It feels somewhat odd that Sideshow has just now opened pre-orders for their Galadriel Premium Format, considering collectors have been picking it apart since its unintentional tease back in late January! The full reveal does not seem to have absolved this piece of the split reception.

My Take: From the disporportionate size and fit of the fabric to the the indecisive direction taken with Galadriel’s locks, nearly all of my skeptical reservations about the premium format concept comes to the surface here. The doll hair actually looks very good, but clashes miserably with the sculpted portion in texture and color. It also lacks almost completely, the intense curls seen in the film wig. May her granddaughter fare better.

A new Apocalypse Legendary Scale bust was previewed this week, and it’s clear from the from the comments that first impressions have been less than stellar.

My Take: Why not lose the unnerving pupils? I don’t know very much about Apocalypse, but I recall that he (it?) has at times been depicted without them, often, even– which a quick googling confirmed. Better yet, white out the eyes completely.

In other Sideshow news:

• Life-size R2-D2 and C-3PO gets approved prototypes
• A pair of Iron Man 1/4 scale logos helms look bling bling
• Touch this Kitty: X-Men vs. Sentinel 3 on second chance
• Alex Ross’ ‘Joker’s Reckoning‘ art print, expensive as it is pretty
• This thing called The Thing PF, on second chance, or someting

By new, I actually mean really really old. Sorry about that.

I have been slowing migrating my reviews over to the [[Artist Proof]], updating most of them for relevance, trimming the fat often. They are like the ghosts of collector’s past, written back when I was undoubtedly more passionate about this hobby. I’ve been surprised though, at how many people have landed on them by way of google. Most perhaps approaching Sideshow Weta anew. Remember those days?

• Attack Troll maquette
  
• Gandalf the White on Shadowfax
  
• Gondorian Helm Collection
  
• Lurtz
  
• Theoden bust
  

Found the lighting on this one quite pleasing, it has a cinematic quality to me. Thought I would snap a few more photos of these Hobbits before sending them off to the winner of our giveaway.

If there was a unified color scheme to Sideshow’s old site, it’s hard to sum up. I remember it as a mish-mash, in a fond sense of the word. In contrast, the newly revamped site launched on March 18 is mostly white, with a dominating dark navy blue accent. It’s a surprising choice; ‘cleaner’ and unquestionably more consistent, however at the expense of being less inviting.

The direction seems to heavily favor a “more is better” ethos. There is more on every page, all the time. On the homepage, at least three things are in constant live rotation. But it feels like a deluge of information served on a dry platter; the redesign somehow manages to be both busy and sparse. It’s too much, yet too little.

The biggest change I’ve noticed from a user interface perspective is the implementation of a tab-like structure throughout the site. Using the product pages as an example: photo galleries, specs, background and even user reviews all fall under individual tabs which hide and expand dynamically. It’s more ‘web 2.0′ for certain, more whiz-bang for your browsing dollar, but I wonder, considering that all of this information was previously presented at a single glance, if this isn’t actually a step backwards in usability in favor of unneeded ’sexiness’.

While the previous layout was relatively dated, the only real tangible gripe I had was the fact that the search would sometimes omit some painfully obvious results. The verdict is still out on whether that’s changed, though it still needs work: A test search I conducted just now with “aragorn” brought up the Gandalf figure, Eagle vs. Fellbeast diorama, and Legolas legendary scale busts among its top results. I blame Chris.

Perhaps the clearest summation of the revamp comes in comparing the diametrically opposed ‘faces’ of Sideshow. Axed is our favorite Mystery Customer Service Lady. In her place is a dark, stern, pistol-wielding assassin. (their Samaritan prop pistol model, in actuality) Kind of an ominous representation for the Help Desk if we weren’t so familiar with the company’s tongue-in-cheekiness.

Are they trying to tell us something?

On the whole, the overhaul caters to Sideshow’s ever-strengthening focus on a more blog-like experience, which is both logical and extremely savvy. One would be nuts to think that this newly post-beta site won’t be finessed over time– the one thing Sideshow isn’t afraid of is change.

In other Sideshow news:

• Latest Gore Group masterpiece, Thor PF exclusive sells out in a jiffy
  
• Galadriel premium format officially previewed
• Sideshow’s very own re-design FAQ
• Geonosis Padme diorama needs more bare midriff
• Vanderstelt LOTR lithograph come to SS
  

It’s the big day out for Weta Collectibles’ latest entry in the Dr. Grordborts Infallible Aether Oscillator line.

Weta sent along some details about The Victorious Mongoose 1902a, a concealable ray pistol (”the world’s first!”), currently open for orders at what appears to be a special early bird rate. Still can’t afford one, but I love the new case lining color!

• Edition Size: 400
• Price: $535.50
• Designed by Greg Broadmore / Sculpted by David Tremont

I’m prepping some photos for an upcoming GG Balrog bust review, when an old pal came by for a visit.

Sideshow unleashed unto the mostly unsuspecting masses this week their latest experiment on self-created market valuations in the shiny guise of faux bronze: Eagle vs. Fellbeast diorama. The ‘problem’? Only 50 flippers collectors were lucky enough to snag one. Hello, instant shortage!

Scope out The Collective for some more in-depth coverage of the fall-out.

It’s kinda of fun to see that LOTR can still whip collectors into a state of frenzy. To those who genuinely wanted one, we sympathize.

In other Sideshow news:

• Padme taming the furry beast diorama
• Thor just might steal Spidey’s thunder as most bankable superhero

The Hammer of the Gods must strike Weta Workshop pretty often as Led Zeppelin gets another nod in our second interview with the Kiwi effects and collectibles powerhouse. Ramble on for thoughts from designer and Rayguns: Dr. Grordborts Infallible Aether Oscillators creator Greg Broadmore on gorgeous groupies, abusing his artwork, and so much more!

[[AP]]: In the latest transmission from Dr. Grordbort, we found out that you had contracted a rare flesh eating disease. We certainly hope you are feeling better.

Greg Broadmore: It was not so much a flesh eating disease and more a brain eating disease in the form of a film I’ve been doing conceptual design work for. (I can’t name the film yet, sorry.) I’ve been designing for that film now for the last 8 or 9 months solid and that’s meant doing testimonial art has taken a back seat. I managed doing both for a while but then my poor brain started melting. We’ve been preparing a bunch of cool stuff for this year for Dr. Grordbort’s behind the scenes but I will be back creating art for Dr. G anytime now.

The film I’ve been designing for will rule, by the way. I cannot wait for this film. It’s one of the most unique and exciting films I have ever been involved with.

Could you describe what a typical day for you is like at Weta Workshop? Allow us to live vicariously just a little.

Well, first I roll half asleep down the hill to the workshop ( I live one minute from Weta, I could throw a beer bottle on the roof of the workshop from my deck) drink a coffee and spend the next two hours waking up. I usually work a 10 to 12 hour day and spend most of that concept designing.

When I am working on Dr. Grordborts’ a lot of that time is spent writing, which is a pretty new trick for me. I can barely spell. As well as time spent concept designing in photoshop a lot of time can be spent art directing the various builds. For instance, making sure that colours, textures, details etc are correct on one of the new Rayguns. And at about 3pm we take a break to have gorgeous groupies feed us exotic delicacies as we take a bath in a massive pool of film money while a reformed Led Zeppelin covers all my favourites songs. That was for the vicarious part of your question.

We’ve all heard of writer’s block; ever suffer from concept artist’s block? What’s the best cure?

Oh sure, they’re the same thing. Concepts are just visual stories. I don’t have that problem too often, luckily. Best cure? For me, when I find a concept isn’t working, I get really pissed at it and end up visually abusing it. I draw angry and beat the image up until it gives in. Works quite well. Loud punk rock or death metal can help too.

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty and talk some Rayguns. Where do the sci-fi/steam punk (steam funk!) influences come from?

I’ve talked a little about this before and it made me realise that steampunk, whatever that may be, isn’t what really inspired me to create Dr. Grordbort’s world. It was my fascination with Flash Gordon and the pulp Sci-fi of the 20’s, 30’s and later that inspired me. I just drew these rayguns as idealised prototype weapons from the science fiction aesthetic of that era.

To be honest, I didn’t create it as a historical riff like some Steampunk, I just boiled down all the influences I enjoyed from early 20th century Sci-fi and made a world that I liked. And it’s not even science fiction, it’s more like Science parody or Pseudo-Science fiction (but not pseudo-science in the style of non-scientific popular misconceptions like homeopathy etc..). The principals I play with are outmoded or far fetched ideas like Phlogiston and the Aether (Phlogiston is more of an alchemical concept than science I know, but it’s a fun idea that typifies some of the conceptual misdirections we’ve had in the history of human understanding).

The response from collectors across the globe have been phenomenal. Fortunately, that is a fact, and not something I made up just to be cordial. Has the success of the line met your expectations?

It is amazing too me and really bolstered me. It’s totally exceeded my expectations. I am so lucky that Richard loved it and wanted to run with it, his enthusiasm and support for the Rayguns and Dr. Grordbort has allowed me to expand on the idea and given us the opportunities to take it to bigger and better places. I’m looking forward to getting into the big plans we have for this year and the next.

What challenges (or on the other hand, advantages) do you face with building a collectibles property with which there are no binding multi-million film or entertainment properties- and all of the innate marketing power that comes with?

It’s all challenges all the time. As you pointed out, we don’t have a multi-million dollar advert playing in cinemas to help us sell high end art pieces like these so it’s a real challenge.

The greatest asset we have are enthusiastic fans who’ve seen the guns and loved them and helped us to show them to the world via the internet and print. It’s a real triumph to get as far as we have.

What’s one hilarious/shocking/disturbing/repulsive tidbit about the Rayguns that most people might not know?

Well, that might get [Weta senior modelmaker] David Tremont put in jail so I better not say. It involved the Manmelter, some pre-chewed chewing gum and a commercial drainage pump just to give you some background though.

Have you given any thought to expanding the line into statue form? The lively inhabitants in the Grordbortverse are as compelling as their weaponry. I’ve got a soft spot for the Moon Mistress meself, having been the humble blog’s masthead since inception.

Oh, you’ll just have to wait and see. But personally I think sculptures of really cool hunting expeditions involving bizarre aliens, beautiful space heroines and arcane machinery are a terrible idea and I would never put one in my study.

A 1/6 scale version of the Lord Cockswain and Moon Mistress display at Comic-Con would sell like hot buttered Shallow Beaked Grogan steaks!

Send money orders forthwith!

Any parting words to the Weta collectors out there?

Yes, thanks! You rule. If you bought a kick-arse, high-end
toy Raygun then you clearly have your priorities right.
Your kids don’t need to go to college anyway!

• The official Rayguns page at WetaNZ.com
• Read our interview with Weta’s Eden Small
• Go to the interviews index

Note 1: I declined to post a ‘reference’ photo, as a single photo would not sufficiently represent Gandalf/Ian as he appeared throughout the course of the trilogy.

Note 2: All images are stock company photos

• See the Aragorn comparison