“Tiger, You Just Hit the Jackpot!”
By Gatack
October 7, 2007
October 7, 2007
Note: I’m not going to waste time talking about all the unnecessary brouhaha from the
mainstream press in regards to the fan service* of this statue. She’s wearing more clothes
than He-Man and he’s practically naked (no one’s knockin’ on Mattel’s door over his
blatant disregard for pants). However I will tell you that I bought TWO Mary Jane statues.
Why? Because two dimpled red-heads are better than one (otherwise known as the beer
rule).
We now continue to our scheduled review.
mainstream press in regards to the fan service* of this statue. She’s wearing more clothes
than He-Man and he’s practically naked (no one’s knockin’ on Mattel’s door over his
blatant disregard for pants). However I will tell you that I bought TWO Mary Jane statues.
Why? Because two dimpled red-heads are better than one (otherwise known as the beer
rule).
We now continue to our scheduled review.
I had just finished devouring second breakfast when I heard a knock at the door. It was the UPS
delivery guy hooking me up with some Sideshow goodness. I’ve been waiting for this Comiquette
ever since it was first announced with that little teaser image on Sideshow’s main site. I’m a huge,
HUGE fan of Mary Jane Watson. She’s the ultimate high school crush, the most popular girl in
school, the one who wasn’t above giving your average Latino the time of day (or in my case, not
say a word to you in four years except at graduation when said popular girl asked yours truly for a
dollar at the Coke machine. She so dug me and my crumpled-up George Washington).
delivery guy hooking me up with some Sideshow goodness. I’ve been waiting for this Comiquette
ever since it was first announced with that little teaser image on Sideshow’s main site. I’m a huge,
HUGE fan of Mary Jane Watson. She’s the ultimate high school crush, the most popular girl in
school, the one who wasn’t above giving your average Latino the time of day (or in my case, not
say a word to you in four years except at graduation when said popular girl asked yours truly for a
dollar at the Coke machine. She so dug me and my crumpled-up George Washington).
What we have here is the second installment in the line of statues devoted to the art of Adam Hughes, the Sideshow Exclusive Mary Jane
Comiquette. This is THE piece I’ve been looking forward to the most.
But I’ve been burned by high expectations in the past. Sideshow’s been batting close to a thousand with me so far. Will they rain on my
parade with a sub-par MJ?!
Comiquette. This is THE piece I’ve been looking forward to the most.
But I’ve been burned by high expectations in the past. Sideshow’s been batting close to a thousand with me so far. Will they rain on my
parade with a sub-par MJ?!
Unlike the previous statue, this one clocks in at 14 ½ inches (not 16 like the Emma Frost
Comiquette). She’s not in a shorter scale than Emma; it just so happens that she’s bending over.
Bending over to discover Pete’s costume somehow made its way to her laundry basket. MJ is
sporting very fashionable ripped jeans, a white braided belt with a dark brown midriff top, and a
pearl necklace to top it all off (I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out her peak-a-boo pink thong. I can’t
help but mention it since it’s what got people talking the most when they first saw it. Heck, I even
saw her thong used as a sig on forums. It’s pink, it’s awesome, and it’s a thong.
Let’s move on.
Fine, take another peak…. NOW let’s move on).
One thing that I really like about this Comiquette is the approach used on her face. While the piece
overall has that Adam Hughes flair, it’s the John Romita approach on her face that I appreciate.
From the sharpness in her eyes to the way her hair curls, that touch of Romita goodness really
works for me. In fact, I think this MJ statue has more Romita than Hughes. Looking at the concept
art it’s clear to me that MJ is more Hughes than anything else. That’s not a knock against it; just
making an observation (hell, I like the more Romita-style MJ anyway).
Comiquette). She’s not in a shorter scale than Emma; it just so happens that she’s bending over.
Bending over to discover Pete’s costume somehow made its way to her laundry basket. MJ is
sporting very fashionable ripped jeans, a white braided belt with a dark brown midriff top, and a
pearl necklace to top it all off (I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out her peak-a-boo pink thong. I can’t
help but mention it since it’s what got people talking the most when they first saw it. Heck, I even
saw her thong used as a sig on forums. It’s pink, it’s awesome, and it’s a thong.
Let’s move on.
Fine, take another peak…. NOW let’s move on).
One thing that I really like about this Comiquette is the approach used on her face. While the piece
overall has that Adam Hughes flair, it’s the John Romita approach on her face that I appreciate.
From the sharpness in her eyes to the way her hair curls, that touch of Romita goodness really
works for me. In fact, I think this MJ statue has more Romita than Hughes. Looking at the concept
art it’s clear to me that MJ is more Hughes than anything else. That’s not a knock against it; just
making an observation (hell, I like the more Romita-style MJ anyway).
Also not to be ignored are the non-MJ parts of this item (also cold cast). You have a subdued yet busy set up with a half a table, a laundry
bin (with felt bottom as to not to scratch the table surface), detergent, Tiger’s costume, and a tiled floor. Like I said, subdued but busy, and
it adds to the overall flow of the statue. Anyone can sculpt a hot chick just standing there but not everyone can tell a story with their
sculpting skills yet they pull it off here. I really want to give the sculptor (or team of sculptors) props for this standout work.
bin (with felt bottom as to not to scratch the table surface), detergent, Tiger’s costume, and a tiled floor. Like I said, subdued but busy, and
it adds to the overall flow of the statue. Anyone can sculpt a hot chick just standing there but not everyone can tell a story with their
sculpting skills yet they pull it off here. I really want to give the sculptor (or team of sculptors) props for this standout work.
Out of all the statues I have, this is the only one I have doing laundry-honest (where according to
Mr. Hughes MJ found Pete’s costume mixed in with hers). Not many women can look sexy
shuffling through the laundry but, MJ pulls it off very easily. While this won’t start any new trend of
laundry-themed statues it’s good to see something different since it’s easy to have expected an
MJ statue to be the glamorous type. While MJ is known for her beauty, she’s also known for her
playfulness. Her smile has just the right level of mischief to make me say “Yo, that’s MJ!”
On their site, Sideshow says that they worked hard to “create the loveliest, sexiest Mary Jane
statue possible.”
I have to say that they succeeded.
I will take the high road and avoid bashing DC Direct this time. Honest. Unlike the White Queen
Comiquette, this one is very busy with several different color types. Not only is MJ fully painted
but she’s holding Peter’s costume, which can be (say it with me) a quality control nightmare. If
you’ve collected Spider-Man figures before you know what a pain Parker’s costume can be.
Well Sideshow did a great job in avoiding the pitfalls that the costume can entail; that’s one
thing it has going for it right off the bat. The paint applications for MJ herself are pretty
straightforward with no sloppiness of any kind. The color hues on her outfit add a nice wear to
the overall look of the statue (especially the ripped and worn-out parts of her jeans).
Mr. Hughes MJ found Pete’s costume mixed in with hers). Not many women can look sexy
shuffling through the laundry but, MJ pulls it off very easily. While this won’t start any new trend of
laundry-themed statues it’s good to see something different since it’s easy to have expected an
MJ statue to be the glamorous type. While MJ is known for her beauty, she’s also known for her
playfulness. Her smile has just the right level of mischief to make me say “Yo, that’s MJ!”
On their site, Sideshow says that they worked hard to “create the loveliest, sexiest Mary Jane
statue possible.”
I have to say that they succeeded.
I will take the high road and avoid bashing DC Direct this time. Honest. Unlike the White Queen
Comiquette, this one is very busy with several different color types. Not only is MJ fully painted
but she’s holding Peter’s costume, which can be (say it with me) a quality control nightmare. If
you’ve collected Spider-Man figures before you know what a pain Parker’s costume can be.
Well Sideshow did a great job in avoiding the pitfalls that the costume can entail; that’s one
thing it has going for it right off the bat. The paint applications for MJ herself are pretty
straightforward with no sloppiness of any kind. The color hues on her outfit add a nice wear to
the overall look of the statue (especially the ripped and worn-out parts of her jeans).
There are some little hiccups when it comes to the little things (paint wise). There’s a bit of paint
excess on the pearls that she has (sculpted) on. It’s not sloppy but it could be neater. Another
misstep is the way the tips of her hair are painted since they fall on her breasts. Actually the tips
aren't painted at all. That’s a bit bothersome and distracting. I would have liked it if the hair was
a separate piece like the previous Emma Frost statue. It would have eliminated that type of
painting faux pas.
What deserves a nice little notice is the table stand the laundry basket is on. I really like the paint
job on that since it’s been given a worn look. It’s nothing special but, since it reminds me of the
unpolished, lived-in furniture that I have it adds even more believability to it. Other things that
should be noticed are her nails. Now, MJ is a girlie girl; you can be damn sure she takes time
out of her day to do her nails. Well, Sideshow doesn't skimp on that either, her nails are neatly
done.
excess on the pearls that she has (sculpted) on. It’s not sloppy but it could be neater. Another
misstep is the way the tips of her hair are painted since they fall on her breasts. Actually the tips
aren't painted at all. That’s a bit bothersome and distracting. I would have liked it if the hair was
a separate piece like the previous Emma Frost statue. It would have eliminated that type of
painting faux pas.
What deserves a nice little notice is the table stand the laundry basket is on. I really like the paint
job on that since it’s been given a worn look. It’s nothing special but, since it reminds me of the
unpolished, lived-in furniture that I have it adds even more believability to it. Other things that
should be noticed are her nails. Now, MJ is a girlie girl; you can be damn sure she takes time
out of her day to do her nails. Well, Sideshow doesn't skimp on that either, her nails are neatly
done.
Probably out of any company out there (domestic and international) Sideshow is the best at
creating great packaging for practically all of their products. They put as much care into their
packaging as they do the actual item. This one is no different. You have graphics of the product
adorning the packaging with a simple “autograph” signature of MJ’s at the top. It’s not as
awesome as the HULK premium format packaging design but it’s still a very nice one.
If you’ve read my review on the Emma Frost, White Queen Comiquette then you already know that
I believe that this line is a great value. Sideshow is continuously producing excellently crafted
character statues at an affordable price. This Mary Jane Watson release keeps that philosophy
going strong. The exclusive version of the Comiquette sells for 124.99 USD (and also nets you
125 Sideshow bonus points). Since it’s the exclusive version, it comes with a copy of the control
art that Sideshow used to design this statue.
creating great packaging for practically all of their products. They put as much care into their
packaging as they do the actual item. This one is no different. You have graphics of the product
adorning the packaging with a simple “autograph” signature of MJ’s at the top. It’s not as
awesome as the HULK premium format packaging design but it’s still a very nice one.
If you’ve read my review on the Emma Frost, White Queen Comiquette then you already know that
I believe that this line is a great value. Sideshow is continuously producing excellently crafted
character statues at an affordable price. This Mary Jane Watson release keeps that philosophy
going strong. The exclusive version of the Comiquette sells for 124.99 USD (and also nets you
125 Sideshow bonus points). Since it’s the exclusive version, it comes with a copy of the control
art that Sideshow used to design this statue.
While there are several very nice Mary Jane statues out there (have to give a shout out to Bowen
and Clayburn/Moore) I think this one the best MJ statue on the market… and yes, the best statue
based on the art of Adam Hughes (I know I said that about the White Queen statue last time. What
can I say; the line keeps getting better and better).
and Clayburn/Moore) I think this one the best MJ statue on the market… and yes, the best statue
based on the art of Adam Hughes (I know I said that about the White Queen statue last time. What
can I say; the line keeps getting better and better).
| MARY JANE WATSON IMAGE GALLEY |
Images by Tendou
FOR MORE SUPER HERO GALLERIES PLEASE GO HERE
When I was writing the White Queen review I couldn’t help but mention my excitement over the Mary Jane Comiquette. In the end I have a
Mary Jane statue that I can display next to my Clayburn/Moore John Romita Mary Jane bust, because two dimpled red-head’s are better
than one… especially when they’re within ten feet of me.
Mary Jane statue that I can display next to my Clayburn/Moore John Romita Mary Jane bust, because two dimpled red-head’s are better
than one… especially when they’re within ten feet of me.
