Aparo B&W review

[cdncapedcrusader]

Jim Aparo Black and White
Sculpted by Mike Locasio
DCcollector score: 6.5/10

Packaging: A slightly different shape but graphically similar to others in the Black and White Statues. Original artwork on one side and photos of the completed statues on the others. The photos on the box are interesting as the paint job is very different from both the final product and the prototype. Like most if not all the previous B&W's no COA.

Design: Early 90's Batman by one of the time period's two entrenched Bat artists. Batman and his pose capture Aparo's style well as it is very simple. The soft lines in the cape and uniformity between the cowl and costume portions that were a staple in Aparo's work are present here..

Sculpt. Locasio's attempt to capture Aparo's work came up just short in this piece. The lines in the face are a little too prominent and do not capture the softness of Aparo's work. This also led to the eyes, nose and mouth area's being a little too large and pronounced. These are all magnified by some questionable choices in regards to the paint job. The other issue that some have had with the piece is that he was sculpted to be stepping off the base. Not a big deal for myself however. I must also point out that the cape was given a slight billowing effect that was done very well and makes for a great back of the statue.

Execution: DCD did a decent job reproducing the designed piece however the entire statue was undermined by questionable decisions regarding the paint application.

Paint. Black and White...and Grey?!?!?. Here is where this statue really falls short. In all the other pieces in the line the cape, cowl, boots, gloves and groin are painted black with some highlighting or detailing in shades of gray. With this piece however these areas are a dark gray with black used to provide shading/detailing.This may have been an attempt to recapture the success in translating the 2D Mignola drawing into a 3D statue but in this case it failed horribly. It also causes the statue to stick out when displayed with the others; not because it is a great piece but because it is "off".

Overall value: This is a mediocre piece at best. I really like Aparo's work and he has drawn so many key historical moments in Batman history. His work not being accurately captures by Locasio's facial sculpt is a let down as Aparo's art always told the story in the faces of the characters. The paint job I cannot bemoan enough. The application was fine but the palette and application choices were terrible. An accurate sculpt painted the same way as the previous pieces would have made this one a staple of the line as opposed to one that is tucked away in the display. The $75+ pricetag in addition to the mediocrity of the piece will likely keep many on the fence away.

DCcollector gives this 6.5/10 the prototype shots were perfect; the additions made to the piece ruined it. There is no excuse for this piece to be less than fantastic. The execution of this one proves that less is sometimes more.

Take care CCC