Review and photographs by Brandon

Back in February during the time of the 2009 Toy Fair, Sideshow Toys revealed that they were going to include in addition to their many lines a series of their own called “Sideshow’s Dinosauria.” I was extremely pleased with the first two offerings, Tyrannosaurus rex vs. Triceratops Diorama & the Carnotaurus Maquette. This was truly a treat to behold because not only am I a big Sideshow collector but I adore Prehistoric Life and especially the Dinosaurs. If you don’t know whom Sideshow is, they are tremendous at sculpting and they specialize in 1/6 scale or 12″ figures of Star Wars & G.I. Joe to name a couple and also distribute equally sculpted Hot Toys figures in the same scale. Now, the Brachiosaurus Egg Ornament is different from a maquette and really is unlike anything any company has made previously. It was something that I had to own and in order to obtain it you have two options, one, buy one of their selected items and get it free or actually purchase it for $14.99. I chose the latter. Now, see what My commentary says about it!

The baby Sauropod hatchling Christmas and/or Holiday ornament is stuffed in a familiar Sideshow Dinosauria box with the line’s name within the logo. The packaged plastic bagged piece is protected nicely in two Styrofoams that are taped with a sticker of Sideshow’s customer service number on it. However, it does not indicate what dinosaur is in the box, either this was a rush job or they followed the trend of non-labeled Christmas items? Nevertheless, its an attractive box and protects the hatchling very well!

The size of the ornament is about three and a half inches tall and around two pounds.

The sculpting of the new born “Arm Lizard” is so top notch, its one of the absolute greatest dinosaur pieces I’ve seen! As I previously stated, the Brachiosaurus is a baby, just hatching out of its egg trying to emerge onto the Earth and not only does the prehistoric animal have great sculpting but even the egg does!

This Macronaria member looks totally accurate as if it really is a tiny Brachiosaur lost in time. Sculpted by Sideshow’s Paleoartists, they sure did their homework! This ancient megafauna is almost rolled up in a ball with its long neck & head curled onto its large stomach with its right hind limb & foot showing. The tail is wrapped around its back and located throughout on the body there is many creases and bumps similar like warts. The most fascinating aspect of the entire baby is its head. Its large raised cranium is perfectly visible and the nostrils are placed one on each side and is at a great depth. I completely love that the left eye is closed and the right eye is slightly opened, perhaps for the first time, it adds so much realism!

As I’ve mention previously, the egg itself is also sculpted marvelously. There’s many tiny lumps here and there and some cracks around the shell in the back and the right side but especially the left because there are some major breakage present as if the little one actually did it himself. One thing I really like about the egg is its inner section, the skin is perfectly even with the thickness of the hard shell and the effect is pulled off quite effectively!

The paint applications on the dinosaur as well as on the egg is applied very carefully with no bleeding, blotches, smears or anything to mess it up. The little creature has several colors to him which are green, tan, orange-yellow, and black. He’s got a color scheme mixture of a Micrurus fulvius (Coral Snake) & Panthera tigris (Tiger) going on, of course this is very theoretical that it carries both and its a possibly that this was true because of the theropsid and sauropsid linage split. The egg is colored dark white with dark blue spots almost everywhere on the shell. The inner skin of the egg is of a peachy color depicting a possible correct color from knowing known modern species. The Sideshow’s Dinosauria logo is also painted greatly where you can clearly see the name of the line and also see a hint of a massive Brachiosaurid skeleton! Indeed, I’m quite impressed with the painting on this ornament.

As for the ornament feature, there is a very small metal loop screwed in on the side or behind the baby if you prefer with a strong silver loop to hang on your Christmas tree.

Overall, this is a magnificent piece I’d recommend this to any dinosaur collector and/or lover whether you want it for your collection or for the purpose of hanging it for the holidays or for both reasons. It lightweight, sculpted superbly, painted greatly, appears realistic and its very affordable. To think that all of Sideshow’s Dinosauria collectibles that have been released and upcoming are all from the Cretaceous but it took an ornament to unveil a species from the Jurassic. As I speak, you can currently purchase this cute Brachiosaurus baby at Sideshow right now!

Brachiosaurus (in egg) (‘Dinosauria Collection’ by Sideshow Collectibles) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Styracosaurus Maquette by Sideshow Dinosauria
Review by Scar, Photos by Jeremy Killian

There are aspects of this piece in creative interpretation which I absolutely adore, and others which I feel could have been improved upon.

Overall, I will credit SS for infusing this piece with personality. It’s not one individual aspect of the piece which serves this purpose, but the cumulative effort of the various facets, encompassing both sculpt and paint application in a marriage which results in a dinosaur that really comes alive upon close inspection.

Regarding the sculpt, the stance of the Styracosaurus was a superb choice. The backstory conveys this animal to be a bull Styracosaur who perhaps worked a bit too much on his mating display as opposed to his ability to fight rival bulls for dominance within the herd. This acts as a double-edged sword – the animal displays vibrant sexually dimorphic traits and puts the energy into engendering such traits, relaying to females of his species that he has favorable genes, capable of producing flamboyant characteristics and still surviving in a predator-rich environment. Despite being displaced by other male Styracosaurs for dominance, he retains the position of herd sentry, a crucial position upon which the entire herd hangs its metaphorical hat for protection. The overall sculpt accentuates his position within the herd; despite this individual organism not being an alpha male, the piece exudes an air of dominance and fearsomeness. This Styracosaur is the archetypal guardian of the herd. Imagine an approaching pack of marauding Troodons intent on sneaking among the herd to steal away with eggs and infants, though before they can attain their goal they happen upon this animal. The Styracosaur stands atop a mound of loosely packed earth, positioning his body sidelong to any encroaching foes, his head held erect; the result is an animal which is making itself appear as large and imposing as possible to any potential threats, while simultaneously surveying the surrounding area with as broad an efficiency as possible.

The body itself is studded with protuberances and dermal protrusions both along the flanks and running the length of the spine from the cervical vertebrae to the most posterior caudal vertebrae. The result is a body with a barbed exterior which parallels (although to a much less dramatic extent) the impressive skull with its lance-like horns. This herbivore is no bit less threatening than any of the carnivores we’ve seen in the line, and although smaller than the Triceratops it evinces just as much raw power, and arguably a much greater sense of regal dominance just by the nature of its posture. Admittedly it’s often the subtle nuances, the tiny minutia which artists opt to put into the statues, that I latch onto with fascination and admiration. Case in point – I love that Krentz sculpted the Styracosaurus with its nostrils flared. The thin membranous nares positioned directly behind the beak are wide possibly either in an attempt to take in as much sensory smells in the surrounding environment, or out of agitation regarding an impending threat. The beak as well is impeccably realistic. While designed for foraging, you know if it latched on in a quarrel, that beak could do some damage (speaking as a man who has bitten by numerous herbivorous birds as bears the scars to prove it). I really like the weathering on the beak and the way in which the gnatotheca fits into the rhinotheca. There is also an abundance of folds and creases in the flesh across the body which remind me of two of today’s large herbivores in particular – the elephant and the rhinoceros. Neither hesitate to defend themselves aggressively against perceived threats and that’s exactly the impression evinced by this Styracosaur.

Now that I’ve told you what I like about the sculpt, I will say I don’t like everything about it. The dorsal, lateral, and anterior regions sport a glut of detail, but that seems to slacken off when we reach the feet of the animal. I know Dan mentioned this concern previously on the T.rex VS Triceratops diorama, and although I don’t feel it’s an overwhelming or apparently obvious aesthetic on that diorama, here it’s definitely noticeable. Take a moment, look at the piece, and compare the level of detail across the animal’s head and body to the detail on the lower legs and feet. There’s no contest. It just seems as if it could have done with some pebbling or creasing to ensure that observers see those extremities as biological extensions of the organism, and not merely anchors to the base. Just a thought, but I feel a bit more time could have been taken there. Another nitpick of mine is on the horns of the Styracosaurus. If you have the flagship VS dio, look at the horns on the Triceratops. The keratin overlaying the horns is weathered and rough. The Styracosaurus horns appear too smooth, almost polished by comparison. From all of the apparent encounters this organism has had, according to its backstory, the horns do look awfully pristine. The keratin on the Triceratops and Carnotaurus horns look the way one would expect – with divots, outgrowth, and evidence of exposure to the elements. Where it’s the most apparent for me is on the orbital crests. Bear in mind by alluding to the Triceratops as a comparison this is NOT by any means a critique of David Krentz’s style as opposed to Adrian Taboada’s; as evidenced by the T.rex maquette, we see that Krentz is easily, EASILY capable of a degree of detail which is either on par with or vastly surpassing most if not all of his peers. The man can most definitely set the standard for lively, realistic dinosaur statues, as we saw in the T.rex maquette and in Krentz’s own independent work (his Einiosaurus “Buffalo Bull”, “Judith” the Gorgosaurus, and “Rex Mundi” the T.rex come to mind).

Just quickly, I would like to touch on the base. here we have an excellent continuation of the trend for what we’ve seen in Dinosauria bases thus far – an advanced level of natural realism. The earth beneath the Styracosaur’s feet seems literally to give way before our eyes, the animal sinking slightly into its defensive position, unconsciously “digging in” for a coming assault. An excellent selection to enhance the story and personality of the animal.

What’s my favorite aspect of the piece? The paint application. Wow. Simply amazing. Earlier I mentioned all of the protuberances across the central body mass – the dorsal surface of the body and anterior portions of the legs are speckled; this could easily serve as both cryptic coloration (camouflage) and aposematic (warning) coloration. Cryptic coloration is easy enough to deduce, such that this breaks up the body pattern and would prove extremely useful to conceal an animal which shares its territory with Tyrannosaurus rex. Aposematic coloration is a fine likelihood in the sense that the animal is covered with the aforementioned protrutions, as well as that menacing crest of horns. The color could well make the most vulnerable region of the animal (its exposed back) appear as it it is well-defended. Again regarding defense, that frill is astounding! It is quite vibrant, and could well be a sexually dimorphic display to signal virility, but equally plausible is the color pattern being elevated away from organs though still in an armored region to draw the attention of predators and make them uncertain of where they should attack to deal the most lethal blow. Predators are not ignorant of cephalization. Numerous studies have been done to show that predatory species search for the eyes on an organism to locate the head and then subsequently attack; so many sensory organs as well as the brain all located in one region. A sound attack executed well by a predator could quickly kill if not debilitate an herbivore. Utilizing a color for the spots on the frill which parallels the exact coloration of the animal’s eyes could confuse and disorient a predator. The attacking animal would think the most vulnerable region also to be situated right within a massive crown of spikes, and consequently be confounded as to the best route of attack. An excellent, excellent choice of color pattern. To say that a lot of thought has gone into this particular color scheme would seem a vast understatement.

Lastly I’ll just say concerning the exclusive skull that I would highly recommend pairing the skull with this piece for a number of reasons. I know there has been a lot of debate circling recently concerning whether or not to display the exclusive skulls separately from the statues or with the accompanying pieces. Firstly, the statues are not in scale with one another, and the exclusive skulls are to scale with the individual statues. The result is a Styracosaurus skull which quite literally dwarfs the other exclusive skulls. Displaying the skulls together and separate from the statues would skew perspective as to the comparative element between pieces. Some will point out that the T.rex skull exclusive to the maquette comes up short of the maquette’s skull in size. Remember, however, that the T.rex depicted in the maquette is a senior alpha male who has succeeded over his long years in staving off assaults from not only individual competitors, but from packs of competing Tyrannosaurs. At his age and status within his ecology, it’s apparent that he’s an extraordinary organism, and that the skull is likely based on an average adult organism from the species, and evidently not the animal in the statue. In his younger years as an adult it’s quite likely the T.rex had a skull very much the size of the exclusive skull. Comparing size between statues aside, it’s nice, particularly in the Styracosaurus piece, to see the keratinous outgrowths overlaying the bone, and to have the ability to hold the statue against the skull and see the similarities and disparities concurrently.

So there you have it. These are my thoughts on the Styracosaurus maquette – overall an outstanding artistic achievement in bringing our first solo herbivore into the line. Some features could have been improved upon, and others stand out as exquisite examples of the prescience and biological insight poured into the piece.

Styracosaurus Maquette by Sideshow Dinosauria is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan Liebman of DansDinosaurs.com
Photos by Jeremy Killian

The fifth entry in Sideshow’s Dinosauria line features a predation scene like many others, yet with only a single true dinosaur. Deinosuchus vs. Parasaurolophus looks to be an almost classical depiction of violence in the natural world, the massive jaws of a monstrous crocodilian clamping down on a hapless creature that was presumably ambushed while drinking at the water’s edge. We’ve all seen wildlife footage of unsuspecting wildebeests meeting the same fate. The details offered in the statue’s backstory tell a slightly different tale, but the power of the scene is unmistakable.

The existence of non-dinosaurs during the Mesozoic is often forgotten by mainstream enthusiasts, so this image serves as a refreshing slap in the face to those who might overlook the threat of ancient crocodiles. This reptile has seen its fair share of mass-produced reconstructions, from Schleich to Safari’s Carnegie line. Sideshow’s effort is laudable; the morphological nuances and conservative color palette lend excellent credibility to their rendition. The tremendous size of this creature is obviously a high selling point, and this is amplified in the design. Rather than sculpting the entire body, the artists have elected to emphasize the head and neck of the Deinosuchus. The right forearm lifts above the water as well, a reminder that really hammers the point home: This is just the head, and there’s a whole monster under the water!

Hadrosaurs often get the short end of the stick when it comes to paleoimagery. Typically they are victims in an attack by some larger predator, and this scene is no exception. The Parasaurolophus walkeri obviously has some notoriety as one of the most famous duck-billed dinosaurs – even if its fanbase grows weary of seeing their beloved ornithischian getting ripped to shreds left and right. For this diorama, the herbivore in question is actually a juvenile, as indicated by the underdeveloped crest. This signature feature is highlighted in pale blue, while the tail is decorated in a nice striping pattern, similar to the Sideshow Carnotaurus. The mouth stands agape in shock and horror – you can almost hear it screaming. Depending on one’s outlook, the scene can elicit some combination of awe and fear. Forty-foot long crocodiles lurking under the water? Nightmare stuff, to be sure.

The bloodied wound appears quite deep, so even if the hadrosaur manages to get in a few wild kicks with its powerful legs, it is not likely to escape the vice-like grip of the Deinosuchus, much less survive the attack. Some have even calculated that a large Deinosuchus could inflict a bite pressure exceeding that of Tyrannosaurus rex. My only anatomical concern lies within the well-rounded curling of the herbivore’s tail. It helps frame the scene much like the Tyrannosaurus vs. Triceratops diorama, but is somewhat unrealistic, as hadrosaurs are known for having ossified tendons that should have kept their tails very stiff for balance. The cleverest rationalization I’ve heard for this: The croc slams into its prey like a freight train, fracturing the tail and causing it to curl in an unnatural manner.

Set in a flooded Cretaceous swamp, this diorama is the first to come with a pre-attached base of muddy water. Churning and splashing all around the scene, it is arguably the most interesting base yet seen in a Dinosauria statue, and a fine artistic endeavor. The construction is also rather distinctive. While most dinosaur reconstructions tend to emphasize the horizontal length of the subject, this scene is built with a more vertical orientation. The eye is drawn along the diagonal, focusing on the raw power of the Deinosuchus launching itself violently at the target, crushing bones on impact. It is this fine balance of paleontological authenticity and artistic inspiration that allow Sideshow’s Dinosauria to compete with more expensive (and often unfinished) resin models.

Available from Dan’s Dinosaurs and on eBay here

Deinosuchus vs. Parasaurolophus Diorama (Dinosauria by Sideshow) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Original photos by Jeremy Killian

At a whopping 26 inches long, Sideshow’s latest Dinosauria diorama is their largest piece yet (though it will be unseated from this position when their Spinosaurus arrives in winter). Tom Gilliland collaborated with a large team of artists, including such greats as Steve Riojas, David Krentz, and Jorge Blanco, on what he considers to be his favorite piece in the line. This scene depicts a veritable “death race,” capturing that split second before at least one animal passes into another plane of existence.

The model’s backstory explains that a desperate pack of Allosaurs have successfully ambushed a juvenile Camarasaurus, cutting him off from the herd and throwing everything they’ve got at him. Snapping and clawing viciously at their prey, the massive macronarian is ultimately subdued when one of the females springs upon him, sinking her jaws into his neck. In a classic twist of irony, the sauropod’s collapse not only ends his own life, but the life of the female as well. The surviving carnivores are now blessed with two carcasses to gorge themselves on. The scene is like something from a Delgado novel.

In one of the most famous sets of fossilized dinosaur tracks ever discovered, there is exciting evidence of an Acrocanthosaurus actually leaping and briefly clinging onto a sauropod. With this in mind, it seems reasonable that the relatively agile Allosaurus could be capable of such a feat. This makes for a thrilling finish to the fight, with every animal in motion, muscles straining, jaws gaping, in that typical over-the-top fashion that Sideshow Dinosauria statues are known for. Packs of Allosaurs would probably rely on exhausting a sauropod from blood loss in order to take it down, much like the famous scene in the BBC’s Ballad of Big Al, or the irksome Jurassic Fight Club. This traditional “hit and run” attack method is evident in the gushing wounds on the herbivore’s flank, as well as the fresh blood lining the jaws and claws of the running hunter.

The Camarasaurus is colored conservatively in earthen tones – the backstory makes special mention of “faded colors”, which the Allos would seek out to indicate a sick prey item – and this fits the popular notion that large animals would not bear intricate display patterns. The Allosaurs themselves bear more the hue of rotten flesh, decked out in putrid pinks and grisly grays, even crimson eyes to amplify their devilishly dirty nature. For further “doom and gloom” atmosphere, the base imitates a muddy landscape, a bleak stage subject to heavy rainfall. There is also glistening mud on the legs of the Camarasaurus, a simple touch that I particularly like, because it reinforces the idea of an animal existing as part of its environment.

Despite the precarious pose of each character in the scene, the statues are extremely stable once attached via peg-and-hole method into the base. Glisten though it may, this is not one of the more impressive bases Sideshow had implemented for a Dinosauria statue. Rather than tapering or leveling off like previous bases, this one simply terminates abruptly into blackness. Some have found this inconsistency a bit distracting, and as anyone who’s seen Martin Garret’s kit buildups can tell you, a good base can really extend the credibility of the diorama. Fortunately, future statues appear to be following the normal trend, making this base something of an anomaly.

Among hardcore Dinosauria collectors, it is common practice to compare models to the original prototype sculptures shown in the product stock photos, which are often superior in terms of sculptural detail and paint application. This practice invariably leads to some disappointment, so this author recommends doing so only at your own risk. However, there is something to be said for the Allosaurus vs. Camarasaurus diorama, which appears to bear the closest resemblance to the original model out of any Dinosauria product so far. One noticeable difference is the lacerated maxilla of the running Allo, which is freshly bloodied in the final product, but appears to have been an ancient scar in the original (There is some variation between individual pieces, since they are painted by hand). While I would have personally preferred that it remain a scar, I can understand the decision to heighten the goriness of the scene. Such enhancement is often a major selling point for carnage fanatics, and prominently distinguishes Sideshow’s product from a typical dinosaur “toy” – as if the price of the statue didn’t already make that distinction clear.

Of course, if you need further incentive to indulge the guilty pleasure that is a Sideshow statue, it might be worth mentioning that a comparable resin kit could easily cost more money – and that’s before painting and assembly. With this statue, you get several characters interacting in one dynamic scene, and total assembly shouldn’t take you more than five minutes, providing you have experience fitting pegs into holes. In short, this is easily one of the best Dinosauria statues to be released. It has all the show-stopping artistry, scale, and detail a dinosaur fan could want.

Available on eBay here.

Allosaurus vs. Camarasaurus (Dinosauria by Sideshow Collectibles) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan L.

Photos by Jeremy K.

Despite the public’s insatiable love of maniraptorans, it took over a year before Sideshow added one to their Dinosauria line of statues. This introduction is not without a few twists, however – and not all of them will be well-received by the foaming, rabid consumer base.

Original fossil specimen, remarkably depicting both animals locked in combat

This diorama focuses on the classic clash of Velociraptor and Protoceratops, a scene which strikes an instant chord with any paleontology enthusiast. This is because it is based on an extraordinary fossil find, where both species were found locked in combat, apparently killed and preserved in a sudden manner (many believe a collapsing sand dune was the culprit). Whatever the case, this find has inspired many a work of paleoart, revealing various stages of the battle as the artist envisions it.

The robust ceratopsid has its horny beak clamped onto the carnivore’s arm, just as it appears in the original fossil. Twisted painfully and crunching through the delicate bone, fresh blood smears the raptor’s hand, as well as the herbivore’s face. Several lacerations can be spotted across the ceratopsid, evidence of the frantic slashing and gouging of this desperate predator. The raptor struggles to bite at the big, boxy head, to no avail. The herbivore’s right eye is also clamped shut reflexively, a nice touch of realism.

A fairly conservative color scheme was used for the Velociraptor, which has a bit of naked yellow skin, and a mottled charcoal integument. The sculptural detail on the creature is stunning, with individual filaments and feathers intricately crafted, exceeding the detail seen in many previous Dinosauria statues. The entire scene is provided with a great vertical flourish from the raptor’s elevated tail, which is bent only at the base, a sign the artists really knew their stuff.

The Protoceratops receives a slightly less impressive treatment. The product backstory refers to this animal as an agitated bull, yet the opportunity for flushing displays of color seems to be largely missed. The reds and oranges across the body and frill are rather subdued, credible but not exactly striking to the eye. Bumps of varied sizes adorn the body, which appears to plow into the predator without remorse. Interestingly, there is a slight row of spikes along the Protoceratops’ tail, hinting at the lineage of this animal, which included the Psittacosaurus with its flamboyantly quilled tail.

Another great point of interest is the base itself. Multicolored and intricate bases sometimes lose their believability once they hit mass production, but this sandy chunk of Cretaceous Mongolia is certainly of the best Sideshow has created for their line. The texturing is simple yet very fine, lending an extremely convincing illusion of real sand, complete with fresh footprints from the struggle.

Sadly, the paleontological relevance of this statue may be lost on some mainstream audiences. A few have yet to feel comfortable with the sight of feathered dinosaurs, and many more will hesitate to spend so much on a statue depicting a raptor “losing” a battle. Most likely, Sideshow will release a large statue of a Utahraptor or something similar, roaring or leaping into the air in a more crowd-pleasing fashion. There’s still no denying the presence of this scene, though. True dino-lovers will have no trouble appreciating this stunning recreation of an ancient battle.

Protoceratops vs. Velociraptor (Dinosauria by Sideshow) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Photos by Jeremy, Review by Dan of Dan’s Dinosaurs

One of my favorite things about my job is that it affords me a unique opportunity to interact with paleontologists and paleoartists from around the world. During a brief chat with the esteemed artist Tony McVey, he casually mentioned that he was working on a Spinosaurus for Sideshow’s Dinosauria line. Naturally, I was thrilled by this news, if somewhat tortured by the fact that Tony had asked me to keep it to myself. Following the official unveiling by Sideshow and a quick mention in Prehistoric Times magazine, everyone got their first look at Tony McVey’s coveted Spinosaurus maquette.

Collectors familiar with the Michael Trcic desktop models manufactured by Favorite Co. of Japan will notice something immediately about the Sideshow Spinosaurus – it bears a similar dark green and red color scheme. The base color of the statue is a dark green, while the sail and flanks are highlighted with a lighter green. Most of the red is confined to the uppermost lining of the sail. Some may complain about the lack of vibrancy, but this can easily be rationalized by mentioning the female gender of the animal.

As the story goes, this massive Spinosaurus is doing what spinosaurids probably did best – fishing. She catches a tasty morsel, only to lose it, thanks to the intrusion of a younger Spinosaurus, whom she scares away from the embankment. This tale is nicely woven into the statue’s base. The sandy surface is littered with crushed ferns and ginko – Tony notes that he spent several days working on the flora – and one stem is actually split from being recently stomped by our queen fisher. I particularly like these elements, as they create a more natural scene, rather than treating the base as a mere stage for a starring critter to stand upon. There are trackways from at least two other theropods, both of which are quite small compared to the adult Spinosaurus, a subtle reference to her massive girth and dominant position within the ecosystem.

Ironically, the popular Spinosaurus is not one of the most well-described spinosaurids, so much of her anatomy requires reference to similar species such as Suchomimus and Baryonyx. The enlarged foreclaws are quite noticeable, certainly deserving of the comparison to “meat hooks” for snaring huge fish. The snout and distinctive premaxilla appear to be correctly formed, and there is a single short crest over the eyes. The artists have once again demonstrated an exemplary comprehension of the subject matter. This is easily the most accurate representation of the species since the Carnegie Spinosaurus of 2009.

One of the interesting embellishments can be spotted in the row of spikes lining the neck. This “hoary” look seems favorable in many spinosaurid reconstructions, though they’re not nearly as pervasive as the prickly renditions seen in Todd Marshall’s artwork. I would not discount the possibility that they inspired the artists, at least. Her snout also bears a series of ancient scars, an inevitability for any creature that spends its life grappling with fish the size of motorcycles. She is captured in mid-stride, lunging with the simple-mindedness that so often pervades the sport of competitive fishing.

Measuring an astonishing 32 inches in length, this Spinosaurus is certainly an eye grabber, even within a collection containing several other Dinosauria statues. It will continue to hold the title of “Longest Dinosauria Statue” until 2011, when Sideshow releases the even larger Apatosaurus maquette. Until that time, feel free to display her alongside your grizzled Tyrannosaurus maquette, as they are roughly in scale with one another – and we won’t scold you for secretly recreating some silly movie scene.

Spinosaurus (Dinosauria by Sideshow) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan, Photos by Jeremy

After a slight delay, Sideshow has finally released their first Dinosauria statue of 2011. They have elected to market the statue under the name “Tupuxuara – Pterodactyl,” likely to foster recognition among mainstream demographics. Fortunately, the Tupuxuara is indeed a pterodactyloid, a term that would furrow fewer brows than a separate suborder such as “rhamphorhynchoidea.” Tupuxuara is also considered a member of the popular Tapejarid family, strongly associated with elaborate cranial crests. It earns its name from Brazilian lore, the country of its original discovery. The X is silent, so it sounds more like “Tupu-Wuara” (See Sideshow’s preview video).

While the Dinosauria line has thus far been conservative in selecting species for mass production, this certainly represents the most exotic animal the line has yet seen. There are several unique aspects of the statue. Although only the second statue to bear a vertical construction, it is just eight inches high. This small size results in a considerable drop in price. Sideshow has regarded the Tupuxuara as a “lure” for collectors, drawing in people who would not normally care to spend so much on a prehistoric collectible. For a piece that ships fully painted, unlike a resin kit, it remains a solid value.

The character has a fleshy base color, dappled with the signature Sideshow spotting along the posterior end. The real visual flair comes from the male’s sporty headgear, where the reddish flush meet a brilliant electric blue on the crest. It’s a striking contrast of hues, one that puts older washed-out colorations to shame. He’s just lost his mate to a hungry shark, but it’s unlikely this pretty boy will remain a bachelor for long.

Among mass-produced pterosaur figures, the outstretched flying pose is a mainstay, presumably due to the manufacturer’s goal of playability. This, however, is not a child’s toy. In fact, the inherent weight and fragility of polystone might make a perched posture all the more appealing, as fully extended wings might be more prone to snap during transit. Besides, flying pterosaur models typically require some point of attachment or stand, and these may detract from the immersion of watching a pterosaur in its natural habitat. The open beak bears an uplifted tongue, glistening slightly, but not moist to the point of obscenity as I might have preferred. The eyes appear especially lifelike.

The sculpture offers nice detail as expected, from the folding wing membranes to the fuzzy filaments along the body. The softening of these details isn’t too noticeable on a piece this size, which is good news, as detail loss is the typical casualty of factory production. The dark, rocky cliff base is also a nice contrast to the pterosaur’s pale body. The rocks appear to be caked in the runny droppings of pterosaurs, hinting at the desirability of this male’s perch, and implying a competitive social lifestyle for the species. These sort of touches provide greater interest to the scene, and demonstrate considerable dedication to the product.

If you’ve been waiting to dip your toes into the Dinosauria line, the Tupuxuara offers a great introduction to the uninitiated. It’s the smallest and most affordable statue in the line – unless you count the “Brachiosaurus Hatchling” Holiday Ornament – and it’s a spectacular look at a rarely seen species.

Tupuxuara (Sideshow Dinosauria) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan, Photos by Robban, Neehar, Blade-of-the-Moon, and Jeremy K.

Sideshow offered a first glimpse of the Apatosaurus maquette in September 2010. No fewer than eleven months later, it has finally been released. It is the second, and final Dinosauria statue to be offered in 2011. Once churning out new models on a quarterly basis, it seems Sideshow is attempting to take things a little slower with the Dinosauria line.

Shown to approximate scale with a 1:24 car model

The Apatosaurus is the longest of the bunch so far, at a whopping 43″ and weighing in at about 10 pounds. Since most of the extra length comes from the tail, it is perhaps understandable that it’s selling for about the same price as the Spinosaurus. With many high-end models, the long and delicate tail becomes a point of concern during shipping. However, careful use of foam padding by the manufacturer appears to have curtailed most tail-related injuries to the model. This signature feature of the Apatosaurus is presented with surprisingly minimal flourish, just a gentle undulation implying graceful movement. It does comprise about half the statue’s total length, so care should be taken when displaying this model in high-traffic areas.

Although the two never met in life, the Sideshow Tyrannosaurus and Apatosaurus were crafted at 1:20 scale.

According to the artist, this reconstruction is based on the species type A. louisae. The stock photos of the original prototype sculpture suggest a lustrous, golden coloration, not unlike the Carnotaurus. Much like her fleet-footed predecessor, however, the final product differs substantially in paint application. The base tone seems more grey than gold, while the darkened paint patterns are charcoal instead of brown. Popular opinion dictates that a neutral color scheme is appropriate for a large animal like this – despite there being no animal quite like this today – and it will likely cause no major fuss.

Original box art and packaging

Stock photo depicting original prototype sculpture

Dappled pattern seen on the original model...

...and shown on the final product.

Some may find the technique of application itself to be more noticeable. In the stock images, the Apatosaurus has a dappled pattern running along its backside – a striking effect that has been lovingly described as “sunlight filtering through the treetops.” This effect has lost some of its intricacy under the yoke of mass production. The dorsal side appears to have been dabbed repeatedly, adding (or possibly removing) paint to produce a sporadic arrangement of spots. This is only noticeable when inspecting the statue at close range, however. The brown eyes with black pupils are also a bit rough looking, but again, it’s not very distracting at normal viewing distance. A solid glossy black may have provided better realism, as some figure companies have done. In fact, they are recessed deeply enough that they already seem like a very lifelike solid black.

Another feature that keeps the animal from looking too bland can be seen in the rows of stripes lining the body. On both the tail and neck, they taper downward in somewhat triangular shapes, spotty but soft in their application. There also appears to be some subtle dry-brushing along the paler underside, highlighting the magnificent textures built into the massive physique. Sharp-eyed observers may notice attachment seams where the feet are connected to the legs, but with so many wrinkles across the body, this is very well concealed. The feet appear to be properly formed, with a single claw on each forelimb and three on the hindlimbs. The smaller front feet have the “horseshoe” shape, made evident by the animal lifting one of its legs as it ambles along. It would have been nice if the feet were more dark and sullied, but looking at the environment of the base, the ground color does appear to be close to her natural color.

The base for this model contains the usual footprints for guiding the character into position, and a single hole for inserting a peg that protrudes from one of the feet. Since this peg no doubt runs deeply into the model, customization should be done with great caution. Although the character may stand fairly well on its own three feet, stability is really best when using the peg insertion, so even a custom-crafted base should take advantage of this feature. In addition to the guide-prints, there are a few other trackways visible on the base. One can find the freshly pressed prints of our star sauropod, as well as the prints of at least one other, smaller member of the herd. Along her right side, a three-toed trackways is also visible, presumably from a recently lingering Allosaur. Next to her own prints, they seem tiny and birdlike, considerably less menacing than they were in a certain violent encounter.

This giant is densely decorated with rich surface detail. This is an area where mass production often falters, or at least yields inconsistent results. Luckily, the replication of these details has been very well done for Apatosaurus. No matter how one feels about the paint application, the sculptural detail is actually so impressive, it overwhelms any minor flaws in the paint. If you spend considerable time admiring the details in a sculpture like this, prepare to reschedule your day, as Jorge has packed plenty of texture work into this colossal canvas. Unlike Jorge’s Stegosaurus or Protoceratops, the Apatosaurus bears little in the way of scales and scutes. Instead, the animal struts proudly in a wrinkled, elephantine skin that bags and sags, bunches and folds in all places demanded by the laws of physics. Granted, scales wouldn’t necessarily be visible in a scaled down sauropod – hard as it may be to remind ourselves this is a scaled down model – and the effect recalls the timeless grace of a sauropod from the Invicta line.

“When the Sideshow team commissioned me to build up an Apatosaurus sculpture for its Dinosauria line, I couldn’t be happier, as this one of my favorite dinosaurs since childhood.  So I made some sketch designs where I put everything I knew from sauropod anatomy. The books by experts as recognized as Gregory Paul, Tracy L. Ford, and especially my mentor, Jose Bonaparte were of great help. With all that in mind I faced the task of creating my own version of such a beautiful dino.

“As an artist there are choices to be taken in order to express a vision at once personal and so anatomically accurate as possible. In this case I decided to represent a healthy, young individual. May be in the mating season. I put an extra special care when happen to represent the back muscles, the neck, tail and legs. These are quite different from the theropods since they posses a distinctive locomotive way. The tail should be long and narrow, but a little stiff. Not so flexible and mobile like a whip. Due to the fact that this was a massive animal that walked a lot, the shoulder blades had only the necessary mobility and are not so exposed like in the case of a mammal, which needs to be agile, for instance a contemporary big cat.

“I indulge myself with the comparison between some actual animal’s anatomies in order to give my work a touch of aliveness (even though there are no animals nowadays that can compare with a sauropod). The general idea was to try to recreate the appearance of a living creature, something that you can recognize like a possible organism. Something with a real weight and movements, likeable to see. Maybe, and this is strictly an analogy, an animal which makes a contemporary beholder think of an elephant, only as an example of a majestic animal, massive and bold and elegant at the same time. There is also a little touch of reptilian attitude and behavior. “  – Jorge Blanco

Many will recall the Diplodocus shown in Walking With Dinosaurs, with its rows of neural spines and goofy exposed teeth. For mainstream audiences, this is probably the most recently prevailing mental image of a diplodocoid. And while plenty could be said of the accuracy of WwD at the time it was produced, it interesting to see just how much our knowledge of these animals has changed just in the past few years. In this reconstruction, the spines are mostly concealed along the back; only a series of short ridges are exposed, beginning at the pelvis and reducing toward the posterior. The spatulate teeth are politely hidden behind lips, which are once again widely seen in contemporary sauropod reconstructions. Among other diplodocoids, the Apatosaurus is known for being quite robust. This is not particularly new knowledge, but it provides a nice point of distinction for Apatosaurus all the same. Very often, skeletal reconstructions form the basis of fully-fleshed models, while providing little in the way of actual flesh. The resulting models end up looking emaciated, a walking undead dinosaur comprised of tightly bound skin and bone. This is clearly not the case with Jorge’s sculpture.

Thick muscles line the columnar legs, while carefully crafted bulges reveal the barest hint of the massive bone beneath. The ribs and chest are enormous, with an appropriately huge gut that would have housed an immense community of bacteria for fermenting plant material. The neck is quite possibly the thickest I have seen in any recent reconstruction of the species. The bifurcation at the neck results in an interesting channel, rather like the Krentz version. According to paleontologist Mike Taylor – who may yet be lured back with this review – the channel might have been filled through with air sacs in life, and therefore less concave. Apparently, Jorge saw this Apatosaurus as a younger creature than the Dinosauria backstory would have us believe, which describes an aged matriarch. This discrepancy isn’t really a problem though, since the Dinosauria line does not follow a strict scale.

The artist also flexes his intellectual muscles by presenting Apatosaurus in a way that emphasizes its majesty, without sacrificing scientific credibility. This is sometimes a fine line to walk, even among the Sideshow Dinosauria statues, where the dramatic flair sometimes stretches the limits of the animal’s anatomy (Some may recall the sharply curled tail of the Parasaurolophus, for example). However, Jorge’s design is pretty conservative. The posture isn’t rearing, the tail curling is minimal, and the head cranes at about an eighty degree angle from the body. It’s a seemingly small touch to add interest to the piece, yet it provides such a lifelike quality by showing an animal that is actively observing its environment.

Does the Sideshow Apatosaurus deliver exactly what was promised in the stock photos? Not exactly. Is is still worth owning? If you can afford it, I would say it is absolutely worthwhile. Even ignoring the long-term value of the piece – which is typically great for any Dinosauria statue – this is an exceptional work of art that only a limited number of people will have the chance to own. It is one of the finest statues in the Dinosauria line, its presence in a room is undeniable, and it is just awesome to look at. The Sideshow Apatosaurus does not rely on high-octane action, graphic violence, or intricate colors to draw the eye. It is big and beautiful, and it’s the ultimate representation of a dinosaur.

Available here.

Apatosaurus (Sideshow Dinosauria) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Sideshow’s rendition of the mighty Stegosaurus was released in summer of 2012. At 16″ high and 26″ long, the term “mighty” becomes quite appropriate. While previous models like the Apatosaurus may have been technically greater in length, there is a great visual difference between an animal with a long, slender tail, and one that is bolstered by huge plates along the entire body.

Cast in heavy polystone with a relatively lightweight base, this is certainly one of the better pieces seen in Sideshow’s Dinosauria line. Sideshow categorizes this as a “diorama” rather than a single-character “maquette” because of the juvenile that ambles alongside its mother. The paint scheme is simplistic and does not overpower the stunning artistry of Jorge Blanco. Collectors familiar with the “dark dots” on Dinosauria models will notice them here in the diamond formations along the flanks, which essentially reflect the shape of the plates. The base is perhaps the simplest yet seen in the series, with only a few green ferns scattered on the ground to tempt the juvenile.

As usual, the characters have pegs on their feet which allow them to be sturdily attached to the base. This offers us a rare glimpse at a Stegosaurus that stands perfectly on its hind legs, a trick that has only been seen in one other place that I can recall. The base contains trackways that help guide the feet into position, and if you don’t mind using them as only vacant footprints, you can display the adult without the baby.

From a logistics standpoint, Stegosaurus is perhaps one of the most difficult dinosaurs to manufacture. While vinyl toys might be pliable, resin or polystone models are hard and more prone to breakage. Sideshow has cleverly worked around this issue by packing the four largest plates separately. They are easily dropped into place via peg insertion, and since gravity alone keeps them in place, you don’t want to go jostling the statue without removing them first. Each one is numbered and fits into uniquely shaped slots, so there’s little chance of putting them in the wrong place. Once installed, they look exactly as you might expect. Giant blades of bone and keratin erupting from the skin, impressive to gaze upon if not to regulate the animal’s temperature.

The high level of detail in a Sideshow model can be particularly nice for Stegosaurus, with its throat armored in fine ossicles. This feature stands out very nicely, and it is surprising how many manufacturers seem to miss this aspect. The artist has also taken the liberty of providing our roofed reptile with further protection on the forelegs, which bear a smattering of scutes. This is a speculative feature, but it makes for a more interesting restoration.

The backstory suggests that this mother is rearing in response to an impending attack from a carnivore, though the violence appears not to have fully erupted, or surely the juvenile would not be scarfing down food. The rearing posture of the Stegosaurus does provide her an alert quality. This would be more of a showy gesture, one that is appropriate for an extravagant-looking animal. The twisting of the tail and turning of the head are excellent for aesthetic purposes, but also suggest the adult has some awareness of the danger and wishes to protect her offspring.

The famous thagomizer is looking nice and sharp here, as well. The spikes appear to have fractured, splintered, and regrown in certain areas, suggesting this girl has seen her fair share of battle. It is said that Stegosaurus was well-equipped to pivot on its legs and make maximum use of its armed tail, and those legs have been given a great treatment here. In addition to the sheer mass of its body, the limbs have a great thickness and musculature that reinforces the power of this creature, perhaps even more so than any other Dinosauria statue. Theropods might hog a lot of attention, but even large theropods look relatively dainty in their bird-like limbs. This is an animal clearly built to crush its foes.

The Dinosauria line did contain a ferocious Protoceratops at one point, but even an animal as stereotypically parental as Protoceratops did not receive any juveniles for the restoration. It is interesting that Stegosaurus was selected as the first subject to care for its young, when so many other species seem to be chosen for parental scenes. It’s possible this pairing is a subtle nod to The Lost World, without the restrictions of working under a massive franchise.

Like several previous pieces, the prototype shown in Sideshow’s stock photo is warm and golden in hue, while the final product is decidedly less so. The statue turns out to be more grey and green, which is not altogether bad, and in fact mimics the classic colors more commonly seen in Stegosaurus reconstructions (assuming you aren’t sick of them by now). At least the plates are not bright traffic-cone orange.

Shown beside Papo Stegosaurus

For those curious, the baby alone is approximately the size of the popular Papo Stegosaurus adult. It is approximately 1:15 scale, and since the Dinosauria line does not conform to a consistent scale ratio, scale-minded collectors might find it fits better among their Shane Foulkes models, or the larger CollectA pieces. It demands considerable space, so plan your display accordingly.

For all the love we lavish upon Stegosaurus, it rarely gets the treatment it deserves from the manufacturers. If you can afford this, the most expensive Dinosauria model so far, you’ll get fancy throat ossicles, all seventeen plates, and an outstanding sculptural quality. It’s truly a work of art, one that Mr. Blanco should be congratulated for.

“I was working on Brazil when I was commissioned to sculpt the Stegosaurus for the Dinosauria line. I prepared some sketches based on my favorites versions of this peculiar dinosaur. Again, the principal idea was to represent a full grown specimen, plenty of strenghth, but this time he or she would be accompanied by a little one. My initial idea was they were part of a big herd. After a rain season, the little child comes out the forest and the vigilant mom rises on his hind limbs, maybe because she heard some suspicious sounds among the foliage.”

“To represent my version of Stegosaurus stenops, I reviewed some articles by Tracy Ford (Thanks again, Tracy) in which he explained some theories about the way Stego moves, and the skeletal reconstruction of Gregory Paul. I paid special attention to the spikes and the scutes. I wanted to represent a magestic animal, worthy of respect for any hungry theropod. The Sideshow team was very generous to give me all the necessary support, and Steve Riojas did a wonderful job with the painting. I thinking in of mom, who said she saw the dinosaurs through my eyes when I was a child, so I dedicated personally this sculpture to her memory.”

- Jorge Blanco

Stegosaurus (Sideshow) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

In 2013, Sideshow Collectibles released an extremely limited edition model featuring a baby Euoplocephalus. Of course, every Sideshow Dinosauria model is produced in limited quantities, and once they are sold out, they often fetch high prices at auction sites. So why all the fuss over this sweet little dinosaur?

Well, the Euoplocephalus hatchling was intended as a sort of lightning-sale. Vigilant Sideshow followers noticed the preorder announcement – which appeared without any warning, mind you – through Sideshow’s official website (exclusively, not available through any retailer) in October of 2012. Within minutes, they were completely sold out, with many clever customers purchasing multiple models with the intent to resell the rare piece at a later date. And boy, did they ever. The so-called “flippers” managed to take a model that was a paltry $40 at retail, and sell them on eBay for $300 each. This does provide at least some opportunity for hardcore Dinosauria collectors to get their hands on the hatchling, but Sideshow’s limited offering of the model left more than a few collectors quite understandably peeved.

No doubt the rarity of this piece is responsible for drawing many readers to this review. If you have come to this page with the hope of finding one for sale, or finding flaws in the model that will make you feel better about missing out, I’m afraid I cannot help you. This may not be the first hatchling dinosaur that Sideshow has offered, but it does represent some of their finest work.

The packing material is not unlike most other Sideshow Dinosauria models, consisting of fitted styrofoam and a thinly wrapped padding to reduce the risk of paint rubs during transit. Given the stout build of the model, this seems safe enough. No assembly is required whatsoever, and the model itself is centered on a round black base. One standout worth noting to collectors is the box. Most Dinosauria models have a dark color theme on their outer display boxes, but this little guy sports a cheerier, brighter case. I suspect it’s intended to mimic the look of an egg shell, and I’m betting this will probably not be seen on packaging for future models.

Although only a baby, this model very visible in a display, measuring eight inches high. I am pleased to say that the prototype stock image is well represented in the final model. The details are not heavily softened, and perhaps most noticeable is the paint. The blend of fiery yellow, orange, and red is reminiscent of the Tyrannosaurus maquette. This has been very nicely implemented to bring out the liveliness of the sculpt. I expect a newborn dinosaur would be more inclined to have a subtle, camouflaged appearance, but there’s no question of the vibrant beauty it provides. A layer of sheen allows it to glisten realistically, so this 1:1 scale model is likely the closest we’ll get to watching a baby dinosaur hatch from an egg. Unlike the Brachiosaurus baby, which appeared barely conscious with its eyes only slightly opened, this little guy is definitely wide awake and wriggling free, unquestionably ready to take on the world.

Another nice thing about the polystone medium used for this collectible is that it allows you to do things that would be unsafe for a mass-market toy. While the dinosaur itself is fairly rounded – and would likely still be even if the clubbed tail was revealed – there is quite a lot of eggshell in the scene. The shell shards are visible on the body and base, and are a bit sharp just as one would expect, so please take care when showing this piece to young children. Chances are, you wouldn’t want them handling a piece like this anyway.

It’s hard to say why this particular species was selected instead of the more prototypical Ankylosaurus, but it may have something to do with the baby ankylosaur fossil find, which has been specifically attributed to Euoplocephalus. There is also a fair chance that Sideshow will introduce a fully-fledged maquette or diorama later on, featuring the more popular species. Given their choice to make this a highly exclusive model, they probably could have gotten away with any obscure species. What’s more, few people would have noticed if they had skimped on the quality, but this does not appear to be the case at all. For those who missed out on this piece, it may be painful to learn this, but I must say this is one model that definitely delivered on the promise of the stock photo. It’s hard enough to find examples of baby ankylosaurs, and I cannot think of any that deliver so well on the concept.

Additional notes from Jorge Blanco will be added shortly.

Euoplocephalus in Egg Maquette (Sideshow Dinosauria) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

On November 8, 2012, Sideshow offered the first preview image of the Dilophosaurus statue. This choice of species does not come as a great surprise to many of us, as we all know that this creature was featured prominently in a rather successful film in 1993. Sideshow’s Dinosauria line first set out to demonstrate the great profitability of dinosaurs without a major franchise backing them, perhaps making Dilophosaurus all the more an expected choice.

Original box

Many manufacturers have since capitalized on this species, and some have done a pretty good job of it. One of the great benefits of the original line is that it can freely pursue contemporary, scientifically sound reconstructions of these animals, rather than perpetuate the often fictionalized “cinematic” interpretations.

Female

Male

Paleoartist Jorge Blanco has, as always, stuck closely with the science for his sculpt. The skull bears the correct maxillary notch, the long neck is free of any frill, and the hands are not held like a Sterling Cooper typist. Particularly noteworthy is the posture of the animals. Instead of the endless combat that theropods seem to engage in, these animals appear to enjoy a moment of domestic bliss. The male is recognizable by his enlarged nasolacrimal crests, which are highlighted in blue, much like the Tupuxuara. He strolls past the female, who sits in supplication nearby. This is perhaps the boldest feature of the diorama, and was likely inspired by a recent fossil find that is attributed to a “sitting” Dilophosaurus.

The female’s crest is smaller, as are her neck spines. At the time this review was written, this sexual dimorphism was not demonstrated with fossil evidence, but it remains appropriate as an artistic choice. I am especially fond of the way the two characters’ tails “frame” one another, as visible from a rear angle. This tail curling is common in these models, perhaps also for the practical purpose of reducing their fragility.

The details preserved from the original sculpt appear to be quite strong. No area looks”softened” in this respect, right down to the leathery avian feet. The paint application does not deviate far from the original of Steve Riojas. Interestingly, it looks very similar to the pink and grey of the Dinosauria Allosaurus; perhaps Steve really likes this color pairing on theropods. The male does have a stronger reddish flush, however. The eyes have been painted in Sideshow’s favorite “carnivore red”, though at least they shine in a more lifelike manner.

Time will tell if collectors find this piece to their liking. Although the popularity of Dilophosaurus is reasonable, this placid pair might prove to be too dull for the casual crowd. This might be acceptable though, since more of the dedicated enthusiasts would be likely to approach a piece at this price range anyway. I do hope the manufacturer continues to take risks with scenes like this. It’s the dinosaur everyone has seen before, but in an entirely new light.

Back in 2010, when Sideshow asked me for some dinosaur designs, I thought about some mating scenes. I didn’t want to show the couple almost ready to give birth. Instead, I was more interested in showing the very first steps of the courtship – an adult male with some battles on his back, and the female impressed by his self confidence. I’ve read some works about the special ways the Dilophosaurs sat, but I wasn’t totally sure, so I talked to the Sideshow Team in order to justify the classical seating position the sculpture finally adopted. And, to help me decide about this, I observed some contemporary big birds from Argentina (Ñandúes, a sort of small ostriches) and everything became quite clear to me since then.

-Jorge Blanco

Available to order from Dan’s Dinosaurs here.

Dilophosaurus (Sideshow Dinosauria) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan Liebman – Dan’s Dinosaurs

Regular visitors to the DinoToyBlog know that I enjoy reviewing every new piece in this series, but I really wanted our resident paleontologist Dr. Adam Stuart Smith to have a go at this one; truly, I doubt there would be anyone better suited to this task. Sadly, the good doctor’s schedule did not permit this plan to come to fruition, so I’m afraid our dear readers are stuck with yet another review from an uneducated amateur.

To my simple eyes, this statue does uphold the lofty standards of aesthetics and accuracy the series is known for. There are a number of unusual factors at play here, starting with the name itself. The manufacturer simply attached the moniker “Mosasaur”. This strangely nonspecific name might have something to do with the similarly titled “Mosasaur” revealed around the same time to star in the upcoming film “Jurassic World”. We do know that Sideshow has been eager to see how their own dinosaur line can stand up without the costly license of Jurassic Park, so it’s not really surprising when one considers the species selected for previous projects, many of which seem likely influenced by the Jurassic Park franchise (though happily, restored with much greater accuracy). Keen readers will still recognize this piece as depicting Tylosaurus proriger, which has been confirmed by the sculptor. Names aside, the species itself was not likely influenced by the film, since the original sculpt was completed at least two years ago.

Original stock photo

Another striking feature is the vertical build of this statue. Every paleo-enthusiast knows how rapidly shelf space is consumed by so many horizontally constructed models, and running out of space for new pieces isn’t fun. This is almost a merciful design decision here, as the Dinosauria statues are undoubtedly some of the largest pieces in most collectors’ displays, so any chance to own this model without wasting valuable space is certainly going to make it more desirable. Bear in mind this is definitely not a puny statue, either. Like several other models in the series, the Mosasaur is around 1:20 scale, and stands 20″ high.

Sideshow has introduced some fancier backdrops for their more recent releases. These water effects are computer wizardry, and under no circumstances should this model be placed in water.

I also wish to point out something very strange indeed. This animal is undoubtedly a fearsome carnivore, and yet, its jaws are closed. It’s been said many times that “closed jaw” depictions are naturalistic, since this is how the animals would have held their jaws most of the time. I feel some measure of admiration of any mass-manufacturer that approves of such a decision, knowing full well that it could negatively impact sales among mainstream audiences, but clearly this is a company that has grown confident in its ability to attract serious collectors. It’s as if Sideshow is seductively whispering in our collective ear, “We know you’re smarter than the others, and we know you want this. We made this just for you.”

Another great shot I couldn’t resist sharing. Many of Sideshow’s impressive diorama-like images have been used as clickbait around the web, from individuals claiming to possess “leaked images from Jurassic World” and so on. If only the films could really be this accurate.

I will admit, the set of jaws on this animal are really spectacular, and it would have been great to see those deadly chompers and palatine teeth as shown in several excellent models of years past. Even so, they are scarcely missed here, because there is so much for one’s eyes to dance around. The colorful base is probably one of the most complex in the series, and consequently, this makes it a bit trickier to assemble the eight piece model. My recommendation is to insert the Mosasaur into the seafloor base first, so as to avoid damaging the more delicate pieces around it. From there, it’s mostly a matter of matching colors: branches of green coral with shimmery fish, yellow plate coral, and the big orange tube sponge with ammonites attached. A nice pink and green zoanthid sits at the center. There is a square hole below the left rear flipper to insert the shark’s peg. The peg will go all the way inside, but I would suggest wiggling it very gently to avoid any breakage. This easily sets the new record for “Most Species Ever Featured in a Dinosauria Statue”. Don’t bother looking that up. I promise it’s a real thing.

I know that quality has been inconsistent for a few of the previous Dinosauria statues, particularly where paint is concerned. Happily, there appear to be no such issues present in this Mosasaur. The signature jagged striping of Steve Riojas is transferred reasonably well by this factory paint job, and the eyes convey appropriate realism. If it were larger and a bit greener, it would stand quite nicely beside the Foulkes Tylosaurus. The patterns do enhance the predator quite nicely, as it’s not too garish, but enough to help it pop despite being surrounded by so many colorful critters. It seems to rise above them ominously, an eerie presence that is both huge and hidden.

With several crimson-eyed predators appearing in the series, it’s nice to see this fellow looking very natural, without compromising his menace. The loose folds of skin around the neck, and the skin texturing itself (which appears to be faithfully reproduced from actual skin impressions) really drive home the reptilian heritage of this animal. The flippers have visible digits running through them, and the “thumbs” actually end in very small claws. These features all contribute to a great sense of realism in this sculpt, truly a testament to Jorge Blanco’s dedication and skill.

Like the other Dinosauria statues, this can be a fun model for playing around with different lighting effects. Warm light beaming down from above could simulate sunlight, allowing the giant to literally cast a shadow over the tiny creatures below. I’ve seen very intricate collections that make use of blue light for that aquatic atmosphere. I strongly advise keeping it away from actual water sources though, including any live aquariums you may feel tempted to utilize. Besides, it’s sure to terrify your poor fish.

Dinosauria Mosasaur (1:20) shown beside Foulkes Allosaurus (1:15)

“The shark is a young Sqalicorax and the small fish are acanthomorpha (angelfish). I also could not resist the temptation to add a couple of ammonites. At the time I finished sculpture and while it was in production, a new paper was unveiled that showed new features of the tail of a new specimen of mosasaur. I had already given my final version so it was impossible to make changes, but I’m honestly very happy with result. I wanted to emphasize the aspect of varanid lizards in these marine reptiles, and I put my full attention to some anatomical features, and how varanids swim propelling with the tail, and with the limbs close to the body and using them only to maneuver, although these are basically terrestrial reptiles with aquatic adaptations while the mosasaurs were fully aquatic.”

– Jorge Blanco

Available to order from Dan’s Dinosaurs here.

Mosasaur by Sideshow Dinosauria is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan Liebman of DansDinosaurs.com
Photos by Chris Kastner of BackyardTerrors.com

If you ask a paleontologist what the two main types of dinosaur might be, you’re likely to receive an answer containing the words “Saurichia” and “Ornithischia”. Pose this same question to a manufacturer of dinosaur models, and you may discover an altogether different dichotomy: “T. rex” and “Dinosaurs that aren’t T. rex”. It’s beyond question that this predator’s popularity far outranks any other dinosaur. The quality of a manufacturer can arguably be judged by the quality of its king, and with reliably high demand, it’s quite common to see several incarnations of Tyrannosaurus rex from a single figure manufacturer.

With that in mind, it is not terribly shocking to find the Sideshow Dinosauria line introduced their third Tyrannosaurus model in 2015, approximately six years after the series first launched. Even if you are an avid collector, you may wonder if it’s really worth having a third statue taking up precious space in your display, and what novelty this new model might offer. In short, there are two main distinctions. The first is that it’s been beautifully crafted by longtime Dinosauria sculptor Jorge Blanco, who has created more models in the series than any other artist thus far. The second reason? It’s huge.

Manufacturer stock photo featuring original painted prototype

Stock photo, alternate angle

When I say huge, I mean just that. At thirty inches in length, this titan reaches the generous 1:15 scale often associated with the Foulkes lineup. This makes it noticeably larger than the previous two tyrannosaurs in the series, and likely more menacing than most of the little vinyl versions you’ve picked up over the years. Serial numbers are boring, so Sideshow has distinguished this Tyrannosaurus with the fitting moniker of “Tyrant King”. In its original box and packaging, this giant weighs a whopping 22 pounds, but is still quite manageable once unpacked. The Dinosauria models are often partly hollow, but the base does have a good bit of heft.

Those anxious about stability in their theropod models need not worry. While past statues sometimes attached to the base with a single sturdy peg, this one features peg insertion for each foot, safely rooting the creature in its massive footprints. The terrain is plain and mud-like, with a scattered rocks and a log to provide some scale. As is sometimes the case with these models, the base could probably do with a stronger paint application, even just a bit of rotten foliage. It’s entirely possible I’ve just been spoiled by the sight of so many buildups from Martin Garratt. Much like the reissued and repainted versions of previous Dinosauria statues that have arrived this year, the base has a secondary layer underneath, which makes it bigger and heavier. This seems to be an attempt to bring a consistent motif to the series, though I suspect many collectors would have gladly forgone this feature in favor of a slightly lower price tag.

Outdoor image, indirect sunlight

But of course, you want to know more about the fearsome predator itself. In addition to a high level of scientific accuracy, Jorge Blanco is known for reconstructing these giants with a primal robustness. This is a considerable contrast to the leaner, more “shrink wrapped” reconstructions of the nineties, and definitely distinct from the pot-bellied predators that came before. Here is a creature laden with an extraordinarily impressive musculature. While gracile tyrannosaurs certainly did exist, our contemporary king is a very heavily built animal. This is especially pronounced in the big, meaty thighs and powerful caudofemoralis, where Blanco once again demonstrates his expertise. There is the barest protrusion of bone at a few points in the body, such as the center of the thigh and the scapula, just enough to remind you of the sturdy framework that supports such a large animal.

Indoor image, with photo flash

The lowered head of the animal adds to the aggressive posture, and feels far more naturalistic than the stereotyped “victory roar” pose better suited to a summer blockbuster than a nature documentary. Whereas many reconstructions show the skull fenestrae, nothing of the sort is found here. The skull’s dorsal surface is appropriately outfitted with an array of bosses, including some slight angularity at the brow, for that classic “angry” look that people have come to expect. The large, forward-facing nostrils are quickly becoming a standard feature, one that befits an animal that depended on its acute olfactory sense. A nice long scar adorns the right side of the maxilla. No pristine white chompers will be found in the jaw of this reconstruction. Instead, there are rows of disposable weapons that show signs of wear and decay. For me, the real icing on the cake is around the glistening gum line, where the skin seems to recede in a grotesque and believable fashion. Lean in close enough, and you can practically smell the rotting stench of death emanating from the jaws. Or it might just be paint, in which case, please don’t sniff it.

Original prototype (left) and mass produced model (right). Not quite identical, but still impressive.

Paint has become something of a controversy when it comes to Sideshow models. Prototype sculpts are given detailed, professional paint jobs for the manufacturer’s stock photos, which can sometimes lead to disappointment once the mass produced statue is seen in person. To their credit, Sideshow seems to have been stepping up their game in this respect, and the recent reissuing of many of their original pieces in more vibrant color schemes suggests they are trying to do better. In its coloration, the new Rex looks similar to the subadult that was featured in the premiere Dinosauria statue, sculpted by Adrian Taboada. The shadowy browns and stony greys feel appropriate for large predator, watching silently in the darkness of the undergrowth. Instead of crimson demon eyes staring at us, we have simple but effective golden eyes, rather like those of a Carnegie model. There is a wavy pattern if you look carefully at the tail, but for the most part, this is a very conservative coloration for this species. It is possible the paint scheme was intentionally simplified in order to reduce the chances of a botched final product after passing through the factory, but either way, collectors have responded positively to it. Personally, I would have liked something a bit bolder, yet I must admit I would not want to risk an unsightly paint job on such a crucial character.

1:15 Sideshow Tyrannosaurus with 1:10 NECA Alien Queen – Because why not?

As I’ve mentioned in the past, the real attraction of a Dinosauria statue is the simple fact that it’s a beautiful sculpt from a world class paleoartist. Many collectors are not aware of the existence of resin kits, and those that are may simply find them beyond their financial reach after hiring an artist to finish it. This makes the Dinosauria statue a great intermediate choice for a serious collector who wants to elevate their collection from the vinyl figures. If there is anything that can entice a collector to try new things, it’s a big bad T. rex.

Preproduction concept art by Jorge Blanco – Thanks Jorge!

“Every time Sideshow asks me for a new sculpture for the Dinosauria series, it´s a thrill. Especially in the case of the T. rex, since there are two great versions: Taboada´s and Krentz’s. So, I wanted to give my own interpretation of the King focusing on the features of a bold and aggressive big male. I don´t believe the T. rex is just a pretty face (far from that), so I dedicated hard work to other features like feet, arms, weight, underlying fat, skin, and the way all these factors make an impression on the base. I want to thank the team for their support, which I find essential to accomplish my own vision of any given animal.”

– Jorge Blanco, Sculptor

Available to order here.

Tyrannosaurus “Tyrant King” (Sideshow Dinosauria) is a post from The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review by Dan – DansDinosaurs.com
Photos by Dan and Robban

Now that everyone and their mother owns a Sideshow Tyrant King statue, the clever folks at Sideshow are counting on buyers to look at their giant Tyrannosaurus displays and wonder if anything seems missing. Can you guess? After T. rex, this is consistently the most popular dinosaur, and even a more casual collector may have difficulty refusing one. Certain species in the Dinosauria line were not reissued like the others, presumably driving up the desirability of said species. Species that go together since the days of Charles Knight, and are almost never observed interacting with one another in a scene of tender love.

The original prototype painted by Steve Riojas. The color appears a bit different, but the imitation of his design is pretty good.

Depending on the lighting, you can emphasize the colors or the textures of a fine piece like this. The mirror is especially useful here, as it reveals that beautiful beefy neck.

The Dinosauria Triceratops was released in the summer of 2015, and has generally received even higher acclaim than its predatory predecessor. How can this be, exactly? Well, I’m sure there are several issues at play, but I suspect one major aspect is the paint scheme. The manufacturer has taken its fair share of heat for their paint quality, and the Tyrannosaurus was given the simplest paint scheme of any piece in the series. On the one hand, this makes it relatively easy for the factory to replicate thousands of times. However, it can also make for a somewhat underwhelming final product, especially when these pieces are so costly.

Sometimes it’s hard to emphasize the frill while keeping the appearance natural, but I think this works perfectly.

Happily, things look to be very different with ol’ three horns. I daresay this Triceratops upstages its natural enemy. While the colors always seem more muted than the ingenious original designs by Steve Riojas, there is still a nice variety of naturally blended hues on display. Steve’s familiar dappled patterns frame the physique in golds, greens, and greys. Of course, no modern ceratopsian would be caught dead with a bland frill (and I mean that literally), so there’s a brilliant punch of orange beaming from the parietal crest. This looks lighter, and more pinkish in the prototype image, but I prefer this stronger saturation anyway. The eyes are painted gold, probably to give them sheen, a familiar aspect that recalls the recently retired Carnegie Collection.

Turning with its head bowed, there is no mistaking the aggressive body language of this animal. The texture does resemble the fossilized material, large scales popping up regularly amid the normal sized scales. Additional ferocity is piled on by some interesting modifications to the skin. All across the body, we are treated to a dizzying assortment of larger scutes and osteoderms. The largest of these are in long rows over the giant pelvis, while others are scattered around the flanks in a more sporadic arrangement. This lends a craggy appearance to an already prickly-looking prey item, as if its entire form is just a giant “Keep Away” sign. Much of it is artistic embellishment; Jorge did provide similar bonus armor to the Stegosaurus, but this is pushing the envelope much further. The result is a very strong, distinctive silhouette that breaks up the normally round physique of this animal, making it appear all the more dangerous, without stretching the science too far.

Since this model is 20” long and hits the 1:15 scale made popular by Shane Foulkes, it seemed only fitting to set it beside its resin counterpart in the display case. The 1:15 Foulkes Allosaurus can be glimpsed further back.

I suppose if I had to offer any criticism, I do find myself wishing the base had a little more color. The Mosasaur statue raised the bar pretty high for intricate bases, so we’ll see if this changes down the road. I am always impressed by Jorge Blanco’s sculpts, and this extraordinary reconstruction definitely met my expectations. It’s a refreshing take on a classic dinosaur, familiar in its trademark features, yet explosive in its artistic presentation. If Sideshow is willing to grant freedom to the artists working on other species, there is no telling what brilliant future designs the Dinosauria series may yield.

Robban kindly allowed use of his outstanding photos. This beast would not make for an easy meal, even for the Tyrant King.

Given how frequently Ceratosaurus shows up in pop culture, it is a little surprising that so few people can identify it. Certainly, one cannot fault it for lack of a catchy name, which makes it sound like a walking nightmare composed of dripping gore and massive steak knives. Indeed, its horny visage must have inspired visions of reptilian monstrosities, echoing our earliest impressions of a lizard-like Iguanodon. This image of dinosaurs has endured, and can still be seen today. From ancient paleoart to cheap bargain-bin toys, it seems our basic view of dinosaurs has been characterized by two features: giant teeth and devilish horns.

The educated enthusiast knows these animals don’t deserve to be portrayed as villains. Still, the Ceratosaurus – and in particular, this 2016 reconstruction from Sideshow’s Dinosauria line – does little to soften our instinctive terror at the thought of a gnashing, horny beast. In fact, this predator is best recognized for those very features. Its skull bears a pair of impressive lacrimal horns, as well as a third nasal horn for bonus badassery. Even better still, its jaws were lined with exceptionally large teeth. In juveniles, these teeth were even longer in their relative length to the skull, making it quite possibly the most terrifying tot ever to trod the earth.

The spectacle is enhanced even further in this reconstruction with Steve Riojas’s hellish-looking paint application. It’s been suggested this style was inspired by the Ceratosaurus in Jurassic Park 3, though I wonder if the striped tiger wasn’t a bigger influence on this design. In any event, it works very well, providing a believable yet bold quality to a predator that too often goes unnoticed by casual paleo-fans. Some of the lateral stripes fail to break in a natural pattern along the ribs, but given how well the rest of the piece resembles the original design, I am not terribly bothered.

In many previous Dinosauria models, the base has been largely plain and dull. This time, we are treated to a more immersive diorama. A pair of pterosaurs flee as the predator approaches, pressing one huge foot along a massive fallen log. If you look closely, you’ll see how the bark buckles and sinks beneath his weight. Fortunately, the log is not actually hollow, so the base is still more than adequate to support the main character. The entire piece has a length of about 19 inches, so it can sit comfortably among your other Dinosauria collectibles (assuming you haven’t run out of space).

The head of the theropod is faithfully modeled here, with an excellent sheen running through the mouth and trademark teeth. It is also held perpendicular to the body, which ensures the model really looks interesting from a variety of angles. I recognize that not everyone can appreciate this dinosaur, and the prominent position it held in the Jurassic ecosystem, but I think this makes it all the more intriguing. For a closer look, please consider the brief video in the link below.

Video available here

Available to order here