ARTFX+Statue(Kotobukiya): Marvel NOW Spider-Gwen

Another statue that has been part of my to review pile for some time, the Kotobukiya "ARTFX+Statue", Spider-Gwen. Man, that title alone is enough of a cluster. Anyways, it's a Spider-Gwen statue that I thought was cool, simple, and worthy to be in my collection. So let's check her out.

This is my first ARTFX statue in my collection so the box is a new sight. It's pretty cool looking.

You get the Spider-Gwen symbol on one side with some comic book artwork surrounding it, and other the other side, the main art and pose for the Spider-Gwen statue.

The other side of the box is a showcase of the figure itself with its masked and unmasked face.

What you see is what you get in here. Not much options in terms of 'variations' but you don't really need that much. I'll talk about what would have made the die-hard fan of Spider-Gwen happy in a little bit but for now let's look at the stand.

It's a pretty cool looking stand. Nicely painted and clean. The whole thing is metal too and it serves a purpose other than adding weight and price. The bottom of Gwen's feet have magnets on them, so that means there's no awkward peg holes for it.

The statue itself is well done. Talking about the choice of pose, it's definitely Spider-Y with a little hint of fan service. Okay, not a little, but hey, it serves a purpose and it goes in line with the character's personality and daily gestures. Looks like she is getting ready to shoot a web too with that left hand almost positioned for that traditional: thwip pose!

Her sculpt is also well done. With how skin tight her costume is, it hugs her assets well enough. THat leg too! No complaint in this department.

The paint is consistent and it matches the character well! The base compliments the figure in general, and like I said, no imperfections from what I can see and definitely stays true to the characters color palettes.

There is of course the interchangeable variant face that we get with Gwen Stacy's face is revealed. I'm honestly not a big fan of it. It's not bad, it's just not as pretty or how I picture Gwen to be. Besides, I like her masked version so much more than this one. Maybe a version where we can pull her hood down and have a full head would be a nice touch. But I probably would have chosen the masked version regardless anyways.

One thing I'd like to add is that her masked version is a bit loose on the shoulders. Easy to come off if I wiggle it enough. But it's not that big of an issue as long as she stays dormant. It's a statue, not an action figure; besides, I don't play with my action figures anymore.

Pop, Legends, Bishoujo, Rock Candy

And here are my other Spider-Gwen related figures. It's not my intent to make a mini army of Gwen, but I have to say that I like her designs and most figures of her entice me!

All in all, I truly like this! Not going to be winning statue of the year or anything like that, but it's a welcome addition for sure. 

Future Reviews

So these are the stragglers that didn't make it to THE RED's display. Shame. But that just means I'll have a brand new league to review when I have my next game room all set up and ready. I'm not sure how that is going to look or what I'm going to be doing with it, all I know is that it's not going to be 'customized' for me but I know one day I'll get a game room again.

BUT! Been waiting to review Kiritsugu Emiya for a while now! And that Harley Quinn! And not to mention, I have a whole lot more coming this way soon! So here's to the future reviews! 

Collection Update

Before I list the 'coming' additions, I might as well show who ARE in my collection that came late March. Yes that is another POP in the form of Peebee from ME: Andromeda. And I FINALLY own Kiritsugu, which I am excited to open and review. And to fluff up my Spiderverse collection, here comes Spider-UK. I'm a bit hesitant to open these for reasons... I am not yet ready to convey. When I do open them, obviously I'll review them like normal. Now, on to the upcoming additions that I most likely will follow through. All are preordered! 

First, let me start out by saying that I'm not a big fan of Tom Holland Spider-man for reasons of my own. I think the costume looks nice though so that's why he's on the list!

I've always wanted a good Supergirl figure and DC Icons seems to be able to deliver on that. And yes, a whole lot of Harleys in this list AND a couple of Spider-Gwens.

And I still have yet to get the Mafex Suicide Squad Harley! It's been damn near a whole year! I wonder if the delay is because they are trying to improve on their product? I hope so. And yes, finally! A Chun Li figure coming up with some awesome accessories and articulation.

This set I want because it has a lot of characters I like. The BAF is pretty unique too so I can't complain all in all. Admitedly, Legends' prices are going up higher than I would like but hey... what can I do, right? So those are the 'for sure' ones. I do have a long list I plan on getting, whether by this year or the next. I swear, somewhere along the line I might have to stop... seriously. 

Rock Candy: Spider-Gwen(Masked)

Time for another Spider-Gwen addition to my growing Spider-Gwen collection. I'm extremely disappointed that we don't get a Spider-Woman Jessica Drew version before Gwen, but you know, I guess that's the way things are rolling. So let's just get on with the review.

I'm not familiar with this brand. I have seen them a couple of times before but never really thought I'd buy, but here I am with a Spider-Gwen product. The back of the box promotes the other figures; again, should have a Spider-Woman in there!

Just a side tidbit info, they also do DC gals. I was looking at the Wonder Woman DCEU and Batgirl at one point. Those figures I decided not to get. I might if I like the Wonder Woman movie that much.

I'm going to simply this part because there isn't much to go over in terms of details. It looks like Gwen Stacy in her spider-Woman form. Of course don't expect accuracy in the anatomy since it's meant to look 'cute' and 'sexy' at the same time. Colors are pretty accurate and the posture is very Gwen with her on the verge of taking her hood off.

Spider-Gwen is so damn popular with her 'taking off her mask/hood'. It's standard for her these days to have her mask off with a fan art or even in an official few panels in the comic books. Don't care much for your secret identity, Gwen?

You get a transparent base and I'm not bothered by it. The figurine itself is nice but one I will say is that I am kind of appalled that she is getting these products and Jessica Drew isn't. As a figure who is the original Spider-Woman, a character who has had her ups and downs but definitely in a good swing now, I think she should be getting more praise. Instead, we get Gwen and Cindy getting more love and again, I don't mind Spider-Gwen. I think she's kind of cool (I can't stand Silk), but come on. Would have loved to see Ms. Drew in this form, new costume or classic.

Here she is next to Bishoujo Gwen and POP Gwen. Funny how these are all anatomically all different.

I bought this figure because I like it. I bought it because I like the character. It's not going to be a highlight for 2017 in any way, but it sure is a pretty cool addition to my growing Spider-Gwen merchandise. I recommend it for anyone into Spider-Gwen for sure.
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DuDs: Spider-Gwen Belt

Well, here we are with another seatbelt in my wardrobe! Of course Spider-Gwen would be getting one sooner than later, but hey, who's complaining right? So let's check this out.

The last DuDs I had that was belt related was none other than Jessica Drew, the Spider-Woman herself. With Spider-Gwen rising up the popularity charts, it would be inevitable for Gwen to gain so much attention in all avenue of merchandise, belt included (almost disappointed at Marvel with the lack of Jessica Drew stuff). I was hoping they would have the 'Marvel' logo, but we instead get the masked Spider-Gwen face.

It's a seatbelt belt like the Spider-Woman one, so I need not show that part of the belt. I will however just showcase the images used; I believe they are different artists, and Gwen is popular to be drawn(official and fanart) without her mask on, so here you go.

Makes me wonder just how Gwen really does manage to fit all that hair in. And this is the second image of her masked face other than the one on the buckle itself.

All in all, I like this belt. It has more of a blue'ish and black tint to it compared to my previous belt which is dominantly red and white. It's a good addition and I'll find myself wearing this for sure.
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Spoils of 2016

HOLY crack addict, Batman, that's freaking POPPIN! So yes, I am now officially a POP hoarder. A lot of these spoils are my OWN Christmas present to myself(mostly the POPs), but I was blessed this year and I got some awesome things. The reviews on some of these things will probably trickle down over the next few months, depending on my time. I might just do some POPs of the year for 2017 at this rate!

Things to review:

-Festive Asuka and Rei
-Miles Spidey
-POPS
-DuDs
-Spider-Gwen mini statue
-Harley Quinn statue (BTAS)
-Spider-Woman Tsum Tsum
-Figures of 2016

I'm going to be VERY busy in 2017... I can already see it.

Bishoujo: Spider-Gwen

Taking a quick break from Marvel Legends review here just to spice things up! SO on to the next area of my collection that are growing and statues are the next big thing that is flourishing in 2016 it seems! the latest addition to that number is going to be a Bishoujo of Spider-Gwen herself! With her introduction becoming a HUGE success, we were bound to get a Spider-Gwen Bishoujo style sooner than later! So, how does she do as a Bishoujo?

The familiar Bishoujo box and everything it has to offer. While pretty mundane, I am happy for Kotobukiya's consistency.

It provides us with a pretty accurate artwork of the figure in its dynamic and sensual pose.

And in the back it shows us what the figure looks like with a discreet show of comparison between the actual figure and the artwork that inspired said figure. Obviously there is a mask and unmasked version and I definitely got great pics of both!

Let's start with the masked version. Right off the get go, let's talk about the pose that they chose for Spider-Gwen. Bishoujo usually goes out of their way to find a really 'sexy' pose for the female character that would fit with said character's personality(trait, signature, etc). Sometimes it is super exaggerated, and sometimes, it just naturally makes the character's asset stick out because of the nature of the posture. Spider-Gwen's is a bit on a ... reserved side in my honest opinion.

I mean sure, it still does a great job capturing Gwen's sexuality, but it truly isn't as flaunting as past characters. If anything, this is the most conservative posture I have seen them have for a character.

I mean don't get me wrong, it still highlights Gwen's perfect body. It's just that there seems to be something held back on Kotobukiya's side for this character. Maybe because she is still considered a teenager?

And her masked version is really nice. The signature hood that Spider-Gwen is known for is well done. The pink highlights around the eyes and the attention to detail really makes this version my favorite.

The unmasked variant is nice also, but in my opinion, this isn't the prettiest of Bishoujo's Marvel gal. I mean, she is by no means ugly or anything, it's just that, it feels very manga compared to other faces we have received. She also seems to be missing something that spells "Gwen Stacy" to me... maybe because her likeness to Emma Stone is so far away; and Emma Stone is the face of Gwen Stacy for me ever since her debut in the Amazing Spider-Man franchise. But over all, the skin tone, the blonde hair, the bright blue eyes, all of these 'natural' color really adds a good juxtapose to the entire color scheme of Spider-Gwen's costume.

There is no doubt about it: Gwen's Spider-Woman costume is one of the most well-received costumes in a long while. Perhaps it's the color scheme, the simple but still flared out spidery design, or maybe because it's Gwen in a tight suit... who knows. Kotobukiya stayed loyal to that costume, and they did so with great care! The color is simple in terms of choice of vibrancy and shade, but they are down right amazing. Again, most of the aesthetics are credit to Marvel staff (Robbi Rodriguez, Ricco Renzi, and Jason Latour) creators, but again, Kotobukiya knows its material. One thing I felt was lacking in the usual Bishoujo is the 'transparent' ends on the hair... maybe that's why this unmasked version is missing some flare, huh?

Her stand is a good little color scheme; it's pink, black, and white... which is Gwen's main color combination along with the teal/turqoise. It's a city silohoutte, a theme associated with Gwen's cover art and often fits her ambiance. Nice little touc hand it supports her dynamic web slinging pose.

There is no doubt that this is a beautiful statue. The posture, as I have mentioned, may not be as sexualized as other Bishoujos, but despite that, it still does the job and it is appreciated. It is dynamic, spider-y, and very energetic. Now with that said, there is one thing that takes away from this particular piece: some kind of webbing. An effect. Now it's pretty obvious that Bishoujos don't get into effects like 'energy' or 'webbing' or any of that. But it would be great to add it in! At the very least, an attachable piece.

Again, still torn on which display option I will use though.

Speaking of display options, here she is next to the metallic Spider-Woman(Jessica Drew), masked version. They're not to scale, for sure.

And the other display options, which also concurs with the way I displayed the standard version of the Spider-Woman(Jessica Drew) Bishoujo.

And here she is next to my only other two Spider-Gwen collection: Pop Spider-Gwen and Marvel Legends Spider-Gwen.

In conclusion, I think this is a pretty cool statue. I love the fact that she is just Spider-Gwen all the way, and while she has some things that makes her less "Bishoujo" quality, I still think that Kotobukiya did an amazing job with her. Any Spider-Gwen fan will adore this statue!

And I decided with the unmaksed version. It occured to be that all of my Bishoujo the Marvel Shelf is  sporting a 'hair out' display and we can't have Gwen not read the memo on that. Other than that, thwip~
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