Dayum. Have to wait until 2021?

[nbr3bagshotrow]

Not sure if it's Bowen or nothing but for me, it's comic accuracy that I prefer. I'm not into artistic license or prototypes (e.g. McQuarrie Star Wars). That is what was the big seller for me.

[Philintheblank]

Originally Posted by SuperJ300

I would be broke then!!

Bowen Batman line!!!

You and me both.

Originally Posted by risingstar

It would be interesting to see what it would take to get collectors to embrace the 1/6-1/7 scale line again. For whatever reason, many collectors seemed to have since moved on to 1/4 scale and haven't looked back. You'd think there would be a scramble of some kind to fill the Bowen void but it hasn't really happened to any large degree which serves as some kind of compelling narrative on the subject. Is it Bowen or nothing for fans of that scale?

Also, good or bad, 2016 appears to feature a new generation of fan who seem to have no idea who the Beetle, Wrecker, and Leader might be. While that may seem a shame to many of us old fogies, it likely is a sign of what lies ahead. If you ask around, many new collectors are generally fans of the movies and cartoons who likely have rarely picked up a comic book. To be fair, no one can expect or ask today's 20 year olds to share our knowledge and love for 50+ years of comics history. They had and continue to have way more things to compete for their leisure time than we ever did, not the least of which is gaming and the internet. Also, so many of those comics we read likely read quite dated today.

The online discussion dynamic has changed too. In other company threads, when you point out (often glaring) flaws in costume design, pose, and personality, you can practically hear the crickets in the room. This isn't a new thing anymore. It also doesn't appear to be as cool to own an awesome sculpture of the Executioner or Klaw as it might be to own a statue with an edition size of 250 which some appear to hope weighs 50 pounds. The landscape of the hobby has certainly changed. While I'm still happy to be a hobbyist, it appears that with every passing year, my interests become less the norm.

P.S. It's a shame the mini-busts trend has all but disappeared. Those were fun.

I don't know if it's Bowen or nothing for 1/6th collectors...Koto's been doing pretty well. The issue there is the limited number of releases and the time it takes for them to release. Though, it does seem a good number of people prefer the "bigger and badder" 1/4th scale, I still think there's plenty of interest in 1/6th.

I think you're right about the younger generation of fans. I doubt most of them recognize any characters not in the movies, cartoons or video games. It's a shame, but it is what it is...times change and they seem to be changing more and more every time I check. Still, I think there's enough of us interested in the more obscure characters to warrant a release or two....I think, I hope.

Yeah, I'm just glad Bowen went off with the MBs and left us a healthy assortment to pick from. Gentle Giant's doing a pretty good job of holding the torch, though.

[Cougrcrumby]

I agree.. Id rather see 1/6th form him. Id rather see him sculpt something that I don't have to pay 200 to 300 to ship to the US. Maybe do some spawn statues for McFarlane, or some DC stuff.. 1/6th for... DC.

[Hellboy]

Awkward interview but informative nonetheless. Glad to finally have a definitive answer on the state of his affairs and what to expect, or not expect, in the future.

Who knows what'll happen in five years time. I think for a lot of us who got into this hobby via BD product the collecting landscape has evolved to a point where we've either slowed down collecting or stopped altogether. Collecting larger scale statues is great but prices and size drastically limits your variety. We may never see a company produce statues based solely on comic book characters and in BD scale ever again, and that's a shame.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by risingstar

It would be interesting to see what it would take to get collectors to embrace the 1/6-1/7 scale line again. For whatever reason, many collectors seemed to have since moved on to 1/4 scale and haven't looked back. You'd think there would be a scramble of some kind to fill the Bowen void but it hasn't really happened to any large degree which serves as some kind of compelling narrative on the subject. Is it Bowen or nothing for fans of that scale?

Also, good or bad, 2016 appears to feature a new generation of fan who seem to have no idea who the Beetle, Wrecker, and Leader might be. While that may seem a shame to many of us old fogies, it likely is a sign of what lies ahead. If you ask around, many new collectors are generally fans of the movies and cartoons who likely have rarely picked up a comic book. To be fair, no one can expect or ask today's 20 year olds to share our knowledge and love for 50+ years of comics history. They had and continue to have way more things to compete for their leisure time than we ever did, not the least of which is gaming and the internet. Also, so many of those comics we read likely read quite dated today.

The online discussion dynamic has changed too. In other company threads, when you point out (often glaring) flaws in costume design, pose, and personality, you can practically hear the crickets in the room. This isn't a new thing anymore. It also doesn't appear to be as cool to own an awesome sculpture of the Executioner or Klaw as it might be to own a statue with an edition size of 250 which some appear to hope weighs 50 pounds. The landscape of the hobby has certainly changed. While I'm still happy to be a hobbyist, it appears that with every passing year, my interests become less the norm.

P.S. It's a shame the mini-busts trend has all but disappeared. Those were fun.

I'd even say in the 3 years I've been collecting that the dynamic has changed in this hobby. But with regards to the 1/6 - 1/7 line, I think it's more availability. Even in the last 6 months on facebook pages etc I see more people asking where to find Bowen statues and mini busts. I think because of all these companies producing 1/4 and 1/3 scale pieces and with costs getting to $599 for a 1/4 pre-order, people are just getting priced out and looking for alternatives. You are definitely right about the more obscure characters, but I think in the next year or so would be prime time for a 1/6 line at an affordable price like $199 - $249 would be very popular right now.

[JadeGiant]

Quality product at an affordable price will work. If BD comes back in 5 years and decides to pick back up with Marvel he will have plenty to sculpt. He can revisit characters, do characters that he never got to before closing shop, and he could introduce newer characters to bring in the newer/younger collectors. Randy is a great sculptor and a savvy business man. He knows the formula and I am sure it would work. And if he were to go DC ... he would have several years worth of statues to produce that would sell very well.

[qz33]

He's been in the driver's seat for far too long to see him doing much freelance or employee work.

In 5 years he'll be about 60. Not a lot of drive at that age to start new business ventures especially in a field not well known for self motivation.
Who knows where the industry and production will be by then with so many new competitors and 1/6 selling towards $300 retail now.

Maybe there's a loop hole for someone to start a business, hire him as a freelancer and consultant then sell it all to him after 5 years?

Sad I just can't imagine much coming from him in the future.

[joy_division]

Originally Posted by candyrocket786

Don't forget about banging a hot girl while skydiving.

I'd definitely want to see that happen.

And there you have the plot for the Point Break Sequel (NOT Remake!!)

[Philintheblank]

Point Break: The Mile Dive Club

[xforce]

Excellent post sadly I agree with all of it.
My issue is how many batman, superman, wonder woman, captain America, thor and hulk statues can you make. With Bowen he mixed big names with lesser known characters.

Originally Posted by risingstar

It would be interesting to see what it would take to get collectors to embrace the 1/6-1/7 scale line again. For whatever reason, many collectors seemed to have since moved on to 1/4 scale and haven't looked back. You'dThe b think there would be a scramble of some kind to fill the Bowen void but it hasn't really happened to any large degree which serves as some kind of compelling narrative on the subject. Is it Bowen or nothing for fans of that scale?

Also, good or bad, 2016 appears to feature a new generation of fan who seem to have no idea who the Beetle, Wrecker, and Leader might be. While that may seem a shame to many of us old fogies, it likely is a sign of what lies ahead. If you ask around, many new collectors are generally fans of the movies and cartoons who likely have rarely picked up a comic book. To be fair, no one can expect or ask today's 20 year olds to share our knowledge and love for 50+ years of comics history. They had and continue to have way more things to compete for their leisure time than we ever did, not the least of which is gaming and the internet. Also, so many of those comics we read likely read quite dated today.

The online discussion dynamic has changed too. In other company threads, when you point out (often glaring) flaws in costume design, pose, and personality, you can practically hear the crickets in the room. This isn't a new thing anymore. It also doesn't appear to be as cool to own an awesome sculpture of the Executioner or Klaw as it might be to own a statue with an edition size of 250 which some appear to hope weighs 50 pounds. The landscape of the hobby has certainly changed. While I'm still happy to be a hobbyist, it appears that with every passing year, my interests become less the norm.

P.S. It's a shame the mini-busts trend has all but disappeared. Those were fun.