More important question is given each Artisan, IA, JND Jokers were each $450, which would you buy? Of the three offerings, having HT on order and JND, while also having rooted IA. I’d pick JND if I can only pick one and if price were the same. What would be your choice? Curious if the value which seems obvious is the main reason for the negativity when comparing dollar for dollar and the whole ‘sculpt should be better for that price.’
Good question. Of course, given that InArt is the only one in hand at this point, it can't be a fair comparison just yet.
So I'll base my comparison on the prototypes.
All three have different strengths IMO.
For the face, taking into account expression and likeness, I prefer HT at the moment. I like the attitude and deviation from the "intense stare" of the other two.
For overall realism, I prefer InArt. It looks most like a miniature human being. Their photography does help here. I find their proportions are the closest to Heath Ledger and overall most realistic.
HT looks the most like a toy to me. JND looks very realistic from afar, but the sculpt is too textured in close ups.
For innovation and articulation, I prefer JND. The seamless articulated neck, aside from the risks it may bring, is awesome for posing. It gives you that extra edge in subtle posing that fixed necks simply can't do.
In terms of hair, I also prefer the InArt, at least based on the prototype. Its production wasn't nearly as good, but HT and JND have yet to prove themselves here. Also, HT's hair looks too puffy, so they are not off to a good start.
If I had to choose, purely based on the prototype, I would actually still go with InArt. But it did get downgraded in production.
If JND can tone down the texture and keep the paint and hair quality in production, he might beat InArt for me.
As a sidenote, HT really needs to step up their photography game. Their pictures make the figure look like a toy, especially compared to the other two.