Macethy
12-30-2013, 04:26 PM
Black Adam - DC Comics/Kotobukiya ARTfx+ (December 2013 - $49.99
Sculpted by Atelier Bamboo
Measures just under 8" tall (1/10th scale)
The first villain and latest addition to the DC Comics Kotobukiya ARTfx+ line, Black Adam is the evil counterpart of Shazam and upon first inspection you could be forgiven for thinking that this piece is merely a repaint from metallic red to black.
A somewhat paler and more ragged version of the Kotobukiya Shazam ARTfx+ piece, Black Adam stands similar in height to his lawful counterpart and has much of the same physical presence as the boy hero. The sculpt of Black Adam is once again masterfully done as per the usual Kotobukiya standards (even on such a small scale): wrinkles on the brow, ragged cape and a physically powerful presence make this piece much like the rest of the DC Comics ARTfx+ line. Paint application is again wonderful with eyes that are perfectly detailed, gold trim all around and the rest being nearly flawless all over. The base is once again a small black square with magnets in it, allowing the Black Adam to stand firmly on the base without a need for mounting pegs.
Comparisons to Shazam are inevitable and as can be seen in the pictures below, there isn't a whole lot separating the two in both looks and style. Sure Black Adam has a sour expression on his face and a torn cape, but these changes are so minimal that this piece could have easily been a variant edition of Shazam. In my personal opinion I'm not entirely sure why this piece was made in the first place. If you look at the current lineup of the DC Comics ARTfx+ line and those still to be released, there isn't a single villain to be found (Catwoman is more of a vigilante like Batman), to add a villain to the line is firstly strange and making said villain Black Adam is even stranger. Of all the numerous villains in the DC universe Black Adam isn't one that would end up in most people's Top 10 list, so the only reason I can think of for his inclusion is because there were left over parts from Shazam that Kotobukiya didn't want to go to waste.
Sculpt – Great attention to detail and solid build.
Paint application – Once again wonderfully on even such a small scale.
Base – It's a small black square...with a magnet...that's it.
Value for money - Small scale and small price, but I can't help but feel cheated that this is simply a Shazam variant edition.
Overall score - 6/10
Excellent sculpt and paint work aside, this piece really feels like it shouldn't have been made. It seems to me like a quick swap around of the Shazam piece and should have rather been saved for further down the line as a variant edition or a separate line of villains. Black Adam stands with the rest of the DC Comics Kotobukiya ARTfx+ line as a bit of a black sheep, and sadly a piece that many collectors will skip.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1060_zps7accf65b.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1063_zpsfa065c5f.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1066_zpscb787400.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1068_zps61a93961.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1071_zps8781cd8b.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1075_zpsd5c9996d.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1079_zps27bdb365.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1082_zps3f5d2748.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1084_zpse34c9a29.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1088_zpsca73f61f.jpg
Sculpted by Atelier Bamboo
Measures just under 8" tall (1/10th scale)
The first villain and latest addition to the DC Comics Kotobukiya ARTfx+ line, Black Adam is the evil counterpart of Shazam and upon first inspection you could be forgiven for thinking that this piece is merely a repaint from metallic red to black.
A somewhat paler and more ragged version of the Kotobukiya Shazam ARTfx+ piece, Black Adam stands similar in height to his lawful counterpart and has much of the same physical presence as the boy hero. The sculpt of Black Adam is once again masterfully done as per the usual Kotobukiya standards (even on such a small scale): wrinkles on the brow, ragged cape and a physically powerful presence make this piece much like the rest of the DC Comics ARTfx+ line. Paint application is again wonderful with eyes that are perfectly detailed, gold trim all around and the rest being nearly flawless all over. The base is once again a small black square with magnets in it, allowing the Black Adam to stand firmly on the base without a need for mounting pegs.
Comparisons to Shazam are inevitable and as can be seen in the pictures below, there isn't a whole lot separating the two in both looks and style. Sure Black Adam has a sour expression on his face and a torn cape, but these changes are so minimal that this piece could have easily been a variant edition of Shazam. In my personal opinion I'm not entirely sure why this piece was made in the first place. If you look at the current lineup of the DC Comics ARTfx+ line and those still to be released, there isn't a single villain to be found (Catwoman is more of a vigilante like Batman), to add a villain to the line is firstly strange and making said villain Black Adam is even stranger. Of all the numerous villains in the DC universe Black Adam isn't one that would end up in most people's Top 10 list, so the only reason I can think of for his inclusion is because there were left over parts from Shazam that Kotobukiya didn't want to go to waste.
Sculpt – Great attention to detail and solid build.
Paint application – Once again wonderfully on even such a small scale.
Base – It's a small black square...with a magnet...that's it.
Value for money - Small scale and small price, but I can't help but feel cheated that this is simply a Shazam variant edition.
Overall score - 6/10
Excellent sculpt and paint work aside, this piece really feels like it shouldn't have been made. It seems to me like a quick swap around of the Shazam piece and should have rather been saved for further down the line as a variant edition or a separate line of villains. Black Adam stands with the rest of the DC Comics Kotobukiya ARTfx+ line as a bit of a black sheep, and sadly a piece that many collectors will skip.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1060_zps7accf65b.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1063_zpsfa065c5f.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1066_zpscb787400.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1068_zps61a93961.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1071_zps8781cd8b.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1075_zpsd5c9996d.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1079_zps27bdb365.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1082_zps3f5d2748.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1084_zpse34c9a29.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Macethy/DSCN1088_zpsca73f61f.jpg