Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
SUPERMAN ¼ SCALE MUSEUM QUALITY STATUE
Produced By: DC Direct
Year: 2006
Retail: $295
Product Type: Statue
Review & Photos by Tim C. “Legends Of Batman”
Articulation:
N/A
Sculpt/Detail: 6.5/10
The best part of this statue is the face. This can be a bad thing, since many collectors do not appreciate the face. However, given the alternative facial sculpts on Superman last year (the ridiculous Brandon Routh Superman Returns sculpts in particular) this is a rather welcome sculpt. Too often, DCD sculpts it's statues and figures with no detail, leaving it lifeless and without character. Fortunately this Superman does have some rare dimensional character to it.
One thing that I was surprised by is that DCD didn't totally cheat on this statue. As can be seen in one picture (above), the detail in the arms do not stop once the costume starts. This is a vast improvement on anything I have seen from DCD in the past, and, something I hope they continue and improve upon.
The curious thing is how DCD delayed this product from July/Aug to Dec/Jan. It isn't like DCD doesn't already get 6-9 months to perfect their product. But, to have extremely noticeable sculpting flaws in the neck and the hands, is just unforgivable. This is even more grievous a situation when the price tag is $300! This particular statue was rushed through, not finished and completely sanded down, and is just downright despicable.
Costume: 6.5/10
I’m completely confused by the costuming. Considering this is the major selling point for DCD, I expected so much more. Instead, I feel we get a mediocre job.
Stitching is incomplete in several points.
The back of the costume droops like a neckline, which I can accept; but, why the cape? This wouldn’t be so bad, except because the cape is a heavy pleather material, it makes this point even more confusing. This is just a minor point; just one that I wish to point out. I don’t particularly like the “reverse neckline”, but, with it on the back, it doesn’t matter a whole lot.
Where the major confusion comes in, is with the boots. Would it surprise you to know they are not the same pleather material as the cape? Would it surprise you to know the boots are not even material? They’re the same material as the statue itself! I find this to be rather dis-appointing.
We had to wait four extra months for this to have been released. Delays do not bother me as much when it helps the quality. But, this one? Very curious.
Paint: 7.5/10
Just like DCD. When something is good, it’s good. When it’s bad it’s bad. And usually DCD finds a way to mix the two. They do it here.
Somewhat amusing, is the hairline. The pencil marks are still visible. Otherwise, the hair paint is quite nicely painted. The flesh tones are only slightly off, particularly so as a result of use of semi-gloss paint; giving the statue a slight shine. Quite honestly, however, this is some of DCD’s best flesh paint I’ve seen.
The eye’s are painted slightly skewed. Not realistic, by any means, but, unless you’re examining the statue, it’s not horrible. Just not awesome, as some companies can do.
Now, here’s where inconsistency will come in to play. While criticizing the boots as not being material, I will praise DCD for some of the best paint job in the boots. If I hadn’t held the boots while removing Superman, I might not have realized it was not material right away. The boots actually have a leathery look to them, due to the detailing and the excellent paint job on them. But, that also adds to the disappointment. Well, since I expected leathery
like material. But, this should not take away from the awesome job on the boots. Well, not too much.
Accessories:
N/A
Value: 6/10
It’s $300 at most retailers. As such, this has to be categorized in the SideShow PFF, Diamond Select, Attakus category. I feel these other companies just do an overall better job than DCD, and it’s a lot easier to plop down 3 bills there than DCD. But, don’t write DCD off. They did an overall good job; and in my opinion, this actually competes. I’d shop around, because there are good deals on this.
Packaging: 7/10
This is not to be displayed in box. It’s a take out of the package product.
The outer box is a plain white flimsy box. It simply has a UPC code with the item’s name on it. Nothing spectacular.
Inside is a nice sturdy solid black box, with the Superman Name on it, embossed in gold on the lid. Inside is styrofoam for packing, with the Superman logo on it.
Overall: 7.5/10
Dc Direct is about as volatile company as there is. If Forrest Gump were doing this review he might say, “DC Direct is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”. Afterall, this is the company that hit a grand slam with the Batman A Dark Winter’s Knight snowglobe. The same company that produced the Batman Begins 13” Batman figure that barely stacks up against Toy Biz’ Icons, except instead of costing $15-20, it had a price tag of $90. And, the same company that did a series of Superman Returns statues; statues that did so poorly they had to repackage the mini busts and did a Best Buy Exclusive (which by the way, Best Buy couldn’t sell out of, by giving them away for free!).
Actually, this splits the middle, and teeters on being moderately great; but, yet, with flaws. Occasionally, prototypes are changed for the good. Often, they are not. This is a case where the prototype was improved on slightly. Quite honestly, this is one piece I was scared to see in hand. Having seen it at Comic Con, after Hasbro’s letdowns, I was scared this would be typical DCD products. To my surprise, I actually like this sculpt.
Recommendation:
You’re being asked to plunk down some major cash on this. Superman is extremely light, the base is the weight to this statue. While I wouldn’t call this a “museum” quality statue, I would say it’s a nice sculpt. To recommend DCD is very hard for me. If you are looking for a Superman statue, this may be it. It’s definitely better than the Superman Returns statues. My recommendation is, because of the cost to this item, purchase it locally, where you can examine it. Unless you find a great bargain on it.