Threezero - Game of Thrones - 1/6 Eddard (Ned) Stark Figure

[Pixelpiper]

Breaking Bad is a Sony property, not AMC. And when did McFarlane start using actor's likenesses for TWD? I see the new ones sorta-kinda look like the actors, but the old stuff looks just like random people.

 

[YankeesFanboy]

While I admire the depth and variety of the McFarlane TWD line, the figures seem pretty crappy.

I can't wait for Clipper's review of Ned. The headsculpt didn't look all that great in lots of the pics, but it looks much better in his unboxing video.

 

[Raymond F.]

It's because that most of the photos are with flash or not a lot of low light to hide the rough elements of the sculpt. My pics for example had s lot of shadowing going on and even though I fixed him up a bit it didn't affect the flaws in the sculpt enough.

I have had a lot of worse heads than this one though so yes it's passable and will bother you less in person at a smaller scale than you see in the blown up over lit pics, however it's when you put it next to an amazing 1/6 head is where you will feel the disappointment set in.

Still not a bad figure by any means, just leaves a lot to improve upon...

 

[Pixelpiper]

however it's when you put it next to an amazing 1/6 head is where you will feel the disappointment set in.

I tried this. I put it next to what I consider one of Hot Toys most amazing sculpts ever, Alfred from Batman and you know what? I didn't feel disappointment. Then I tried him next to Reeve Superman and still felt really good about it in fact. Finally I decided to try him up next to Bespin Luke and I felt elated. I could see what was happening now, so I tried him next to DX05 Indy and now I felt the vigor wash over me. I finished this experiment off with him next to Alice and by that time it was just tears of joy.

Damn, I forgot to try him next to Selina Kyle. Next time.

Give me a call when Hot Toys starts putting out figures this good overall. I'd like to see that.

 

[DioramaMaker]

Breaking Bad is a Sony property, not AMC. And when did McFarlane start using actor's likenesses for TWD? I see the new ones sorta-kinda look like the actors, but the old stuff looks just like random people.

This is true; but wouldn't AMC have a foot in the door when it comes to licensing? You see AMC stamped on BB things more than Sony.

They are official likenesses, there's no question about it. They're normally marred by bad paint apps. For good examples take a look at Hershal, Glenn, Michonne, Merle, Abraham. For good likeness, bad paint, look at the new Rick, the Governor. For the scale they are more than acceptable. I'm not debating the quality of the figures which is hit and miss, and I'm not saying the likenesses are all perfect, but the fact they are actor scans means they have to be approved in the same or similar fashion.

While I admire the depth and variety of the McFarlane TWD line, the figures seem pretty crappy.

I can't wait for Clipper's review of Ned. The headsculpt didn't look all that great in lots of the pics, but it looks much better in his unboxing video.

Like I said above with Pixel, the quality is very hit and miss. I've never bought any of those figures at full price and for good reason. They're fair to mediocre at full price, but at $10 or less they're good enough.

But when it's all said and done, 3Z has claimed to have been working on Rick and Michonne near since the Walkers were released. And that's the story we have heard up until they showed the two Rick sculpts. If the representative or the actor is the hold up, then move on to another character in the meantime. That only makes sense.

So what's next? Let's say they can't work with human likenesses for whatever reason, why not continue with different Walkers? They probably fall under a different system, hence why Michonne's have in fact occurred. AMC had to approve that. Look at everything that is approved for TWD on a regular basis McFarlane, Gentle Giant, etc, they have a department going on this stuff.

That last point is why I really think they have put TWD on the backburner. They have options to work on Walkers and try for other characters; they have options to keep the line alive.

And even then, we are assuming it is the individuals who are debating their likenesses, I have a hard time believing they don't sign away their likenesses when they sign in to the show, a la Lord of the Rings.

 

[Pixelpiper]

I have no insider info at all, but from only reading about all the same things everyone else has, and seeing the same photos, I doubt it has anything to do with likeness rights. We've also seen sculpts of Daryl, Merle and Michonne in the past. My guess with the initial Pets is that those particular products were requested by AMC.

I'm a patient guy when it comes to this kind of thing. I know I want them and I plan to keep them forever, so it doesn't matter if they're delayed a year or two.

 

[DioramaMaker]

I should correct myself off that, you're right, we've seen Daryl and Merle too; I forgot about those because it's been too long haha.
If AMC went out of their way to request the pets, why not others? There is something aloof either way. Few if any of us have the proper insight on the why, we're just speculating.

I agree though, I can wait too, but that being said, how long can they procrastinate until they loose the license due to it just timing out?

 

[Raymond F.]

Give me a call when Hot Toys starts putting out figures this good overall. I'd like to see that.

If it's about STARTING then I'd have to get ahold of a Delorian or something and go back about 5 or 6 years, and I'd have to be calling every year since.

 

[Pixelpiper]

Every Hot Toys release has as many issues as you're pointing out with Ned, if not more, on average. Sorry.

 

[Raymond F.]

There's not too many hot toys that don't have issues, especially in the likeness area. But their sculpts are more refined and realistic. Ned's issue isn't even the likness. I'd like to see threezero get to this level is what I am saying because they hold good lisences. Hopefully as they grow they can hire top talent to sculpt or art direct their current talent to get to this level of refinement in paint and sculpt.

 

[Jrobertson]

Here is the regular version with the letter opener Ice

 

[YankeesFanboy]

Cool pic! If I were to get Ned, I'd go the same route since I missed the exclusive. I wonder how that letter opener compares to ThreeZero's Ice?

 

[Brendan352]

Cool pic! If I were to get Ned, I'd go the same route since I missed the exclusive. I wonder how that letter opener compares to ThreeZero's Ice?

I own the ThreeZero one; Comparing that picture to my figure the letter opener is shorter but the handle is thicker and A LOT shinier. The shinyness could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your personal opinion.

 

[DEATHASYLUM]

Looks great with the letter opener and thanks for posting that pic. I really can't wait to get this one

 

[chilipep66]

Ned is a great figure, but saying the quality of the paint or the refinement of the sculpt is Hot Toys quality, you need your eyes checked IMO

 

[aesthetics]

Ned is a great figure, but saying the quality of the paint or the refinement of the sculpt is Hot Toys quality, you need your eyes checked IMO

Truth! I just got my Ned and no freaking way this has the same quality in sculpt or paint as Hot Toys. I love it nonetheless though!

 

[Raymond F.]

Echoing my sentiments exactly. I like it as well for what it's worth, and I have said countless times I'm a supporter of threezero. But sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade. This ain't a hot toys quality item we are dealing with here. It is in the same ballpark, but a good long ways off. Hot toys took awhile to get to their peak so threezero has grace periods, but they need to improve. Ned was a step back from ttyrion. They need to be shooting for hot toys level of quality if they want to get the most out of the longevity of this line and be a serious contender for them and the rest of the market. They can increase their prices once the product merits it if you ask me.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

Ned is a great figure, but saying the quality of the paint or the refinement of the sculpt is Hot Toys quality, you need your eyes checked IMO

Truth! I just got my Ned and no freaking way this has the same quality in sculpt or paint as Hot Toys. I love it nonetheless though!

Agreed, the portraits is where HT has outclassed the competition.

I don't see Ned as a step back from Tyrion though, it's a step forward imo. Ned's sculpt and paint up are pretty equal to what we got from Tyrion, but Ned's outfit is more complex and required better tailoring which was hit out of the park.

 

[chilipep66]

Agreed, the portraits is where HT has outclassed the competition.

I don't see Ned as a step back from Tyrion though, it's a step forward imo. Ned's sculpt and paint up are pretty equal to what we got from Tyrion, but Ned's outfit is more complex and required better tailoring which was hit out of the park.

yep I agree, I think its a near perfect outfit, the only room for improvment being on the boots. It's a great young company and they do a lot for what the price is, but id gladly fork over an extra $50 for that hot toys quality finish on the sculpt

 

[Pixelpiper]

The figure as a "WHOLE" is all I ever mentioned. But talking about the sculpt, the "likeness" is much better than the average HT, even if the paint on this one isn't - and if you don't see that, then I'm not the one who needs my head checked. Hot Toys record isn't even close to 50/50 and this year they've put out some alarmingly bad Star Wars likenesses, even if some people cream themselves at the site of them. Even the new Luke I think is pure crap in the likeness department. Don't get me started on Hank and Banjo.

And while HT has improved in their sculpting and paint application, if you have some of their old figures you might feel they haven't done much in the way of clothing nor accessories. With these multi-packs we've been getting some really bad hand casts, really badly tailored outfits and incredibly poor shoes, among other things. Their Firefighter 2.0, as an example, is just a stunning figure in all respects except the head sculpt with accessory and clothing quality that none of the newer stuff I have from them matches.

At the end of the day I vote with my wallet and I don't care how anyone else compares this figure to the rest of their collection, but I'm a bit bothered by some of the unjust negative comments. We all agree that nothing is perfect.

And if Hot Toys wants to come in here and read my post, they can be informed right now that the majority of my collecting funds are going to Threezero and ThreeA, this past year followed by Sideshow. HT will get my business for Chewbacca, a Stormtrooper pair, Luke and maybe Leia - may seem like a lot, but that's a fraction of the others.

Maybe we all have different criteria for what we're looking for in 1/6 figures. For me, it's less of what HT is doing and more of what Threezero is doing. I have no plans to abandon any manufacturer however, as I evaluate figures on a case by case basis within the lines I'm interested in anyway.