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Superman - Christopher Reeve
Hot Toys
"The
following is a guest review. The review
and photos do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Michael Crawford
or Michael's Review of the Week, and are the opinion and work of the
guest author."
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Jeff checks in tonight with a
look at the new Hot Toys Christopher
Reeve Superman. I hit this
guy up just a week or so ago, but it's
always valuable to get a Jeff's thoughts as well.
Take it away, Jeff!
I’m a geek, you’re a geek, that’s why we’re here, and like any self
respecting geek who is fully paid up with the geek council/union you
will visit Mike’s hallowed shrine to all things geekdom and voraciously
devour what is offered up for consumption thrice a week.
I however have to sometimes step back… you see if Mike beats me to the
drop on a figure (which he often does) I find myself flinching away
like a vampire in the sunlight. Not because I don’t trust him… lord
knows as far as I am concerned he is the supreme overseer. But I just
don’t want to be influenced. It’s akin to Russian roulette; I like to
read his thoughts after I’ve passed my own, and then stroke my chin
knowingly at the points we converge and diverge. But I can still look
at the pretty pictures and bathe in the warm glow of ‘toy love’ that he
secretes (that just sounds so wrong).
But here we have what is possibly THE most wanted and anticipated
figure in a very, very long time!
Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie came out way back in 1978, just a
year after the phenomenon that was Star Wars. I only mention this
because it was such a big landmark in my, and oh so many other people’s
lives. I’d grown up with some pretty amazing movies from Ray
Harryhausen and the like, but all of a sudden fantasy films had stepped
up a gear, and the ‘summer blockbuster’ was born! And with its birth
came a whole new set of incredible special effects, all of a sudden you
would believe a man could fly (well, kind of)!
Superman was the springboard that launched Christopher Reeve’s career
making him THE Superman for many generations of people. But in a bitter
twist of irony, the man who became synonymous with the most noble super
hero of all, and the iconic symbol of ‘truth, justice and the American
way’ met with a tragic horse ridding accident in 1995 which rendered
him a quadriplegic who would spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair
and in need of a ventilator. Despite his situation he continued to work
tirelessly in raising money for research into his condition right up
till his death in 2004. And as a mark of respect this figure is
dedicated to the memory of Christopher Reeve and a portion of the money
this figure makes will be passed onto the Christopher
& Dana Reeve Foundation, the organisation that
continues to fund research into spinal injuries and their treatment,
ensuring his legacy live on!
Because of the tragic manner of Reeve’s death and the delicate nature
of his lasting memory, it often seemed that those fans that loved the
movies might never get the top quality collectible they yearned for.
But then back in May of 2011 Hot Toys finally announced that they had
the rights to give us the 1/6th figure we had wanted for so long, and
five months later here it is in our hands at last!
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Packaging
- ****
I love boxes… I just do! I was trained in graphic design but by
accident wandered off into the deep dark woods that is illustration.
But I still have an eye for a cool and iconic bit of packaging.
When images of this figures cardboard can were first released onto the
internet a few weeks ago I was gobsmacked… it was just so simple, it
was almost asking to be done… but good design is like that, it will out!
It was designed by just about my favourite HT graphic artist ‘du jour’
Dixon Chan aided and abetted by Monster Jr (with a special mention for
TF Wong for ideas on the 3D concept). So I asked him what the
back-story was. He told me he knew the ‘S’ logo was so ‘expected’ he
almost didn’t want to use it, he spent time playing with other ideas,
but every time it brought him back to that classic and powerful diamond
shaped image, and so he eventually gave in and we now have what sits in
front of us!
The tiny bit of genius (and it only takes a tiny bit) was the maths and
paper engineering involved. They took that classic diamond shape and
added the extra corner to make it into a rectangle. But that extra
corner can then be taken away (in fact it has to be when you unpack it)
and then turned inside out to become a mirror image triangular base to
hold the box ‘actuale’ within its inverted apex… See what I mean about
simple design being the best!
So, what’s to be said about it? Well it’s cool. That’s evident by the
whole aesthetic of the thing. But the actual construction and
functionality is what you guys wanna know. The lid of the box lifts up
to show a diamond shaped piece of red card with a list of the creative
talent that brought this figure together. Beneath this is another layer
of card with a simple inscription saying in memory of Christopher
Reeve, then under this are the vac formed plastic trays. This is the
‘special edition’ so on the first layer in a smaller tray at the front
is the crystal of Kryptonite on a chain. The next level holds the
figure and his hands and the last lower tray holds all the parts for
his stand/diorama.
It’s just such a classic bit of packaging that deserves a place in the
pantheon of classic ‘pop art’ design… love it!
Sculpting - ****
Arnie Kim is one of those few names that is well known amongst 1/6th
collectors the world over. He’s part of a rather elite crowd of super
star sculptors (well, in the online circles I move in) whose name is
synonymous with top quality.
I remember seeing his work showcased by Mike in his coverage of SDCC a
few years back before he was even signed to Enterbay, let alone Hot
Toys. His work on the likes of Bruce Lee and Harrison Ford was the
stuff of fan-boy legend. But back then he also exhibited a rather
amazing portrait of Christopher Reeve as Superman.
Of course EVERYBODY wanted it, but it was a personal project that was
never made widely commercially available. And due to the tragic
circumstances surrounding Reeve’s untimely death it looked like it was
one of those most desired of figures that would never see the light of
day.
But here we are in 2011 on the cusp of 2012 and finally we have the
figure of Reeve from that 1978 movie that we all wanted. And it’s just
a mere 33 years after the movie first came out
Reeve had a very distinctive clean cut and chiselled face, with lean,
tight features. This helped make him look fit and sporty in a preppy,
boy-next-door kind of way rather than a bull-necked jock. And that face
has been captured to sheer perfection by Arnie in this portrait. The
subtle lines around the mouth and cheeks have all been translated well
here as has his trademark dimple in the chin. His expression is
focussed and determined and the iconic little kiss curl is stuck on
virtually seamlessly as a separate piece to add extra depth and
authenticity to its look.
His selection of hands all work well for general standing and flying
poses, but I wish there had perhaps been an extra hand for holding the
Kryptonite chain… but as that is an exclusive item, perhaps it was a
bit of wishful thinking?
Regardless of my wants for an extra hand the overall feeling for this
sculpt is one of sheer delight, as even at its rather hefty price tag
it still pisses all over the vastly more expensive Cinemaquette one
from a great height, just check it out here...
oh dear! It shows that this one really is rather super and THE figure
of Reeve to own if you want the definitive version at this time!
Paint
- ****
One of the many reasons Chris Reeve was so perfect for this role was
his piercing blue eyes, and here JC Hong has captured their intense
gaze to a level of perfection demanded by the underlying sculpt. It’s
actually just such an amazing paint app that I’m getting to the point
where I find it hard to see just how much more they could actually
improve at this scale… perhaps that’s the reason they recently
announced they were stepping up another gear and indeed size to ¼ scale
as well.
Everything is just as you’d expect from Hot Toys, the flesh tones are
all warm and convincing and the fine detailing is just stunning. Once
again the level of realism is like they have simply taken the source
material and shrunk it down to 1/6th, and if ever there was an iconic
character and actor that deserved this amount of loving care it is
Reeve as the Man of Steel.
Articulation
- ***3/4
This is a variation on the newer muscle bodies like Wolverine but with
more traditional TT arms (meaning a far better range at the elbows and
shoulders). It’s slightly bigger in the pectoral area but is a great
representation of how Reeve looked in the movie, i.e. the natural side
of muscular without looking like a roided up meathead!
I found all of his joints moved smoothly and held the poses they were
placed in well. Meaning you should have little or no problems finding
an iconic pose you are happy to display him in. It’s just about as
ideal as we could have ever wished for and finds a perfect balance
between getting his physique just right and allowing for a great range
of movement… I came very close to a full score here!
I already said I wasn’t going to undress him, but I did find an eBay
seller here who is selling the base body parted out, and you can get a
pretty good look at it here.
Outfit
- ****
In this day and age it seems like every super hero is getting a ‘real
world’ makeover at the movies. If you’ve seen any early pics of Henry
Cavill as Superman
from Zack Snyder’s ‘Man of Steel’ due for release next year you’ll be
aware that he’s also had an indestructible
silicone/latex/nomex/kevlar/alien fabric makeover. I’m crossing
everything I have in the hope the movie will work, but back in the day,
when super heroes were happy to strut their stuff in spandex so tight
you could see what they’d had for breakfast, and of course keep their
undercrackers on the outside, then Superman reigned supreme!
And here we have a great reproduction of that classic 70’s outfit at
1/6th scale. It’s as tight as is needed and works very well with the
new base True-Type beneath. All the striking primary red blue and
yellow colours are matched to Pantone© perfection and the ‘S’ logo on
the chest is wonderfully replicated with just a hint of embossing to
give it real quality and indeed tactile finish. The simpler yellow
version on the reverse of the cape is also carried out well, with both
being stuck solidly to the fabric.
Unlike the recent Spider-Man figure Supes is not physically sewn into
his outfit, as that iconic red cape acts as a screen for the zipper
concealed down his back. Four small press studs help keep the cape in
its optimum position and a fine wire concealed in its hem aids greatly
in posing.
However, should you decide you need to disrobe the figure at any point
it all looks perfectly doable. I did consider stripping him off to get
a look at that new body, but decided if I was unable to get the outfit
back on as well as it looks now, straight out of the box, then I’d be
gutted, so he’s staying fully clothed.
The boots are also nicely done, and being fabricated from some kind of
soft vinyl they afford a reasonable range of motion at the ankle
(though not a full point for flying poses). And they are also stiff
enough to allow getting him into some great standing poses without the
need of any annoying stand.
The one word of caution I will give you is DON’T try and remove the
belt, the instructions say this is a big no-no, and also make sure your
nails are clipped and filed, because the nature of the shiny tight
spandex utilised here is that a scratch or pull could be devastating…
be warned!
Accessories
- ****
He doesn’t exactly come laden, but the few things you do get
(especially with this exclusive version) are pretty impressive.
Lets get that exclusive piece out of the way first, it’s the lump of
green Kryptonian meteorite on a chain that Lex Luthor uses to disable
the Man of Steel while he attempts to use nuclear missiles to set off a
chain reaction at The San Andreas Fault in a his dastardly property
swindle. It comes on a real metal chain and the Kryptonite itself is a
vivid crystalline, translucent green with a dark grey burnt meteorite
reverse. It all looks pretty good, and hangs around the neck with some
convincing weight.
He also comes with a selection of six hands, two fists, two relaxed and
two in the classic fingers tight together flat out flying position.
And even though a set of spare wrist pegs is included, I found they
swapped over easily so I doubt very strongly that you’ll need them.
There is also the classic black oval figure stand included, but again
it will stay in the box, as firstly the figure can stand just fine
without it and secondly a far more impressive Fortress of Solitude base
is included. This has large semi translucent shards of ice crystals
erupting from the snowy base; there is also a hole within it that a
clear plastic rod can be inserted. This rod has an adjustable waist
grip meaning you can also pose Supes in mid take-off or landing
positions. This base is the thing that pushes me to award such a high
score in this category, its so damn cool I love it!
Fun
Factor - ***1/2
I’ve had a ball posing this guy in a whole raft of positions, but I’ve
had the most fun trying to get him in convincing flying poses over his
cool base. The figure itself is well constructed and robust, but as I
said above, make sure your hands are clean and your nails are well cut
and smooth. Because if you don’t the outfit could look tatty in no time
at all.
I seldom feel it necessary to mention where you display a figure, as we
all know the damaging effects sunlight and dust can have on our
collectibles. But more than ever I would say make sure this is behind
glass where possible, and certainly not in direct sunlight, as the
beautiful bright primary colours of that outfit could be sun-bleached
very quickly.
In short, as long as you exercise care there are very few problems you
will encounter, and you will have one hell of a display piece.
Value
for money - **1/2
I really am impressed with the ice-crystal base, and for me it adds a
lot of value… but the RRP of $210 really is rather heavy on this
occasion. And yes I know a proportion of the money is going to the
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation which is a great thing, but
without knowing exactly what that percentage is, it does make one
wonder just why it is so very expensive.
The price of $210 is however the full RRP, with just a little rooting
around you should be able to find it for at least $10 less and maybe
even $20 if you are lucky. I based my score on getting him for $180, so
you can take an extra half a star away if you are forced to pay full
retail.
Overall-
****
I recently opened a whole nest of vipers by not giving the DX06 Jack
Sparrow figure a full **** score. Being a critic it is sometimes forced
upon you to explain your rationale, and why you award differing
amounts. Mostly it’s based on looking at the scores awarded in the
different categories and awarding what you think is fair ‘overall’
score taking all of its strengths and weaknesses into account, but
there is also a gut feeling that plays just as big a part.
For
me the hefty price tag on the Jack Sparrow lead to me just keeping him
short of the full mark by a ¼ and with Supes here I was tempted to do
the same.
However, although the DX06 is without a doubt the best Jack Sparrow I
own, I do already own a few others. On the other hand I have never yet
owned a good quality figure of Christopher Reeve as Superman, and just
a year ago I still thought there was a good chance I never would. And
knowing Hot Toys are going to be giving some of the profits to charity
has pushed me to feel charitable myself, how could this stunning figure
be anything less than a full score!
Where to buy
The regular version is still available from Sideshow for the full RRP
of $210 here.
But he also still available at Mikes sponsors below for up to $21 less.
Alter
Ego - $188.99
Capstone
Comics- $189.00
Fan Boy-
$189.99
BBTS-
$194.99
Urban
Collector is at the full RRP of $210
And eBay
prices are ranging between $189 at the low end for the
regular right up to a top whack of $350 for the exclusive edition.
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This product was provided free for the review by the manufacturer.
Photos and text by Jeff Parker.
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