Category: Super-Figures/Statues

Marvel, if you will, at the supreme talents of one Richard Martin, UK-based Special Effects Make-Up artist, Sculptor, painter and indeed, SuperFan.  Pictured above are two of his sole creations, 1:1 silicone figures of Christopher Reeve as Superman and a bust of Terrance Stamp as General Zod.  Those lucky enough to attend the Memorabilia 2011 show at the NEC Birmingham will surely testify to the frightening realism of these pieces in the flesh among other exhibits in the first ever prop party sanctioned by the RPF.

Chances are you’ve seen some of Rich’s work already on screen and not even known it.  With a portfolio containing significant contributions to everything from the last series of Dr. Who to Lady Ga-Ga Music videos, go to his site for an impressive showcase of his work.

With the credentials shown above I was compelled to contact Rich myself to assist with my own Superman 1:1 project last year and to my surprise he accepted – taking on the difficult task of inserting prosthetic eyes into my bust, mounting it onto the mannequin and finally giving it a realistic paintjob of incredible quality.  The result will be shown in a future post but for right now I want to thank Rich for being such a consummate professional and a real gent – he literally came to my rescue…

From the top, pics and video taken from the RPF booth by me (please excuse my Zod impression, I got excited:) of Rich Martin’s Superman projects (both now in the hands of private collectors)

Dear Hot Toys –

As your Superman: The Movie figure is landing on the doorsteps of many grateful fans the world over and pictures of your latest creation are flying up all over the ‘net it would seem that any concerns anybody may have had about the finished product were not only unfounded but instead addressed with considerable style.

While SUPERMANIA and community of SuperFans take no credit whatsoever for any changes that may or may not have been implemented to this piece of 1/6 art we nevertheless salute your team’s dedication to making this possibly the ultimate Superman collectible and perhaps more importantly, a fitting tribute to our hero Christopher Reeve.

For many collectors this was their ‘grail’ figure, and in an age where Superheroes saturate Movie screens our love for the first and best of them all remains undiminished. Finally after a thirty year wait you have rewarded us with the toy we all wanted as kids back when we all left cinemas believing a man could fly.

It is important to remember that a portion of the sale of this figure goes to the Christopher & Dana Reeve paralysis Foundation and by purchasing it you honour a cause the man himself was so passionate about. Thanks to your attention to detail we can continue to remember him exactly as he was in his most iconic role for decades to come.

Best regards,
SUPERMANIA & Friends.

Pictures above used with kind permission by OMG – Bottom comparison pic by Sebastian Columbo (click for larger version)

These photographs shot only last week at the Ani-Com & Games Guangzhou reveal a very interesting development with the Superman: The Movie figure on display in the ever-popular Hot Toys booth –

Check the Super Figures/statues history of this blog for thorough coverage of this long-awaited offering and you’ll see more photographs of the prototype, and later a small campaign initiated by SUPERMANIA in an attempt to highlight potential improvements. With the figure slated as having a Q4 release and expected within the coming months, it would appear Hot Toys has typically risen to fans expectations and reworked the headsculpt in advance!

Master sculptor Arnie Kim had already acknowledged concerns about the prototype in a recent post on Facebook with a cryptic message telling us not to worry as ‘Hot Toys is perfect’ (sic) which did indeed hint there would be a revision before production…