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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Enter the Mini-Statues: DC Direct Shrinks Flash vs. Gorilla Grodd

In a new trend that is sure to be kind to wallets and shelf space, DC Direct is revisiting some of it’s popular statues and reproducing them as Mini-Statues. First up is Flash Vs. Gorilla Grodd, which I picked up a couple of weeks ago.

Mini” really means mini with this piece. This is 1:2 Scale to the original which was 12” in height. Check out the Facebook photo album for a scale comparison – Flash and Grodd in total come up to about the same height as a DCUC 6” figure. While the size is much smaller, there doesn’t seem to be any skimping on detail – photos of the original and the mini side by side are hard to tell apart.

Flash and Grodd come packaged separately and Flash inserts into Grodd via steel pegs in his feet. Unlike most statues assembled by this method, this one felt the tiniest bit wobbly when I picked it up to display it. It’s not in danger of falling out in any way but it’s definitely less firmly stuck than others I’ve had.

This is a Michael Turner-inspired sculpt, and if you didn’t like Turner’s unique take on anatomy you won’t like this. The waist is impossibly thin, the arms a tad too long and the hands a bit too big. I was never a great fan of the late Turner’s art, but Flash is one character he drew I never minded so much (and the only IDENTITY CRISIS figure I could tolerate), so I can look past this here. The paint apps are very solid, and the pose is quite dynamic front on, although I’d have to say Flash’s stance doesn’t hold up well from all angles. Best of all, it joins my collection without taking up half a shelf.

I’m all for the idea of these Mini-Statues as less expensive way of picking up some of the larger statues I’ve missed along the way. The upcoming Alex Ross Superman and Batman mini-statues will be welcome additions to my shelf, but I’d really love to see them reproduce some more two-character statues such as Green Lantern Vs. Sinestro whose initial release prices were just too cost-prohibitive. I also wonder if the mini-statue idea is something Bowen or Sideshow would consider to make their products more accessible.

You can see more pics at Facebook, discuss this at the AFB Forum, and comment on this post to enter the January AFB Comment of the Month Contest!

Until next time!

9 comments:

chopa said...

Wow that looks good, at least in a turner sort of way.

Kyle said...

I'm a fan of the mini-statue idea. I don't have the space for some of the big ones.

ryanlb said...

I'd much rather have the regular sized version of the statue than the mini, but since I can't afford I either I guess it doesn't matter.

I like Turner's art, so I think it's a cool statue.

chrismandesign said...

This mini-statue is really sensational... i’m not such a fan of statues cuz they r so delicate, i prefer sturdier pieces... but i can’t deny its quality in detail & paint job... bout Michael Turner style, i think he’s an artist, so he can gives himself some licenses in anatomy concerns... not all have to be like Alex Ross...

Saranga said...

i thought i recognised the art style, of course it's turner. very well reproduced isn't it? but it's not for me. still, nice to know that tiny statues are an option.

fishmilkshake said...

Never was a fan of Turner but I like the concept of using Grodd in the base. And where else will I read "Flash inserts into Grodd"? but on AFB

Westy said...

That's a great idea for them so they can reuse a sculpt (sort of), making them more money from it, without devaluing the original (possibly bumping their prices up), while still providing the folks at home with a chance to afford something that was previously out of their price range.

demoncat said...

like the mini statue idea allows some fans to be able to buy a statue who really do not have space or the cash for the big size though grodd looks a little too cartoony espically the face. would love to see a batman one standing over the joker

Tom Freak said...

Like so many, I also agree with the mini statues idea, less money spent and less space taken from a display shelf is a win/win situation for me.

Using Grodd as the base is a great detail, when I saw the pics on your FB and read Flash Vs. Gorilla Grodd I was at work, aw them quickly and thought, where the Hell is Grodd? Haha.

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