Thanks guys...
I ordered the Punisher first but I had been eyeballing that DD since in hand videos came out. I never planned on getting either to be honest.
But I went looking for the SSC Punisher Comiquette to repurchase (Had to sell mine years ago). After seeing the prices I figured.. What the hell for a bit more I can get the XM. I have been very curious to see one in hand so I went ahead and got him.
Then I started watching XM DD videos again and thought it would look great with the Punisher so after selling 5 statues I was on my way to my first two XM pieces.
DD came first... and I have to say after all the XM hype, I was........ Disappointed. It was not a bad statue.. Not at all. But I did not see the reason behind the hype. The paint apps were good and the sculpt is great but I did not see the "XM is so much better then SSC" banter I read so often. I actually put him on ebay and on the sales thread here the next day. But after a bit of time I started to really dig it (sometimes those end up being the best pieces). I still officially can't say it's that much better then some of SSC pieces but the paint apps are tight and the overall presence is masterful. Anyways two days later I took the sales down and figured he was a keeper... At least until I see how the Punisher looks with him.
Punisher came and I had no real worries about him being a stand out piece. The In hand videos and pics showed me that much. So I went to the post office to pick it up... Brown box was beat to ****. But Punisher inside had no issues... Say what you want about XM pieces... Their packaging is 2nd to none. Anyways opened him up and took out the AO head sculpt and got a big grin on my face and thought "So this is what people are talking about when it comes to XM"
SO I got it all together and yeah its pretty amazing and is some next level statue making. Very happy with this piece and having him displayed with DD brings both pieces to another level for me.
The paint apps on Punisher is perfect. As good as anything I have ever seen. Very happy with this purchase and have no regrets at all and now I am very much feeling the same way towards DD.
In the end do I think they are that much better then SSC to justify the price (not counting shipping) DD not as much but Punisher is a definite yes. I still love the Comiquette but this piece is just something special. Now I do think XM DD is the best 1/4 scale DD on the market and if you are a big DD fan then I would say it's worth the price. But if you liked the SSC DD just as much and only want one DD for you collection then saving some $ on the SS version might be worth it to you.
DareDevil - 8.5 out of 10
Punisher - 9.5 out of 10
I will be doing a video review on both pieces soon so I will share more thoughts there and explain my rating
Spoiler:
