BEST OF 2011 - Best Statues/Busts

[JeffSaylor]

High-end works of art...

---

To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.

To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, RedfordFilms.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, SmallJoes.com, MonkeyDepot.com, and Urban-Collector.com.

For Gears of War and other collectible video game statues and replicas, visit TriForce.

---

#4 SHIFLETT BROTHERS' CHLOE: AVIATOR FOR HIRE

We all love collectible statues and busts of our favorite pop culture heroes, but there's alot to be said for original sculptures that simply scream "cool". The Shiflett Brothers sculpt licensed product, but their best work arguably comes from the heart. "Chloe: Aviator for Hire" is a perfect example of that talented geeky passion the brothers express in their art, a piece that fits right at home next to a Star Wars statue or Terminator bust. Packed with daunting little details, Chloe speaks to collectors on so many levels - the way great art should. Imaginative, unique, and most of all, cool looking, Chloe proves that a great sculpture doesn't need a license to sell.

#3 KOTO'S MARVEL X-FORCE STATUES

When it comes to superhero teams, there aren’t many as cool as Marvel’s X-Force (now Uncanny X-Force). Teaming up the most vicious and morally flexible mutants, X-Force is the ultimate strike force willing to do anything at any time to protect the world’s mutant population... and they look damn cool doing it. Action figures and minimates are all well and good, but it takes something a bit bigger to capture X-Force and Kotobukiya has done it with their X-Force Fine Art Statue line. Three of the four announced members have been released thus far: X-23, Deadpool, and Warpath. Each one places the mutant in a combat situation, wielding his or her signature weapons on top of a broken landscape display base that look great when put together. This line has done a phenomenal job in fleshing out these gritty, serious comic book characters in a way that looks sophisticated, cool, and action-packed all at once. The best, however, is yet to come in 2012 with the final statue of Archangel.

#2 SIDESHOW'S GOD OF WAR KRATOS COMIQUETTE

The vengeful slayer of the gods - Kratos - finally received a collectible statue fit for the gods with this awesome Comiquette from Sideshow. The powerful Kratos is depicted standing atop what is left of an oversized column with his Blades of Exile in hand and ready tear apart anyone who gets in his way. Based on the latest God of War video game, the powerful “Ghost of Sparta” also featured the Golden Fleece and winged boots of Hermes. The exclusive version of this statue upped the ante by offering an extra pair of hands holding Hades' powerful hook weapons - the bonus parts adding a dynamic alternate display option for fans.

#1 TRIFORCE'S GEARS OF WAR MARCUS FENIX BUST

What does $350 buy you in the world of collectible sculptures? A lot if it's TriForce's Gears of War Marcus Fenix Bust, a bust aptly branded as "Epic Scale". Measuring 32 inches tall from the tip of Marcus' extended Lancer assault rifle to the bottom of his detailed COG base, this towering 14 pound bust is more akin to a statue in size and weight. However, it is the eerily life-like sculpt that firmly plants this piece on our list. Using a silicon-like material, TriForce has transformed a digitally rendered character into amazing 3D life, Marcus' stern, determined expression fully realized with realistic wrinkles, pits and scars.

Not to be overlooked, his armor and iconic chainsaw rifle realistically capture the gritty sci-fi world of the hit game - the light-up shoulder straps and dangling real metal COG dog tag necklace stunning finishing touches. It helps if you're one of the million+ fans of Gears of War, but regardless, there's no denying the amazing level of craftmanship TriForce put in the Marcus Fenix Bust. Who says video games aren't art?

>> Figures.com's BEST TOYS OF 2011 <<

---