Title: Geeky Goods Review: Kotobukiya ArtFX+ Bizarro
Author: Darth Zady Bun
Recovered Author: Darth Zady Bun
Published Date: 2017-01-17
Original URL: https://geeknode.co.za/2017/01/geeky-goods-review-kotobukiya-artfx-bizarro
Wayback URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20170713170645id_/http://www.geeknode.co.za/2017/01/geeky-goods-review-kotobukiya-artfx-bizarro/
Recovery Confidence: high
Categories: Geeky Goods
Tags: Artfx+, Bizarro, Darthzadybun, featured, Kotobukiya, new 52, Zaid Hassen Motala

- Manufacturer Kotobukiya
- Distributor Cosmic Comics
- Contruction Material PVC
- Size / Scale 7" (approx 20 cm)
- Where we got our copy Cosmic Comics
- Where to buy http , http

- Darth Zady Bun

- 6 months ago

- 0 0

“Bizarro! Me know you total failure! Me know you never have hero inside!” -Bizarro

My first exposure to Bizarro was in that God awful Superboy series of the late 80’s. We had a stoney and disjointed performance (and that was the main cast) on a show that tried to capture all the magic of the Superman Movie (RIP Christopher Reeve) yet fell a bit short.

Still, their version of Bizarro was one of the more interesting ones so I cant take that away from them.

The character was fun enough to be memorable and that was it. As I have grown older I have read a few mini series and watched a few of his other appearances. Hell there was even a DC LEGO Movie featuring him.

Fast forward a few years and I find that I can’t help but feel a throb in my heart when considering the character.

Consider Clark Kent (at least in the reeve-verse) is an understudy to his alter ego and for years in the comics and most iterations had to deal with people i.e. Lois waxing lyrical about Superman.

People identified with that version of Clark Kent, because we all know what it is like to lament after someone or something only to be outshined by someone else. It was especially hard core because nobody likes being compared to anyone else. Imagine how nauseatingly annoying it must be to be compared to yourself. Still Clark is actually Superman and it all worked out for him in the end.

Then you get this character. An imperfect clone of Superman. Bizarro is one of the most tragic and compelling of superman’s villains simply because for the most part he isn’t a villain in the true sense of the world. He is a misshapen and malformed freak of science and man’s hubris who is just trying to find his place in a world that is backwards to him.

Tragic indeed.

Fortunately for us the Kotobukiya ArtFX+ Bizarro statue is anything but tragic as I will explain momentarily.

Thanks to friends of the site Cosmic Comics for letting us use their store display unit to do this review.

As always with Kotobukiya statues we will consider the 2 A’s Aesthetics and Aish-factor.

AESTHETICS

It are a Bizarro

I must admit that initial pictures didn’t intrigue me too much and I wasn’t too excited about this figure. I should know better by now that pictures rarely do a subject justice – The same is true for tinder, but in reverse (That is hilarious because Bizarro says everything backwards. Not that funny? Ah man. Moving along.)

This statue is another example of that.

This statue depicts Bizarro in a, shall I say ironic pose.

He is sculpted to look whimsical and care free while holding a blossoming flower and looking into the distance.

Yet, his visage shows him to be grotesque and his attempt at a smile a menacing leer.

It’s brilliant!

The figure is based on the new 52 version of the character. You may recall that classic versions of the character depict him with a sort of alabaster/ stony skin. The new 52 version changed that and gave the character warped and mottled skin- almost as though he has some sort of skin disease. It makes more sense and I like the change.

The execution of the skin is one of the most impressive features of the figure as the sculpt is very textured and has a lot of fine details sculpted throughout. The figure has quite a bit of dry-brush shading throughout. This is where Kotobukiya really shines because while there is a lot of textured shading, it never feels overwhelming and overdone.

The costume has an interesting contrast between the Kryptonite battle armour pants (like we saw on the Kotobukiya ArtFX+ Superman) with the reverse “S” shield stitched onto a tshirt for the upper half. Kotobukiya did well with the contrast here as the pants looks otherworldly while the t-shirt looks like it was made of cotton.

Some folks argue that repeating the Superman pants is a bit of a cop out on the statue and that Kotobukiya ought to have used a different hue of blue and red at the very least. I am not sure I agree with the argument but I do understand the possible feeling of there being a cop out.

The figure comes included with a sunflower (I think -not really one for botany) accessory, and while not enough to be listed in a section detailing the accessories, it is well chosen as it showcases the character’s innate innocence and whimsical nature.

This is another thing some folks take umbrage with. The argument being, “of all the possible accessories in the world, why would they not give us something else in addition to the sunflower?”

I personally don’t mind the flower but as always I do wish they did better with the accessories.

However, as always I remind myself that this is a statue and not an action figure, so we must remember to assess the value of the figure based on its art style and display potential.

In this instance, I have to say they did very very well and the statue is rounded off with the cold, blank eyes and smirk sort of allude to his destructive potential. It’s an interesting dichotomy.

AISH! Factor

Heya Gorgeous…

Like I said, this figure is a beautiful figure. Not the character, because he is supposed to be hideous, but the art in the statue itself is awesome.

I genuinely believe that this is the best of the figures in the ArtFX+ villains line so far. My prior contender was the Endgame Joker but that has been supplanted firmly by this statue.

The design choices showcase everything that make this character unique and the effect is enhanced with meticulous paint work with both dry brush shading across the statue as well as the rendering of the costume, all of which add further depth to the statue.

The figure includes the standard Kotobukiya magnetic base. After seeing what diamond has been doing with the Marvel Gallery diorama bases recently this is my only gripe as the standard black magnetic bases aren’t cutting the mustard for me anymore. The only thing wrong with this figure as a result is the fact that I don’t care much for the magnetic display bases from Kotobukiya. This takes nothing away from the statue as a purchase. However, I cant help but feel that a diorama base would have made this statue even more awesome than it already is.

This is a must have for a Superman fan indeed.

Where to from here?

We were able to get this figure from Cosmic Comics who can be reached at:

coolstuff@absamail.co.za or

www.cosmiccomics.co.za or

011 782 0819 (Karyn or Shane)

You can also hit up our friends at Project Mayhem who can be reached at:

collectibles@projectmayhem.co.za or www.projectmayhem.co.za

What did you think?

Got one of these for yourself?

Have a question or two you would like us to answer?

Have suggestions for reviews/ features you would like us to investigate?

Feel free to hit us up and lets get the dialogue going.

Z

"Bizarro! Me know you total failure! Me know you never have hero inside!" -Bizarro My first exposure to Bizarro was in that God awful Superboy series of the late 80's. We had a stoney and disjointed performance (and that was the main cast) on a show that tried to capture all the magic of the Superman Movie (RIP Christopher Reeve) yet fell a bit short. Still, their version of Bizarro was one of the more interesting ones so I cant take that away from them. The character was fun enough to be memorable and that was it. As I have grown older I have read a few mini series and watched a few of his other appearances. Hell there was even a DC LEGO Movie featuring him. Fast forward a few years and I find that I can't help but feel a throb in my heart when considering the character. Consider Clark Kent (at least in the reeve-verse) is an understudy to his alter ego and for years in the comics and most iterations had to deal with people i.e. Lois waxing lyrical about Superman. People identified with that version of Clark Kent, because we all know what it is like to lament after someone or something only to be outshined by someone else. It was especially hard core because nobody likes being compared to anyone else. Imagine how nauseatingly annoying it must be to be compared to yourself. Still Clark is actually Superman and it all worked out for him in the end. Then you get this character. An imperfect clone of Superman. Bizarro is one of the most tragic and compelling of superman's villains simply because for the most part he isn't a villain in the true sense of the world. He is a misshapen and malformed freak of science and man’s hubris who is just trying to find his place in a world that is backwards to him. Tragic indeed. Fortunately for us the Kotobukiya ArtFX+ Bizarro statue is anything but tragic as I will explain momentarily. Thanks to friends of the site Cosmic Comics for letting us use their store display unit to do this review. As always with Kotobukiya statues we will consider the 2 A's Aesthetics and Aish-factor. AESTHETICS [caption id="attachment_181314" align="aligncenter" width="1238"] It are a Bizarro[/caption] I must admit that initial pictures didn't intrigue me too much and I wasn't too excited about this figure. I should know better by now that pictures rarely do a subject justice – The same is true for tinder, but in reverse (That is hilarious because Bizarro says everything backwards. Not that funny? Ah man. Moving along.) This statue is another example of that. This statue depicts Bizarro in a, shall I say ironic pose. He is sculpted to look whimsical and care free while holding a blossoming flower and looking into the distance. Yet, his visage shows him to be grotesque and his attempt at a smile a menacing leer. It’s brilliant! The figure is based…

Geeky Goods Review: Kotobukiya ArtFX+ Bizarro

Geeky Goods Review: Kotobukiya ArtFX+ Bizarro

2017-01-17

Darth Zady Bun

Nothing Bizarre here...

Total - 9

90
9

A beautiful rendition of what is supposed to be a hideous character. Perfect sculpt, impeccable paint work. Love it!

User Rating: Be the first one !

9

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Darth Zady Bun

Guest Contributor

Zaid is a story teller, traveller, artist, entertainer and comic culture geek of note.

Powered by chocolate, and guided by an ever growing bucket (and collectibles) list, he finances his addiction to geek merchandise, comic books, action figures and all the cold cast porcelain and PVC pieces of heaven he can buy by giving (mostly) legal advice. He is also rumoured to have once eaten an entire pack of Marie Biscuits with a single mug of Five Roses Tea.

Witnesses deny the incident.

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Article Tags:
Artfx+ · Bizarro · Darthzadybun · featured · Kotobukiya · new 52 · Zaid Hassen Motala

Article Categories:
Geeky Goods · Geeky Goods Review
