Horror of horrors! This year for the first time in its 50+ years, San Diego Comic-Con had to cancel its convention held every year in July. The reason is, of course, the world-wide Novel Coronavirus pandemic which has sadly killed over 155,000 people in the United States alone and over 9,000 people in California where the convention is held. But never under estimate the ingenuity of collectors and more so the businesses that want to sell you their merchandise. Enter: The Virtual Convention where people could sit at home in their comfy Batman jammies and watch panels on movies and television that, except for a few, have absolutely no idea when their movies and TV series will come out. Several companies that would have normally set up beautiful, elaborate booths at Comic-Con, set up beautiful, elaborate booths for the home viewers with the added bonus of not having to put it all under glass. Sideshow Collectibles, a giant in the collectibles industry, did such a thing and revealed to watchers some of the great products they have coming out soon…some are even up for pre-order right now. And that is what I want to start off with instead of a big reveal at the end of this article I am starting off with my friend whom I just hitched a ride with…the sentinel of the spaceways…The Silver Surfer!
The statue is a masterpiece! What really goes beyond is the beautiful base that shows a vortex the Surfer is exiting. The paint job is a spectacle…showing pearlescent stars swirling around the Surfer’s board with Norrin Rad standing majestically upon it.
Can it get any better than this? Oh, yes it can! The Sideshow Exclusive version contains a bust of another cosmic character…Frankie Ray, otherwise known as Nova II. And Frankie has something special of her own…a light up feature for showing her hair aflame!
This, statue collectors, is the one statue to buy this year because when it goes on to the secondary market like eBay the cost is going to be way, way out there. You can pre-order it now for $630. Hopefully you have some Sideshow Rewards saved up to knock that down a bit!
Also up for pre-order is the Hot Toys Stan Lee from Thor Ragnarok figure. This one shows Stan in his *grbl grbl* barber outfit along with the *whimper* sheers he used to–no, I can’t say it…yet I must–used to cut off the beautiful golden locks of the Thunder God Thor. Check out the pictures here while I go cry my eyes out.
Stan…how could ye? Ah, moving along Sideshow has re-released their popular Whiplash action figure from Iron Man 2. This one comes with a new head sculpt of Mickey which looks most excellent.
Stan Lee is selling for $235 while Whiplash is $285.
https://www.sideshow.com/collectibles/marvel-stan-lee-hot-toys-906326
https://www.sideshow.com/collectibles/marvel-whiplash-hot-toys-906325
Now for some sneak peaks at crazy good stuff coming out soon.
Spider-Man “Anti-Ock” suit from Hot Toys. To tell you the truth, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this suit. Peter’s closet much be getting a little full, eh?
Black Widow in white. Surely taken from her “new” movie which, if we’re lucky, we might actually get to see someday! Another Hot Toys presentation.
Symbiote Spider-Man Premium Format Figure. He’s back in black for this upcoming 1/4 scale statue. You can go to Sideshow Collectibles and RSVP to any of the preview pieces in this article and you will be texted the moment they are put up for order.
Christopher Reeve as Superman Premium Format Figure. They say the first Superman you see is “your” Superman. Well, poppycock! My first Superman was George Reeves but my Superman will always be Christoper Reeve (no relation, you can see Christoper doesn’t have an “s” at the end of his name–just thought I’d throw that in so you don’t get confused and also so I meet my word count).
Bane Premium Format Figure
Michael Meyers Premium Format Figure perhaps Mikey will coincide with the next Halloween movie’s release…say, next April?
Taskmaster 1/6 Scale Figure from Hot Toys. Perhaps this is a prototype we are seeing here? Otherwise this Taskmaster looks more like a Marvel Legends or perhaps One:12. Let me get you something a little more exciting…
Taskmaster Premium Format Figure just went up for pre-order a couple of weeks ago so you can still get the Sideshow Exclusive that has the change out head from the comics…or is it a change out head from the movie? Oh, hell, you get two heads, ok? Priced at $595.
The Blob and The Juggernaut 10th Scale Statues from Iron Studios. These are part of a HUGE X-Men line up that has Angel, Ice Man, Beast, Gambit, Storm, Cyclops, Bishop, Wolverine, Pyro, Omega Red, Professor X, Jean Grey, Emma Frost, and if you have $1200-$1700 there’s a couple of different Sentinels which will complete an enormous battle diorama.
These are some Sideshow Originals thrown in just in case super heroes and villains aren’t your cup of Earl Grey.
Finally, this just out from Iron Studios, a 1/10th scale statue of Stan The Man Lee. It comes in a regular version without the fancy base or a premium version complete with Thor’s hammer Mjolnir (yes, that’s Mjolnir!) and Captain America’s shield. The fancy version sells for $169 I do believe.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this virtual cavalcade of goodies. Here’s hoping the San Diego Comic-Con returns next year and your species isn’t wiped out by a tiny little organism! Yes, sometimes we have to toss a little humor into serious situations as a way to lighten a path out of the darkness. Stay safe, wear your facial coverings, and follow the scientist’s advice and I’m sure you’ll emerge from this dark time. You have to. Where else will I find all these marvelous toys?