Need help deciding whether to pre-order Sideshow’s Avatar A.M.P. Suit Maquette next week? We’re here to help.

This one was a definite surprise. I was more expecting Weta to have something on hand for James Cameron’s latest. If it doesn’t look it from photos you may have seen, let me assure you: This thing is maaaasiiveeee. It’s approaching ridiculous how large collectibles are getting, particularly from Sideshow. Still, in this particular case, it’s a good thing. It works. It shouldn’t be any smaller. However, recognize that this will translate to more green out of your wallet.

And what it will cost is still a mystery. I cannot see this landing anywhere under $500, and could see it go as high as $1K. Also, the paintjob on this display piece was phenomenal. I have some real doubts that Sideshow can match its quality in production. Let’s hope they prove me wrong.

The Avatar maquette will go on pre-order this coming Thursday, August 20.

For even more images of the Sideshow Avatar A.M.P. Suit maquette, don’t neglect to peruse our Comic-Con 2009 Gallery!

• See more In-Depth features from Comic-Con 09

Terminator T-700 Premium Format Prototype (auction)
A dark paint application test done on a T-800 PF, for a “stealth Terminator” in Terminator: Salvation.

• Winning bid: $2325

Commander Cody Legendary Scale Bust Prototype (auction)
A prototype version with a myriad of differences, including a clear Palpatine hologram, higher hand position, and vastly different armor.

• Winning bid: $1525

Jason Voorhees Premium Format Figure Prototype (auction)
Essentially an abandoned prototype which will never be released.

• Winning bid: $2000

Psylocke Comiquette Prototype (auction)
My personal favorite, a Psylocke comiquette- a statue that looks good enough to release, but for some reason won’t be, not in this form. This is the only existing painted prototype.

• Winning bid: $4555

Red Hulk Legendary Scale Bust Prototype (auction)
A Hulk LSB repainted to depict the crimson “Rulk”. It was ultimately decided Rulk looked too different than just a sunburnt version of Hulk, so this remains just that: an abandoned prototype.

• Winning bid: $2650

All auctions scheduled to end on Aug 09, 2009.

• Much more info on Sideshow’s auction event
  
• Diane Kamahele Memorial Fund

The most interesting bit to me of this Battle of the Last Alliance diorama is the unfortunate party of Numenoreans before Sauron. I particularly appreciate the fact that they’ve crammed not two, not even three, but four soldiers (there’s a goner on the floor) into the piece which is as good as you could’ve asked for. The backturned soldier is a very smart logistics solution indeed as it allows you to see at least one face from Sauron’s front side. For top dollar price ($300), this justifies a much stronger case than the equally priced Star Wars Vader vs. Obi-Wan diorama.

Sauron himself is well done. Although there is some debate over his pose, it recalls his almost robotic nature from the film just fine. It could look very good indeed had the pose been frozen instead at the apex of his swing, but it could be splitting hairs at this point.

For even more images of the Sideshow Sauron vs. Numenoreans diorama, don’t neglect to peruse our Comic-Con 2009 Gallery!

• See more In-Depth features from Comic-Con 09

Our pick for Comic-Con’s “Best in Show” last year– Sideshow’s Diablo III: Overthrown diorama returns again, and our savage Barbarian is looking better than ever. It’s the first chance for folks to see the new paintjob first hand, and it looks bloody fantastic. And it’s wowing con goers even without the benefit of the exclusive helm, which Sideshow’s curiously omitted.

This, along with the Venom Comiquette, and the Avatar Maquette, were the three best things on display at Sideshow’s booth.

For even more images of the Sideshow Diablo diorama, don’t neglect to peruse our Comic-Con 2009 Gallery!

• See pics of the unpainted Diablo prototype from last year
• See more In-Depth features from Comic-Con 09

The vampy blue Adam Hughes Mystique Comiquette has only just made her debut but it’s already being hailed among the best of the AH! comiquette line. Seasoned sculptor Tim Miller is at bat again and may have netted Sideshow another home-run. Alongside She-Hulk and Black Queen, the bevy of busty AH! ladies made a strong showing at this year’s Con.

For even more images of the Sideshow Mystique Comiquette, don’t neglect to peruse our Comic-Con 2009 Gallery!

• See more In-Depth features from Comic-Con 09

Sideshow has a literal ton of Marvel stuff, past and in the pipeline, but the Venom Comiquette is something special. The Gore Group is behind this one, which gives any collectible a good head start. It bests their previous Venom statue, a film based version, which itself was very accomplished.

This “Comiquette” is based on the work of artist Ariel Olivetti, and is strikingly detailed, and as far as this display piece is concerned, wonderfully painted. It’s vile and vicious and raw, and a perfect depiction of the character. And the base is not neglected (with the Gore Group, it rarely is), which always earns points with me. Oftentimes, film based treatments can tend to overtake their comic counterparts (see: Iron Man)– not so in the case of Venom and his cinematic debut in the limp Spider-Man 3. This statue is an excellent example why.

For even more images of the Sideshow Venom Comiquette, don’t neglect to peruse our Comic-Con 2009 Gallery!

• See more In-Depth features from Comic-Con 09

And there we have it, the first salvo in the Avatar collectibles war…. and it’s from Sideshow! The Avatar A.M.P. Suit maquette has just been previewed and it’s looking good.

Still, we hope to hear something from Weta (you know, those guys who worked on this upcoming James Cameron opus of geekish fanboy dreams?) soon– you guys aren’t just going to let Sideshow play ball in your court are you? Say it isn’t so.

If it looks familiar, it’s because the scene has been approximated before in premium format style. But for fans of the polystone, comes this The Circle is now Complete diorama.

Sideshow’s earlier glimpsed Venom comiquette finally makes its proper debut. This depiction of the slimy freak is based on the art of Argentine comic book artist Ariel Olivetti.

The latest Marvel-ous lady to join Sideshow’s AH! comiquette coterie: Mystique.

How will she stack up against her busty companions? (of which you lot voted Mary Jane the queen) Time will tell. We will have photos straight from the showfloor so you can probably ogle judge for yourselves.

[Update: we have Comic-Con photos!]