In 2013 Sideshow lauched a new line of 1:4 statues, named "Classics", by using a cold cast bronze technique that integrated metallic powder and polystone to deliver much of the look and feel of a traditional foundry bronze. The pieces are relatively heavier than the typical resin statues and, in my opinion, have a great and original appeal. Unfortunately, the line did not achieve the success the American Company hoped for and only three pieces were released, also in a rather limited run: Wolverine, Spider-Man and Iron Man. The project was directed by Tom Gilliland and Joy Rasmussen and many artists collaborated to the realization of the pieces, including David Igo, Kris Anka (design) and Armen Balyan (sculpt). Wolverine and Spider-Man were released with an edition size of 400 pieces, while Iron Man, in his more classic and traditional Comics' armor, could count on just 250 samples. The size is quite similar for all pieces: about 30 x 25 cm, with a height of 52 cm and a weigth in a range of 5-6 Kg. Unlike the famous Faux Bronze line by Bowen Design, characterized by an original painting technique (which provide the piece with a polychromatic bronze appearance) the Sideshow Classics are essentially monochromatic and much more similar to a true bronze statue. Then, the aesthetic impact is fully based on sculpt, pose and the very nice, iridescent and rather dark nuances of the material. The physique of Wolverine is powerful and slender, with the right leg bent foreward and the left one fully elongated back; the open arms highlight the large rib cage and the hyper-defined abdominals, while the clenched fists and the pulled out adamantium claws give an aggressive look to the whole figure. The suit is just characterized by a large belt at waist and two thick seams which start from the abdomen and widen on arms, at the level of the shoulders' ending. Note the typical, well shaped and rigid lapels on boots and the large ones at the sides of the mask, the creases of the suit at the back of the neck and the overall excellent sculpt of muscle contours on back, triceps and quadriceps. The face is very nice and expressive, with clenched teeth and two angry eyes which stand out at the sides of the aquiline nose. The base depicts a simple rocky terrain; it is quite heavy and provides the piece with an excellent stability. Concerning Spider-Man, the pose perfectly reminds the Comics tables where the character feels his spider sense, indicating some imminent danger! Peter Parker stands on a rock in a frontal position, with both wide arms and the head totally rotated on the left, as he perceived something in the air... The amazing sculpt highlights very well the hyper-defined abdominals and the contours of the large rib cage, while the slender physique exhibits powerful muscles on back, arms and legs. Despite the lack of colors, the spider web curved lines on the suit are very clear and perfectly designed on ankles and shoulders and also on the face, where the eyes are pointed out by two large bands (in a classic Comics-style) and the silhouette of the nose is very well sculpted. But the most traditional among these Classics statues is no doubt Iron Man! The piece represents the original Comics version of this key-figure of the Marvel Universe to perfection, with the metallic armor completely adherent to the body, which emphasizes the massive muscles on abdomen, arms and legs. The countours of the armour at the neck level, on shoulders, calves and forearms are very large and thick, with the classic well defined, horizontal bands characterizing the boots, the gloves, the nape and the groin, with the two large circlar plaques at both sides. Note the squared contours of the frontal mask, with rectangular openings at mouth and eyes, and the rounded shape of the head, faithful to the original tables, which the bronze color seems to points out at best. In my opinion, the Sideshow Classics line is very original and captivating: the lack of colors and cromatic nuances, in fact, somehow reduces the visual impact of the figures, but, at the same time, provide them with a true museum look and this can be a true strength when the sculpt is well realized and the characters are depicted in their most original and classic Comics' version. I would have liked to see other heroes (specifically, Captain America and Thor) realized in this way, since I am sure they would have been vey nice collectibles. Anyway: hope is the last to die!