Superman Through the Ages! Forum

SUPERMAN COVER TO COVER: SUPERMAN SPECIAL '83 #1 STATUE
Designed by Gil Kane
Sculpted by Tony Cipriano
Continuing the series of affordably priced statues that feature Superman as he appeared on classic covers from his long history! The iconic cover of Superman Special '83 #1 by Gil Kane is now available in this accurately sculpted statue. This limited edition, hand-painted cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 9" tall x 7" wide 7.5" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Advance-solicited; on sale August 16 o Statue o $55.00 US

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/preview.php?image=solicits/dc032006/dcdirect/big/SupermanCoverToCoverSpecial.jpg

While I wouldn't say that this is exactly a classic cover, it does strive to be iconic, as much of Gil Kane's work does.  I'm a fan of Kane but I don't think this statue does what I like about his work justice.  Maybe in his own mind he was trying to achieve a Michelangelo-like, classical human form --which this statue badly apes.  What I love about his work however is the thick lines and sprawling, "flung-out" figures --which this statue also badly approximates.  Kane was not one of the great Superman artists in my book, although why what he accomplished with the human figure in Green Lantern or the Atom should be any different eludes me right now.  Maybe I don't have as much invested in those characters.  Maybe because they are Silver Age creations?

"ape" is a apropos to describe the sculptor's non-understand of Kane's work, Telle.

This is, what, the third statue in the line, now?  And although I've only seen photos online (no real pieces yet), I have to say NONE of them capture the look of the covers they're based on.  Basic poses, yes, but the faces are all wrong, and have a cheap, slap-dash quality you might expect on tiny figures like those plastic Ideal figs of the 60s or, more recently, the "Hero-Clix" thingees.

I have to say I find it perplexing that DC would base a whole line of statues on specific covers, with an emphasis on specific important artists of history, and follow through with these oddball sculpts that are neither fish nor foul.

All I can figure is that the relatively smaller size, and hence lower pricepoint, means DC isn't putting much effort into this line.

On the other hand, the not-much-pricier "Black and White" Batman statues do a very good job approximating the styles of various artists -- this month's solicitation for the Steve Rude piece is gorgeous! -- but the concept itself is screwy.  Why would I want a black and white statue?!?!?!!?

Though for the Dude's Batman, I might give in...

I love monochromatic or simple palette sculpture --it seems more like art and less like a gaudy knick knack/kitsch made to appeal to the ADD generation.  Old-looking kitsch becomes art faster, I guess.