So. Much. Win.
Kotobukiya’s Justice League ‘New 52’ ARTFX+ statues have been quite a little passion project for me. With a new character released each month, Kotobukiya has seen much success with their DC ARTFX+ line. As I come close to the end with only 2 left to collect, I was happy to find out, thanks to their amazing SDCC 2013 showing, that Kotobukiya has been hard at work on their Marvel ARTFX+ statues. Based off the ‘Marvel Now’ appearance, you’ll be excited to know that the full line-up of The Avengers is coming in 2014. But if you could only collect one or the other, which would it be?
This is going to look so good when finished!
It’s worth noting that Justice League have 7 members compared to The Avengers 6, so if numbers are an issue, there you go. Let’s talk design, and The Avengers seem to have that won judging from the art that the statues will be based off. Being in much more dynamic poses, it certainly helps with the quality of the display. As for the Justice League, I have nothing against the poses but they are pretty basic. Yet it works for the characters in question.
Kotobukiya are a Japanese company, and because of that, the Justice League have a slight Asian influence to their face sculpt. That’s something I really like, having a company giving their own small stamp on a commonly known design. Looking at the few Avengers sculpts available, the Asian influence is hard to make out. The Hulk has quite similar to the one from the movie, and maybe because they’re unpainted, but Black Widow and Captain America both seem very American.
Loving this Hulk.
The paint application on Hulk is jaw-dropping too. All of the Justice League had a unique metallic paint used for their costumes, and it really helps them pop from the shelf. So as Hulk is the only painted example we have, judging from that, it seems as if Kotobukiya is going down a more realistic and rustic paint application, rather than the mirror sheen of the Justice League. Of course, I’m hopeful we can expect the same metallic paint on Iron Man, Thor’s armour pieces and Captain America’s shield.
Black Widow
Then there’s the price, the deciding factor for a lot of people. Kotobukiya’s Justice League retailed from anywhere between £30 – £40. Due to the inclusion of weapons, more dynamic poses and the size of the Hulk, I expected The Avengers to retail between £40 – £50, much like their Star Wars ARTFX+ statues. I hope I’m wrong however and they go for the same price as Justice League.
Captain America
Kotobukiya’s Justice League ‘New 52’ ARTFX+ statues are out now, with Wonder Woman due any day now and Cyborg due out in August. From the dates on the Avengers, it seems they are starting the line with Hulk in April 2014, and Black Widow in May. Expect a statue each month from then, with the full release details probably being given at Toy Fair 2014 at the start of next year. Keep on collecting!
The expression is great!
-ast
adamscotttownley 