shades of Mordor Dio!

[LOTRFan]

How have they not? They're revisiting ME by doing these Dio's. I'm pretty sure they meant by that was events that happened in those locations. Personally, I like how they're approaching things. I don't need massive dios with tons of pieces from each area or super small dios in some ways like the SW enviroramas.

I haven't had too much of an issue with the lack of substantial envio. until now Josh; though the Crack of Doom could have been a bit more dramatic if just a bit taller and inclusive of more of Mt. Doom. I am not suggesting that the dios need be too much larger and I think 1/9 scale works just fine; my fave dio thus far is Helm's Deep - but I didn't order it based on the Aragorn represented. But how much better would the Theoden dio have been with the throne room represented behind him, or even a bit of lava on the Eagle/FB? I am not asking for massive, display breaking pieces just a bit more than what we are seeing. Something along the lines of the SW Vader or Hoth dios really.

I am really not upset about it, but I do view it as a bit of a wasted opportunity; for me much of the time the locations are as important as the characters. Oh well, at least we are still getting our LOTR trickle.

 

[roguebaron]

I like what I see so far, but I really wish sideshow would stop getting artsy with the backgrounds on shooting. Dark figures on a dark backgroud make it hard to appreciate the details that may, or may not be there before you order. I 'd like to see more pics with a variety of backgorunds and angles to help make the best decision on if SC is getting my 350$.

 

[woodsy]

Sorry quad, just couldn't resist...and neither could Woodsy either by the looks of things

Hey, great minds think alike.......

 

[GondorGirl]

Hey, great minds think alike.......

Very true my friend

 

[Malice]

I haven't had too much of an issue with the lack of substantial envio. until now Josh; though the Crack of Doom could have been a bit more dramatic if just a bit taller and inclusive of more of Mt. Doom. I am not suggesting that the dios need be too much larger and I think 1/9 scale works just fine; my fave dio thus far is Helm's Deep - but I didn't order it based on the Aragorn represented. But how much better would the Theoden dio have been with the throne room represented behind him, or even a bit of lava on the Eagle/FB? I am not asking for massive, display breaking pieces just a bit more than what we are seeing. Something along the lines of the SW Vader or Hoth dios really.

I am really not upset about it, but I do view it as a bit of a wasted opportunity; for me much of the time the locations are as important as the characters. Oh well, at least we are still getting our LOTR trickle.

you got a point there bud the first time i looked at it i was like, is that it?(as far as the base) but the over all scalpture looks good.

 

[The Josh]

I haven't had too much of an issue with the lack of substantial envio. until now Josh; though the Crack of Doom could have been a bit more dramatic if just a bit taller and inclusive of more of Mt. Doom. I am not suggesting that the dios need be too much larger and I think 1/9 scale works just fine; my fave dio thus far is Helm's Deep - but I didn't order it based on the Aragorn represented. But how much better would the Theoden dio have been with the throne room represented behind him, or even a bit of lava on the Eagle/FB? I am not asking for massive, display breaking pieces just a bit more than what we are seeing. Something along the lines of the SW Vader or Hoth dios really.

I am really not upset about it, but I do view it as a bit of a wasted opportunity; for me much of the time the locations are as important as the characters. Oh well, at least we are still getting our LOTR trickle.

I guess even with a piece like this I use my imagination/memory of whats going on and that plays in helping with it not being drawn out for me. I love the HD piece and how Aragorn is represented there but I've stated that in the pase. I had no interest in that Theoden dio no matter how much they added. It wasn't a piece I cared to add and don't think adding more of the wall behind it would have changed my mind. Adding some of the rocks or lava on the FB would have been cool but the rest of the piece is cool enough to be fine as is IMO at least.

I don't think you're upset. I guess for me having the moments has been enough the rest is gravy since its the characters that impacted me so much.

 

[FrodoEyes]

Just my opinion, but I think SS with their sneak peeks leave us with a "catch 22" situation. On the one hand they provide us a small glimpse of what is to come, but in doing so, they also allow us enough time for our imaginations to run wild. And unfortunately, rarely does the end product meet the expectations of our wildest dreams.
As for the price, yes $350 is alot of money, and no there's not alot of weathertop in this dio., but there are 6 figures....ok 5 1/2 . Sure the Helm's Deep dio. for $50 less features 3 characters and a very nice base, but that's still half the amount of characters in this one. So there's the compromise...alot more figures [guaranteeing the accuracy of the scene] but not much in the way of a detailed base. Something I can certainly live with.

But the thing is, the sneak peak showed us everything that was in the dio. The term 'sneak peak' suggests that they are only showing a bit of it and that there is more to come. But in this case, i didn't let my imagination run wild, i actually laughed when i saw what it was, and did say 'Is that it??' I wasn't expecting the whole of Amon Sul, but to have the two pieces together would have been nice. As for how many figures there are, well, five of them are exactly the same character!

Please, please someone go on Photoshop and add in Frodo holding an oar. It'd look great. Please!!

 

[woodsy]

But the thing is, the sneak peak showed us everything that was in the dio. The term 'sneak peak' suggests that they are only showing a bit of it and that there is more to come. But in this case, i didn't let my imagination run wild, i actually laughed when i saw what it was, and did say 'Is that it??' I wasn't expecting the whole of Amon Sul, but to have the two pieces together would have been nice. As for how many figures there are, well, five of them are exactly the same character!

Please, please someone go on Photoshop and add in Frodo holding an oar. It'd look great. Please!!

Except the base that is, and in not showing it I think they filled people with the expectation that there would be more of Weathertop than we actually got.

 

[FrodoEyes]

Except the base that is, and in not showing it I think they filled people with the expectation that there would be more of Weathertop than we actually got.

You're right, even if there wasn't really a base to show! I don't get though how people think it would have cost so much more just to link the two. They would have to be quite near to Frodo so just a TINY bit of base would be needed.
I've spent all day since seeing it thinking about my collection, and maybe changing my collection habits. There is a SMALL part of me though tempted to order this thing tomorrow, in the worry that every other dio will be great and the completist in me won't want to be missing one, or hoping it'll actually turn out cool and maybe they'll include a special 'link' base! Look at the photos, they're really not that far apart. There wouldn't be much extra base at all and it wouldn't look like Frodo's rowing away from a floating island of ringwraiths...

 

[Moriaman]

I love this piece,yes the base/enviro could have been better,and yes maybe Frodo should be attached to the wraiths ,but to be honest i think the wraiths alone make this a must,and unlike most i can give or take frodo (apart from anything else he already has a dio!),so im glad he's separate.............

ITS ALL ABOUT THE WRAITHS!!!

The SS pics fropm a front angle look amazing imo

 

[C1eaN]

I love this piece,yes the base/enviro could have been better,and yes maybe Frodo should be attached to the wraiths ,but to be honest i think the wraiths alone make this a must,and unlike most i can give or take frodo (apart from anything else he already has a dio!),so im glad he's separate.............

ITS ALL ABOUT THE WRAITHS!!!

The SS pics fropm a front angle look amazing imo

I agree with the above. I think it is cool to have Frodo (and the scuplt is perfect) but to look at the five Wraiths from the front, as if from Frodo's point of view, really helps sell the helpless feeling of the moment.

It really brings me back to that point where Frodo got the wound that eventually drove him from Middle Earth.

I almost wish they would have made the ML drawing the Morgul Blade as the Ex and having his sword as the Reg. It would have made the decision on how to display it much easier. It will help that he is separate and I can display him if I want to but don't have to be tied to a certain viewing angle on the Ringwraiths.

 

[MrPickles]

In the end, I thought this was the diorama-line, not an excuse to make another line of statues. In this case, in the 1/9 scale.

This piece has about 1% "dio-" and a mere 10% "rama". Though it appears it does contain 84% "lama ding-dong."

One could essentially make this scene themselves at a slightly smaller scale with the ToyBiz figures for over $300 less since there are no environmental elements to this piece what-so-ever.

Despite my love for the wraiths, I've decided to skip the whole "buy now, cancel later" & give someone else who really loves this piece the chance to get it. So good luck tomorrow to those who are goin' for it. I've decided to just be content with seeing your pictures next fall. Hopefully they will turn out better than the ones Sideshow used to sell it.

 

[Fritz]

...it wouldn't look like Frodo's rowing away from a floating island of ringwraiths...

Not sure why everyone thinks this is from Weathertop!?!?

I thought this was the scene at Buckleberry Ferry.

I shouldn't have said that, I've probably just jinxed my chance at scoring the exclusive tomorrow.

 

[woodsy]

I agree with the above. I think it is cool to have Frodo (and the scuplt is perfect) but to look at the five Wraiths from the front, as if from Frodo's point of view, really helps sell the helpless feeling of the moment.

It really brings me back to that point where Frodo got the wound that eventually drove him from Middle Earth.

I almost wish they would have made the ML drawing the Morgul Blade as the Ex and having his sword as the Reg. It would have made the decision on how to display it much easier. It will help that he is separate and I can display him if I want to but don't have to be tied to a certain viewing angle on the Ringwraiths.

That could have worked except he already had both drawn as he moved in on Frodo.

 

[vracula]

im extremely tempted to buy this one

 

[vracula]

sigh only if it was bigger and cheaper lol!

 

[WrathofSauron]

I think you're wrong. Sideshow should have never put Frodo as an exclusive. He just has to be part of the diorama. Making him an exclusive is just very odd. It's like having two Uruk's standing on the walls of Helm's Deep and put Aragorn there as the exclusive. It doesn't make any sense.

The base should have been in one piece, with Frodo there. Not two seperate pieces of "rock". It looks ridiculous. I'm sure they could have come up with something else for the exclusive. Or just don't put any exclusive in there at all. There has never been a diorama of LotR that had an exclusive and nobody ever complained.

I agree Polylord 1000%, after all, Frodo wasn't an exclusive optional character in the scene itself he was as essential and integral to the whole scene as the ringwraiths themselves. Doesn't make sense that SS make him an exclusive optional extra???
I mean without Frodo as part of the diorama what are the ringwraiths doing in that stance?? An Easter Egg Hunt???

It is an excellent sculpt though and I hope it's of a decent size for that money!

 

[GrueSam]

I have to disagree.

I want the exclusive but if I don't, that's okay because it's those wraiths I'm after.

The RWoS is leaning towards something. No one complains that they don't know what it is.
Aragorn on Brego is charging towards something. No one complains that they don't know what it is.

This piece perfectly captures one of my favorite scenes. With or without Hobbit, I know exactly what is going on and where.
And it's inching towards being one of my favorite pieces...

 

[Fritz]

I have to disagree.

I want the exclusive but if I don't, that's okay because it's those wraiths I'm after.

The RWoS is leaning towards something. No one complains that they don't know what it is.
Aragorn on Brego is charging towards something. No one complains that they don't know what it is.

This piece perfectly captures one of my favorite scenes. With or without Hobbit, I know exactly what is going on and where.
And it's inching towards being one of my favorite pieces...

Well said!

 

[Radagaster]

Yeesh! Back in the SS/W days, people made a dio of the Eowyn vs Morgul Lord. Granted, this is touted as a dio, but I'm giving Sideshow the artistic license to call this a dio (try fitting 5 RW and Frodo onto something bigger at 1/9 scale!!). These dios tend to have large footprints to begin with, so keeping the footprint size to something compact is welcome. I'll pre-order this EX, and will follow up with it at SDCC to confirm my taste in it.