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Welcome to a new section on this site, devoted to Sideshow
collectibles. Sideshow have the license to produce a number of Star Wars 1:1
scale collectables, which at the moment though not wearable helmets, are
still full scale busts and life-sizes of many popular SW characters.
Sideshow has built up a strong reputation for producing some excellent
sci-fi 1:1 scale products (such as the Full Size Terminator 2, along with
Predator and Alien busts, which can be seen Here) so there was a lot of
interest when they moved in on the Star Wars license with 1:1 busts of Darth
Maul, Yoda and Greedo, with the promise of some special life-sizes to come!
I visited their stand at Comic Con in San Diego
July 2006 and was very impressed with a number of products they had on show.
Taking to their representatives it looks like its going to be an exciting
time for Star Wars fans! |
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For Sideshow's NEW life-size R2-D2 and C-3PO
and
Fred Barton Interview click here.
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1:1 Darth Maul Bust |
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First up the guy people say is "not half the
man he used to be" (sorry!). The Sith Apprentice himself, Darth Maul. Made as a
1:1 scale head and shoulders bust, just 1000 of these were produced and it
was quickly announced as "Sold Out" on Sideshow's website. HOWEVER there is
some good news in that a lot of these were picked up by retailers around the
world so its not like you wont be able to get hold of one. I did, today! |
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| Seeing this in person at Comic Con, along with
the excellent photos below from Ben Kenove, convinced me to get one of these
busts - and I'm really impressed. |
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| It looks like its made from the same type solid
resin structure Sideshow used for the Predator figure, its a substantial and
heavy piece. Sideshow has formed the figure on a "Star Wars inspired"
base which looks like they'll continue to use for other busts. Good news
since it looks great, showing off the piece without being a distraction in
iteslf. |
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The head/bust was not actually cast off Ray
Park but instead a couple of very talented sculptors used countless images
from the Lucasfilm archives plus what appears to have been a 360 degree
photo shoot of Ray in order to have reproduced the likeness. Looking at the
piece in person, as well as the photo below, I think they nailed it! |
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Note that the above shot is an amended version
of the SC publicity photo, I've moved them side by side and ever so
slightly increased the size of the Maul since it was originally a little
further back in the shot. |
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A few more shots from Ben show off the profile,
and a great little "extra" Sideshow provided with this bust. Not only did
they provide a black fabric tunic covering the shoulders (under which the
neck and shoulders are fully detailed), but they also provided a heavy
cotton removable hood so you can display this piece with horns showing, or
as he was first seen on Tattooine. |
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Providing the removable hood was a really great
idea. SW fans are the worst at coming to any sort of agreement as to what
they want to Sideshow has neatly side-stepped any criticisms by giving them
everything. Nice one Sideshow! |
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Above, a close up showing the superb facial
details around the eyes and teeth. As you can see the face has all the usual
"dents" and pores you would expect. The eyes have a life-like sheen and the
teeth appear to be rotting in the mouth. |
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To conclude, I must say that this is an
excellent collectable. The finish is superb, which is no mean feat given it
is still a mass produced item. Not sure how they painted it (human or robot)
but who/whatever did it did a superb job as they have achieved a first-rate
consistency of finish. The addition of the black fabric tunic and
separate hood is a great idea and shows that Sideshow have been
prepared to go the extra mile and augers well for forthcoming Star Wars
pieces. Again many thanks to Ben for his excellent photo's.
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1:1 Yoda Bust |
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Now I have a sneaking suspicion that this
awesome ESB Yoda was actually sculpted by Howard, a regular at the Replica Prop
Forum and sculptor of a couple of fan-made pieces seen elsewhere on this
site. Whoever it was has done a stunning job at capturing the look of the
original puppet. |
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I took the photo above and close-up below at
Sideshow's stand at Comic Con in San Diego in July 06.I'm not sure if
pre-orders have started yet but its due to ship 4th Qtr of this year and
retails at $550. Given its not in production yet, this must be the prototype
but based on the quality of finish of the production Darth Maul's, I'm
expecting these to be superb. |
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The detail in and around the eyes is
incredible, it looks wonderful. The only negative I can throw at it is that
its a bit of a shame its only a bust and not a complete life-size. However
that's probably not fair accusation since they set-out to make a bust only,
and probably the license didn't extend that far (not unlike the chap
himself!).
Below a review of this bust by Ben Kenove, a real
Sideshow fan! |
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The very first thing that blowed my mind when I opened
the box was the material... I was expecting a very hard bust like the Maul
one, made of hard resin painted, BUT, when I took off the box I was shocked
that the material was flexible, not as flexible as a hollow latex mask could
be, BUT for a solid bust was amazing... you can easily bend the ears and
fingers... really really cool, but not only those parts BUT you can only
FEEL the soft effect ALL OVER THE HEAD... that is something real really
cool, I must admit that is much better than I ever thought... |
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The sculpture itself is really great... (amazing work
from "Howard")... you can really feel the Yoda presence when you see it, and
that is almost the best you can say of a bust... (It looks like he was alive
:P... A friend was looking him closely for a while and told me... GOD, it
looks like he is going to start to talk...! Really funny .The paint work is
really really really really great... this is something that surprised me as
well, great paint work... !!! |
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The hair is another great thing... it's made like the
original prop (If I'm not wrong)... and the same way people do with the
latex mask, punching hair by hair... (insane work, I think the makers
thanked god that Yoda was almost bold! |
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As for the negative points - One of the things that
bothers me more is the Stand... I really really hate it... I mean, that
stand is great for Maul, cause it has the Ep.I look... but I really think it
has nothing to do with the old trilogy one... (like Greedo or Yoda). I think
they should have design another stand for the prequel busts... However you
CAN cover the front of the stand with the clothes if you really don't like
it.
Another negative point about it is the fabrics... they are not screen
accurate. |
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Other thing that bothers me a little is the fact they
didn't make the other hand?... wouldn't be too much work to make another
hand, so why didn't they make it - $:$:$ ???
Finally It would have been cool if they could have included the necklace as
well... cause it should go over the hands, maybe they forgot it? |
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| So with all those minor points aside, I must
conclude that this bust is really amazing !!! A real masterpiece... and all
I can say is that it is worth every cent. Great review Benkenove -
Thanks! |
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1:1 Greedo Bust |
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The next one's a strange one since he's hardly what you
would call a key character in the SW trilogy, given he was blasted by Han
Solo (who incidentally DID shoot first) in the Cantina in Mos Eisley, BUT I
LIKE HIM! |
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As with Yoda he shares the same presentation
base as the Sideshow Darth Maul. Detail looks good although there isn't a
huge amount to compare it with. However its nice Sideshow have "dressed" him
with the shoulder detailing of the turquoise and yellow jump suit and brown
sleeveless top. |
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Sideshow's Greedo has been available for a few
months now but I cant help think that at $599 for such a lesser-known
character is probably pushing it a little. Of course the other side of the
coin is remembering how much the less popular Don Post Deluxe helmets or
Hasbro RotJ figures now fetch! |
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Our favourite Rodian is cast in fiberglass with a polystone exterior.
Many thanks to Mister Gosh for taking these pics. |
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| As with the Darth Maul and Yoda,
Sideshow has finished off this bust to the same excellent standards as we've
come to expect. I personally do like the stand and think it works well with
this particular character. |
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Adding the small but crucial piece of shoulder costume
really sets the bust of well and it looks like they've got pretty close to
the look of the original costume |
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Rear - not sure what these spines are made of - rubber I
hope otherwise they'll be prone to snapping off during transit! |
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In summary - I like it, In fact I may need to buy
one. Below, Sideshow sent me this nice hi-res pic |
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Bossk
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| Below, thanks to Si for these really great
pictures of his Bossk bust from Sideshow |
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| Announced earlier in 2007, its only recently
started to ship earlier this month (December 07). As with alkl the sideshow
busts it built on the same Star Wars inspired base. |
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| It looks like an excellent piece - the only
addition I would have been tempted to make would have been to add some of
the yellow jumpsuit to the shoulder and arm areas - but otherwise there can
be no complaints as it does look really cool. Love the wet look finish! |
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| It looks like a really great rendition of the
Trandoshan Bounty Hunter seen all too briefly in The Empire Strikes Back.
Hopefully Lucas will devote an episode of the upcoming TV series to this
interesting character. |
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| And as a comparison, a fan-made Bossk bust
(apologies as I don't know the owner), but the mask section came from the
excellent work of Glitch. See what a difference the yellow jump suit makes? |
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| Below, and again a couple of hi-res shots from
sideshow..... |
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Emperor Palpatine
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| Sideshow's next 1:1 scale bust offering (Spring
08) is the Emperor Palpatine. As with all their lifesizes the overall
impression is really impressive and in a similar style to the Darth Maul this one also comes with a fabric shawl - and a rather nice clasp. |
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| I believe its expected to retail for around the
$450 mark, a very reasonable price for such a low-run collectible like this.
As with the other 1:1 busts I presume it'll be limited to 500. |
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| As with all organic sculpts, the key is the
eyes - and Palpatine's look pretty good. |
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| and finally another shot from Sideshow... |
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For
Sideshow's Aliens, Terminator and
Predator Busts and Life-sizes click
here for our sister site.... |
