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

[Wor-Gar]

Well, in 2005 Sideshow promised to change the 1/6th world with its line of realistic Star Wars figures for $49.99 each. They likely did but the swift drop off in quality and the immediate price raise on the 2nd figure was the reality. None of them ever lived up to the promise of Jedi Luke.

Hot Toys had better success in taking over the 1/6th business and was successful in making and improving their amazing figures every year... at least for a time. They are still the king after 13 years (I'm counting from TDK which really propelled them onto the map).

Now we have InArt/Queen. Another strong leap forward, but in expectation and pricing. It will be a thrill-ride to see which way this goes.

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

Yeah, 5 bills it needs to be perfect. In my head crossing that price bracket is going in to the custom market. I haven’t seen many issues with this figure, I’d like the sculpt to be tweaked a little and the hat colour changed and in fairness they said they’d look in to the hat.
Only other thing I’d like is the other staff.
If they deliver the quality we are expecting with the Joker I will order a second Gandalf.

Yeah I understand the criticism you are talking about. Thing the beard on InArt is way better looking.
I have the Asmus Gandalf and I think it’s good but there was a drop from proto to final product and the hat is muck. I pose him without it.

Love the Bag End diorama! Planning on doing one as well. We’re you working from plans/template?

 

[R_R_X]

$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.

The problem is QS/IA is promising that perfection, they've literally said their figures will "introduce the next step of 1/6 scale evolution" and "push the boundaries of what's possible", the majority of collectors are expecting perfection because that's what QS/IA are advertising and marketing, combine that with hype and FOMO and you get the perfect recipe for disaster if they don't deliver on the final product, I believe they won't have to worry about a 10% drop off in quality and fidelity from the proto IF the rooted hair looks amazing as it's advertised, if it ends up being fake looking as is the usual case of mass produced hair this is going to be a ******** as it's easy to forget how nasty collectors can be especially in China.

 

[dukefett]

I'm anxious to see how the QS/IA figures turn out, I have Joker ordered but am passing on this. As it is right now I only have Gandalf and I can't justify my second LotR figure to be the same guy lol.

As an aside, has anyone else shown friends their Asmus figure with the rooted hair/beard expecting people to be blown away and they're like "yeah that's nice." lol, it's funny the things that drive us most people don't give a second look to. Headsculpts are what blow my friends away if anything and the hair all over Gandalf covers that if anything, so they're more interested other figures.

 

[Life_m2000]

Love the Bag End diorama! Planning on doing one as well. We’re you working from plans/template?

Thanks very much. It’s actually not finished yet.
No I didn’t have plans or a template. I estimated all the sizes myself as best as I could. I used plywood, balsa wood, bamboo, match sticks, miniature red bricks, poly filler, plaster Of Paris, UV resin to make it.

 

[DioramaMaker]

The problem is QS/IA is promising that perfection, they've literally said their figures will "introduce the next step of 1/6 scale evolution" and "push the boundaries of what's possible", the majority of collectors are expecting perfection because that's what QS/IA are advertising and marketing, combine that with hype and FOMO and you get the perfect recipe for disaster if they don't deliver on the final product, I believe they won't have to worry about a 10% drop off in quality and fidelity from the proto IF the rooted hair looks amazing as it's advertised, if it ends up being fake looking as is the usual case of mass produced hair this is going to be a ******** as it's easy to forget how nasty collectors can be especially in China.

This is going to be the crux for them, and it really lays the bed for their downfall if things don't come out within moderate expectations.

They'd have been better served to let their actions, capability, and product do the talking in the long run, because then their audience will spread those game changing phrases in the end; and that's the voice that ultimately means something, not the advertising.

I am reminded of some of the big games in recent years that have promised so much, but ultimately came out very good, but not revolutionary as promised.

This is one of the first things they've taught us in my industry, always set patient expectations and let your work speak for itself. If a procedure fails and you have properly set expectations, chances are people are going to be more accepting. Don't overhype, just do.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

Under-promise, over-deliver.

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

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

Please tell me if I said Zoolander and “essence”, youd get the reference?? XD

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

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.

Hey man, I feel you. All I’m running on are the two dangerous H’s in this hobby. And that is hype and hope.

I WANT them to stick the landing. They HAVE to stick the landing. My money and internet pride are riding on that lol

 

[BrooklynWolf X]

The problem is QS/IA is promising that perfection, they've literally said their figures will "introduce the next step of 1/6 scale evolution" and "push the boundaries of what's possible", the majority of collectors are expecting perfection because that's what QS/IA are advertising and marketing, combine that with hype and FOMO and you get the perfect recipe for disaster if they don't deliver on the final product, I believe they won't have to worry about a 10% drop off in quality and fidelity from the proto IF the rooted hair looks amazing as it's advertised, if it ends up being fake looking as is the usual case of mass produced hair this is going to be a ******** as it's easy to forget how nasty collectors can be especially in China.

Having spent some time with mom n pop shop owners and a few collectors over there, I can verify this.

They get CRI-TI-CAL.

 

[achillesmf]

The pipe staff color seems good compared to Weta pipe staff which supposedly as close as it can get from the original. I own all Weta staves and some UC, fear not.

 

[yy0925]

Please tell me if I said Zoolander and “essence”, youd get the reference?? XD

Had to google it because I watched Zoolander only once.

But yes I get you

 

[DakRen]

I realized something else regarding skull and face proportions. The Inart Gandalf looks to have a much narrower head shape and smaller overall size. Also the bags under the eyes are softly sculpted which adds to the fact it is idealized. Ian doesn’t have a small head or soft facial features. I feel like I am looking more at Saruman cosplaying as Gandalf. Additionally, the nose tip is not as bulbous or drooping. In every image Ian has a prominent nose with wide bridge and bulbous tip. He also has wider zygomatic arches. Inart Gandalf has the cheek bone lined up with the eyes and brows but they should be jutting out wider than eyes and brow. These are the major reasons I prefer Asmus headsculpt but QS still has time to turn this around.

 

[vaanrose]

I realized something else regarding skull and face proportions. The Inart Gandalf looks to have a much narrower head shape and smaller overall size. Also the bags under the eyes are softly sculpted which adds to the fact it is idealized. Ian doesn’t have a small head or soft facial features. I feel like I am looking more at Saruman cosplaying as Gandalf. Additionally, the nose tip is not as bulbous or drooping. In every image Ian has a prominent nose with wide bridge and bulbous tip. He also has wider zygomatic arches. Inart Gandalf has the cheek bone lined up with the eyes and brows but they should be jutting out wider than eyes and brow. These are the major reasons I prefer Asmus headsculpt but QS still has time to turn this around.View attachment 578054View attachment 578055View attachment 578056View attachment 578057

McKellan wore a prosthetic nose as Gandalf, specifically to thin and lengthen it to more closely resemble the book description of the character.

It's quite obvious looking at any photo from the movie that Gandalf's nose is thin and pointy, just like InArt has sculpted it.

 

[DakRen]

McKellan wore a prosthetic nose as Gandalf, specifically to thin and lengthen it to more closely resemble the book description of the character.

View attachment 578061

It's quite obvious looking at any photo from the movie that Gandalf's nose is thin and pointy, just like InArt has sculpted it.

View attachment 578066

That’s true he did wear a prosthetic that lengthened his nose. Even in your picture the nose hangs over the mustache more and look at the thin lips. Also compare the skin tone. While Inart has more realistic skin tone, it’s like they exaggerated his age spots. And also the eyebrow shape. It should be more angled than flat across. The nose is shorter in the side profile for Inart. However the droop does look better than Asmus and some of the shape of the nostril area. The forehead though is smaller too and brow ridge less prominent on Inart.

These comparisons are just revealing more flaws and inaccuracies in the sculpt and paint work. It’s okay though they have time, they expressed interest correcting and they are close to nailing the likeness. It’s mostly issues with proportions.

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

Thanks very much. It’s actually not finished yet.
No I didn’t have plans or a template. I estimated all the sizes myself as best as I could. I used plywood, balsa wood, bamboo, match sticks, miniature red bricks, poly filler, plaster Of Paris, UV resin to make it.

Stunning work.

 

[Henrysharpo]

That’s true he did wear a prosthetic that lengthened his nose. Even in your picture the nose hangs over the mustache more and look at the lips. Also compare the skin tone. And also the eyebrow shape. It should be more angled than flat across. The nose is shorter in the side profile for Inart. The forehead is smaller too and brow ridge less prominent. These comparisons are just revealing more flaws and inaccuracies in the sculpt and paint work. It’s okay though they have time, they expressed interest correcting and they are close to nailing the likeness. It’s mostly issues with proportions.View attachment 578067View attachment 578069View attachment 578068

When I look at this reference pic the queen nose looks more accurate to me. Though I don't think either are perfect.

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

That’s true he did wear a prosthetic that lengthened his nose. Even in your picture the nose hangs over the mustache more and look at the lips. Also compare the skin tone. And also the eyebrow shape. It should be more angled than flat across. The nose is shorter in the side profile for Inart. The forehead is smaller too and brow ridge less prominent. These comparisons are just revealing more flaws and inaccuracies in the sculpt and paint work. It’s okay though they have time, they expressed interest correcting and they are close to nailing the likeness. It’s mostly issues with proportions.View attachment 578067View attachment 578069View attachment 578068

Honoured you chose my Gandalf!
I guess this all comes down to personal taste/budget/collecting focus. I can certainly appreciate the quality of IA Gandalf, both figures have issues though. But I can seriously say that I’m extremely happy with my Asmus Gandalf, so on the shelf he stays.

 

[Life_m2000]

Stunning work.

Thanks

 

[DDani]

I think those of us who has the Asmus Gandalf seem more nitpicky because the question for us is will the Inart Gandalf be that much better, or will have its own flaws and we end up two nearly similarly good figure - and then the question is if that difference is enough to pay the price difference and bother with trying to sell the Asmus version.

I'm on the pessimistic / cautious side regarding the expectations on the final figure. We can see that they put a lot in the prototypes, and that's understandable. But what they can deliver as a mass product is an other question - and since the prototype is so good, a simply good figure could be disappointing. And as it has been said above, they're new in 1/6 figures, so lot of problems can come up during manufacturing - if I were them, I would have started with something easier.

Regarding they listen to the complaints - I'm not sure how much they can fix from that. They promised a relatively fast release for complex figures (I think Asmus also did not expect that much need for their Gandalf, this is why it was delayed), so will they fix all or go on the easier route?

I've ordered the Joker pack, and most likely I'll also cave in for Gandalf to be safe, but it is understandable that those who have Asmus Gandalf thinking more on spending 75 USD (especially now we have one month to think on it )

We did not speak about their choice though. Why Gandalf? Which is amongst the top of the Asmus line and has been recently released, so many people won't justify getting a new one, in contrast to releasing it e.g. 3 years from now. Why not Frodo or other characters from the fellowship that are sold out, or have room for improvement? I think most of the people were pulled in with the Asmus Gandalf missing the older figures (incl me . Looks too bad choice to me that can surely lower the quantities sold.