Sideshow, I really hope you are going with the mask/adapter idea!

[JustinLuck]

I really liked the idea that the SSC Creative Director proposed in the podcast: making masks that attach to the body with an adapter. This adapter can then be taken out, so that the body can hold an 'empty' mask and you can swap in a new head on the neck.

In my ideal world, every SW character that uses a mask will have this feature. That way, even with unknown characters like Tie Fighter pilots, you could take the mask off and swap in a new head, maybe from a Dragon body or something? Wouldn't that be really cool? I love seeing those pics that one of the board members posted where he has a bunch of stormtroopers with their masks off. It really adds another dimension to the displays.

Do you guys wish for the same? Think about it. You could even make Boba Fett look like whoever you wanted 'under the mask'. Just swap on your favorite head and have him hold the empty helmet sans adapter!

 

[Customikey]

I think it's a superb idea. Historically, the alternate heads have had to be boiled and popped to be changed out, but it'd be so much easier with an adaptor. Also, it can be difficult to pose masked characters sometimes, because the mask wobbles and shifts on the head. An adaptor would take care of that! No more helmets falling off and scuffing on the floor!!

 

[JustinLuck]

No more helmets falling off and scuffing on the floor!!

Anyone who owns the Medicom Vader is well aware of that very real hazard!

 

[JustinLuck]

BTW, I don't own any figures yet, so I guessing from your post that it is currently really, really hard to change heads? Would heads made by Dragon even fit on a Sideshow body? Maybe Sideshow can start a new line with generic, yet handsome looking heads and no body...just heads by themselves. We could use these heads to replace the masked versions of the characters! What do you guys think of this idea?

 

[Customikey]

BTW, I don't own any figures yet, so I guessing from your post that it is currently really, really hard to change heads? Would heads made by Dragon even fit on a Sideshow body? Maybe Sideshow can start a new line with generic, yet handsome looking heads and no body...just heads by themselves. We could use these heads to replace the masked versions of the characters! What do you guys think of this idea?

I'd rather the sculptors focused their attentions on the licenses they have. Dragon heads can fit on Sideshow bodies, but they look awfully tiny.

I think anyone who is keen on "generic" Sideshow heads can look around online for parted-out Bayonets & Barbed Wire or Brotherhood of Arms figures.
Personally, i think George Lazenby would look excellent in Imperial officer togs.

 

[JustinLuck]

Ok, but do you still like the idea of swapping heads and mask/adapters? The reason why I'm trying to think of heads to use is because Sideshow probably doesn't want to make a face for Tie Fighter pilots, Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, Death Star flip switchers, etc,... each who never show their faces in the movies. But I still want the option to see them with their masks off!

 

[MicroJow]

I guessing from your post that it is currently really, really hard to change heads?

I pulled the Sideshow 12" Abe Sapien's head off so I could pop on the goggled version... and his neck cracked right down the side. So yeah - even heads that are MEANT to be removeable can be difficult to work with. An adapter would be nice. Although, considering it's just an added cost to Sideshow, I'm not counting on it.

- J!

 

[Buttmunch]

I'd rather the sculptors focused their attentions on the licenses they have. Dragon heads can fit on Sideshow bodies, but they look awfully tiny.

I think anyone who is keen on "generic" Sideshow heads can look around online for parted-out Bayonets & Barbed Wire or Brotherhood of Arms figures.
Personally, i think George Lazenby would look excellent in Imperial officer togs.

He would.

 

[captain sack]

You could even make Boba Fett look like whoever you wanted 'under the mask'. Just swap on your favorite head and have him hold the empty helmet sans adapter!

when sideshow makes boba fett, i think it would be cool if the exclusive had a jeremy bullock sculpt and the regular head had a temura morrison sculpt.

i'd prefer sideshow made the helmets able to fit over the head......and they can do this, regardless of what they have said.....but their idea of a blank fitting over the neckpost so a hollowed out helmet can be put on it is the next best thing. i'll be happy if they at least do this.

BTW, I don't own any figures yet, so I guessing from your post that it is currently really, really hard to change heads?

swapping heads, regardless of which company produces them is easy. just add heat, in the form of a hair dryer or hot water and the head will pop off.

 

[captain sack]

just so sideshow will know it's possible, a marmit helmet(which is in proper 1/6th scale) will fit over a sideshow head......

 

[captain sack]

and with the helmet off......

 

[Batty]

Sorry for my ignorance, but how does an adaptor actually work. I don't do custom work.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Personally, I think Sideshow's overthinking this helmet thing. So what if the helmets are little oversized, this is 1/6 not PF or high end pieces. I don't think we need all of this alternate heads, adapters stuff.

 

[captain sack]

.....but i imagine this is how their helmet system will work.......just imagine the duct tape is the neck adaptor......

 

[captain sack]

...and with the helmet on...

 

[captain sack]

Sorry for my ignorance, but how does an adaptor actually work. I don't do custom work.

see my photo in post #14. but instead of duct tape wrapped around a neck post, i imagine it will be a plastic plug that the helmet will fit over. the plug will be removable if you want to put the human clone head on instead of the helmet.

 

[Batty]

see my photo in post #14. but instead of duct tape wrapped around a neck post, i imagine it will be a plastic plug that the helmet will fit over. the plug will be removable if you want to put the human clone head on instead of the helmet.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[JustinLuck]

I don't think the adapter is complicated and it is well worth the effort. Many of us want correctly proportioned figures but don't have the space or money for PF statues. Not to mention, we want articulation!

 

[Seaward]

The adapter idea is really cool, and I would be bummed out now if the exclusive Fett didn't feature Jeremy Bulloch under the helmet! Now the question remains, whose visage is under the Vader helmet, Sebestian Shaw(I think, though that sounds like an x-men villian) or Hayden Christiansen. I prefer my Vader old and pasty thank you, but the quality of work SS could do with freshly s'mored Anakin would be pretty cool!

 

[Michael Crawford]

The Sideshow line has to turn out great - it's will either be a huge boost for the company, or be a major bomb. They can't afford any screw ups with the psycho Star Wars crowd.

That being said, I much prefer sculpted helmet heads with swappable face heads. There's no way to get the helmeted head and the real head to look in scale if the helmet fits over the top, at least not in sixth scale. The plastic is simply too thick.

So yes, an adaptor that would allow heads to pop on and off is an excellent idea, and not just for this. There would be all kinds of uses for characters with different expressions or different 'looks', and the additional heads could be used as accessories for some of those as the exclusive version. It might cost a little to engineer it up front, but it would be a very smart move long term. They'd be the only sixth scale company offering easily swappable heads too, and you can't ignore competitive advantage.