While in some ways I could be seen as a “DC guy,” I sure do like to Make Mine Marvel too. This is especially true for collectible and statues, as the good people at Diamond Select always have a wide variety of heroes and villains available across multiple lines. This week we have three great pieces to look at, ranging from their Gallery PVC dioramas to resin mini-busts. While the characters are familiar, they’re pretty unique takes on all three, so check out my thoughts below.
Captain America resin bust
Back in the Nineties, I remember reading in Wizard Magazine an interview with a creator who was talking up Captain America losing his shield in the Atlantic Ocean. He was saying that it was lost forever at that point, as not even Namor would be able to find it, equating it to looking for a contact lens at the bottom of a swimming pool. Sometimes things need to change with the times, and Cap would be using a hi-tech energy shield on his heroic journeys. Truly, this would last forever.
It did not.
While I was reading up a bit before writing this post, I found out that Cap originally had a shield made of pure energy all the way back in the Eighties, so what I thought was a fairly niche aspect of Cap’s history was anything but. You learn something new every day.
Point being, I guess this nifty little mini-bust isn’t quite as obscure as I thought, though it’s definitely a pretty cool piece of Captain America memorabilia.
A 2023 San Diego Comic-Con Previews Exclusive, this small piece packs quite a punch, thanks to some shiny, vibrant colors and a strong sculpt. Shield held before him in his left arm, his right arm braced for action, Cap looks every bit the stalwart hero and leader he’s known to be.
Cap has one of those costumes that looks fairly simple at first glance, with more complexity evident the closer you look. The scaly “chainmail” texturing of his upper torso contrasts incredibly well with the solid reds and whites of his arms, hands, and lower torso. There are some nice, subtle ripples in the “fabric” of his suit, giving it a sense of realism and dimension, and the blocky look of his helmet and belt don’t feel out of place with the very comic booky design. If anything, I can do without the chin strap (I can almost always do without a chin strap), but it doesn’t look too bad here.
As iconic as his costume is, though, it’s the shield that is Cap’s most identifiable accessory. The standard solid vibranium-adamantium hybrid is truly his best accessory, but man I’d be lying if I said this translucent shield didn’t look sweet. Given the shiny tint of the reds, whites, and blues if Cap’s costume, the clear resin used for the shield works incredibly well, and makes perfect sense. It has its own different type of sheen, giving the illusion that it is a hard light or “zero point” energy projection rather than a solid, tangible shield.
Despite being an SDCC exclusive, you can purchase Cap directly from Diamond’s website. Despite its small stature, this bust is a powerful representation of heroism and valor.
And it looks super cool too. Always a plus.
Zombie Doctor Doom resin bust
And there, at the end of all things… Doom.
In the coldest take of the day, it’s not at all controversial to say that Doctor Doom is one of the greatest villains.
Ever.
Not just in comics. In all of culture, literature, and human storytelling.
He has it all: a great look, incredible name, and unmatched bravado that combine to make him endlessly entertaining and truly threatening.
Even as a rotting corpse Doom exudes power and charisma, as evidenced by the sweet resin bust. It’s gross and dirty, looking at once bloody and rusty, and you can almost smell the open wounds and necrotic flesh that’s hanging from his body.
Yet the piece also feels somewhat regal, with Doom’s left arm held aloft with his fingers (what’s left of them) spread to exude dominance, and his right arm held behind his back and clasping his tattered cape.
While this may be a niche figure, it is impeccably sculpted and designed, capturing the spirit of Victor Von Doom. His trademark silver armor and green cloak are represented well, if a bit worse for wear due to, you know, zombie.
The concept is really sold in the smaller details, like Doom’s jaw protruding visibly from the bottom of his mask, and all the nicks, cuts, and dings on his armor make him look weathered, as if it’s sheer swagger and bravado that’s holding him together.
Much like the Cap bust, Doom was a convention exclusive for New York Comic-Con 2021, but is still available for purchase for around $120 from Diamond and other retailers. A small price to pay for Doom to rule over the undead in Latveria by way of your bookshelf.
M.O.D.O.K. Gallery diorama
Let it be known that writing out M.O.D.O.K. on a mobile phone is a pain. That just so happens to be how I’m writing this review, and even copying and pasting can get exhausting.
The things you do for love, though.
And I love M.O.D.O.K.
He is… absolutely absurd. A robot-man who is a giant head with tiny little limbs, floating around in a rocket chair? Incredible.
He’s one of those idea that is everything great about comic books, from the look to the origin to the ridiculous acronym of a name.
M.O.D.O.K.
It’s so much fun to say.
No surprise: I love this diorama. It’s sculpted wonderfully, has a terrific paint application, and looks as great as M.O.D.O.K. is weird. Just look at that scowl, and those wrinkles! And the left arm holding the joystick while his right arm reaches out to look imposing, in vain.
The worst part about this figure? It’s heavy, and tragedy of tragedies, I dropped him taking him out of the box. That resulted in the jet plume breaking off right at the base, for which I am still mad at myself. Luckily, it was a clean break, obscured by the neat smoke effect, and I was able to reposition the figure and glue it back together without hassle.
All to say, be careful when you inevitably buy this figure, so you don’t make the same mistake I did. Have a friend help you take him out of the box, so you can both look upon his perfectly sculpted grimace once he’s no doubt prominently displayed on your mantle. You can order him directly from Diamond for $75, or check at your local comic shop for this beauty, surely the Kirbyest of all character designs.
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