SSC Cyborg Darth Maul PF!

[Sithlord1975]

I just never get the choice or decisions they use to decide what to release or work on first. Everyone is and has been screaming for stuff like C3P0 and R2 PF's. But then we get stuff like Darth Talon (No clue who this was at the time), that new bouny hunter chick and now this Maul. You'd think they would produce what the consumer wants, and not what they "think" is cool to work on and make first. But maybe it's just the nature of an artistic business to work on things that inspire them i guess. Just not sure how that makes sense financially for them.

 

[DarthNeil]

I just never get the choice or decisions they use to decide what to release or work on first. Everyone is and has been screaming for stuff like C3P0 and R2 PF's. But then we get stuff like Darth Talon (No clue who this was at the time), that new bouny hunter chick and now this Maul. You'd think they would produce what the consumer wants, and not what they "think" is cool to work on and make first. But maybe it's just the nature of an artistic business to work on things that inspire them i guess. Just not sure how that makes sense financially for them.

Not everyone is unhappy about the selections-- and while I didn't order Darth Talon, I do have this exc. and the "bounty hunter chick" exc. on pre-order. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Good things come to those who wait. Be patient for the OT PF's that we know we'll get.

 

[swabie2424]

Well, this thread has been an entertaining read to say the least. I think lots of people have made good points for and against this piece. So I'll weigh in:

I ordered the Exclusive because I think it rocks from an artistic POV. Yeah, I tend to look at my statues as art - sorry can't help it.

I had indeed read the comic, so I was familiar with where the character design came from... and while I think the story is a bit silly (oh Randy Stradley!)... I still dig the piece. It's perfectly amazingly zany and awesome all at the same time.

Star Wars is like any other franchise in that there's always people who can't let cool characters RIP. Fett survived the Saralcc, Maul survived being chopped in half... next thing we'll find out is that Jabba survived the barge explosion! But ya know what... s'all good to me. Since this is all just a fun part of my day... I grin, smile and have a laugh. Remember folks... buy what ya like and enjoy the ride!

One more note. I agree Sideshow has many too many EU characters lately in PF. The line is getting out of balance a bit IMHO. However, I dig the creativity and fun factor. Since I know characters like Threepio, Stormie etc are on the way... I'm down like a clown, Charlie Brown.

 

[unsung hero]

1:1 >>PF

The Lifesize bust is amazing here's mine

I think that the SS 1:1 bust is a good representation of Maul, but not Ray Park. It was my favorite piece in my collection until I got a much more realistic bust of Maul that was created by an artist of theRPF. Immediately sold my SS bust upon getting one. So, while I was not trying to say that the Maul bust was bad (although the eyes were painted horribly), I was saying that the portrait on this looks more like the actor than anything Sideshow has produced of Maul to date.

 

[Darth Snoopy]

I ordered the Exclusive because I think it rocks from an artistic POV. Yeah, I tend to look at my statues as art - sorry can't help it.

I had indeed read the comic, so I was familiar with where the character design came from... and while I think the story is a bit silly (oh Randy Stradley!)... I still dig the piece. It's perfectly amazingly zany and awesome all at the same time.

Star Wars is like any other franchise in that there's always people who can't let cool characters RIP. Fett survived the Saralcc, Maul survived being chopped in half... next thing we'll find out is that Jabba survived the barge explosion! But ya know what... s'all good to me. Since this is all just a fun part of my day... I grin, smile and have a laugh. Remember folks... buy what ya like and enjoy the ride!

Well said, Swabie!

 

[traylorc]

You know...when I first saw this piece I had no desire to purchase it. I decided to pass. But then I watched that damn Backstage pass and then being the good Sideshow addict that I am ordered the EX before it sold out.

Somebody please help me......

 

[Blackhole]

I blame myself entirely for Sideshow's Darth Talon...

But you can't blame me for this one!

 

[IrishJedi]

I had indeed read the comic, so I was familiar with where the character design came from... and while I think the story is a bit silly (oh Randy Stradley!)

Actually, Randy Stradley didn't write it... it was Aaron McBride, a designer for ILM.

Of course, as VP of Dark Horse Comics, the whole VISIONARIES idea (and much of the EU itself) is probably Stradley's fault.

 

[Red Metal]

I just never get the choice or decisions they use to decide what to release or work on first. Everyone is and has been screaming for stuff like C3P0 and R2 PF's. But then we get stuff like Darth Talon (No clue who this was at the time), that new bouny hunter chick and now this Maul. You'd think they would produce what the consumer wants, and not what they "think" is cool to work on and make first. But maybe it's just the nature of an artistic business to work on things that inspire them i guess. Just not sure how that makes sense financially for them.

They have to be able to space things out. If they just released the primary characters back-to-back, then the start of the line would sell well and the end of the line would fizzle out. If they always have us on the hook for a Chewie or Stormie, then we'll always be coming back.

It's a carrot on a stick...

 

[IrishJedi]

But it's a carrot that will soon rot if they don't start releasing CORE characters in the format again.

Some people lose interest and start allocating their money elsewhere.

 

[-jay-]

Well, this thread has been an entertaining read to say the least. I think lots of people have made good points for and against this piece. So I'll weigh in:

I ordered the Exclusive because I think it rocks from an artistic POV. Yeah, I tend to look at my statues as art - sorry can't help it.

I had indeed read the comic, so I was familiar with where the character design came from... and while I think the story is a bit silly (oh Randy Stradley!)... I still dig the piece. It's perfectly amazingly zany and awesome all at the same time.

Star Wars is like any other franchise in that there's always people who can't let cool characters RIP. Fett survived the Saralcc, Maul survived being chopped in half... next thing we'll find out is that Jabba survived the barge explosion! But ya know what... s'all good to me. Since this is all just a fun part of my day... I grin, smile and have a laugh. Remember folks... buy what ya like and enjoy the ride!

One more note. I agree Sideshow has many too many EU characters lately in PF. The line is getting out of balance a bit IMHO. However, I dig the creativity and fun factor. Since I know characters like Threepio, Stormie etc are on the way... I'm down like a clown, Charlie Brown.

Don't be sorry i also see them as art and it was the reason i ordered this.

 

[Red Metal]

But it's a carrot that will soon rot if they don't start releasing CORE characters in the format again.

Some people lose interest and start allocating their money elsewhere.

Yea, but SSC doesn't seem to mind that. Look at the LOTR and Indy lines - they basically blamed the consumers for the carrot rotting.

Besides, it's Star Wars. One of their premier licenses. They're going to be able to ride this for years.

 

[Khev]

YES! Seriously. He had buried himself under the sand on the Lars Homestead, which I suppose is how he was watching after Luke.

That would actually make a pretty funny Far Side strip.

I can just imagine a scene of Owen and Beru standing in the desert surrounded by what appear to be mole holes.

Beru: "Honey Obi-Wan has been in the flower bed again."

Owen: "Damn that hermit!"

 

[FlyAndFight]

...
so the big characters are coming but if they released them all right away many collectors would stop after that...

That argument doesn't hold water and has been dispelled every time it rears it's ugly head. Why in the world would a collector that is wanting the "big characters" buy this (or these types of pieces)? They would probably get tired of waiting and re-allocate their funds in another direction (and not necessarily to another line from the same company.)

And as for "the big characters are coming", don't tell that to the LOTR 1/6th and PF crowd...

But it's a carrot that will soon rot if they don't start releasing CORE characters in the format again.

Some people lose interest and start allocating their money elsewhere.

BINGO!

That would actually make a pretty funny Far Side strip.

I can just imagine a scene of Owen and Beru standing in the desert surrounded by what appear to be mole holes.

Beru: "Honey Obi-Wan has been in the flower bed again."

Owen: "Damn that hermit!"

 

[Vivisect]

I'm a Star Wars fan and all. I can't stand the EU garbage that's out there. It borders Star Trek nerdiness...

Your kidding right, how much of a difference is there between the 2?

This statue=FAIL. If this was in the movies okay, but since when did Maul come back as a Cyborg and wouldn't he be after Obi-Wan's a** after what he did to him?

As has been said already, it was a comic story and it was also if I am not mistaken a "what if?" sort of story, so its not considered cannon in any way as far as I know. I don't collect PF's and if I did this would not be something I would want either. I would think the exclusive head should have been a maul head with out the silly comic oversized horns and more of a film version of the head, since thats what really kills it for me.

 

[The Josh]

That argument doesn't hold water and has been dispelled every time it rears it's ugly head. Why in the world would a collector that is wanting the "big characters" buy this (or these types of pieces)? They would probably get tired of waiting and re-allocate their funds in another direction (and not necessarily to another line from the same company.)

It does hold some water despite what you and a few others want to say. A collector that wants the "main guys" might also be a fan of niche type pieces. Are these types of things supposed to never be made until every last main character has been made? Thats not gonna work at all. A nice blend in a line of main guys, mid guys, lower tier, and stuff outside that is what works best. People's attention spans or willingness to accept something that isn't in their niche is always an issue. Its part of the culture today IMO. We have to have it now and our way or it sucks, fail, pass, etc.

 

[swabie2424]

Actually, Randy Stradley didn't write it... it was Aaron McBride, a designer for ILM.

Of course, as VP of Dark Horse Comics, the whole VISIONARIES idea (and much of the EU itself) is probably Stradley's fault.

Yeah, I never assumed he wrote it... but he's kinda driving the bus over there! My poke at him was merely good ribbing. I like and respect Randy a lot.

 

[Khev]

Something that fascinates me about this design (contrived and throw-away as it may be) is that it might be the most fantastically evil looking character in all of Star Wars.

He now looks a bit like a satyr/faun, which in mythology are often depicted as the epitome of lustful hedonism. Then you've got the demonic horns and face of pure hate, the dark cloak and red lightsabers. The guy just looks like sin on two legs and angry for no other reason than he just can't wait any longer to do something truly horrible to someone. I can't deny that SSC's execution has been nearly perfect, so much so that I actually don't see this piece collecting dust in their warehouse.

 

[The Josh]

Something that fascinates me about this design (contrived and throw-away as it may be) is that it might be the most fantastically evil looking character in all of Star Wars.

He now looks a bit like a satyr/faun, which in mythology are often depicted as the epitome of lustful hedonism. Then you've got the demonic horns and face of pure hate, the dark cloak and red lightsabers. The guy just looks like sin on two legs and angry for no other reason than he just can't wait any longer to do something truly horrible to someone. I can't deny that SSC's execution has been nearly perfect, so much so that I actually don't see this piece collecting dust in their warehouse.

Very well put Khev. Its not everyones cup of tea and thats the case with virtually every piece but this piece really does look evil. I love Darth Maul and this look with how evil and flow of the piece is what I wanted to see with the first PF.

 

[IrishJedi]

I wonder if the hood can be put up and over the head?? If not, that's a pretty funny drop of the ball considering that's how he actually appeared when he was running. Looks like it might, though. But they didn't take any pictures that way for some reason.