Given the drawn-out negotiations and overall anxiety on the board, this sounded like a title someone would write upon hearing Phase 6 was underway. For many of us whose faith is reaching its breaking point, it's very easy to be misled by this. And I realize that wasn't the intent of this thread, rather to restore faith amongst the masses, but it was like being splashed by cold water for me as I got my hopes all the way up.
Having had a chance to temper my emotions, I can absolutely say that "Bowen Designs Will Return". Not a doubt in my mind. But will the Marvel license come along?
Edit : And I just realized that Marvelito is way ahead of me on that. Great (worried) minds think alike.
I briefly thought it might be a Phase 6 announcement thread, but that type of news usually leaks from all types of sources - twitter, facebook, other forums, etc... So, I kind of figured it was a reset - so no fooling me Al!!! jk....
Sadly, I voted "kinda"... each day that goes by without any product just pushes my wandering eyes towards other companies and their offerings. The one thing I loved most in this world has to a certain extent become "contaminated" with infighting, flipping, gouging, hoarding, etc... It just feels all wrong - the last 6 months or so just feel "blah". That's the sad reality for me. I'm just not excited by something I was tremendously passionate about prior to this time period.
The positive is I still really enjoy this community, and I've learned to expand my "Bowen statue collecting" to "statue collecting" without discrimination between companies. A cool statue is a cool statue. I used to turn my nose up at SSC collectors and statues, but now that I own one, I can see the appeal. So, as everything evolves, my collecting habits have evolved. I'm excited by what XM is doing. I can't wait to see that SSC Darth Vader PF. I'm intrigued by SSC Court of the Dead. And so on....
So, in a sense, I guess my grieving period is over and I'm moving on. I'm not giving up on Bowen, but I'm not going all-in on them anymore either. I guess that's why I voted "kinda" instead of "Yes!". Whatever the future holds, I will still be a collector of all things awesome and great in this hobby regardless of the company.
Not sure what's misleading about it. Sorry I even posted it. I'll go be happy by myself.
Hope you don't mind if I join you in being happy too Al.
I'm a Randy Bowen fan more than I am a Marvel fan these days.
Nobody's gonna tell me that an artist and creative powerhouse like RB is done, retired or "out of business". No sir.
He's too young, too talented and to creative to let any hiatus effect him, no matter how long it may last.
What do you folks imagine he's been doing all this time? Binge watching Netflix or something?
You don't just switch off a mind as creative as he has while negotiating a new contract.
When he and Bowen Designs return they will both be ON FIRE!
Can't wait to have my mind boggled all over again!
And for the record, I knew instantly that this was no "big announcement" thread about a new contract, because when that does happen it will be posted here by Randy Bowen himself, just like all the past announcements about a new phase have been!
I must admit that when I read the thread title I was expecting that Al would have news about the negotations between BD and Marvel being (almost) finished but that being said I do like the fact that Al is trying to cheer us up and inspiring us to keep faith.
I sincerely hope and expect that BD and Marvel will come top an agreement sooner or later and am looking forward to the statues and busts which will be released in Phase 6 (I already dream of a MB or FS of Black Tom cassidy and Cyttorak to complete my Juggernaut display! )
Let's keep hope alive guys since these negotiations cannot and will not last forever.
Rainer
Last edited by Force of Nature; August 14th, 2014 at 06:43:09 PM..
The deal with Marvel fell through, and Randy will be doing DC statues. While I'll be pretty upset that I'll never get a Bowen FS Blob, Rocket Raccoon etc I'd still be pretty happy getting a FS Two-Face, Joker, and other Batman characters.
Still, that's just my guess as Al didn't mention anything about Marvel, but Bowen Designs. Either way, I'm REALLY hoping for at least one more Phase with Marvel.
The deal with Marvel fell through, and Randy will be doing DC statues. While I'll be pretty upset that I'll never get a Bowen FS Blob, Rocket Raccoon etc I'd still be pretty happy getting a FS Two-Face, Joker, and other Batman characters.
Still, that's just my guess as Al didn't mention anything about Marvel, but Bowen Designs. Either way, I'm REALLY hoping for at least one more Phase with Marvel.
I'm really hoping for Phase 6 as well. Would love to add Domino and Spiral (amongst others) to my collection, and really there isn't another producer who will delve that deep into Marvel's cast of characters. However, with sales picking up at the Vault, I'm worried that no deal is forthcoming. And at this point I wonder if Bowen has an ethical obligation to disclose if and when negotiations fall through. Otherwise, he's leading us on with his silence. It's not fair to his long-time consumers or the new ones who are bolstering their collections with the hopes of it continuing.
My only question is why hasn't Randy chimed in on this to set our minds at ease. He must have some tidbit of information he can share. His last message was from what February and we have had nothing since. Not a Good Sign but I will hold out hope as I love my Bowen statues.
And at this point I wonder if Bowen has an ethical obligation to disclose if and when negotiations fall through. Otherwise, he's leading us on with his silence. It's not fair to his long-time consumers or the new ones who are bolstering their collections with the hopes of it continuing.
I hope nobody takes this as another attempt to "defend" Randy or anything, because it's my opinion alone.
That said, given the person I've come to know Randy Bowen to be through years of being a customer and fan of his art and business, I'd have to say that your fears are completely groundless. Not only does Randy not gain anything from withholding bad news if there is any, but I don't personally believe that he's the kind of person who would intentionally leave us in the dark about something we care so passionately about. Good news or bad, he's always been up front with us and a person more than worthy of our trust. I fully expect him to post whatever announcement he has for us when negotiations are finally concluded, just as he has already promised to do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jacksowl
My only question is why hasn't Randy chimed in on this to set our minds at ease. He must have some tidbit of information he can share. His last message was from what February and we have had nothing since. Not a Good Sign but I will hold out hope as I love my Bowen statues.
My guess is that he simply has no information to impart to us while the negotiations are still in progress. Anything he says at this point might be easily misconstrued positively or negatively and he is wary of feeding the rumor mill by speculating either way. While "negotiations are continuing" may be less than we'd like to hear right now, it's the situation as he sees it and it's preferable to generating false hopes among his fans prematurely. Abstaining from posting here during the negotiations assures that something he may say offhand is not misunderstood by anyone and I think it's a wise decision in the long run. As he's said before, when there is news he will be the first to post it here on SM. Until then our only option is to continue to be patient, knowing that he is actively involved in trying to secure the result we all hope for.
The deal with Marvel fell through, and Randy will be doing DC statues. While I'll be pretty upset that I'll never get a Bowen FS Blob, Rocket Raccoon etc I'd still be pretty happy getting a FS Two-Face, Joker, and other Batman characters.
Still, that's just my guess as Al didn't mention anything about Marvel, but Bowen Designs. Either way, I'm REALLY hoping for at least one more Phase with Marvel.