Top 8 of '08: #4 - Sideshow Collectibles

For several years now, there have been two Star Wars licensees warring for the top spot in my collector's heart. The first, as you may guess from my #5 of '08 entry, is LEGO. The other is a company that started in the 1990s producing mostly vintage horror movie collectibles and a few other lower-profile lines. That company, Sideshow Collectibles, saw a gigantic shift in their fortunes when they picked up the Lord of the Rings license and began releasing statues, busts, medallions, helmets, plaques and more based on the smash-hit trilogy. Lord of the Rings is how I came to know about Sideshow, and from the get-go I was bowled over by their quality and their commitment to customer service. For me, the high level of customer focus is what sets them apart. There are many high-end lines a collector can choose from, but with Sideshow I know that if I have a problem, they will set it right.

The big evolution in my Sideshow collecting came a few years ago when they started producing Star Wars goodies. In 2008, their Star Wars offerings included 1:6 scale figures, 1:4 scale Premium Format statues, 1:1 scale life-size busts and droid replicas, and a stellar assortment of diorama statues depicting various key moments from the films. Collecting Sideshow in 2008 was a terrific experience. As usual, their service was excellent. They have the pre-order process down to a science, and I was able to get in on every order I wanted, including every 1:6 exclusive made to date. The 1:6 Darth Vader and Stormtrooper exclusives each sold out in roughly five minutes, so it's a good thing Sideshow has created a robust and quick ordering process.

I picked up many items from Sideshow last year but a few stand out. The diorama line has had hit after hit so far and the future for it seems practically limitless. The first one I acquired in 2008 was Count Dooku vs. Yoda. Great portraits on both and a truly dynamic sculpt, recreating their very memorable duel from Attack of the Clones. Prioritizing meant I had to skip the Duel of the Fates diorama, featuring the climactic duel from The Phantom Menace, but I am hoping to pick it up in 2009. The next diorama for me was a second one from Attack of the Clones (a movie I love that often seems to get overlooked) and featured Padme battling the Nexu in the Geonosis arena. This one was bigger and better than expected, measuring 19" to the top of the chain. I hope they'll plan on an Anakin vs. Reek and an Obi-Wan vs. Acklay someday down the road! The last diorama of the year was the incredible Ambush on Hoth, but as I got it in early 2009, I'll save it for next year's Top 9 of '09.

Other highlights included the first armored figure in the 1:6 line. Instead of an obvious choice like a clone or stormtrooper, Sideshow surprised us with Obi-Wan Kenobi in his hybrid Jedi/clone armor outfit. The figure turned out great, showing that armored figures are quite possible well below the ~$150 price point Medicom had been making them for. 2009 looks to be the year of armored figures, so I'm pleased the first one was solid. The other particular high points last year that stand out to me are the Premium Format Anakin Skywalker and Asajj Ventress. Excellent portraits, iconic poses, and worthwhile exclusive alternate heads made these a hit. Lastly, 2008 is when I picked up the life-size Bossk bust, paid for by selling my Simpsons collection. A cool item and it's nice to get rid of a bunch of small plastic figures for one much higher-end bust.

The excellent items and high level of satisfaction make collecting Sideshow my #4 Star Wars experience of 2008. This is my third and last entry about collecting with three experiences yet to reveal.