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Introduction
If you're a big fan of the Batman television show from the 1960's, you know how disappointing the collectibles market is for you. While we've gotten a few things focused around Batman and Robin, there isn't much if you're looking to get a bit deeper into the license. The one company that is going deep is Figures Toys with their 8" Mego style action figures, but let's be honest - you have to be nostalgic for the style of those figures to really enjoy the line.
If you're like me, you've been jonesing for a realistic style high end collectible that gives you more than just the dynamic duo. And now you have it, with the limited edition statues from Tweeterhead! They released Catwoman and Batman last year, and Robin (whom I'm checking out tonight) is their third. Already pre-ordered is Batgirl and the Riddler, with plans for several other villains (and hopefully Alfred) in the coming months. Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and Egghead are all very likely, with several others in the early discussion phases.
These statues are approximately sixth scale, or so the marketing says. They are actually a little bigger than that, but the internal proportions and scale to each other are quite good. They aren't cheap by any means, but there are two different releases.
There's always a regular release, and for Robin, original retail was $270. That's a common price at various online sources right now, but you can save $15 - $20 by shopping around. There is a second version - called the 'signature series' - which is far more limited and includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the actor. Of course it's Burt Ward in this case. The edition size on the Signature Series Robin is just 160, quite low for something like this, but it also carried a higher price tag: $300. The place to get it was the Tweeterhead store originally, but it's long sold out. Ebay and the secondary market is your option now, although you can find the regular edition at many online stores.
Packaging - ***1/2
The box is attractive, and of course it's all very collector friendly. The interior Styrofoam eggshell trays hold the various pieces safely (there's Robin, his hunk of
base, the large computer section, and the smaller computer section) and is high quality stuff. The edition size and number are printed on the bottom, and the Signature
Series includes the signed COA as well.
Sculpting - ***1/2
Trevor Grove did the work here, and it's good stuff. In person, the likeness is extremely accurate, although close up photos tend to create issues with the paint - more
on that in the next category.
From the neck down, it's fully four star work. I love the pose, and the costume has lots of small detail work and various textures. I particularly like the way the cape is sculpted in a folded style across the back and over one shoulder, as though Robin is moving forward quickly on the attack.
As I said, the accuracy of the likeness is extremely good, as is the life-like qualities of emotion and energy. Robin almost always had his mouth slightly open like this when he was taking a shot at being serious (Holy molars, Batman!), and there's no denying who this is. But while the life-like category and the accuracy category are nicely covered, the realistic category is a bit on the rough side. That's due to three issues: the nature of the non-porous material used; the thickness of the mask; and the lack of detail in the stranding of the hair.
Two and three should be fairly self evident. The hair was simple enough to improve with additional detailing, and this is a figure that would have benefited with a mask made from actual cloth or leather, rather than the thicker polystone.
Back to the first issue, which involves how the paint and texturing look with this very hard ceramic-like material, where capturing a realistic skin is almost impossible. This affects the paint work as well (more on that in the next category), and I'm surprised that we haven't seen a statue maker try mixing the harder, smoother, non-porous polyresin for costumes, armor and weapons with a more porous, pliable material like what is being used with high end sixth scale action figures for the portrait. It would be a slight variation on the concept of mixed media, and even cloth could be incorporated where it makes sense. While that might sound like an non articulated version of a Hot Toys or Enterbay 1/4 scale figure...it is. And I think it has potential.
Then there's the computer. This is based on the Burroughs B205 computer, which was used over and over again in films of the 50's and 60's. In fact, the smaller console can be swapped in on your Lost in Space diorama without missing a beat. The large standing tape drives are often seen as well, but we didn't get one of those here.
The sculpting on both he upright unit and the console is very good. As is often the case when creating very large, sharp edged objects out of a softer sculpting material, not all the edges and lines are as crisp and hard as you'd like, but it's a decent looking facsimile, particularly when placed next to the section provided with Batman. By itself it's okay - as a pair, it's fantastic.
Paint - ***
The smooth, hard, nonporous material also affects the paint application. In areas like the costume, it works great, but areas like the hair, skin and eyes, where
a material that absorbs the paint or can be deeply dyed during manufacture can much better pass as the real deal.
That means that areas like the skin, hair and eyes have a flatter, less realistic appearance with a statue like this than say, a modern high end sixth scale figure. It's not the fault of the work, but rather an outcome of the materials.
That's not to say there aren't any faults here with the work. There are some high point rub marks on the hair, along with a rather rough look to some of the colors and coverage on the computer. There's also a little slop with some of the buttons and lights on the computer, and the two halves aren't quite the exact same shade of silver. It's not major, particularly in hand, but it does drag the score here down a bit.
Accessories - ****
How often do you even get accessories with a statue? As I mentioned, you're getting the upright unit and large console with Robin, which fits together nicely with
the other half of the upright unit, shelf, and 'Bat Computer' sign that came with Batman. The console, sign and shelf attach to the larger pieces by way of
magnets, and it works quite well. I did notice in the photos that I messed up and have the sign down a little too far on the front of the unit, but that was my fault.
The magnet allows you to position it up a little higher where it should be.
The only thing that would have made this better would have been working lights - but now I'm just dreaming. Let's hope that if they do Alfred, he'll have a third piece of the Batcave with him that fits in with this diorama nicely.
Value - **
There's no doubt that $300 is a tough sell, and you better really, really want that Burt Ward autograph. Of course, you also get the low edition run with the Signature
Series exclusive, which can be a reward in itself as well.
If you can live without either of those features, you can snag the regular edition for a good $50 cheaper, and at that price point, I'd go another half star here.
Things to Watch Out For -
Always be careful when inserting or removing the metal foot post - the resin base is much softer than the post, and can be damaged by forcing it. Otherwise, you should
be good to go!
Overall - ***1/2
If you want to know what I'm most looking forward to in 2016, at least from a collectibles standpoint, these Tweeterhead statues are at the top of my list. I'm
loving the style and attention to detail, and if we can get decent number of villains, they are going to make a truly outstanding one of a kind display. If you're
a major fan of the show, you need these statues, and 10 years from now they'll be the one modern 1966 Batman TV show collectible that everyone still wants. Don't wait
til Egghead hits the market!
Tweeterhead also loves this license, and really wants to please their customers. As an example, if you bought both Batman and Robin direct from them, either the Signature Series or the regular edition (both were 'limited'), they matched your edition number! These statues shipped months apart, and yet I received number 79 of both. How is that for treating their customers right?
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***
Accessories - ****
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2
Where to Buy
Online options include these site sponsors:
- Entertainment Earth is at $265.
- Sideshow has him for $265.
- or you can search ebay for a deal.
Related Links -
I've covered the earlier Batman and Catwoman,
both of which are excellent statues. Other 1966 Robin's include the 1/4 scale version from NECA,
the sixth scale figure from Hot Toys, and of course, the 1/12 scale version from Mattel.
You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.
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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.