Sideshow Sixth Scale – Setting Itself Apart

 

Over the next few months we’re going to be taking a look at what sets Sideshow’s Sixth Scale Figure program apart. We’ll be talking with the artists and people that make the figures what they are and who are dedicated to capturing these iconic characters in this fun and dynamic format.

We recently sat down with sculptor and artist, Walter O’Neal to ask a few questions and discuss some of the nuances that make a Sideshow Sixth Scale something special –

Sideshow’s sixth scale figures are often not cut and paste copies of the characters, why is that?

There are a couple of reasons for that. The first being that a lot of superhero suits from the comics are actually fairly simple with large broad shapes allowing the anatomy/musculature of the figure pushing thru the suit to add the majority of the visual interest. Basically that calls for simple spandex unitards, which in most cases just don’t translate well to an articulated body. The spandex generally shows way too much of the harsh articulation in the bodies required to actually get them to strike the necessary poses, and just looks too basic and plain overall. In most cases we’ll need to add an extra dimension of layering or paneling to the suit to add that layer of visual interest back into the figure. Additionally, that paneling also allows us to break up the materials of the suit to accommodate more flexible fabrics at the joints to further facilitate the range of movement with posing.

Finally, we are afforded a certain amount leeway from our licensors to reimagine certain elements of these characters’ looks and costumes to contribute to their collective mythology. We try to be very judicious with the opportunity we’ve been afforded and really be thoughtful about the things we choose to add or modify in order to translate each character from the comics into our sixth scale format.

When considering a character’s details how do you choose which elements to incorporate into the final design?

There are certain signature elements and touchstones for each character that act as anchor points to keep that character on model and immediately recognizable as that particular hero or villain. So long as we keep those significant puzzle pieces in place, we can start to tweak the other elements to better fit our needs for the sixth scale format and still have the design “feel” like Batman, or “feel” like Deadpool without being an exact 100% carbon copy of what other artists have done with the character.

What elements do you think collectors should pay particular attention to when looking at a sixth scale figure?

I think more so than any other format, sixth scale figures push the envelope of what is possible with the materials and the level of minute detail achievable. It’s what the format is known for and what the collectors expect.

One of the projects that you’ve been working on for a while now is Sideshow’s Sixth Scale Daredevil. Which issues/designs/elements/storylines, etc. did you draw from to bring together Sideshow’s Daredevil?

We were very much trying to make a comic-style Daredevil clad in his classic red. Aside from the horns, the color red, the billy clubs, and the “DD” logo on his chest, Daredevil’s costume generally doesn’t have any other signature elements that scream “Daredevil”. We pulled elements from the Armored Daredevil suit in the 90’s, designed by Scott Mc Daniels, to give us some rhyme and reason as to how and where to break up the suit to incorporate the various leathers and stretch fabrics and add that extra layer of visual interest. The basic chevron shapes at the shoulders, belly, and thighs are pulled from that armored suit as inspiration.

Any easter eggs or particular points you want to call out?

Since Matt Murdock’s faith is very much at the heart of who he is, we wanted to try to incorporate some elements of his religion into the suit in very subtle ways. The collar of the suit has a square cut-out in the center to give the impression of an inverted priest’s collar. Inspired by the block-style kneepads of the armored suit, we created a metallic block-shaped design element with an implied cross-shape that we repeated throughout the suit. The idea there being that we permanently incorporate some of the wrought iron elements of church cathedrals that we generally associate with Daredevil’s environment directly into his suit. Beneath his feet, another cross shape is formed by the negative space in the tread of his boots. Finally, there’s also a spade devil tail incorporated into the design of his billy club holster that helps further the heaven/hell dynamic.

We’re going to keep on exploring Sideshow’s Sixth Scale program every so often and be providing behind the scenes looks into what the creation process is like here in the studio. We’ll even tease and preview some of the amazing work that our artists have been working on!