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

Forum member LOTR Fan shares his in-hand photos of Sideshow’s Rocketeer premium format exclusive, of which includes the swap out unmasked portrait of Cliff Secord and is… incredibly essential.

Click through and see for yourself!

(10 photos)

Forum member Vikingmagyar shares her in-hand photos of Sideshow’s latest premium format in their “Originals” line: Vlad the Impaler, which can look incredibly different depending on how you choose to display the alternate helmeted head and fabric tabard.

Click through and see for yourself!

(10 photos)

Forum member OBigFace shares some of the first in-hand photos of Sideshow’s latest Indiana Jones premium format: Mola Ram. And yes, comparison pics with Dr. Jones are provided!

Click through and see for yourself!

(16 photos)

Sell out time: 1 day

The response to Sideshow’s gallery unveiling of their Morgul Lord premium format can only be described as disastrous, with a great many up in arms over the twisting action pose and even more vocally, the exclusive flamed-up blade variant.

Unfortunately, this comes just as their new Aragorn maquette was garnering big praise— itself similarly trashed just a few days prior based on its teaser– a perfect illustration of the roller coaster nature of the collecting public.

What are your thoughts on Sideshow’s latest LOTR PF? Join in the discussion on our forum.

Sideshow has put up the Production Peek of presumably, its next Lord of the Rings PF after Gandalf: the Morgul Lord.

Not much is offered that you wouldn’t expect: there is plenty of black cloth with hints of armor poking through. And ol’ Witchy appears to be in battle stance, suggesting that his flail and sword (hey, this all sounds mighty familiar) may make yet another appearance. You do get a good look at the base, which considering the rubble suggests Minas Tirith, if not the Pelennor.

Sideshow’s Temple of Doom Indiana Jones is the third incarnation of the character in PF, which marks, in short order, (relatively speaking, let’s not go wild here) just about all of the requisite variations. (I would say Professor Jones and Young Indy are ripe omissions under ordinary circumstances, though it’s difficult to say what viability they hold as $300~ premium formats)

Dr. Jones has previously been premium formatted in Raiders of the Lost Ark and ‘old fart’ Kingdom of the Crystal Skull versions, which coincidentally, despite the film’s disdained status, has managed to move all 800 of its combined editions. Take that, Shia!

The exclusive Temple of Doom Indy features a chilled monkey brains ‘accessory’ for $309.99. The regular runs $10 less.

A pair of Marvel items are up for pre-order this week from Sideshow, including the Carnage comiquette, the foil to their previous Venom piece, both based on Ariel Olivett’s art. As expected, the exclusive is again an art print (which looks improved from the Venom effort).

And then there’s premium format of the Black Panther. Of which I only know is some dude who dresses up in a leather and cape outfit to appear menacing in the jungles.

Sideshow’s Aragorn PF is generally well regarded, and the edition sizes were not excessive– that said, it’s only managed to barely maintain its retail value– that is if it’s of the exclusive variety (which came with a switch out dagger hand).

Both editions were priced the same at $299, which seems to be bygone trend these days– nonetheless you are looking to sell at a loss if you’ve got the regular edition– unless you bought from a retailer at a discount. If you did better than 20% below retail you might have a chance of staying in the green.

Valuation: +0% Exclusive | -20% Regular

(See latest completed Ebay auctions)

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