bat_collector
07-31-2006, 01:26 AM
DST's lastest (and probably last) addition to the Astonishing X-men line is a character who hasn't been around for 20+ years. It is Danger (sculpted by Rocco Tartamellion), the physical manifestation of the Danger Room herself, as created by Joss Whedon in his second arc of Astonishing X-men. While most collectors may debate whether such a new and minor character deserves to be in their collection, is the bust itself good enough to merit consideration?
Bust Concept: Bust concept is to try to display Cassady's art as well as it can. Danger's pose seems to try to exude a menacing robotic power that is hidden in a robotic woman. She stands on the same X-base all the Astonishing x-men are one. That is the one problem with the concept I have. She is NOT an X-man, so why is she on a X-stand?
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/misha444/Wonder%20Woman/IMG_0591.jpg
The Sculpt: I give Rocco high credit on the sculpt of this character. It could have been both too robotic or too feminine, but I think Rocco did a great job getting the look of the character down without being too much of either. Danger's face is spot on the comic, with that alien, robotic look to it. There is nothing friendly or peacable about her face, just one that seems intent on destroying you. Her arms are also nicely done, with several metal studs sticking out on her biceps and and her forearms and fists wrapped in metal bands. A formiddable foe. Yet, her body is feminine, very curvey. This provides a nice, sharp contrast.
But the best part of the sculpt is her hair. Especially as seen from the back, her hair is simply awesome. It seems a live mess of wires and cables that flows as well as any sculpted hair in a female bust. It seems often hair is the hardest thing to nail in a sculpt, but Rocco did an excellent job making sure her head full of cable and wires were perfect. Also well done was the her scale fits in nicely with the other busts of this series. Unlike Emma Frost, who is too big, she fits in nicely with the others.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/misha444/Wonder%20Woman/IMG_0592.jpg
The Paint-Job I also got to say this may be the best paint job for a bust of the entire series. Her metallic blue matches that of the comic art, and its accented by the black shadings of her body underneath the armor. Her hair is also painted well, with different colorings being used for the different wires and cables tha form it. Her face is pretty good, too, with accent being the silver streaks going from underneath her eye. While these aren't the most vibrant colors due to them being so dark, its is very well painted.
Over-All Value: Well, here is the rub! Danger is a great bust, but she is a lousy character choice. Ord would have been a much better characer in my opinion to get from that series. Even die hard x-fans may want to pass as she is so recent and unproven as a long-term character. Those not interested in Astonishing X-men might very well pass, and silver age only fans probaby won't even give this one a second glance. While I love this bust, I doubt it has mass appeal.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/misha444/Wonder%20Woman/IMG_0593.jpg
Final Verdict: Danger is a great bust. Rocco did a great job surprising me on how good a Danger bust could really look. The hair alone on the piece makes it worth owning for me. But, this isn't a well known or even very well-liked character. Many will probably pass due to this alone. However, since I love the sculpt, think the paint job is great, and love Cassady's work on Astonishing X-men, I give this one four out of five stars. Few busts have surprised me as this one has.
Bust Concept: Bust concept is to try to display Cassady's art as well as it can. Danger's pose seems to try to exude a menacing robotic power that is hidden in a robotic woman. She stands on the same X-base all the Astonishing x-men are one. That is the one problem with the concept I have. She is NOT an X-man, so why is she on a X-stand?
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/misha444/Wonder%20Woman/IMG_0591.jpg
The Sculpt: I give Rocco high credit on the sculpt of this character. It could have been both too robotic or too feminine, but I think Rocco did a great job getting the look of the character down without being too much of either. Danger's face is spot on the comic, with that alien, robotic look to it. There is nothing friendly or peacable about her face, just one that seems intent on destroying you. Her arms are also nicely done, with several metal studs sticking out on her biceps and and her forearms and fists wrapped in metal bands. A formiddable foe. Yet, her body is feminine, very curvey. This provides a nice, sharp contrast.
But the best part of the sculpt is her hair. Especially as seen from the back, her hair is simply awesome. It seems a live mess of wires and cables that flows as well as any sculpted hair in a female bust. It seems often hair is the hardest thing to nail in a sculpt, but Rocco did an excellent job making sure her head full of cable and wires were perfect. Also well done was the her scale fits in nicely with the other busts of this series. Unlike Emma Frost, who is too big, she fits in nicely with the others.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/misha444/Wonder%20Woman/IMG_0592.jpg
The Paint-Job I also got to say this may be the best paint job for a bust of the entire series. Her metallic blue matches that of the comic art, and its accented by the black shadings of her body underneath the armor. Her hair is also painted well, with different colorings being used for the different wires and cables tha form it. Her face is pretty good, too, with accent being the silver streaks going from underneath her eye. While these aren't the most vibrant colors due to them being so dark, its is very well painted.
Over-All Value: Well, here is the rub! Danger is a great bust, but she is a lousy character choice. Ord would have been a much better characer in my opinion to get from that series. Even die hard x-fans may want to pass as she is so recent and unproven as a long-term character. Those not interested in Astonishing X-men might very well pass, and silver age only fans probaby won't even give this one a second glance. While I love this bust, I doubt it has mass appeal.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/misha444/Wonder%20Woman/IMG_0593.jpg
Final Verdict: Danger is a great bust. Rocco did a great job surprising me on how good a Danger bust could really look. The hair alone on the piece makes it worth owning for me. But, this isn't a well known or even very well-liked character. Many will probably pass due to this alone. However, since I love the sculpt, think the paint job is great, and love Cassady's work on Astonishing X-men, I give this one four out of five stars. Few busts have surprised me as this one has.