Nightmare Armor Studios

05.07.10

[Tetragrammaton]

I've posted about these guys in the past on the other forum, but they've updated their site (it needed it IMO).

I would love to oneday (Finances permitting) to commission an Iron Man armor. Based on their portfolio do you think they can do the armor justice?

[IMJ]

Tet, I'd be very surprised if we didn'tt get an armor replica around movie time, actually.
Tell me that you aren't dropping the coin on the two new replica helmets of the clunker armor, are you?

I'm reviewing my thoughts of those in the next SMR.... ugh.

[Chaos]

Those are pretty cool. Those guys do a good job. How much are those suits?

[Tetragrammaton]

I think the helmets that have been produced so far by Windlass Studios are fine, but a little simple and rather expensive. If we weren't on the edge of an upcoming wave of new Iron Man product, I would likely have picked them up, but I am going to wait and see before commiting the money. They have already comfirmed four more helmets from the Iron Man movie licence.

The Nightmare Studio armors I've seen on E-Bay for about $1500, but the commissions where they design and build to spec can be far more expensive (5K to 10K). Now, I'm not in a financial postion to drop $10K for an Iron Man armor, I may never be, but it is fun to think about.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/wars-DEEPEYES-helmet-armor-suit-star-prop-L-K_W0QQitemZ130145694711QQihZ003QQcategoryZ1467QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Iron Kaiser]

They really should do an Iron Man suit.  I'm hoping at least one of us will have the money to get it.

[IMJ]

I think the helmets that have been produced so far by Windlass Studios are fine, but a little simple and rather expensive.

This is very similar to my own criticisms for those helmets as well.  The problem is that when you are talking about merchandise of this type, that small criticism is a very large issue.  I'll save the rest for A.I.

[cold_war_myth]

 I think IMJ is right as far as there being a chance that we'll see IM armor around the time of the movie. If someone can release a $3,000 Vader life size, they can do IM. Here's hoping

Thanks for the link, if I had the $ and was gung ho, I'd commission these guys to do a Winter Soldier bionic arm.

[Vic]

The Windlass Studios helmets are priced as follows:

$400 for the Gold: 500 pieces

$350 for the Silver: 1,463 pieces

We seem to agree that they're kind of simple/plain.

Ok, here are a couple of serious questions for you guys. I'm just kicking the tires here but I'm getting kind of excited thinking about it...

1. Would you be interested in a very limited run (probably 300 pieces at the very top), Marvel licensed full size Iron Man helmet from the movie?

These would be prop-quality, handmade and with motorcycle helmet hardness. They would match what was used in the film as exactly as possible in regards to the design and paint.

2. At this limited number of pieces, I'd like to know what you guys think would be a fair price that would reflect the craftsmanship of the helmet as well as the extremely low production run number.

3. Depending on the feedback I get on question 2, if we are on the same page, I would make a very limited number available on a trial run for those of you who would be willing to commit to buying one. I would discount it from whatever the final price would end up being for the handful of you that would be willing to purchase one of these first run units.

For number 3 keep in mind a few things: If I go forward with this, these will end up being numbered. This first batch would have of course very low, single digit numbers. I'm talking about maybe just 5 helmets here, not 20.

My first reaction is that for sale these would be priced at least at $600. When I see a run of 1,250 Stealth armor statues which don't even equate with either a comic book or movie armor sell out in 10 minutes, I'm thinking a super high end helmet limited to 300 pieces max could definitely fetch $600.

I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this, especially you guys who are experienced and knowledgeable collectors!

Thanks,

Vic

[Tetragrammaton]

1. Would you be interested in a very limited run (probably 300 pieces at the very top), Marvel licensed full size Iron Man helmet from the movie?

Yes, of course. However, keeping in mind there would be competing product as Windlass Studios is doing 4 helmets from the movie as well (I'm thinking Mk-I, Mk-III, Iron Monger and ?).

2. At this limited number of pieces, I'd like to know what you guys think would be a fair price that would reflect the craftsmanship of the helmet as well as the extremely low production run number.?

Hard to really discuss a fair price for an item without seeing a design, knowing the manufacturer, or the materials in question. A good quality fiberglass/kevlar motorcycle helmet goes for around $200 - $300. This is a mass produced item of relatively simple detail. The Iron Man helmet would not be. Without anything to base myself on, I don't think a quality replica could be made for less $400 per unit, especially not on a small edition size.

My first reaction is that for sale these would be priced at least at $600. When I see a run of 1,250 Stealth armor statues which don't even equate with either a comic book or movie armor sell out in 10 minutes, I'm thinking a super high end helmet limited to 300 pieces max could definitely fetch $600.

If you look at the retail price of 1:1 scale replicas from Diamond Select or Windlass, they usually range in and around the $400.00 price point (of course) depending on the size/complexity of the replica. The Rocketeer helmet from Master replicas is a good example. But these had a production run of 2,000.

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRDS139

I feel that $500.00 is psychologically a price hurdle for most collectors. It is about twice as expensive as your average statue collectible.

Before deciding on edition size or retail price, you really need to know what the licence is going to cost ($ expect expensive) and what design and production on a per unit basis will be with varying edition sizes.

While I think the market could support up to 1000 of these helmets (if well made) that would involve a significant investment and require a fairly extensive distribution system.

You really need to talk to people who have done this type of stuff before. Luckily I do have one or two contacts.

[Roger A Ott II]

Tetra makes some very good points.  Still, I'd be up for getting one, that's for sure.  I'll start saving now...

[IMJ]

I think that a board member project is a good idea (hell, I've mentioned to a scant few of you the project that I have in the works for us, so I'm down with those).

I think that I'd have to see a nice proto before I'd commit.

I think that it's a great idea, but pretty expensive for a custom job.  Honestly, for that price, we could buy the full armor replica kit that the guy from the Replica Prop Boards has been working on...

Tetra also makes a good point that the Windlass guys are going to be producing more, so there's competition right there.  Coincidentally, a few of the Windlass Guys are my "friends" that I've spoken to through MySpace, so I can get more info on those upcoming helmets if we need it for project comparison.  I'm not saying "no" Vic, but something that high is a hard sell.  I think the art project that I've mentioned is a better ice breaker (and I've made a little more silent headway on it since we last talked about it, too).

You really need to talk to people who have done this type of stuff before. Luckily I do have one or two contacts.

Me too, if need be! 

[Vic]

Thanks for the great feedback.

John, if you could talk to your buds at Windlass regarding what's in the pipeline and get back to me offline that would be greatly appreciated!

Vic

[Chaos]

As cool as this sounds, I just dont have a budget for  it 

[IMJ]

Thanks for the great feedback.

John, if you could talk to your buds at Windlass regarding what's in the pipeline and get back to me offline that would be greatly appreciated!

Vic

kay!

[Tetragrammaton]

Ran across this Iron Man helmet sculpt on another forum.

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=26975&highlight=iron+helmet