While Sideshow Collectible’s own products could easily fill up any collector’s home, the company also gives fans the opportunity to get the goods from independent studios, whose relationship to Sideshow benefits everyone. Through Sideshow’s in-place distribution model, smaller manufacturers can get their product to the masses. By serving as distributor for these smaller companies, Sideshow positions themselves as a partner to these studios and an ally to both consumer and creator. It’s a union that has brought more than its fair share of obscure or overseas pieces to the shelves of fans everywhere – and is the gameplan for 2008.
One of the most longstanding of these partnerships has been with Bowen Designs. This year, Bowen will be producing a number of pieces for Sideshow to send out, giving Marvel fans some very unique, high-end items. The Jackal, Odin, and Crimson Dynamo will be added to Bowen’s extensive line of mini-busts; with full statues of Black Queen, Black Knight, and Carnage slated as well.
Sideshow will also serve as the distributor for Disney’s high-end collectibles, including both statues and busts. The planned line of busts includes The Witch and title character from Snow White, King Triton and Ursala from The Little Mermaid, Captain Hook from Peter Pan and The Rocketeer. The statue line will feature numerous versions of Mickey and Minny Mouse in a 12″ scale. It was not confirmed whether the Disney brand will expand into other types of collectibles, but if the mouse house is known for anything, it’s seizing the opportunity to expand its purse. Should these initial offerings be successful, it is likely new types of pieces will come soon.
Sideshow’s plans include working with celebrated animator-turned-collectible-creator Mark Tracey. Tracey’s Electric Tiki brand has been on the radar of many new fans this year thanks to their exquisite line of stylized Buffy The Vampire Slayer statues. Thanks to the runaway success of Tracey’s first Buffy piece, “Once More With Feeling” fans will soon be getting a “Tough Love” Willow, Dark Witch Willow, “End of Days” Buffy and Glory, all of which uniquely tooned-up. Buffy is not all that Electric Tiki has planned. Statues of The Tick, Captain Action and Darkwing Duck will also be coming to fans this year.
Sideshow’s distribution of Pop Culture Shock’s multi-media statues will expand the 1/4 scale universe, with three major Capcom characters. From the legendary Street Fighter series comes three different versions of Vega along with two versions of Cammy. Two versions of Morrigan will represent the first large scale collectible from the Darkstalkers games.
Museum Replicas will be bringing their extensive line of large-scale premium products to fans via Sideshow as well. Fans will be able to pick up 1:1 scale collectibles of Wolverine’s claws from the X-Men films, Captain America’s Shield from the Silver Age of Marvel Comics and Thor’s Hammer from the Ultimate Universe.
Sideshow will be bringing foreign figures from both Hot Toys and Medicom to the states. Imports from Hot Toys will include mini-busts of both Predator (with removable mask) and Alien, as well as more pieces from their extensive 1:6 scale Alien and Predator snap kits. One of the more unique pieces is a brand-new human female hunter which includes an alien skull for a shield. Also on deck from Hot Toys are their incredibly popular Resident Evil Figures and an amazing 1:6 scale Iron Man. The Iron Man (based on the film version of the character) will feature lights, numerous articulated flaps and interchangeable parts, including a Tony Stark head. From Medicom’s Real Action Hero line comes more 1:6 scale Star Wars figures, including Han Solo from A New Hopeand a Clone Trooper. The Star Wars Vinyl Collectible Doll line will also continue with Darth Maul, Jawa and Wicket the Ewok. Sideshow will also be bringing Medicom’s highly articulated Dragon Ball Z Goku and Super-Saiyan Goku to the states, along with two rock legends; Rolling Stones members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.
Sideshow certainly has their hands full, to say the least. Between their own extensive portfolio and the addition of other companies’ products, it’s amazing that they continue to steam on with both timely delivery and legendary customer service. Their success, despite this juggling act, is uncanny and fans can expect it to only continue as Sideshow releases more great items in the future.
You can read more of C.J.’s musings on film, toys and music over at stunksstage.com.