memories and the weird ways it molds our perception of certain things, especially in a visual sense.

I’m sure you’ve had moments where you find yourself thinking “huh, I remembered this looking better. But it’s actually off/bad/not as good”

Once again I’m not suggesting your eyes or perception are off. Your opinions and critiques are subjective and there are valid points made. I’m just speaking from my own experience and in retrospect, I’ve had a few moments where the memory of a figure is better than the actual figure.


As of now, with clear photos of both protos side by side, IA’s version is definitely more accurate.

 

[DioramaMaker]

I don't think the DamToys factory......

Thanks for the insight, as always. I love to hear your take and insight into this industry. Not much of that info makes it out this way, and I am always fascinated to know the production side of things.

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

That's another thing too as to why I'm in camp optimistic. Queen has a lot riding on these first figures. If they **** the bed on these they might as well just give the 1:6 game up.

Yup. I lean on the optimistic camp as well.

QS/IA are promising us the moon. If they don’t deliver, it’s game over.

I imagine they have a trick or ace up their sleeve. I mean you don’t just come out from nowhere, throw all your chips on the table and say ALL IN without a strong hand.

Could they be bluffing? Sure. Anything is possible.

But I’m confident they’ll deliver.

 

[yy0925]

That’s what I find interesting. Perception is summed up best here:



When I first saw the Asmus PROTOTYPE, I thought holy crap! That looks perfect! Having the figure in hand, even with its flaws I still felt it was great.

Then I watched LOTR 4K...and I’m like “huh...my figure AND the prototype don’t quite look like Gandalf/Ian. I mean, it looks like him...and yet doesn’t at the same time”

Some time goes by and the movies images have left my mind, all of a sudden the figure looks like Gandalf/Ian.

Mind you I’m not saying you need to get your eyes checked or anything of that sort. It’s our memories and the weird ways it molds our perception of certain things, especially in a visual sense.

I’m sure you’ve had moments where you find yourself thinking “huh, I remembered this looking better. But it’s actually off/bad/not as good”

Once again I’m not suggesting your eyes or perception are off. Your opinions and critiques are subjective and there are valid points made. I’m just speaking from my own experience and in retrospect, I’ve had a few moments where the memory of a figure is better than the actual figure.


As of now, with clear photos of both protos side by side, IA’s version is definitely more accurate.

I know what you mean. So the question is, what is likeness? Essence or accuracy? Does accuracy automatically have essence?

Well, Iike I said, I will probably still PO and see when I have both in hand. Maybe I can answer those questions then

 

[Wor-Gar]

Essence of Gandalf...

A delightful fragrance of soil, lavender and fecal matter. It's magic.

 

[DioramaMaker]

Could they be bluffing? Sure. Anything is possible.

Boy do I have a bridge to sell you...they're probably bluffing a lot of this, or at the very least skirting the realm of white lies. We've already seen it with the initial Gandalf promo, misadvertised accessories with Joker, and the entire hullabaloo that is their license polls (a grandiose way to stir up a sense of control by the collecting audience).

Their delivery of a figure like this, fresh out of the gates, is just statistically not there. What I'm not contesting is the idea of this, or the Joker coming out as a solid release. But solid =/= industry changing. But getting what you're advertised in a prototype, even within 90% of that, it's just too good to be true from a company that A), has never done 1/6 before and B) has had mixed results at large scale. will happily eat crow if the time comes, two crows at that even; I'm already in on the Joker, and will most likely cave and risk $75 here too, because I want this to succeed. Gandalf the Grey is one the most dear characters to me, he's one of those pieces that is personally important to have in my collection.

The real endgame here is a figure that's probably comparable to some of the top tier third parties on the market, with an 85% likeness that's "good enough", and some hard work on the consumer end to bring the hair and beard to what is screen accurate. I do not expect it to be "worse" (per se) than the crown Gandalf (because I definitely think there's a variation on how good that looks depending on how one's specific figure was manufactured and haired), but I do expect it to have just as many compromises in its own right. And I certainly do not expect this to be a Hot Toys killer in the process.