Over the course of dozens of films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced audiences to an astonishing number of characters, some of whom I never though would ever reach the big screen let alone become household names. Seriously, who ever though that characters like Mantis, Ulysses Klaue, and M.O.D.O.K. would be recognized by the moviegoing public? We’re truly living in a wonderful time, friends.
Over the course of this “cinematic universe”, the character I’ve come to appreciate more and more with each passing film is Doctor Strange. Due to a combination of Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance and the awesome utilization of his skills and magic powers, he’s a fascinating character to watch, and has been part of some of the Marvel saga’s coolest scenes.
The good folks at Diamond Select surely feel the same way, given that the (one time in the movies, anyway) Sorcerer Supreme has joined their line of Legends in 3-D busts. And by the Hoary Host of Hoggoth, it is (unsurprisingly) a great one to behold.
Limited to 1,000 pieces the Doctor Strange bust is based on the live-action representation of the Sorcerer Supreme, as seen in the Marvel films beginning with his self-titled solo film. Part of the Legends in 3-D line, this is a premium 1/2 scale resin bust that’s made of sturdier stuff than Diamond’s PVC dioramas, which is saying something because those are remarkably solid on their own. Shipping in a slick black box, the figure comes with a certificate indicating which of the thousand pieces you received, and the likeness is based on actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal in Avengers: Infinity War.
As you can already tell, this piece is insanely detailed. It’s as impressive as the Thing and Godzilla busts, in different ways, because where those depicted entirely fictional characters with a lot of bumps and scales and crevices where a likeness could be “cheated,” this Strange bust is based on a real, flesh and blood actor. That’s not to take away from the other pieces at all, because the meticulous detailing on Ben Grimm’s rocky hide and Godzilla’s scaly skin surely were not easy to render; instead, Strange is based on the likeness of a very famous and familiar actor, so they had to get every single detail right. Set his eyes up too high on his brow or make his cheeks a little too slim or choose even a slightly darker hue for his complexion and the entire thing falls apart.
Safe to say that designer Joe Allard and sculptor Rocco Tartamella absolutely knocked this out of the park, because you’d almost be fooled into thinking this was Benedict Cumberbatch by looking at it.
If it weren’t, you know, half-scale. Just a bit petite.
Cumberbatch has a very distinct face, with strong cheeks, a high brow, large lips, and striking blue eyes. Everything is rendered on this bust pretty much perfectly, capturing how Cumberbatch looks in the films as Doctor Stephen Strange. As with other pieces from Diamond, I’m almost in awe at how they manage to evoke so many different textures using nothing but resin and paint. Strange’s hair looks like natural hair, with his dark waves transitioning to salty grays around his ears. I particularly like how the wispy front locks hang on his forehead, giving his hair a sense of volume.
The same goes for his face, with the neatly-trimmed goatee on what looks like actual skin. He has pores, wrinkles, and an actual complexion, with some nice shading on his cheeks and eyes giving Strange a healthy pallor. His overall expression is very much in line with Cumberbatch’s portrayal, with a stoic gaze (perfectly capturing his striking, icy blue eyes) that nonetheless hints at a sly, sarcastic personality. He looks serious without looking too serious, thanks to his slightly arched right eyebrow.
The figure is perched atop a translucent orange base, no doubt meant to represent the magical constructs and portals the sorcerers use in the Marvel films. It does look cool and makes sense with the character, though a bit more detailing and personality in the base would have been nice. Maybe having this fiery plume coming out of an ancient text or portal, or even having different runes and symbols sculpted in the orange resin would have added to the whole Sorcerer Supreme vibe.
Strange’s outfit and effects definitely capture that vibe, though, with his signature blue robes, red Cloak of Levitation, and the mysterious Eye of Agamotto rendered with just as much accuracy as Strange himself. The multiple layers of clothing look fantastic, with his dark blue undergarment, lighter blue tunic, and his red Cloak all having lots of wrinkles to look like different types of fabric. There are a few points where it’s clear that this is all molded out of a single piece of resin, so the Cloak in particular doesn’t always look like a separate garment, but the paint applications and overall sculpting help to sell the fantasy.
The Cloak itself has as much personality as the item does in the films, thanks to the lopsided collar and various patterns “sewn” into the “fabric.” The lightly shaded areas make it look rather worn as well, which is fitting considering it’s an ancient garment. Same with the Eye of Agamotto, that highly detailed medallion of aged bronze. It looks old, slightly scuffed yet no less resilient, as if it has been passed down through countless ages. The one complaint I have– both about this aspect and the figure overall– is that the Time Stone at the center of the Eye looks… off. Honestly, it looks more like a bright green M&M rather than an Infinity Stone, thanks to the rounded shape and the paint that looks like it should glow in the dark. If it had been a more jagged, multifaceted piece of green resin it would have looked a lot more like the Stone from the films. As it is on the bust, it looks perfectly fine, and doesn’t break the figure at all, it’s just the one thing about the entire piece that looks off.
You can summon Strange through the Diamond site for $200, or at participating retailers such as your local comic shop. That’s a small price to pay for the master of the mystic arts to guard your bookshelves.
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