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Capturing Archetypes: 20 Years of Sideshow Collectibles Art Book Review

“Capturing Archetypes: 20 Years of Sideshow Collectibles Art” is not worth the hefty price tag.

For those that don’t know, Sideshow Collectibles is a beloved manufacturer of incredibly detailed, high end collectible figures and statues of iconic comic book, pop culture, movie, and television characters. To say their work is unparalleled is an understatement as they’re the best at what they do.

Having been in the collectible business for 20 years now, Sideshow and Insight Editions have collaborated on a hardcover book that pays tribute to the company’s history and masterworks. So, how does the book fare? Unfortunately, it’s probably not what most Sideshow and or collectible fans would like to see.

Instead of producing a book that catalogues all of the company’s wonderful creations, Insight and Sideshow have created a rather puzzling book that simply contains artsy photographs of select figures. While it’s fun to see photos of various sizes that capture the essence and artistry of collectibles featuring the images of characters such as Batman, Indiana Jones, Hulk, Freddy Kruger, Captain Hook, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Daredevil, Frankenstein, Jessica Rabbit (who is presented as a fold out poster), Maleficent, and random “Star Wars,” video game, X-Men, and “Lord of the Rings” characters, the book leaves you wanting more (and not in the good way). While Guillermo Del Toro’s passionate foreward and Sideshow creative director Tom Gilliand’s introduction are interesting reads, they’re entirely too short. I don’t know about other readers, but I would have loved to have read more about the history of Sideshow and or the company’s process in creating collectibles.

Perhaps the most aggravating aspect of the book (aside form the lack of character labels) is that there is so much wasted space here. On one page, you can find a gorgeous full page photograph and on the next you can see a black nearly blank page with a small quote connected to the picture or character. That’s pretty much the entirety of the book for better or for worse.

Overall Thoughts: I’m fine with the fact that Sideshow wanted to create an artistic ode to their company and work, but I think they went about it the wrong way. ‘Archetypes’ simply doesn’t have much to offer aside from dazzling imagery of their collectibles.

May 26, 2014 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Capturing Archetypes: 20 Years of Sideshow Collectibles Art Book Review, Collectibles, Insight Editions, Lord of the Rings, Maleficent, Sideshow Collectibles, Sideshow Toys, Star Wars, Toys, X-Men