The Next AH! Comiquette Will Be….

[Kibishii]

You guys waited a really long time for this one, so to hear "wonder what is next?"...

We have waited a really long time for a classic portrayal of Jean Grey from Sideshow. Even her Marvel Girl outfit or Jim Lee costume would have made more sense.

As a very long-time X-Men collector, I have been very vocal about my disappointment with this choice. Many people have been asking, literally, for years for a Jean Grey Phoenix from Sideshow. To see her portrayed in her shortest termed persona, is a waste imho. I have never seen someone post a single request for a Black Queen other than a single post when the White Queen was released. How many times have we seen people ask for Jean Grey/Phoenix?

... Its human nature compounded by the anonymity of the internet. And had Phoenix been the new statue revealed, lack of originality would be the complaint we'd be hearing.

The answer that 'other companies have made Phoenix' is silly. Other companies have made Captain America, Iron Man, Black Cat, and Emma Frost. Sideshow and AH! continue to make those statues true to their well known personas/appearances. Sideshow Products are superior to other statues and I hardly feel that there would have been widespread complaints about "too many Phoenix statues."

I have no doubt that this sculpt will look great; All of the AH! statues have and I don't think anyone is suggesting that it will not look amazing. Some people may like her in this persona, some people may like the T&A, some people may like going outside of her popular portrayals.

However, complaints have nothing to do with anonymity and everything to do with the choice. As a long-time X-Men fan, who has waited for a Sideshow version of Jean Grey, I am frustrated that I now have to either go with a Bowen or Premier Selection Jean Grey or cross my fingers and hope that Sideshow makes a more 'common' version that most comic fans know and love.

 

[creature4000]

you'll still buy here!

 

[The Mike]

This is the only Jean Grey I wanted:

Anything else I was already set for disappointment so this doesn't bother me as much as some of you. I don't want Phoenix again but I would have preferred the Origins First Appearence suit over the Jim Lee version.

If AH! really wanted to do one that hasn't been done he should have done this one:

X-Factor Jean never gets any love.

I like the pose or at least its shadow and knowing Adam's styling I'll be buying indefinitely.

 

[JosephCPR]

This is the only Jean Grey I wanted:

Anything else I was already set for disappointment so this doesn't bother me as much as some of you. I don't want Phoenix again but I would have preferred the Origins First Appearence suit over the Jim Lee version.

If AH! really wanted to do one that hasn't been done he should have done this one:

X-Factor Jean never gets any love.

I like the pose or at least its shadow and knowing Adam's styling I'll be buying indefinitely.

Good taste!! x-Factor Jean would've been my second choice

 

[buzzybean]

This is the only Jean Grey I wanted:

Yep! Dat's Tits!!

BB

 

[Kibishii]

you'll still buy her!

No, I won't.

If AH! really wanted to do one that hasn't been done he should have done this one:

X-Factor Jean never gets any love.

The_Mike, what Marvel Girl statue is that in your picture mix?

I forgot about the X-Factor outfit! While I would have loved a Phoenix, the Marvel Girl would be a very, very close #2. Another option that would have been uncommon, but nice, could have been her Ultimate Jean Grey outfit.

 

[DarthSaffron]

All right. You guys have all convinced me that Adam and I are wrong. We'll let Sideshow know to throw away that Black Queen Statue, destroy all the prints, the packaging, molds and production pieces. We'll go back to the drawing board, back to square one, and try for a different Jean Gray. It'll take several more months, but I know it will make everyone happier.

Now I'm going to pinch you, and you wake up.

I get that some of you are disappointed. But what do you think your constant complaints will achieve? The Black Queen isn't going to magically transform into Phoenix or Marvel Girl. Perhaps somewhere down the road we can re-visit the character. But even if we did, you'd all complain that Adam is doing too many mutants.

Unfortunately, you are stuck with this really gorgeous statue. I feel bad for every single one of you. Oh the horror.

 

[ComputerFly]

LoL. Ali, your getting too wound up. If you think this is bad, you should see all the crap Randy Bowen has to deal with on a daily basis.

Don't let all this get to you, it's standard fare for this crowd.

I think what it is, is that we see this idea in our heads, and we know as comics junkies, that idea is money in the bank, but then for some reason, it seems that staple of the comics statue world is avoided at all costs, to make some deviant form (read less popular) version of that ideal. Sideshow seems to be the king of this 'slight' at times, so maybe it's that frustration you're seeing here.

 

[DarthSaffron]

I'm actually not that wound up. Just trying to keep a sense of humor about me, even if it is a sarcastic one.

 

[Brand X]

I'm extremely happy with the choice! I just hope we get to see pics soon as the teaser looks like she is going to be a stunner!

 

[LOTRFan]

I think the bottom line is that the Dark Queen is far more seductive in principal and overall costume, and regardless of specific character choice - it fits Adam's style. As I mentioned earlier, these are are not classic takes on the characters but purposely directed in another direction.

But constructive criticism should always be welcome, right?

 

[xtina_slayer]

i jus wanna say:
HI DarthSaffron

it is to me a great deal to be able to speak or chat/discuss with fellow sculptors (even their partners) directly, jus wanna tell u that i love Adam's work and everything so far is great. tell him this young singapore collector would jus like to say keep up the work. hope to see him in singapore soon.

P.S, I AM A huge fan of rogue so love that it was made in a version nobody has done and also done incredibly well. cant wait to get it shipped out.

thanks.

 

[The ill Jedi]

I'm actually not that wound up. Just trying to keep a sense of humor about me, even if it is a sarcastic one.

If you actually go back and read more of the comments including mine, you'll actually see that it's not all that bad. My initial reaction was a bit negative 'cause I was expecting a higher profile character, but after digesting it I am quite pleased for two reasons: 1) It will make a great companion piece to Emma and 2) Adam always does excellent work and 3) his work always translates well to the sculpt. I hope this makes you feel a bit better and I can't wait to see pics!

 

[DarthSaffron]

Here's the thing. I know whats coming. And I know that Adam wants to "keep things fresh"; he doesn't want to give you guys the same old statues you've been getting from everyone else. He wants to try to get new and original takes on these much-loved and much-represented characters. But I have to say with all honesty, I don't think they are going to go over well. The more I read, the more I worry that people want the same old thing. Truthfully, Adam started out designing a Dark Phoenix comiquette. And everything he came up with was already done. We even found one statue where the designer stole his concept from one of Adam's own convention sketches.

So the dilemma; the frustration and the fear are all the same. Adam wants to be creative; but the fans want him to keep it mainstream. Mainstream, over-processed images bore Adam to tears; they'd bore alot of creative types that have been doing art as long as he has. Bored artists make for bad art. And no one wants to get bad art. But maybe the fans are used to getting something very specific, and they simply don't want anything outside of that narrow range. Which means they don't want what Adam has to offer.

I adore the Emma Frost White Queen Statue. But fans felt it was "oversexualized porn" and had "hair like a helmet". It sold out instantly.

Then came Mary Jane. Poor "cross-eyed", "degrading to women" Mary Jane. Long sold out by the time MSNBC picked up the story.

Black Cat. More comments about "latex clad T and A" and "not looking like the control art". I began to stop reading comments and checking the sales figures.

Glorious Rogue. "wrong costume", " can see nipple", "giraffe neck" and "that glove is going to break in shipment". Poor girl hasn't even shipped yet, and she's doomed to be broken in shipment, never mind that ours arrived in perfect shape.

So you can see why I worry. Its also sort of understandable why Adam doesn't visit here much anymore. He's got to go back to the drawing table with the pressure of pleasing the Sideshow guys, the Marvel guys and his fans. Oh yeah, and he has to be personally happy with the work. But more and more, it seems like that last bit is the least important to folks.

It is however the most important part to me; and its vital to Adam. So while I read all of your feedback (both good and bad), and store it for future use, I tell Adam NOTHING I read here on the boards. Its just too darned poisonous to his creativity.

 

[DarthSaffron]

Posted by Adam on the production blog responses:



Well, we decided on the Black Queen because we thought it would be really cool to have Emma and Jean as companion peices.
Also, I started designs for a Dark Phoenix statue, and just started noticing that there are so many excellent Phoenix and Dark Phoenix statues out there, that we really couldn’t add anything special to that aspect of Jean’s history.
It’s the same reason I personally chose to do Rogue in her classic Paul Smith/Michael Golden outfit: there are a dozen statues of Rogue in her Jim Lee suit, and NONE in her classic original getup.
I’m sorry we can’t please everyone with the choices we’re forced to make.

-AH!-


to read all the comments, including Adam's in context, click here.

 

[The ill Jedi]

Posted by Adam on the production blog responses:



Well, we decided on the Black Queen because we thought it would be really cool to have Emma and Jean as companion peices.
Also, I started designs for a Dark Phoenix statue, and just started noticing that there are so many excellent Phoenix and Dark Phoenix statues out there, that we really couldn’t add anything special to that aspect of Jean’s history.
It’s the same reason I personally chose to do Rogue in her classic Paul Smith/Michael Golden outfit: there are a dozen statues of Rogue in her Jim Lee suit, and NONE in her classic original getup.
I’m sorry we can’t please everyone with the choices we’re forced to make.

-AH!-


to read all the comments, including Adam's in context, click here.

As I said above, realizing now that Black Queen will be a perfect companion piece to Emma makes her a lot more desirable. Now show us some pics!!

 

[Kibishii]

Now I'm going to pinch you, and you wake up.

I get that some of you are disappointed. But what do you think your constant complaints will achieve? The Black Queen isn't going to magically transform into Phoenix or Marvel Girl. Perhaps somewhere down the road we can re-visit the character. But even if we did, you'd all complain that Adam is doing too many mutants.

Since sarcasm seems to be your style... I think it is absolutely artistic and wonderful that your boyfriend took a very popular Marvel character, ignored years of fan requests for Phoenix/Dark Phoenix, put his own spin on it, and everyone should buy it up and rave about how wonderful it is.

Oh, wait, you pinched me and now I'm going to wake up.

You know, that is pretty obnoxious. This is a MESSAGE BOARD forum, where people come to discuss Sideshow products; in this thread, specifically Sideshow Marvel Products. At times these discussions can turn into critiques. Did you take a look at the latest Iron Man thread? It is 52+ pages long and some people like it, some people don't. People discuss why they do/do not like it. Go back and read the posts on Mystique...some people liked the modern version, some people wanted the white dress version, alot of people did not like the exclusive.

When you have characters that are iconic to a genre, i.e. Marvel Comics, and you put your own spin on it, i.e. AH! Black Queen, you are taking a risk that many people are not going to be happy with that. I have no problem with keeping things new and fresh, but don't start calling everyone complainers because they desired a more "Jean Greyish" Jean Grey and not a companion piece to Emma. I don't think anyone expected Sideshow to trash Black Queen and start over because many people are disappointed. For you to come here and call us complainers because many of us are voicing our opinion that we would have preferred a different, and more popular, version of Jean Grey is petty.

 

[DarthSaffron]

For you to come here and insinuate that we are all complainers because many of us are voicing our opinion that we would have preferred a different, and more popular, version of Jean Grey is petty.

I didn't insinuate anything. I think I pretty much stated loud and clear that people are complainers. But as you pointed out, this is a public message board, and even I am entitled to my opinion.

 

[DarthSaffron]

Now show us some pics!!

Man o man do I want to! But I think we have to allow Sideshow the "big reveal". Let me talk to Sideshow in the morning and see if they'll at least let me post some of Adam's production drawings.

 

[The ill Jedi]

Man o man do I want to! But I think we have to allow Sideshow the "big reveal". Let me talk to Sideshow in the morning and see if they'll at least let me post some of Adam's production drawings.

That would be awesome, I'm sure she is gorgeous!