SSC mentioned in Variety

[dstephan]

They did a special "Entertainment Licensing" issue today and in an article about "archive" licenses such as Star Trek, the head of SSC said something I thought was interesting - "You're looking for characters that have already become icons of popular culture. It's extremely difficult for that to happen with a new release."

Maybe I'm reading things into this that aren't there - but perhaps Hellboy and Van Helsing (as new properties as opposed to well-aged licenses) were experiments that we won't see repeated soon?

But the article also said that their best sellers have been Universal Monsters and then Monty Python. I'm not sure that's completely true.

[creecher]

I see what you're eluding to Dave, but I can't agree. There are always the exceptions and your two examples are exceptional. I think Hellboy was iconic long before the film was being thought about, and certain figures are just so visual, you know they are going to be a hit.

I think the only experimentation, concerning your two examples, are that Sideshow were able to get on board so early on in the piece and were brave enough to push on without knowing the outcome. HellBoy successful, not too sure about Van Helsing, and what is success? Selling out in weeks as compared to selling out within a year. That is only a measurement of popularity at a given time. What the future dictates remains to be seen.

As far as Monty Python goes, what is meant by best sellers? Statistics can prove whatever your intent focusses upon. In this instance, I too, would hardly say Monty Python is as saleable as the Buffy line. Then from another perspective you could say Buffy/Bond is still in it's progessive stage, whereas Python has come and gone. That being the case it could well be a best seller.

In any case, I'm glad you brought this up, and that Sideshow have the guts to pursue their intuition, as to what we collectors really want. Hopefully we'll see them 'experiment' some more. Now where is the Revnant Frankenstein?

[Azog of Moria]

I dunno SS tends to have so much variety from Marvel to Universal.....Marvel renews itself all the time as a cultural icon so to speak.

[Azog of Moria]

Also thinking about this Dave, maybe we can start an SS in the media section or thread in general?

[dstephan]

An SS media archive might be a good idea. Perhaps content on my site. If others see something they can send it to me and I can scan it in.

[SideshowDusty]

That would be very cool Dave! :banana

[dstephan]

Variety licensing article (http://sideshowcollectors.com/Var062105.jpg)

[Hjalmarr]

I bet Universal Monsters probably stands as Sideshow's most successful line to date. Yeah, LOTR or Buffy is probably the biggest thing now, but what you have to remember is that at one time, the Universal Monsters were stocked by Wal*Mart and Toys R Us. Wal*Mart doesn't exactly order toys in small batches, and there is a reason they are said to control the entire toy market today.

I'm not just trying to be biased (it's true that UM IS my favorite), but it's just a plain fact that Wal*Mart moves more products than specialty shops.

[ffl1940]

I think Hellboy was iconic long before the film was being thought about

I am a 'sometimes' comic reader, sci fi fan and pop-culture literate but I have to say that when I saw a trailer for Hellboy a few months before it's release, in a theater full of people, I was far from the only one that had a big question mark above my head at the end of the trailer. I didn't have a clue who Hellboy was and from the murmurs of "what?" and "huh?" I'm pretty sure no one else did either.

[creecher]

and don't forget....

and certain figures are just so visual, you know they are going to be a hit.

I had never seen Der Kinderstod before either, but I had to have it. Love at first sight.

This could be the first Buffy Premium. Buffycianados would baulk at me saying that, but it could be a neat crossover from the horror lines into the Buffy universe, for me, even moreso than the Master, as such a vehicle. I don't know how it can be improved upon, the 1/6 version is just soooo cool. I'm sure if it comes out I will be proved wrong. I know some Premium collectors are saying 'Prove him wrong' right now.