Forum member Felmar has got some outstanding photos of Sideshow’s first 1/4 scale entry of their “The Dead” line: the Patient Zero premium format. Before you ask, this is the oh-so-exclusive version with the “switch out victim hand” action. #21/100 no less.

Click forth at once to see if this PF delivers!

(6 photos)

Sideshow:

• Shocker! Alien Ripley Power Loader diorama goes for pre-sale sans Sigourney Weaver likeness; rights issue cited as culprit
• Elektra comiquette goes for pre-order, exclusive sells out in a blink

Weta:

• Yet another one-of-one Raygun, the Texas Rose, exclusive to San Diego Con
• John Howe Middle Earth sculptures officially announced, will be at SDCC
• Greg Broadmore to attend Comic-Con 09 for signings of Grordbort’s fine art book

Hot Toys:

• Marcus Wright figure revised with new headsculpt, now even Sam Worthington-ier
• First Wolverine images glimpsed, debates rage on its Jackman worthiness
• Awkwardly named Terminator: Salvation T-600 ‘Weathered Rubber Skin Version’ is announced

Hollywood Collectibles Group:

• Life-size Legolas Lothlorien bow, limited to 500

On display: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee (Camaro), Ironhide (GMC Topkick) and Sideswipe (Corvette Stingray Concept) from the motion picture, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

• See our other film prop galleries

If you noticed the one constant in the secretive teaser photos from Weta lately, you may have just surmised that the new range of sculptures would be based on John Howe’s Middle Earth art.

No, it’s not the The Hobbit line (yet!) that was in much speculation, but it is very much Tolkien, as imagined by John Howe. There’s a rich body of iconic imagery to draw on. And even strict film-fans not intimately familiar with Mr. Howe will discover that the movies were richly influenced by his works. It really does make you a Howe fan by default. In hindsight, there’s a real feeling of ‘why doesn’t this already exist?’ That’s perhaps just how overdue the 3D-ization of Howe’s work is, and how natural a fit that it is Weta who takes on this task. It’s like a no-brainer that’s slipped the mind.

Of two things I am sure: First is that the pieces will be real beauties, and refreshing in a way; a respite from the pure film-licensed collectibles. The second certainty is that they will not come cheap.

The terms “short editions”, “bronze”, “white metal”, and “fine art” can only amount to one thing: you had better start saving your pennies immediately. If you’re curious for more, steer your browser to the latest Weta Cast to hear from John Howe himself. Two pieces will be shown at Comic-Con. I can’t wait to see them.

Weta’s latest one-off Raygun– the Texas Rose, will be exclusive at this year’s con. Hey, even if you can ill-afford any of the growing collection of unique Rayguns thus far (the Rose will run you $1250), this here is a good opportunity to actually see one of these beauties in the flesh. That’s gotta count for something right?

Weta promises more Comic-Con exclusives to be revealed.

Hot Toys has put out the tease for apparently the only X-Men important enough to have his own movie: Wolverine. Sculpted by Kojun and painted by JC Hong, as per the norm, there are no massive surprises here– the figure looks great.

Sideshow:

• Diablo 3: Overthrown diorama relaunched in earnest, already garnering ’statue of the year’ talk
• Aliens Ripley/Power Loader diorama glimpsed
• Dinosauria line building steam: Styracosaurus Maquette goes pre-order, hits low quantity alert pronto
• Life-size Iron Man bust gets battle damaged treatment
• Has Sideshow caught reboot fever? Elektra comiquette teased

Weta:

• Avatar-ish, Grordbort-ish creature shown in latest Comic-Con tease; one collector to describes: “A praying mantis with one big sac”
• More Howe, Wuest photos to analyze, John Howe collectibles line imminent?
• Forward to the past: Star Burst buyer shows in hand photos
• Reminder: Alan Lee signing at the Weta Cave in two days

If the title of this entry was to be really truthful, it’d have a GIANT question mark at the end.

See, IGN is holding a sweepstake for District 9, where the prize includes airfare/hotel to San Diego and a meet and greet with PJ (producer) and Neil Blomkamp (director) at SDCC 09. Yes, I recognize that I have a snowball’s chance, but it’s one of those situations where the prize is so cool that it’s worth the hail mary.

I noticed right away that men and women have different entry deadlines, which I thought mildly odd (why even have distinctions at all?). Peculiarities aside, as I went on my merry way completing this flash entry form, when I noticed something even more distressing- I could not check the ‘male’ box for gender. It states that the men’s deadline is July 22, so that couldn’t be it. And a quick try confirms that the women’s checkbox does work (but does not allow you to uncheck it once it’s checked, ugh, poor coding, anyone?)

A quick google search found something mighty revealing: the contest was originally open to males only. “You are not welcome here” indeed.

This totally explains the odd double entry periods and partially explains why the contest form is broken. The story has gotten some play around the blogosphere for its sexist restrictions and the powers that be have since rectified the situation, but as you can gather- rather haphazardly. Nice going!

While I’m glad the ladies now have a rightful chance at the goods, it still leaves me with a conundrum now that the roles are comically reversed: how the hell do I enter? Refreshing the page to clear the female checkbox, I wanted to see if it would allow an entry with neither checked. It did. I figure if I did win as a female, I would be disqualified pretty quickly. So I did the right thing and am now entered as a genderless human being.

Yay for that!

It’s been roughly 10 months since our last Market Watch for Sideshow’s Doctor Doom PF, and this pricey PF continues to be just that.

Three exclusives were sold in May, peaking at a staggering $1945. All told, the exclusive has increased in value 25% in the last 10 months.

Valuation: +435% Exclusive | +317% Regular

(See latest completed Ebay auctions)

A 1:6 scale Tumbler. On paper it’s not so outrageous; it’s not until you see it in relatable terms that the idea begins to teeter on the utterly ridiculous pursuit that it really is. Leave it to the deranged minds (meant in the most loving way) at Hot Toys go chasing after cars. It seems they know exactly what to do with one when they’ve caught it.

This batmobile is available in the US at Amazon, of all places (woot, free shipping!) and is slated to ship out July 29. Can’t wait that long? Check out our photos of the real thing in the meantime.