Few exclusives for the annual SDCC (San Diego Comic-Con) are more feverishly anticipated than the strictly limited edition figures presented by Hot Toys. No-one could’ve forseen, however that 2013’s assortment would include a variant from the classic Superman Movie franchise (MMS 207, offered alongside figures from G.I. Joe and Captain America respectively).
While its gratifying in the extreme that Hot Toys are still producing figures based on the license (with hopefully more to come?) one is conflicted about the ‘Evil Version’ from Superman III, much like the character himself.
A cynic might say it would appear Hot Toys have re-used the molds from their hugely popular Superman: The Movie figure and casually applied a layer of black spray paint whilst simultaneously jamming it onto a rejected base for their thunder-thighed Man of Steel figure. Others may say its a cunning must-have variant (apparently limited to 600 units) from a beloved franchise.
Before you decide which camp you’re in you may want to consider – Is this really just the exact same figure as previously released albeit with new stubble paintjob/blackend suit? Yes it is. But then you may wonder – Given all the iconic expressions from the Junkyard sequence surely another ‘enraged’ headsculpt would be more appropriate? Indeed it would. Then you may wonder – And why is it so slight on accessories? There are so many cool things that could’ve been included such as the Whiskey Bottle, Dirty Kryptonite chunk, Steel Girder and shattered Clark Kent Glasses – Seems almost evident, no?
And finally you could be forgiven for asking – What’s with the base? What a wasted opportunity to have him emerging from split tyres just like in the movie!! Well, quite. Hopefully you’ll be too busy noticing they didn’t even take the initiative to fix the artwork for the chest shield to notice the base is better suited to the Chitauri from The Avengers.
Unlike previous posts where due to the uniqueness and quality of the original figure I was passionate about promoting it whilst campaigning to fix some of the details, there will be no such endorsement this time. While I’m overjoyed the line still rightly makes a contribution to the Christopher And Dana Reeve Foundation this effort (or lack of) does not earn itself a place in my collection, will it earn one in yours..?
Presenting the second in the series of posts from SUPERMANIA & Friends recent all-access tour of the Propstore Of London’s main office where their incredible inventory of Movie treasures past & present reside.
Although the incredibly rare full-costume display pictured above has received full coverage on this blog whenever it has been publicly exhibited, this was a unique opportunity to intricately examine and photograph the costume without the hindrance of a plexiglass case – making it almost as good as being stood next to Reeve’s Superman himself.
As noted in this archive post, the tunic of this costume has been identified as one worn for early publicity shots (most prominently in the Topps trading card sets) besides being screenworn for scenes including the confrontation in Luthor’s Lair among others. As this tunic replaced the one originally shown in the Movieum Of London (due to ‘better provenance’ according to Propstore staff) there is a distinct colour difference between the top and tights as the tunic has faded considerably.
Closer inspection also revealed the cape to be a flying version as we discovered corresponding slits made either side to accommodate the wire rig and we were pleased to discover the faint outline of the cape shield, indicating that one had been present which was later confirmed by owner Stephen Lane (who is in possession of the shield and intends to have it re-attached).
SUPERMANIA extends its sincere thanks to all the kind staff at Propstore for the opportunity to examine this amazing iconic piece of cinema history up close and personal…
SUPERMANIA extends its sincere thanks to SuperFan James Sawyer for providing the superb pictures above taken from the recent ‘Superheroes’ exhibit at the Indianapolis Childrens Hospital –
Among some of the awesome exhibits on show was this unique special effects portrait figure of Christopher Reeve as Superman not seen since its sale at auction in 2008. Most of this fantastic creation can be attributed to the legendary Stuart Freeborn, who was responsible for the unmistakable sculpting (the mold for which and other flying figures discussed here) and also presumably Derek Meddings for the mechanical cape flapping device.
At over 30 years old its a wonder this 26″ long puppet and tribute to moviemaking genius has survived in such pristine condition for everyone to enjoy. Check James fabulous Pop Culture blog Action Features for the full tour featuring other Super-items (the cape being covered here in the next post) and also take a moment to check out James ’89 Bat-Blog brother site to SUPERMANIA here…
Now that the merchandising powerhouse behind the upcoming Man Of Steel movie is starting to fill shelves with product across the globe, SUPERMANIA once again endeavours to campaign for a typically retro alternative.
Ironically, this project was initiated by the fresh availability of the Batman 1966 TV series licence, which, encouragingly, has been embraced by the industry and is being fully exploited even as a forty plus year-old property.
Frustratingly remaining unexploited is the ‘classic’ Superman movie series, which, despite having an equally broad, vocal fanbase, has yet to spawn a modern action figure line. Although DC Direct and Mattel continue to pump out various incarnations (of debatable quality) of the Superman character, arguably the closest embodiment of the version represented in the movies has not been seen since Kenner’s Superpowers line of 1984. Superman fans have clamoured for a figure line based on the series ever since.
In recent years Mattel had gone a great way to alleviate this by producing a totally unexpected line of 12″ adult collector figures (reviewed here, here and here) offered exclusively on mattycollector.com. While these were a welcome surprise, in retrospect, Mattel had probably passed on a better opportunity by not optioning a 6″ line first.
Cut back to 2013 and Mattel are not only full-force behind Man Of Steel but recently unveiled their Batman ’66 line to the amazement of fans that have waited literally decades for the opportunity. If nothing else, it proves how fickle the industry is and that all good things come to those who wait.
Meantime, inspired by the fabulous art-direction of the new Batman lineup I sought to create something I thought would be passable as a parallel addition. A pure wish-fulfillment project I’ve considered many times before, it wasn’t until I saw that Mattel had used a cardboard figure of Batman in their prototype packaging that I believed such a thing could be replicated low-tech by hand and look credible.
Fulfilling my brief that the final model should be a 100% practical bubble on card was not going to be easy. I have no photoshop skills but knew exactly how I wanted it to look. I called upon my good friend Jim Bowers to provide me with some high-quality images (which I composed for the backing card using Microsoft Word, no less). and then called upon Alexei Lambley-Steel to fashion me a printable Superman figure which I would hand-draw articulation on. The notion of the blister was always going to be problematic as I had no vaccuforming machine. After some thought It occurred to be laminating A3 sheets and making the shape squared off (and therefore foldable) rather than rounded would be just about undetectable. I would then photograph it so it wouldn’t be disregarded as a mere manip. The test for me was to look at it finished and really, really wish it were real. I did. Here it is above for your consideration, and I remain hopeful somebody in the industry is similarly captivated. Its already been too long…
While I really wish the above were a new figure announcement from Hot Toys, it is in fact a fabulous piece of art illustrating what arguably should’ve been part of an abandoned DX release already.
Courtesy of SuperFan Michael Stribling comes this pitch-perfect manip of the MMS 152 Superman figure into Christopher Reeve’s bespectacled alter-ego in tailored Navy blue 3-piece pinstripe suit, screen accurate tie and horn-rimmed glasses. Accessories besides those pictured would possibly include briefcase, raincoat, alternate ‘shirt-ripping’ hands, one open hand (with caught bullet), copy of the Daily Planet with ‘Caped Wonder Stuns City‘ headline and best of all, Superman costume tunic under the shirt so the figure can be posed in ‘reveal’ mode.
Take this clear and simple brief, multiply by fan demand and there must be only one question remaining – Why haven’t Hot Toys made this yet…? Lets ask…!!!
