XM Studios 1/4 Classic Wolverine

[Mister Ski]

That neck seam is pretty noticeable

Yeah, the masked neck seam does have a significant gap. Where this is a prototype, I am confident XM will address it in the production pieces. The unmasked head looks great!

 

[Collectorcol]

SS are definitely losing business from board members here.
Noone ordering the XM MKVII will be waiting on Sideshows reveal.

 

[Empir3]

Yeah, it represents the noose around Sideshow's neck.

Keep on dreaming

Funny, but I have to imagine you are just being glib, because realistically XM can't even crack sideshow's spread and influence. If they get a NA and European license then they can start thinking about it, but it's doubtful that sideshow's bottom line will be taking much of a hit, even with XM's hot start.

IMO there is more then enough room in the collecting world for more then one company. Look at Bowen some people swear by them as well. The more options I have to choose from that are worth my money the better.

 

[Spidey976]

SS are definitely losing business from board members here.
Noone ordering the XM MKVII will be waiting on Sideshows reveal.

Yep, BUT there are still a lot of guys here and abroad that are going to order from SSC, and lets not forget those who can't drop $800-$1000 on a 1/4 scale PF. Choices are good in the end.

 

[Spidey976]

IMO there is more then enough room in the collecting world for more then one company. Look at Bowen some people swear by them as well. The more options I have to choose from that are worth my money the better.

LOL.. The last thing I would want if I was a die hard XM fan would be the death of SSC. All of a sudden you have 10-20 times more competition for EACH XM piece. Not to mention the rising ES sizes that would EVENTUALLY come with it.

 

[goat46]

the neck seam is not bad compared to the SS Hulk statues. Those are an abomination. At least with this statue there might be a chance of it being addressed with some folds or something

 

[Skulduggery76]

I think only hard-core collector's will be familiar with XM at this point. Sure the notoriety will get out there but the average buyer probably wouldn't understand spending double the cost as a SSC item for a similar character piece imo, unless there loaded and just don't care. Having purchased custom's in the past I understand how expensive this hobby can be, as do many of you. Plus with the low ES XM puts out and the limited availability for non-asian retailers. You have to do some homework to get a hold of these pieces. Luckily the majority of us seem to be ahead of this curve. It's nice having connections through the board to help us secure these pieces as well.

 

[Collectorcol]

Yep, BUT there are still a lot of guys here and abroad that are going to order from SSC

Of course there are...

 

[SurlyJ]

IMO there is more then enough room in the collecting world for more then one company. Look at Bowen some people swear by them as well. The more options I have to choose from that are worth my money the better.

Agreed. People tend to get a bit narrow minded when it comes to things like this.

 

[Spidey976]

I think only hard-core collector's will be familiar with XM at this point. Sure the notoriety will get out there but the average buyer probably wouldn't understand spending double the cost as a SSC item for a similar character piece imo, unless there loaded and just don't care. Having purchased custom's in the past I understand how expensive this hobby can be, as do many of you. Plus with the low ES XM puts out and the limited availability for non-asian retailers. You have to do some homework to get a hold of these pieces. Luckily the majority of us seem to be ahead of this curve. It's nice having connections through the board to help us secure these pieces as well.

Again sage comments.

Of course there are...

 

[divo]

Funny, but I have to imagine you are just being glib, because realistically XM can't even crack sideshow's spread and influence. If they get a NA and European license then they can start thinking about it, but it's doubtful that sideshow's bottom line will be taking much of a hit, even with XM's hot start.

However, I don't think XM fans want them to wrap a noose around SSCs neck. They want SSC to be inspired to do better. Lets face it if XM gets as big as SSC they will not be able to be what they are now.

Of course I agree that XM is not even close to SS's size & scale. But I can't say that even the early sculpts SS offered, (when SS were not as big a company) ,can match the quality of these XM offerings. I've collected SS for many years, in fact, I've only collected SS merch, as they were by far the best on the scene, though frustrating of late.

But as Spidey stated, we want, deserve, & expect better from SS, as XM Studios has clearly shown all the unparalleled potential these sculpts can reach. For me, it's simply; WELCOME TO THE SUPERIOR WORLD OF 100% TOTALLY SCULPTED HYPER DETAILED STATUES, which many collectors have been screaming/begging for. Instead SS gives us 7K edition sizes of Bats & Sups, which will easily be surpassed, quality wise, by 100% sculpts when/if released, even by SS themselves. Thanks XM, for showing the doubters the light, & I'm sure Michaelangelo is smiling from beyond. I know I am.

 

[ambasah]

I was hoping the whole "us vs them" discussion would have passed by now...

SS does fantastic work and hopefully more competition will spur them on to not accept mediocrity.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

I was hoping the whole "us vs them" discussion would have passed by now...

SS does fantastic work and hopefully more competition will spur them on to not accept mediocrity.

Agreed, can't go into any XM thread without the same poster regurgitating that discussion.

SS has the resources and the ability to deliver top quality products, hopefully some competition will facilitate a desire for them to change.

 

[SurlyJ]

Of course I agree that XM is not even close to SS's size & scale. But I can't say that even the early sculpts SS offered, (when SS were not as big a company) ,can match the quality of these XM offerings. I've collected SS for many years, in fact, I've only collected SS merch, as they were by far the best on the scene, though frustrating of late.

But as Spidey stated, we want, deserve, & expect better from SS, as XM Studios has clearly shown all the unparalleled potential these sculpts can reach. For me, it's simply; WELCOME TO THE SUPERIOR WORLD OF 100% TOTALLY SCULPTED HYPER DETAILED STATUES, which many collectors have been screaming/begging for. Instead SS gives us 7K edition sizes of Bats & Sups, which will easily be surpassed, quality wise, by 100% sculpts when/if released, even by SS themselves. Thanks XM, for showing the doubters the light, & I'm sure Michaelangelo is smiling from beyond. I know I am.

Good points. XM's contributions can only help every kind of collector. I do expect SS to take some notice and hopefully elevate their game as well, if not for the bottom line than for pride as wanting to keep a hold as the most respected 1/4 company out there.

Now, as for a few things you brought up...

ES... 7k batman and supes. Well, there is a market for this. These characters are stupidly popular. The wide array of people who would love a big, well done batman and superman statue deserve to not have to either spend close to $1000 to get one or hunt down a very limited piece. Then again, the higher end collector community also deserves higher detailed, more expensive and rarer pieces to add to their collections.

Fully sculpted vs mixed media. Again, different strokes. If mixed media helps keep costs down and also looks good to many, great. I appreciate both mixed media and fully sculpted. It's not an either or thing. I like having the options of both in my collection.

SS has had some growing pains lately as it seems they have decided to expand in a big way the last couple years. So it's sort of a transitionary period for them.

With SS going through that, coming out with their own very ambitious unique line and XM throwing down a gauntlet this winter, it's a good time to be a statue collector.

 

[Spidey976]

Of course I agree that XM is not even close to SS's size & scale. But I can't say that even the early sculpts SS offered, (when SS were not as big a company) ,can match the quality of these XM offerings. I've collected SS for many years, in fact, I've only collected SS merch, as they were by far the best on the scene, though frustrating of late.

But as Spidey stated, we want, deserve, & expect better from SS, as XM Studios has clearly shown all the unparalleled potential these sculpts can reach. For me, it's simply; WELCOME TO THE SUPERIOR WORLD OF 100% TOTALLY SCULPTED HYPER DETAILED STATUES, which many collectors have been screaming/begging for. Instead SS gives us 7K edition sizes of Bats & Sups, which will easily be surpassed, quality wise, by 100% sculpts when/if released, even by SS themselves. Thanks XM, for showing the doubters the light, & I'm sure Michaelangelo is smiling from beyond. I know I am.

What SSC needs to do is up their consistency and their AD to a point. They are Jekyll and Hyde. We get Gwen and MJ that are on Proto and QC free and then we get Spidey and Apoc that have about a 50/50 ratio good to bad. That needs to improve.

I was hoping the whole "us vs them" discussion would have passed by now...

SS does fantastic work and hopefully more competition will spur them on to not accept mediocrity.

Agreed push them to do their BEST and everyone wins here.

 

[divo]

Funny, but I have to imagine you are just being glib, because realistically XM can't even crack sideshow's spread and influence. If they get a NA and European license then they can start thinking about it, but it's doubtful that sideshow's bottom line will be taking much of a hit, even with XM's hot start.

However, I don't think XM fans want them to wrap a noose around SSCs neck. They want SSC to be inspired to do better. Lets face it if XM gets as big as SSC they will not be able to be what they are now.

Agreed, can't go into any XM thread without the same poster regurgitating that discussion.

SS has the resources and the ability to deliver top quality products, hopefully some competition will facilitate a desire for them to change.

Buddy, the point is that SS quality, QC, & creativity are getting worse imo, not better. And if we collectors need a small start-up like XM to spur SS to up their game after 20 yrs in the biz(?), man are we in trouble. And whatever happened to creative & artistic pride? Since SS was the on;y game it town, they have not stretched their potential, but rather seem to be cutting corners, raising prices & delivering hit or miss merch. paint apps, artistic design,... what's left?

 

[Spidey976]

Buddy, the point is that SS quality, QC, & creativity are getting worse imo, not better. And if we collectors need a small start-up like XM to spur SS to up their game after 20 yrs in the biz(?), man are we in trouble. And whatever happened to creative & artistic pride? Since SS was the on;y game it town, they have not stretched their potential, but rather seem to be cutting corners, raising prices & delivering hit or miss merch. paint apps, artistic design,... what's left?

I am not disagreeing divo. I am just saying that they range from SSC ranges from FANTASTIC to PISS POOR... it depends on the day of the week. I am willing to give them time to see if they work their crap out. If others aren't that is cool too. At least now those who wanted a "better" option have it.

 

[riggly978]

Well I am grateful to the SG members. Most of us in the US would not be able to get these if not for them.

Hell yea man, So happy i found this forum-- been stalkin since May but mags brought me out. Thanks to everyone for explaining the way things are in detail & especially thanks to kayorzz for Hookin it up, y'all rock.

 

[Empir3]

I am not disagreeing divo. I am just saying that they range from SSC ranges from FANTASTIC to PISS POOR... it depends on the day of the week. I am willing to give them time to see if they work their crap out. If others aren't that is cool too. At least now those who wanted a "better" option have it.

It was a telling sign when Scott left SSC IMO

 

[riggly978]

SO this thing looks awesome, but is this the final mold? itd be great to see the electrical wires hanging from the sentinel eye that's pierced by wolv's claw...