Sideshow ESB/ROTJ Darth Vader

[kl241]

Funny, but this is why none of the SS artist post here anymore.

If they can't handle the criticism of their work they should seek new employment.

 

[devilof76]

Did you know there's a difference between criticism and being a miserable, vindictive *******?

 

[The Josh]

Funny, but this is why none of the SS artist post here anymore.

 

[kl241]

Did you know there's a difference between criticism and being a miserable, vindictive *******?

If I'm expected to pay $200 for a figure then I'm entitled to **** and moan about it all I want. Get it the *** right Sideshow.

 

[devilof76]

I didn't say you couldn't cry like a *****. Just that if you do, you'll get treated like one.

 

[Asta]

I'm saying that to me it looks exactly like Vader and that I don't care if others think there is an accuracy issue.

 

[kl241]

I didn't say you couldn't cry like a *****. Just that if you do, you'll get treated like one.

I'm good. Thnx

 

[Darkseed]

If I'm expected to pay $200 for a figure then I'm entitled to **** and moan about it all I want. Get it the *** right Sideshow.

at $200. Boba was $175, Vader will command much more. So ***** x2 as much

 

[devilof76]

I'm good. Thnx

You sure? It only takes a second to call 1-800-FLOWERS, and you might feel better.

 

[Star Puffs]

It all comes down to SSC's sculptors doing a poor job of basic observation - looking at the reference pics or in-hand props and reproducing the shapes, details and proportions correctly. It is first year art school stuff.

I have noted time and again as I have looked over SSC figs how it would have cost no more - and been no more effort - to have gotten a certain detail or proportion right than gotten it wrong. And honestly, it's more often than not that it is wrong - usually, slightly off, but not uncommonly quite a ways off.

It has nothing to do with compromise due to materials or manufacturing, or limitations of scale. Maybe they don't have enough time to get it right - but then some of these figs are in development for years, so that's hard to believe.

I think it clearly comes down to them feeling like being 3/4's accurate is enough. And they would probably say "it's good enough for most average collectors and it's a tiny percentage that nitpick and they'll buy it anyway" but at this level and price I'm not sure that's a good mindset going forward.

While HOt Toys does get things wrong too (their Indy has many inaccuracies) in general, they are in a class above SSC. I'm not talking about quality of facial sculpt and paint apps - I'm talking about that basic, general eye for accurate reproduction of shapes, details and proportions.

I think SSC continuing to ignore this - and we talking about version 2 of the most iconic character in the Star Wars universe here - will begin to erode their business and leave them behind as this hobby evolves to be higher and higher end and the pond shrinks, led by the likes of EB and HT.

Right now SSC's figures are a decent upgrade on their old $50 figs of 3-6 years ago, but without a doubt they are lagging. They have upped their focus on PF, contracted an alliance with HT to make some profit on HT's usurping some their key licenses, but them making their own 1/6 is where a lot of the big money is and I hope they raise their game and not wave the white flag to those who lead currently due to these basic issues of accuracy.

They have been greatly improving lately but their efforts so far with this second Vader have me concerned. It doesn't look right to me in an overall sense and I'm not even a huge Vader-phile re: the size of dome etc. Yep, it looks like Vader, but that would have been fine at $120 like the last one, not at the HT price point this will be. And the idea of "they'll buy it anyway" has been eroded by the tantalizing "maybe HT will do a Vader in a year or so" - SSC can't have its cake and eat it too.

This post sum it all up. Sideshow's chronic lack of commitment to doing their best work and delivering the best product possible.

Of course the usual apologists show up to reminds us of why mediocre quality still makes a profit.

 

[kl241]

This post sum it all up. Sideshow's chronic lack of commitment to doing their best work and delivering the best product possible.

Of course the usual apologists show up to reminds us of why mediocre quality still makes a profit.

 

[devilof76]

Who's apologisting besides Josh?

 

[DiFabio]

Well we can always display this as "Headless Dagobah Spirit Vader" next to the Sideshow Exclusive Hot Toys Luke/Vader head.

 

[Sachiel]

Oh damn. Now I'll need to buy it.

 

[CaptnRex]

I refuse to believe it's a case of "Sideshow artists are crap/blind/don't care" etc. I might be naive?

It's got to be more than that, maybe I'm wrong but they got the criticism from the last Vader and to go and do it all over again? Really?

Weren't the con pics of Vader showing a much better Dome?

 

[Lejuan]

I refuse to believe it's a case of "Sideshow artists are crap/blind/don't care" etc.

It's got to be more than that, maybe I'm wrong but they got the criticism from the last Vader and to go and do it all over again? Really?

Weren't the con pics of Vader showing a much better Dome?

What else could it possibly be? The only likely scenario that I can see is either a) the dome is just a placeholder or b) it's the final article. If it is the final article then SSC owns it. Not GL, not the tool-makers and not the manufacturers. And given all that it can't be for lack of talent, because they are evidently talented artists. In which case they either weren't well enough supported by the bean counters, or they genuinely didn't give a crap in the way OC collectors on this board give a crap.

 

[CaptnRex]

What else could it possibly be? The only likely scenario that I can see is either a) the dome is just a placeholder or b) it's the final article. If it is the final article then SSC owns it. Not GL, not the tool-makers and not the manufacturers. And given all that it can't be for lack of talent, because they are evidently talented artists. In which case they either weren't well enough supported by the bean counters, or they genuinely didn't give a crap in the way OC collectors on this board give a crap.

Yeah I hear you, I really don't know. I just pushed my dome down on my ANH Vader and I like it.

I'm going for a) the dome is just a placeholder

 

[Lejuan]

Yeah I hear you, I really don't know. I just pushed my dome down on my ANH Vader and I like it.

I'm going for a) the dome is just a placeholder

Well if it's b) then the question has to be asked: why did SSC not enlist Japans's foremost Star Wars scholar, Seiji Takahashi, as a consultant on this project? Actually, come to think of it, maybe they did

 

[CaptnRex]

Yeah, I'm really puzzled, like most of us I suppose.

 

[automaton]

this concern is a great testament to the original helmet... who would we be if not disappointed that the most iconic villain of the past few generations doesn't look like he should? we wouldn't be freaks... we would simply be consumers. this is freaking Darth Vader! show some respect and get the dome right.