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!

Forum member Olórin has some dynamite pics of the just-shipped Small Balrog Wall Mount from Gentle Giant.

He’s even included Gandalf and Saruman for your scale-referencing pleasure, so take a look won’t you?

(9 photos)

Closing out the week of Comic-Con coverage, here is a roundup of thoughts and recollections. First thanks to the great industry folk who all in some way made the con this year a memorable experience: Tim, Magnus, Linda, Greg, Martin from Weta; Jennifer, Corie, Dusty, Heath from Sideshow; Kevin from eFX. And also salutations to all the visitors from Statue Forum, Sideshow Freaks, The Shadow and Flame and across the net, I hope your visit was worthwhile.

But I did catch up with my friend, Tim from Weta Collectibles. I have to admit to being impressed with his vision for the company under his management. He maintains a strong sense of awareness in what collectors are looking for, and is willing to broaden that knowledge, through chatter on forums, blogs, or face to face. In short, he recognizes the value of ideas from Average Joe collectors like you and I.

As a Weta collector, it will be exciting indeed to see just where the new team takes it.

Comic-Con 2008 Roundup

Everyone Wants A Piece Of: Bruce Lee
Sideshow, Cinemaquette, Enterbay, MINDstyle (and loads of others I’m sure) all had their own take on The Dragon. (Last year’s winner: Halo)

Most Improved Booth: Cinemaquette
They finally, finally, moved from the outer rim ’skid row’ where they’ve been eternally stranded. Much more plush, much less bright neon ‘Cafeteria’ signage reflections in photos. This relocation did cause me to nearly miss their booth on preview night. But I don’t hold a grudge guys. I’m happy for you.

Memorable Faces: Hot Toys and Gentle Giant
Hot Toys does it again with their Robert Downey Jr. headsculpt for their Iron Man Mark III figure. Gentle Giant had strong portraits with their Harry Potter line- their Weasleys (Ron, Ginny, Twins) were very lifelike. Cinemaquette’s Bruce Lee is certainly no slouch, but I have some reservation that the production statues will look the same. I hope they prove me wrong. (Last year’s winner: Hot Toys Elizabeth Swan)

Coolest Thing You Can’t Buy: Weta’s Unnatural Selector Raygun
It’s unclear whether this will be made available just yet. But sitting tantalizingly out of reach atop the Rayguns display case, it was certainly very popular with con attendees. (Last year: Lifesize Lord Cockswain and Moon Mistress display)

Longstanding geek-void filled: Pan’s Labyrinth
Gentle Giant took up the mantle with a big unfinished clay Faun statue and a con-exclusive Faun bust signed by Guillermo Del Toro. Prediction for next year: Firefly.

Most Detailed: Weta Dr. Who: The Cyber Controller

Eyesore: Medicom oversized VCD’s, GG Classics busts, GG LOTR Berserker busts

Best Action Figure: Hot Toy’s Iron Man Mark III

Best Mixed Media: Sideshow Thor premium format

Best Statue: Weta Cortana, Sideshow Species Sil (tie)

Best Diorama: GG Boba + Carbonite Han dio

Best Life-Size: Sideshow Iron Man bust

Best In Show: Sideshow’s Diablo 3 “OVERTHROWN” Diorama

• [[Arist Proof]] Collectiblog Comic-Con 2008 Gallery
• Enter our Weta Collectibles Hellgate: Cabalist Giveaway
• Enter our Sideshow Collectibles Elvis premium format Giveaway

“Look at the size of that thing!” No, that’s no moon, but a Gentle Giant lifesize animated Leia ‘Monument’ statue (possibly the longest name for a collectible ever), freshly unboxed by forum member Conquistador.

Click through for his pics!

(3 photos)

High resolution pictures direct from the show floor of Comic-Con 2008 featuring the Boba Fett, Stromtroopers and Carbonite Han Solo diorama from Gentle Giant. A great overall composition with the incorporation of the floating element, make this an incredible strong piece. Pretty much everyone loves to see Han suffer.

High resolution pictures direct from the show floor of Comic-Con 2008 featuring the Angel of Death statue by Gentle Giant. Standing 32.5 inches tall with a wingspan of 19 inches, it is claimed that this piece is a reproduction of the actual maquette used in the pre-production filming of the movie.

That’s right, our super-duper-mega-deluxe Comic-Con 2008 Gallery is now online! Marks the first time this site has gone down from traffic, a proud achievement! Come on in and see what the fuss is about!

(Over 200 photographs!)

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.

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

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