Combining science fiction with century-old fashion and technology, steampunk fandom is one of the fastest-growing genres in the world, as conventions spring up around the U.S. and mainstream movies plaster its tenets across every billboard. Inspired by the billowing legions of steampunk cosplayers, Diamond Select Toys decided to add a similarly attired character to their Femme Fatales line of 9-inch PVC statues, and the result was the stunning Lexi, who hits comic shops and specialty stores next spring. We talked to project manager Chris Schaff as well as sculptor and steampunk fan Sam Greenwell about what went into her creation.
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Legend has it that any man who laid his eyes upon Medusa would promptly be turned to stone, but a lesser-known legend says that one man has been in her presence without being subjected to that terrible fate. That man was the pirate Calico Jack (of Pirate Raiders fame, of course), but now you can join him, thanks to Diamond Select Toys! This 9-inch Femme Fatales statue of Medusa is made of PVC vinyl and poses absolutely no threat to your person, so go ahead and stare at her all you want.  We’ve even put a convenient viewing window in the front of her packaging, shown here for the first time. Look for her in a comic shop or specialty store near you in December!

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The Femme Fatales PVC statue line by Diamond Select Toys has really taken off, and many of the earliest releases (Alice, Dawn, Tarot) have long sold out. But one of the sold-out ladies — Jim Balent’s comic-book creation Tarot, Witch of the Black Rose — is about to get company. Her sister, Raven Hex, has just been offered though Diamond Comics Distributor’s Previews catalog, and it features a great sculpt by veteran toy and statue sculptor Steve Kiwus!

The original plan was to depict Raven as if she were casting a spell, but partway in to the process DST went back to the drawing board and came up with the more intimidating pose seen here. Now, the 9-inch PVC statue is on track for an early 2012 release date, and we checked in with Kiwus to talk about what sorcery goes into creating such a sinister-yet-sultry piece of sculpture.

DST: Is this piece intended to be a companion piece to the Tarot statue, or is it meant to be a stand-alone piece on its own merits?
Kiwus: It’s a stand-alone. I had seen the Tarot figure, but didn’t really take it into consideration. It’s been my experience that unless the bases interlock, statues don’t really interact with each other.

DST: Raven Hex doesn’t have a lot of material in her costume. Does the amount of clothing affect the amount of time it takes to sculpt a figure?
Kiwus: It ends up being about the same amount of time — surface details can hide a lot of sins. Yes, I end up saving time by not having to add them, but I spend a lot more time on the underlying form of the body.

DST: Balent’s women are famously full-figured. Is it difficult to find a balanced pose for a character who is naturally, er, top-heavy?
Kiwus: The large endowments really only shift the center of gravity up a little. It’s not nearly as difficult as balancing a figure with a large gun — which is usually pointed forward — because that makes the figure really want to tip forward.

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In Greek mythology, Medusa was usually portrayed as being pretty gruesome: Half-snake, snakes for hair, and a face that could turn anyone to stone if they looked directly at her. That was reason enough to shield your eyes, but even seeing her reflection would give you the dry heaves. On the other hand, the Femme Fatales version of Medusa, from Diamond Select’s 9-inch PVC statue line, is just begging to get looked at. Art Asylum’s Uriel Caton came up with his eye-popping new Medusa design by starting as far away from the famous Medusa as possible. (Check out larger versions of the images at the bottom.)
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Today’s Custom Tailored Model is … dun dun dun… Pirate Girl Anne Bonny!:

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Two different Tarot Statues!

Not only do we have Tarot the Witch of the Black Rose,
but we have a special Tarot in White as a 2010 SDCC exclusive!

See it first here and get it only in San Diego!