Sideshow Premium Format BLACKBEARD

[JeffSaylor]

The legend of the high seas in quarter scale...

---

You can order your own Premium Format Blackbeard or many other great collectibles at Sideshow Collectibles!

---

Sideshow first tackled the notorious Blackbeard when they created their historical 1/6 scale line called Live By The Sword back in 2004. The figure was pretty impressive for the time and was one of many that paved the way for the exciting figures and quality that we enjoy from Sideshow today. Now they have gone back to this classic figure and given it a makeover that has transformed the fearsome captain into one of the most awesome, impressive Premium Format figures Sideshow Collectibles has ever created.

PACKAGING: Edward Teach aka Blackbeard features a unique package that I haven’t seen from Sideshow before. Rather than give him a full-color box like most Premium Formats, the pirate’s shipping box acts as his package, with the outer shipper featuring a black illustration of the figure. The statue and his disassembled parts are all wrapped and protected within a Styrofoam shell within the box.

SCULPT & COSTUME: When you look at the sculpting of the piece, it’s not hard to see why I say this is one of their best. The head sculpt alone is a testament to the skill of the Sideshow artisans, who have captured the ferocity and sea-worn visage of this salty dog. His skin is knarled and scarred, his teeth crooked and rotten, and his fingernails are split. The hair and beard are probably the most detailed part of the sculpt, with each strand individually sculpted, several of which are braided and tied off by ribbons. His hat is actually two pieces, with the tricorn being made of what feels like a very stiff leather.

His costume is made from very fine materials, such as the cloth of his pants and shirt, the rough texture of his undercoat, and the soft velvet of his outer red coat. Each piece is sewn perfectly with no defects or loose threads. The coats have some nice details, with the black stitching and sculpted buttons. A leather belt with sculpted buckle and removable six-pistol holster that fits over his neck completes his outfit. The detailed pistols are all removable and each has a fully sculpted butt that features a demonic face. His left hand grips a longer pistol while his right wields a real metal sword with shell-shaped hand guard and wolf’s head hilt. The figure in this review, which is the Sideshow Exclusive version, also includes a removable axe that fits snugly in the back of his belt.

Blackbeard stands menacingly upon a base that is meant to mimic the broken deck of a captured ship. His foot rests upon a fallen cannon while a cannonball, rope, and splintered wood lay strewn about. The wood has been carved and given the texture to really make them seem real and at first glance I thought the rope was real rope, partly due to the real metal ring holding it up, but mostly due to Sideshow’s expert sculpting.

PAINT: The paint apps on Blackbeard do nothing buy accentuate the detail in the sculpt. Everything has been painted beautifully, especially the features of the face. His grizzled face is dirty and tan, his teeth are yellow and rotten looking (as are his fingernails), and his eyes and lip are wet. His hat, shoes, and belts have a brushed treatment that really gives the appearance of worn leather. The base has also been given a fantastic treatment with a finish to the cannon that makes it look like real metal and several color coats that give the deck a real wood-grain texture and appearance.

OVERALL: Sideshow has outdone themselves with a high quality collectible that's sure to please pirates fans of all ages. The level of detail, superior sculpting, and attention to detail make this one of the must-own pieces of 2009. Both the regular and Sideshow Exclusive versions of the Premium Format Blackbeard is available now from Sideshow Collectibles!

You can see more photos of this awesome collectible in the Sideshow Premium Format Blackbeard Gallery.

Review Sample Courtesy of Sideshow Collectibles

Review & Photos by Michael Klein

---