CAPTAIN AMERICA FULL-SIZE 15-INCH HEAD BUST
Designed by Alex Ross
Sculpted and painted by Mike Hill
Produced by Dynamic Forces
The thing that I think propelled Alex Ross to the top of the "favourite artists" lists of many comics readers in the past decade or so has been his uncanny ability to faithfully depict icons we've all carried around in our hearts for our entire lives. Ross's artwork, in Kingdom Come, Marvels, and a thousand other books, posters, covers and illustrations, presents bigger-than-life heroes as believable human beings infised with grace, dignity and power. The heroes of Marvel and DC have never been more convincing as three-dimensional entities than they were in Ross's hands.
Alex Ross's designs for Spider-Man were realized last year by Dynamic Forces when they released the Life-Size Spider-Man Bust, which I called "maybe the coolest superhero comic-related item ever." While my childhood love of Spider-Man and the utter perfection of his 3-D rendering by Ross, Mike Hill and Dynamic Forces will prevent me from saying the new Captain America bust is better than the Spidey one, I have to be honest and say, damn, it's just as good.
Bigger, heftier and (of course) more detailed than the Spider-Man bust, this Captain America bust (celebrating 60 years since Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created him) features a stunning level of detail. His dignity, stoicism and strength are powerfully expressed. Dynamic Forces claims "His mask is replicated in such a way that the finish looks as if it was leather," and it actually does. The chainmail sculpting is impressive, suggesting an actual protective garment rather than the fish scales often implied in the comics.
This depiction is utterly modern, in keeping not only with Ross's traditional sense of the character but with John Cassaday's more recent artistic interpretation. It's really a stunning piece, with a realism and gravity that bring the full mythology of the character right into your home.
The list price is $350.00, but you probably know Dynamic Forces produces quality upscale collectibles, and this is one of the finest superhero-related pieces you could ever hope to own. If you can afford it, and you love the character, you will love this Captain America bust. Grade: 5/5