Statue Spotlight: Sideshow Con 2021

Vega
Jul 31, 2021
11 min read

Perhaps it was because Sideshow released a few new pieces for pre-order prior to the actual Sideshow Con Event (i.e., Storm PF, Galactus Maquette, Scarlet Witch PF, Hulk vs Hulkbuster Maquette). Perhaps it is because the other companies attending just brought a more fresh creative direction this year. Or perhaps, maybe what people are saying is true: Sideshow is becoming more concerned with distributing collectibles as opposed to developing them. Regardless of the reason, Sideshow Con 2021 brought a wave of disappointment with their newest releases and updates, especially for not being a new collector. Sideshow Con was great for new collectors or soon to be collectors, as they made sure to load the event with rehashes of characters, including a reveal that was given the Premium Format treatment just a year and a half ago.

Before diving into the statues themselves, a little on the event as a whole. I thought that Sideshow made some good improvements being one year removed from their initial self-run Con event. Most notably of those was spreading out new reveals throughout the week, as well as identifying what properties the various booth configurations would highlight. That helped the event feel more focused and gave us something to look forward to throughout the week. There were still some technical issues with stream quality, not as bad as last year, and various other expected hiccups of doing live streams that I think furthered the recommendation for more pre-taped material. I actually caught a few of their non-booth tour live streams, something I did very little of last year, and played in some of their point-laden trivia games. While I was one of those who initially had a sour taste following the changes made to the point system (adding expiration dates and changing distribution method), it makes a lot of sense from a company standpoint to do it the new way. Yes, the quick $40-60 in rewards every event added up nicely, but in the grand scheme of things, I was still able to grab $30+ with much less effort than stressing over expiring point codes.

As an event, Sideshow has moved Sideshow Con forward towards being a more well-rounded happening, but in terms of its statues, Sideshow has decided to work backwards. Other than one statue, one out of twelve revealed 1:4 pieces, all of Sideshow's announced pieces are re-do's of characters. Not just that, but many of them had only been released within the last 5 years. It felt like watching a replay of year's past, with little to really get excited about regarding Sideshow's prospects for future pieces. In all honesty, I think the pre-Con pre-orders that were also on display throughout the Con were superior as an overall collection when compared to the batch of new reveals. Speaking of which, there is plenty to say about Sideshow's new reveals, but I offer just a quick snippet of my thoughts below. I also included PCS's new reveals since it had the second largest presence at the Con and also debuted probably two of the three best new statues.

Sure, this year's Sideshow Con was better than last years, but it should be easy to admit that the bar was set pretty low. My problem and disappointment stems from the lack of progression the company took overall. There wre some highlights and a handful of new things, but Sideshow continues to feel behind the ball in terms of expanding past their comfort zone of usual characters. Even worse, this year has that comfort zone feeling like it has a 3 year lifespan before its time to start over again.

SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES

Carnage Premium Format

Statue Rating: 4.5/5

Excitement Rating: 4.5/5

This is how you re-release a character within 5 years of the last statue and make it worth the repeat. I know that Daniel Bel's sculpts are typically held in very high regard, and while I have never seen a piece of his I did not like, I had not been wowed as much as this Carnage has wowed me. The flow captured in the symbiote, the lethality in his scythe arm, and the overall sense of living danger the statue exudes is brilliant. If not for a few nitpicks I have with it, I could easily say this is the best Carnage I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the narrowness of his mouth comes off like too much like a beak and he has a bit of a hunchback. Even with those issues, I may end up grabbing this statue down the line to pair with my Prime 1 Venom.

Venom PF

Statue Rating: 3.5/5

Excitement Rating: 2/5

I do not care much for this design and take on the Venom character. I am ok with the size, the emblem, the movement captured in the symbiote coming out of the sewage, and him holding Spider-Man's mask. I don't really hate the pose either, don't love it, but don't hate it. I do not like the headsculpt in the slightest and I think everything about the base can get tossed. This whole paint effect emulating the glow of reflections is missing more than it hits. THE stand out feature in this piece is the sculpt of the symbiote and how in certain areas (look at its thigh) it looks like its actively rippling and moving. It is better than their last Premium Format in most ways, so it is an upgrade, but I wouldn't say enough of one to warrant this taking the release of a yet to be seen Spidey character from Sideshow.

Captain America Premium Format Figure

Statue Rating: 2.5/5

Excitement Rating: 1/5

Another repeat of a character made in recent years and it is just ok. The dyanmicism and design of the suit capture that classic Captain America feel well, but the sculpt is too overdone in the upper body. I mean, his forearms looks bigger than his head and is not a style choice I can get behind, "comic accurate" or not. The base fits the character well but the effects of the ricocheting bullets looks like something that would accompany a plastic toy. I like Cap, but there is just very little excitement here. Try harder Sideshow.

Black Widow Premium Format

Statue Rating: 2/5

Excitement Rating: 1/5

A lot of what I said about the Captain America PF can be echoed here. I am usually first to defend Sideshow as the best face sculpts in the game, especially when it comes to females. This one looks like a step back in the department, though I do like how they sculpted the twirling of her hair. The pose and the action it captures are the highlight for the statue, but do not outweigh what works against this piece. The fact that there was a recent Black Widow PF, that it had a better designed costume and headsculpt, and that it was devoid of plastic energy effects almost squashes this as even serviceable. I get maybe wanting to capitalize on the "Black Widow"movie, but do a movie version for that and don't just pop out another comic version. No thanks.

Doctor Doom Maquette

Statue Rating: 4/5

Excitement Rating: 4/5

When this was first shown in full, it had the most unflattering lighting being thrown at it and the greens back out like an olive-brown. This left a tasteless first impression in most collector's mouths, but now that it has gotten proper exposure, it continues to really grow on me. The pose captures Doom's obnoxious regality and egoism so well and the Latverian flags were a unique touch for a character that has seen A LOT of renditions. Besides having a sculpted cape, I do wish there were a few more modern touches in his design and that they knocked off an inch or so from the flag pole. I can appreciate the subtle texture in his costume but, overall, it does not hit enough on a style I would purchase. The EX is pretty weak as well, with not enough variation between the two masks to make much of a difference. Even with all of that, this is still a stand out statue.