Bowen Designs Wendigo Statue (2011)

Wasn't this Hulk Hogan's pose first?

I have to tell you – I was dead set against picking this up – not because I don’t like the character or was disappointed in the way it came out but more because of the sheer size of this mother!  True to the character, this massive statue is bigger than any of the Hulk statues that Bowen has released.  Even better – it’s obviously Byrne inspired from Uncanny X-Men #140.

ManiPedi? Wendigo deserves the best...

Classic cover and now classic statue!  It’s amazing how some sculpts made in 3-D can work so well, and that’s one of the things that Bowen does better than anyone else.  You would be hard pressed to find another company who can make statues of our favorite comic characters that look as though they’ve popped off the page!

It's the whole she-bang!

Now, I told you I was pretty much resigned to not picking this up but I walked into Comically Speaking in Reading, MA and I was floored when seeing it in person.  Not only did I pick it up but when I got home I instantly got busy making the perfect display.  I’ve always thought that Bowen’s 1st appearance action Wolverine went well with the Smack-Down Hulk – but without Wendigo in the mix the display is missing something.

A Mug only a Mother could love... too bad he would probably eat his mother

Just like the Wendigo bust (which has the greatest base ever!) the FS base is scattered with skulls.  While the bust was certainly Trimpe inspired – Bowen went another direction this time, as I mentioned before, with a Byrne inspiration.  But this time we at least get a peek at that HUGE tail!  The tail and the mane (which was Byrne’s real contribution to this character) are probably my favorite parts of this statue.

I am not an animal!

I mentioned how large this piece is – but unless you can see it you will never fully realize what I mean.  Factor in the frailty of the tail and claws – you are seeing a very rare piece.  I know Bowen only released 450 of these (and when I say 450 I don’t mean 450 regular with another 450 exclusive - for all of you math illiterate people out there it means there are actually 900 statues out there, yeah – BD doesn’t play that way) and if that seems low to you – it is.  If you have a chance to snatch one of these up – DO IT!

Who thinks these two should be a comic team?

So, in closing, we are very lucky to have a company like BD doing comic statues like these and for as long as he has – because we are getting characters that I never dreamed of seeing as busts and FS.  Who else thought we’d see a Ring Master bust?  Not I!  And a Wendigo FS!?!?  So, let’s support BD – if this is not you’re cup of tea – that’s fine, you’re nuts, but that’s fine – BD has something for everyone.  Check it out for yourself!

Together - they still don't stand a chance!

Now for a shot of the display:

My Desk - how do I ever get any work done?

The Mighty World of Marvel #197 (1972)

The Mighty World of Marvel #197

Speaking of Wolverine… overseas they released what they called the Mighty World of Marvel – and what that was were black and white reprints.  I have not been able to track down #198 – the reprint of Wolvie’s first (really second) appearance.  I did get this one though – #197, Wolverine’s cameo (first real appearance).  The cover is absolutely bad ass!  Wendigo is one of the best Hulk villains ever – and this is true Trimpe style!

Wendigo vs Hulk - one of the best fights ever!

While #198 is basically the same as the cover to #181 – #197 looks nothing like #180.  That’s because #196 does!  That’s right – the trilogy is actually spread out between 4 different issues in this series.  #196-#199.  I have every issue on its way… except #198.  Damn Wolverine.

The Money Shot!

The art inside is all the same – just no color – and there are some pin ups, like the one below.  This is a pretty great series to have – if you want to -but if you HAVE to choose to get the US series and this – absolutely get the US series!

Hulk/Leader pin up!

Trimpe Signed Poster

DF Limited Edition Trimpe Poster

Herb Trimpe is far and away my favorite Hulk artist.  I bought this in Reading a while back – at the same time I bought a few rare Hulk goodies including the Maquette re-paint and the Macaluso kit.  He had a few framed posters including this classic image. But I went with this one – mainly because it has the Hulk in battle with two great foes.  Since I read the Wendigo’s first appearance in Hulk #162 with his mythical origin of cannibalism and misunderstood “monsters” I’ve loved the character more and more.  His latest Loeb incarnation aside, every part of the Wendigo’s story is sadder and more tragic even more than the Hulk’s.  A story of isolation, desperation, lost loves and a curse that transforms a man into a monster.

The best part of this limited Dynamic Forces poster is in the upper left corner Herb himself signed it.  This features the classic battle from #181 where Wolverine had to interfere.  I’m going to just say this – I still can’t believe how much Wolverine cought on after his first appearance in this issue.  I mean, who else’s first appearance is marked by being called into action only to get his ass handed to him by the better hero.  Artist’s style certainly change over the years – but Herb’s is still great.  Only 500 of these posters has been released - this one is #37.

Wendigo Bust (2007)

Wendigo Bust

I have this theory about statues and busts that sometimes, just sometimes, a base makes a piece.  This is one of those statues.  Don’t get me wrong – the sculpt on this bad boy is outstanding – but the sculptor, Tim Bruckner, really hit it home with the base!  My word – Wendigo is sitting on top of a mound of human skulls!  The best bases help tell the story of the character – and that’s exactly what this does – Wendigo, whose first appearance in Incredible Hulk #162 launched a popular new Hulk foe, but his most defining story and reality of his depressing origin is in the trilogy of #180-#182, also known for the first appearance of Wolverine. 

360 Wendigo #1

360 Wendigo #2

360 Wendigo #3

360 Wendigo #4

This run is still pretty available on ebay and other sites and prices vary – but I was lucky enough to snag this through a great friend – but you should snag this when you can because it has a small run of 1000 (my bust is #462).  Maybe 1000 isn’t too small – and actually might be too big because he is a pretty obscure villain.  Thanks to Loeb the great history of Wendigo has now been altered and thrown away – because now there is Wendigo hybrids!

I think I knew one of those guys on the right...

So, all in all, this is one of those busts that made me smile when I opened it.  If you don’t know the origin of this great character do yourself a favor and pick up the back story.  They have collected it in enough trades by now it’s easy to find.  I don’t want to give away how Wendigos are created but let’s just say it’s a curse – and a Canadian curse at that – so it’s doubly scary!

Wendigo Marvel Legends (2008)

Wendigo Marvel Legends

This is the figure rumored to being the best and most sought after.  It is really amazing!  It’s huge and detailed and massive!  There are a few set-backs to this toy though - first off, Wendigo is all white so the paint application is pretty standard – I do wish there was a better way to give some highlights though, maybe with a bit of grey but this figure is without.  Again, the packaging is he one thing this line has done right.  Instead of the bubble packaging that the Marvel Legends had adopted they go with the blister packaging with a plastic bubble glued to a cardboard backing.  There’s a classic illustration of the character at the top left corner.  It’s pretty phenomenal all around.

Close up of Wendigo

The face and heavy metal hair do make up for any letdowns on this figure.  There’s a great wide tail that attaches to the back and… oh… unfortunately that’s it.  This Marvel Legends Figure Line is really lacking on any accessories.  It’s a huge bummer too – because those are some of the coolest aspects of these toys – and to charge more – for less!  And sure, you do get a piece for the BAF Fin Fang Foom that looks really good (this comes with the right arm and wing of Foom) - but those shouldn’t count as accessories.  All in all this is still a great figure that lives up to the hype and is is a must have!