ethnosax

The DL looks a little iffy. Is there a lot of depth, @Hayato Tanioka?

That's Manta for you: take my least favorite poster for the movie, and turn it into an absolutely gorgeous steelbook.

Oh, good. More Marvel steelbooks. 🤦‍♂️

This isn't Theory11, but I saw these on Kickstarter and thought some people in this thread might be interested.

Why stop there? I'm hoping that instead of "character cards" or whatever, they'll make replicas of the greeting cards.

Here's 155. This should cover the first award and maybe the next one or two.

Maybe some of the original illustrations amongst the rest of the goodies inside this edition. I'm not at all disappointed with what I see so far. This has been my most-wanted release since it was announced. Even before then, really, if you go back to when the Zavvi steelbook was announced and then canceled.

Not exactly one of Jim Kay's illustrations (which is what I was most hoping for), but obviously channeling that look, which is great. Gorgeous edition. Another couple years until the GB opens, then?

Be careful, though, folks—premium cardistry decks are a whole 'nother collecting addiction that you might not want to get entangled in. (You're all laughing, but seriously—best of luck if you try to grab a new Fontaine deck when they drop. It is as furious as any premium steelbook release!)

Also on Zavvi Australia: https://www.zavvi.com.au/blu-ray/steelbook-pin-badge-zavvi-exclusive/12312393.html FEB2022 for 10% off.

Here's my second 25: (I now notice the weirdness of putting the Amazing Spider-man 2 and Spider-man Homecoming steels right next to each other. I guess there are only so many poses Spider-man can strike?) And the original 25:

Oh, thanks for asking! I care so little about all the extra stuff that I totally forgot to mention it in my review. HDz's booklet is much better, because it has concept art and interesting bits; Manta's booklet is just photos. I never understand the point of a booklet of stills from the film, really. So HDz wins...but...I think it's the same booklet that's already been part of the digibook release and maybe other releases previously. The character cards...I mean, what are they even for? Manta's are better...I guess? haha HDz has a folder with a cool cover that holds all the extras, and Manta just has the booklet, and then all the cards and origami paper tucked inside the steelbook. But that folder also makes the HDz just a little wider, and I'm sure I'm not the only one struggling with shelf space, so Manta's is fine with me.

Thanks! You like the way I worked in a little #humblebrag, there? haha I also have the Bottleneck Alvin lenticular poster. Need. More. Walls. (Or more self-control when it comes to Blade Runner.)

My DL arrived this week, so I can finally do the comparison with HDz that I've been looking forward to. I'll share some side-by-side pics so you can check out the two editions. My tl;dr verdict: HDz is a really good edition. And Manta Lab is superior in every way. The front of each slipcover is the same: the classic Struzan poster. My reference point for comparison is the screenprinted poster from Bottleneck. I presume this poster looks as Struzan intended, since he approved and signed it. Interestingly, the original poster is not quite as vivid as either of the slipcovers. HDz and Manta have both tweaked the saturation and sharpness. They've also both cropped the original image differently. I know some people prefer the cropping that keeps poor Deckard's head intact. But I like Manta's arrangement a little better. I also mildly prefer the title along the bottom, not the top, though I would be happier for no title at all to obscure this image. The major difference between these two lenticulars is the clarity. Even in this still photo you can see that HDz is washed-out and blurry compared to Manta. Everything about the lenticular quality is much, much better on the Manta—no contest whatsoever. Manta's also has some better depth effects, though the two are pretty close in that respect. The backs of the slips are just up to whether you prefer the other iconic poster, or a different image. I like both, but I like Manta better, and here's why. With HDz putting both of the classic posters on the slipcover, it feels somehow less "designed." It's more like, "Hey, we have the rights to both posters! Put one on the front, one on the back, and...done!" When I look at the Manta edition, it gives me more of a feeling that someone thought about it. Also, the lenticular effect and vibrancy of the Manta is really nicely done. The HDz is good, but as with the Struzan, the Alvin here is just a bit indistinct and washed-out (not as badly as the Struzan, though). It's unfair to compare the same image on lenticular and glossy steel, but here you can at least see that there's no different cropping between the two. That steelbook... 😍 And here they are with the Bottleneck screenprint. Neither of the editions is exactly the color palette of the original poster, but they still look good. The spines are quite different. Manta has the texture, and HDz has a larger title but just on plain black background. Somehow HDz got away with not including "The Final Cut" on the spine. This is an ongoing frustration of mine, that that text has to be included everywhere, even on editions that only include the final cut. I don't have a preference for one spine over the other; both fine. And here are the Blade Runner steelbooks that I think are worth owning. Plus the Titans of Cult, which I haven't gotten around to selling yet. Manta and unicorn are equal favorites, though I don't mind the WWA that came with HDz, either. In every respect, the Manta DL is the best Blade Runner edition I've yet seen. My only wish is that they'd included all four discs with all the cuts and extras; but I'll be remedying that soon, thanks to our friend Steve Austin and his endlessly useful movie collection. Thanks to MP for hosting the GB, which is how I obtained the HDz and the Manta. I appreciate all the work you do to make this happen!

I'm seeing it in stock at Amazon and Shout. Let me know if you need any assistance getting a copy.

Glad to see the US getting the Millennium Actress steelbook, too! He died young, but he left us some great work to continue enjoying.

No problem. Could probably show you 30 more, if you want.

Fun graphic, @Trianna! Here are five from me—nothing uncommon, just some beloved classics.

I'm happy with the previous steelbook. I don't... ...need to... ...buy th.... Oh, I can't even say it without meaning it. I am totally in for this.

I'm glad they got this artwork out of their system with the digibook. It clears the way for better options for the steelbook release.

Really beautiful set. Is there any lenticular anywhere?

So all the Akira releases now are going to be Red (Kaneda's Version)?

And what's the status on your slipcover project, @ksosk?

You may think your wife loves you. But has she tattooed your name across her chest? Yeah, I didn't think so.

I think this one is cool. It's a movie that needs a steelbook that's sort of weird, not just a bland steelbook with the original poster.