Pop Culture Shock - submit your interview questions (and discuss Lion-O)

As you'll soon see on the front page, ThunderCatsLair.org is the first site to bring you an exclusive reveal of the work in progress - not final Lion-O statue by Pop Culture Shock. The image we're sharing doesn't include the base or the cloth costume that will come with the final version and there may still be some changes to the statue before it is finalized.

Jerry Macaluso who heads up the work on the ThunderCats statues has kindly agreed to an interview with ThunderCatsLair.org and so we're inviting you to submit your questions of Jerry in this thread.

I'll include a select number of questions in a list for the interview and we'll publish Jerry's answers here on the site.

Thanks,
Grizz

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[FONT=Calibri]A good quality close up picture, except the two photos from the back we have seen so far, would shed light on the Premium Format Lion-o statue and answer some questions, until then it was a great idea to take the initiative to interview the man behind Lion-o’s production. I’ve already read through the Statue Forum site about some important information like the size which is going to be 38’’ (including base and tip of the sword) and whether it is going to be a realistic version or likeness based on the cartoon (as Jerry had mentioned it wouldn’t be 100% realistic nor 100% cartoon, but an amalgamation, closest to what McGuiness did in the comics) so avoiding to repeat an already covered question I came up with the following issues:[/FONT]


[FONT=Calibri][FONT=Calibri]1)[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri]Are you planning on doing more than the main protagonists Lion-o and Mumm-Ra? If yes, are they all going to be ¼ scale statues?[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri][FONT=Calibri]2)[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri]So if it isn’t Snarf who is going to be the Exclusive to accompany Lion-o and also have you decided on the light up feature sword of omens?[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri][FONT=Calibri]3)[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri]Judging by the pose at the photos we have already seen of the Lion-o statue, did you try to recreate and were you inspired by the cover of Thundercats: Reclaiming Thundera comic, issue 1 or from the opening intro at the original cartoon where at the very beginning Lion-o is standing on top of a rock?[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri][FONT=Calibri]4)[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri]Any thoughts about making Thundercats statues for the new 2011 series as well?[/FONT]

"Lordore, post: 27566" said:

[FONT=Calibri][FONT=Calibri]4)[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri]Any thoughts about making Thundercats statues for the new 2011 series as well?[/FONT]

If you could layer Lordore's question with my own, wouldn't necessarily need to be its own seperate question, but I'm interested in knowing if they are REQUIRED to also do statues for the new show. A long standing rumor is that the old 80s show and the new 2011 show were a package deal: take it or leave it. Also that anyone who signed was required to produce figures for both shows. So I"m curious as to if that is part of the deal that they signed (again this more or less forms off of Lordore's last question).

Added teaser photo to Mark's post. Really amazing sculpt, even at this stage of the production.

"Manny, post: 27572" said:

Added teaser photo to Mark's post. Really amazing sculpt, even at this stage of the production.

And by this teaser photo i think my third question has been pretty much answered. Lion-o's sculpt is almost identical to McGuiness cover.
Very impressive. I am really curious to see how the real fabric clothing will work on Lion-o...

Maybe i can rephrase my question like that:


The rest of the Thundercats characters, if they are to be made, will also be faithful to the WS comics?


And i would like to add one more question:

5) How many limited pieces(Artist Proof or regular) will be produced?

A beautiful sculpture, spoiled only by the face (for me). All just my opinion, but once again we have a 'Lion-o about to slit someone's throat' pose. That's just not how I ever saw Thundercats and I don't know why it's all so aggressive. That's probably just me though. Body and clothes wonderful! It does indeed look just like the McGuiness cover - sadly, that looked nothing like Lion-o either.

I'm hopeful that when the action figures come, they'll be more cartoon accurate. I think Icon, Pop, and Hard Hero have all made the same mistake because they're trying to make 'exciting' poses over accuracy. Hopefully this won't be so much of a problem with the toys.

Cheers
Dave

PS Going by that photo of Lion-o, I'm not sure they've really captured the front door of Cat's Lair. Work needed there I think ;-)

Not a fan of the fangs and I agree the face would have been better without being so aggressive. But the rest of the statue is pretty awesome. Hopefully we will see a painted version soon for Comic Con.

NOT liking it and I'm glad! The sculpt is great but the face is completely off. I'm so glad I'm not tempted to get it :-) It looks like Sabretooth bumped 80's Lion-O off the cliff, nothing like Lion-O so I'm gonna have pass, thanks for the effort and saving me $400+ dollars :-) I still think Hard Hero's Lion-O has come the closest in achieving the characters likeness.

"grizzlor, post: 27564" said:

As you'll soon see on the front page, ThunderCatsLair.org is the first site to bring you an exclusive reveal of the work in progress - not final Lion-O statue by Pop Culture Shock. The image we're sharing doesn't include the base or the cloth costume that will come with the final version and there may still be some changes to the statue before it is finalized.

Jerry Macaluso who heads up the work on the ThunderCats statues has kindly agreed to an interview with ThunderCatsLair.org and so we're inviting you to submit your questions of Jerry in this thread.

I'll include a select number of questions in a list for the interview and we'll publish Jerry's answers here on the site.

Thanks,
Grizz

NOT liking it and I'm glad! The sculpt is great but the face is completely off. I'm so glad I'm not tempted to get it :-) It looks like Sabretooth bumped 80's Lion-O off the cliff, nothing like Lion-O so I'm gonna have pass, thanks for the effort and saving me $400+ dollars :-) I still think Hard Hero's Lion-O has come the closest in achieving the characters likeness.

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I've often found that more modern interpretations of Lion-O depict him as a more mature adult than his cartoon likeness. And this usually makes him look more like Wolverine or Sabretooth to me. The Hard Hero Lion-O had hints of Wolverine in his face, especially the chiseled jawline.

I am however, a fan of the grittier, harder versions of Lion-O and I think this is a terrific statue.

Beautiful sculpt, except for two things for me: the fangs (as others have stated), and the hair. The fangs have already been discussed, and I feel the same as Lord LionO.

The hair actually has two problems for me. The hair line is more or less straight across the forehead vs the V down that is seen in virtually every other version (cartoon, comic, Hard Hero), although that could just be a bad angle to make it look straight across.

But the bigger issue for me is just so much hair; it looks like he could hide the clawshield in his hair and no one would notice. In fact, comparing the statue to the McGuiness cover, it would appear this statue represents Lion-O having more hair than even Cheetara. Just an eyeball estimate here, the statue's hair is twice as high and twice as long/wide as the McGuiness cover proportions. I like the detail to making the hair look real, but this Lion-O needs to make a pit stop by the ThunderBarber for a much needed haircut.

Edit: Forgot to actual post my questions, lol.

#1. Why add fangs to Lion-O's teeth?

#2. Why is Lion-O sporting so much hair?

#3. Will the Eye of Thundera be flat (as it appears to be in the photo) or will it be curved outward?

38' is in scale with my ACTUAL cats, and they need a leader! I will definitely have to get this guy even if he does kind of look like Sabretooth...:cool: Depending on price point though I imagine Lion-O and possibly Mumm-Ra would be the only ones I get in this size, just not enough room!

Jerry is considering a price point in the $400 ballpark

Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I appreciate all compliments AND criticisms.

Looking forward to going through your questions and providing some answers.

J

brilliant that we have the popculture ppl on the site-you feel more connected to the creators

I wonder if the price would put people off as $199 for hard heroes is okay but $400 is a bit too much for ordinary collectors and it would be a luxury. I would love one but the cost does put me off.

Shame as the popculture street fighters are amazing and I wonder if they could do it cheaper.

Also any news on a release date and will it be worldwide shipping as I live in the UK and extra customs charges would make it nearly $500

I must say good luck to popcultureshock and I am sure the company will be a big success.

Offering a counter point to Dave (aka Bernie'sPiano). I hadn't even given it a thought at all until he mentioned he didn't like the aggresive poses. Going back and looking at the Thundercats faces themselves from the old LJN line, they are some of the most passive and lifeless looks for figures that have 'Battle-Matic' action. Those figures were designed to fight with each other, but you put Lion-O up against Mumm-Ra (in terms of facial expression) and it clearly looks as if Mumm-Ra is ready for war while Lion-O is busy staring off into space. Panthro's the lone exception as he looks ready to pound someone. In general I think the aggressive nature was more captured on the evil figures (Monkian, Hammerhand, Mongor, and Safari Joe all come to mind as having evil and aggressive looks) as opposed to the Thundercats and their allies (Lion-O, Cheetarah, Young Tygra's almost smiling for crying out loud, and Pumyra all have the facial expression of humble house cats).

Maybe I need to go back and watch the cartoons again, but I honestly ONLY have memories of them struggling throughout the show. I know that isn't what happened all of the time, but its what I remember. Seems like they were always struggling. Struggling against the Mutants, struggling against Mumm-Ra, struggling against the elements, or something that has them bound, a trap, themselves. I don't mean mental struggles, I mean physical ones. So much of that show was about action. I guess that is the beauty of the show, that two people can have two completely different memories of it.

I do admit the statue does look like Lion-O needs about half the amount of hair, but I do like the fangs. It isn't a direct ripoff of Sabertooth (though there is a resemblance), I think it is a nice touch and a nice new approach to the character.

Very well done and if I were a statue guy, I would absolutely be adding him to my collection proudly. Alas, I'm an action figure guy.

"Grune_The_Destroyer, post: 27601" said:

Offering a counter point to Dave (aka Bernie'sPiano). I hadn't even given it a thought at all until he mentioned he didn't like the aggresive poses. Going back and looking at the Thundercats faces themselves from the old LJN line, they are some of the most passive and lifeless looks for figures that have 'Battle-Matic' action. Those figures were designed to fight with each other, but you put Lion-O up against Mumm-Ra (in terms of facial expression) and it clearly looks as if Mumm-Ra is ready for war while Lion-O is busy staring off into space. Panthro's the lone exception as he looks ready to pound someone. In general I think the aggressive nature was more captured on the evil figures (Monkian, Hammerhand, Mongor, and Safari Joe all come to mind as having evil and aggressive looks) as opposed to the Thundercats and their allies (Lion-O, Cheetarah, Young Tygra's almost smiling for crying out loud, and Pumyra all have the facial expression of humble house cats).

Maybe I need to go back and watch the cartoons again, but I honestly ONLY have memories of them struggling throughout the show. I know that isn't what happened all of the time, but its what I remember. Seems like they were always struggling. Struggling against the Mutants, struggling against Mumm-Ra, struggling against the elements, or something that has them bound, a trap, themselves. I don't mean mental struggles, I mean physical ones. So much of that show was about action. I guess that is the beauty of the show, that two people can have two completely different memories of it.

I do admit the statue does look like Lion-O needs about half the amount of hair, but I do like the fangs. It isn't a direct ripoff of Sabertooth (though there is a resemblance), I think it is a nice touch and a nice new approach to the character.

Very well done and if I were a statue guy, I would absolutely be adding him to my collection proudly. Alas, I'm an action figure guy.

Grune, i agree with the facial expressions you mentioned about the old LJN toys but keep in mind that they were kids oriented mainly and the good guys were supposed to be calm and serene upholding the dogma of Truth, Justice and Honour as opposed to the conquering forces of evil who were reasonably portrayed more aggresive and ready to plunge into battle,especially Mumm-Ra as you mentioned. Still,i believe it is a fact that the closeset and more faithful we have seen up till now, including the recent products, to the Cartoon series is the LJN toyline!!
I am not saying they are better and outshine in detail and quality the HH or Pop culture Shock statues but the overall presentation and simplicity is more akin to the cartoon show.

Yeah, i do too like the fangs and the mature tone emphasized, honestly i don't think there is any resemblance to the wild guy Sabertooth!, wait until we see Lion-o's face painted...
Merged Post:

"luketommo2, post: 27599" said:

brilliant that we have the popculture ppl on the site-you feel more connected to the creators

I wonder if the price would put people off as $199 for hard heroes is okay but $400 is a bit too much for ordinary collectors and it would be a luxury. I would love one but the cost does put me off.

Shame as the popculture street fighters are amazing and I wonder if they could do it cheaper.

Also any news on a release date and will it be worldwide shipping as I live in the UK and extra customs charges would make it nearly $500

I must say good luck to popcultureshock and I am sure the company will be a big success.

The cost puts me off too...$400, is a litlle steep. And add to that the overseas shipping charges for European buyers like us...
The statue might be awesome and really a centerpiece for any collector but the price is a problem. Budget some money for the $400 Lion-o and another for $400 Mumm-Ra since they are the two protagonists is somehow understandable but for more that two characters it is forbidding expenses at least for me. In my opinion, Pop Culture Shock should stick to 2 or 3 Premium Format statues for the main characters, otherwise i don't know if they will sell.Personally i wouldn't spend $400 to buy Cheetara or a Mutant.


And unless someoneis is living in a villa where are you going to put these massive statues!
38'' or 96,5 cm just under a meter is preety huge!

Grizzlor

Would you like me to answer questions directly on the forum or do you prefer to present them to me for a more formal interview/article ?

just wondering if I should be answering fans questions now or wait to hear from you.

Hi Jerry, I'm about a day away from getting the questions compiled for you, but if there are any fan questions and comments that you feel like covering right away, please feel free to jump right in.

Icon hero's should get this sculptor. The sculp has movement, action and beautiful detail, even at this stage. Again though my wife would kill me if i spent money on it :(

I've submitted the interview questions to Jerry, thanks everybody for your submissions