Settling into a Marvel and Star Wars induced malaise yet? Who could blame you? But look on the bright side, Sideshow’s SDCC announcement for the day is the first of their World War II premium format line: “Battle of Crete”: German paratrooper.

The choice to debut an Axis soldier is somewhat surprising, as is the pinpoint location (‘Crete’ is all that is emblazoned on the base). In any case, it’s a line lots of looked forward to, and it certainly looks decently realized. Check out Sideshow’s Backstage Pass here.

[Update] Forum member LOTR Fan tells us that Sideshow is using a new casting technique with different materials than the usual polystone to achieve a more realistic look.

ES: TBD | Exclusive: $334.99 | Regular: $324.99

High resolution Comic-Con pics posted in our forum! Click through!

Also check out LOTR Fan’s and thx217’s photos

While they’re on the receiving end of a lot of flack these days, Gentle Giant certainly has it in them to still put out some lookers every once so often. I was aware of Sucker Punch being Zack Snyder’s (300, Watchmen) next project, but it’s been extremely hush-hush until Comic-Con. In fact, the very first visuals of this film come to my eyes in the form of these statues. I kind of get a kick from that. And this movie’s going to catch on quick, at least with the geek crowd. (you can watch the trailer now on iTunes)

Gentle Giant would really have a much better profile in the collecting circle if they would hunker down and released the notable pieces that have deservedly captured some attention at the show every year– imagine if the Pan’s Labyrinth, Harry Potter, and now the Sucker Punch statues were all released (and obviously retained some sort of integrity in production). Their cred would have risen significantly. As it is, along with the praise people are throwing at GG for Sucker Punch, is just as much skepticism on whether they could deliver– on paint, or even at all.

True to form, there is nary a Sucker Punch mention on their website to be found. But fear not, we have photos for you of Baby Doll (Emily Browning), Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Amber (Jamie Chung), and that bunny robot thing in our SDCC 2010 Gallery, and a few select high resolution photos below. Click through!

Weta’s first character depiction since their return to LOTR is finally here– Gollum. Primarily conceived for Weta Cave visitors based on feedback (no doubt heavily influenced by the life-size displays there), this marks the third time Gollum has made an appearance as a Weta statue– and the first time he’s done so on a ‘proper’ black oval base. An exclusive will feature a Weta Cave plaque along with a little weta bug crawling on the rocks. Caveat? Only available to aforementioned Weta Cave visitors!

The regular version is expected to be available sometime soon for the rest of us. In the meantime see our pics from Comic-Con and fresh pics from New Zealand forumer JacKo of the Weta Cave exclusive!

ES: Open | (Weta Cave) Exclusive: $79.99NZD | Regular: TBD

9 pics posted in our forum! Click through!

Despite widespread assumptions that Sideshow’s Neytiri statue will play second fiddle to Legacy’s upcoming piece (which may still turn out to be the case), they have produced a very pleasing depiction of the sexy blue alien cat-person-thing in their own right.

So much has been said about the distinct separation at the hairline that I would be surprised if Sideshow doesn’t make some sort of amendment there. Personally that doesn’t even bother me much– I find the “Avatar” logo mashed amongst the wooden branches and foliage more distasteful. (contrast with Weta’s unadorned District 9 statues)

Still Sideshow’s faithful rendering of Neytiri’s portrait and good choice for a pose make for a visually appealing statue.

I did not find Sideshow’s Con offerings as engaging as in past years– no doubt exacerbated by their ‘jumping the gun’ month long online reveals– but Neytiri has a certain beauty about it, making it a bright spot amongst the usual Marvel and Star Wars overkill.

Neytiri is expected to pre-order this Thursday, 7/28 at around $300 for both versions.

[Update] The exclusive Neytiri is now sold out, and Sideshow’s posted the backstage pass video.

Sell out time: 1 day
ES: 600 | Exclusive: $299.99 | Regular: $289.99

10+ pics posted in our forum! Click through!

On the top of many Comic-Con attendee’s best lists, Weta’s District 9 Exosuit has made waves in the high end collecting circles.

At the same time, complaints have surfaced concerning its $599 price tag, which, no matter how you slice it, isn’t cheap. Here are some thoughts from yours truly:

Lots have been said about the size– one of the first things that struck me was that it’s actually quite large. It’s shorter than Weta’s Christopher Johnson and Son– page has it listed at about 12-inches (would’ve guessed taller) but it is much much bulkier and imposing– if you’re just comparing the height you’re missing the whole story.

Weta’s shot posed with (Exosuit designer) Greg Broadmore is probably the best providing context for those who haven’t seen it in person. Then again that’s right around the size I like my collectibles, and acknowledging that the general trend is for the absurdly big these days. If 3ft. tall statues are your thing, you may find its size legitimately off-putting.

To put it next to something pretty apt for comparison like Sideshow/Legacy’s A.M.P. suit: It’s about half as tall, and costs half as much. The complexity counts for a lot (speaking of both)– a big blobby Hulk this ain’t. Dave Tremont spent three months building this. Nuff said

The base is quite plain, then again I’m not sure adding more stuff would be an improvement either. I do wonder how it would look if the sand was flush with the surface. I think it’s wonderful that they didn’t slap on a District 9 logo here or with CJ.

The more sort of intangible qualities are that this is Neil (who Tim says provided feedback and approvals) and Greg’s baby. And in this particular case, most definitely Dave’s as well. And of a property that won’t be infinitely abused (licensor: Wingnut Films)– how many other District 9 toys or collectibles have you seen so far?

If you’re wishy-washy on it, maybe, maybe not. If you’ve wanted an Exosuit since you’ve first seen it launch a flying pig, oh yes, it’s worth it.

More from Weta manager Tim Launder posted on our forum:

This is our most complicated collectible ever. Dave Tremont and the Workshop team worked on it for 3 months. There are more than 50 different molded pieces which go into the construction.

From the start of the District 9 license, Neill Blomkamp and Greg Broadmore made it clear, this was their number 1 wish. This is their baby !

Sell out time: TBD
ES: 600 | $599.99

10+ pics posted in our forum! Click through!

Our Comic-Con 2010 Gallery is alive and kicking! Nearly 200 photos and counting! What are you waiting for? Go go go!

See all of this and more:

Sideshow:
Neytiri statue, Optimus Prime maquette
LOTR: Gandalf PF, Morgul Lord PF, Gandalf maquette, Aragorn maquette
Kratos statue, Alien Resurrection, German Paratrooper PF,
Marvel: Hulk comiquette, , She-Hulk comiquette, Thor 1:1 bust, Wolverine 1:1 bust, Carnage 1:1 bust, Spider-Man comiquette, Black Cat PF, Psylocke comiquette, Ms. Marvel PF, Legacy Effects War Machine statue,
Star Wars: C-3PO 1:1 bust, Obi-Wan Kenobi LSB, Yoda 12-inch and hut, Aurra Sing, Cyborg Darth Maul, Jango Fett bronze, Boba Fett bronze
T-800 statue, Pop Culture Shock Guile, Thundercats: Lion-O, Jack Sparrow PF

Weta:
District 9: Exosuit statue, CJ and Son statue, Art of D9
Dr. Grordbort’s Rayguns
Lord of the Rings: Bag End environment, Prancing Pony environment, John Howe’s Smaug the Golden
The Wind in the Willows bookends
CJ jr. film maquette

Hot Toys:
Predators: Royce, Inglourious Basterds: Hans Landa, T-1000, Iron Man 2: Black Widow, Abigail Whistler, Ghost Rider, Michael Jackson

Cinemaquette:
Bruce Lee: Game of Death, Superman, Darth Vader

Gentle Giant:
Sucker Punch: Baby Doll, Amber, Sweet Pea,
Pan’s Labyrinth: SDCC exclusive Pan bust, Pale Man bust
Lucius Malfoy SDCC exclusive bust
Avatar: Neytiri, Jake, Tsu’tey busts

efx:
Darth Vader helmet (both versions), Luke’s X-Wing helmet, Vader concept helmet, X-Wing

It’s WWII time and a continuation of what appears now to be a Comic-Con tradition as Weta reveals their Raygun new one-of-a-kinds: Der Adler, The Iron Tiger, and The Divine Ray.

Judging by the reaction from our esteemed panel of forumites, the leafy Iron Tiger seems to be a clear early favorite. Hope the perspective buyers have got their running shoes: priced at the usual $1250, each will be sold exclusively at Comic-Con. Stay tuned right here for our pics of these one of a kind beauties!

Only days after their Thor bust reveal, Sideshow’s offered another entry in their ‘realistic’ approach to Marvel with a Wolverine 1:1 bust.

The effect is working nicely on this piece though I think both busts would benefit from monotone nameplates (since they clearly must have them), as opposed to the same colorful ones that have accompanied nearly all of their Marvel busts.

Sort of echoing their Diablo 3: Overthrown barbarian of a few years ago, Sideshow’s gone the burly, semi-clad, violent video game man route once again with Kratos from Sony franchise, God of War.

While I still prefer the Diablo piece (and the game) much more, they’ve clearly put forth a good result here. The exclusive, swap-out ‘Claws of Hades’ seems to be worth the change.

Weta has announced a new license to be, well, announced before this year’s SDCC–

From my mental tally of what Weta has revealed on our forums, we can expect the following at the show:

• The new District 9 range, including the recently announced Christopher Johnson and Son statue
• The debut of The Art of District 9
• The fourth as-of-yet unknown LOTR shield
• News or possible a reveal of something from the LOTR character line (!)
• At least one or more unrevealed Dr. Grordbort’s offerings
• 3 New OOAK Rayguns
• Something quite large as teased in this mystery photo which may or may not have anything to do with the above
• And of course this ‘new license’ forthcoming

Much of this is detailed in Weta’s daily Comic-Con updates.

In addition to this there will be quite a few discounted show specials as out lined in this PDF, and a surprising amount of on-hand stock for existing product. I’m impressed already!