Papo: New for 2018

[stargatedalek]

I own a few Papo (likely more than I own of CollectA or [extinct] Safari ltd.) and they are definitely not more detailed. If they look more detailed that's just because they use more washes in their paint applications (and frankly they put a lot more effort into their stock photos). Additionally, some Papo figures detail (the Tyrannosaurus for example) is incredibly repetitive and distracting, and takes away from the overall appeal of the piece.

I kind of see where you are coming from but not really.

Exactly what component of Papo is contributing towards them appearing 'statuesque' or maquette like if it isn't the detail? I don't think the wash is the only element that gives the models a distinctive Papo-esque look. Surely, there is something else there.

Quite frankly (regardless of accuracy or...detail?), Papo models tend to display better in curio cabinets.

I totally get what you're saying, it's not just a matter of detail that makes Papo figures feel alive. Many figures that are by all accounts perfectly accurate and incredibly detailed just don't look "alive", they look almost like a preserved animal instead. This is something that I think CollectA figures in particular "suffer"* from, they look like a real dinosaur, but they don't meet our expectations of a "living" dinosaur.

Papo figures have something to their design that I can't quite pin down that gives them a real illusion of movement, of breathing even. They feel like living tiny animals to behold in front of you that could move at any moment. If you ask me this plays true ten fold for Papo's modern animals, which, despite their (very) narrow selection of taxa are often among the best of the species they represent, even compared to figures designed purely towards collectors like Kaiyodo.

That being said, some pretty nice models out there are literally casts of preserved specimens (namely those big AAA reptiles and arthropods some of us are so fond of), so perhaps there's even more to it. On some level Papo plays into our expectations, their figures often feel like what we "should" expect an extinct animal to look like, even if it really would have looked nothing like that. There is something to say for playing off of preconceived notions and tropes, even if it can be divisive.

*To be entirely fair on CollectA; who's to really say that dinosaurs should even look "alive" in the sense that we expect? Those AAA lizards sure look alive and they have no deliberate illusion of breathing or movement, quite the opposite even. We expect dinosaurs to move or act the way they do in movies and Papo figures manage to imply this beautifully, though it's entirely possible, even likely, that a real living dinosaur might closer resemble the stiff movements of birds instead of the flowing mammal-like shaking and lunging, which would closer resemble what we see in CollectA.

[Halichoeres]

I'm reminded once more of the sidebar, which says,

"We are a friendly and open community dedicated to the discussion of prehistoric animal collectibles, palaeoart, pop culture, and palaeontology."

So welcome aboard, indominus. I'm more of a Safari and CollectA fan than a Papo fan myself, but there's room for everyone here. I'm more interested in accuracy than detail, since I'm an anatomist and evolutionary biologist by training, so it's really hard for me to overlook all the mistakes that Papo makes. But other people aren't going to have those hangups, and Papo does a really good job of giving an impression of a living statue. I think stargatedalek put it pretty well that they fulfill our expectations, even when our expectations are based on outdated pop culture representations. There's nothing really wrong with that, and yeah, to a non-specialist Papos look more alive, and that will tend to get conflated with accuracy. However, I think the last few years' worth of Safari figures would, for the most part, look just as alive if they had another few dollars' worth of paint application apiece.

[Faelrin]

As I mentioned in my other post, I really do think the detailed paint apps and color schemes go a long way to make these look convincing. Although of course sculpt detail is important too, but maybe it might be worth mentioning that the way the detail is sculpted is important in keeping these models looking realistic, but also not overdoing the detailing either. I think the Papo Amargasaurus can be an example for how a figure might have sculpted detail, but something about it seems off (although I think it's also the paint apps that hurt it too, especially if compared to Papo's other sauropod figures). I think the Rebor Acrocanthosaurus (as much as I like what I've seen of it), might be an example of overdoing the detailing. I agree with the post about their poses too. They always seem to be in the moment of interacting with something. Even though Papo doesn't always get it right, I think the general proportions and that these figures are not overly shrinkwrapped helps make them convincing too. Again this is probably all subjective in the end, but food for thought I guess.

I do agree with Papo putting out more herbivores. I would like them to try an Ouranosaurus, a Lambeosaurus (or Corythosaurus), and maybe even a nodosaurid at some point. Kentrosaurus might be another good choice. Maybe Dracorex (even if it might be a juvenile Pachycephalosaurus). Actually I think Papo could have fun artistic license with that one considering the name (not unlike their Allosaurus with the spikes). Maybe even a remake of their Parasaurolophus. Maybe some more ceratopsians too.

[Shonisaurus]

People can say their opinion on the figures, point out inaccuracies or problems with them, if we could not do that this space wouldn't make sense. The problem is when people have to constantly diminish the work of a company they dislike even when the products are objectively good . In this thread I've seen things I don't like but I think I'm keeping specifics to myself, I don't like endless arguing about "its just an opinion or preference".

Agree with you in this regard. What should be done in a forum of dinosaurs or prehistoric animals as in any other forum of another subject is to make objective and constructive criticisms where it shows conformity or disagreement with the development of certain figures provided that we do not disrespect the sculptors of the various companies, or ridicule any creation of toy dinosaurs since we all have our little heart.

For my part I always commented that it is "only an opinion" for a simple reason, I am a humble collector of figures of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals that unfortunately does not understand paleontology and I have to admit that I can not argue my thesis or opinions for the reasons commented since I'm not at the same level of knowledge as the vast majority of forum members.

In my case I judge simply by my personal tastes. A palpable example is that for me the acrocanthosaurus arcoiris de Papo seems great to me in the face of criticism for his artistic painting and I have to admit that it is one of my favorites this year by the company Papo and that even seems to me much better than the cryolophosaurus although it is more technical and according to members of the best elaborated forum or at least with superior painting details.

To give an example my three Papo dinosaurs for me at first glance are the quetzalcoatlus, therizinosaurus and acrocanthosaurus with their new painting scheme. My appreciation of the iguanodon is of a good figure but it does not reach excellence at first glance (since we only know the catalog figure for now) of this figure and honestly for me it lowers in quality a herbivorous dinosaur with an articulated jaw although I can be great and very cool as it happens with the triceratops PNSO.

[tanystropheus]

It's great to have you in the forum. I am sure that you have unique perspectives that will resonate with folks here at DTF.

All the best.

[tanystropheus]

Papo Dimorphodon Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSs-kqBdr0c


The final product has far better colors than the original promotional pictures. Hopefully, the Amarga will also be retouched to make it more appealing....

[Reptilia]

My only disappointment with the Dimorphodon is the lack of detail on the tongue and the interior of the mouth in general. Other than that it is great, and you can always keep it's mouth closed. No hopes for the Amargasaurus though, I don't think that any colour adjustment could rescue that sculpt.

[Sigmasaurus]

The Amargasaurus looks like an old Papo figure, like maybe from 2006? I don't neccecarily think that is bad, but I prefer the others, especially that BEAUTIFUL Quetz.

[Shonisaurus]

I sincerely of all the figures of dinosaurs of Papo of this year 2018 the two that more interest me by their extreme beauty are the therizinosaurus that seems to me superior to the therizinosaurus Deluxe of Collecta, is more detailed and sincerely seems to me more finished than its pair of Collecta and the quetzalcoatlus whose figure in that pose for me so peculiar is very attractive to me from the aesthetic point of view. They are my two favorites this year from Papo. 

Obviously it is among my favorite figures (although it is already in the market with another type of painting) the acrocanthosaurus whose new painting enhances the figure and improves it even more than the original one that is going to become a very rare figure in the market in very little time due to its early dismissal.


As for the compsognathus and iguanodon: Both are very well finished figures, and it goes without saying that the compsognathus and the iguanodon are great, but I have my preferences regarding the Papo dinosaurs this year.

As for the amargasaurus, it seems to me a figure that is not up to what most of Papo's figures are.

[Cephalopod]

Not interesten in the prehistoric man, the acro new painting looks a bit like the Kaiyodo limited edition. Amarga Well want to see more of that one before i say Yes or no. Prehistoric man. Is not interesting for me. Enough of those running outside  . They should do another species. The rest Except the playset are very exciting.

[Acro's comics]

Any release dates?

[Syndicate Bias]

I believe the acro and therizino who are gonna be the last released i believe in march

[tanystropheus]

Not interesten in the prehistoric man...

I would be surprised if anyone was interested in the prehistoric man. I actually quite liked the caveman figures that came with the Ice Age Dino Riders series. They were delightfully goofy.

[Shonisaurus]

I believe the acro and therizino who are gonna be the last released i believe in march

Then the quetzalcoatlus is going to be released soon, is not it? and the iguanodon, as far as the amargasaurus Papo I prefer to be cautious in an appreciation before time although for me it is the least interesting.

But the one that unfortunately does not interest me is the caveman repainted. I have the original and sincerely I liked more its old version. Although sincerely for the ancestors of humans and cavemen, it is not a topic that I am truly passionate about.

[Mirroraptor]

It really makes me wonder: Why PAPO still introduce some not very bright products like the Polacanthus in 2017 and the Amarga this year, and all of these figures seems made by the same sculptor.
I have no disrespect to anyone, but the two figures are honestly really disappointing. Why? PAPO has always been a synonym for intricate carvings and precise muscles(Although their proportion is not always accurate), but none of the two products have these features above, and-at least Polacanthus-they are still the same price of other PAPO figures in same size.
But at least there are a lot of surprises-the pterosaur figure seems still fantastic, and seems we'll have a good Iguanodon this year.
In any case, please continue to work on, PAPO.

[Sim]

PAPO has always been a synonym for intricate carvings

Do you think this is true for the Papo Tylosaurus and Plesiosaurus?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

They are retro but still nicely done.

The Polacanthus once in hand was quite nice really.  The Amarga I want to see more pics of but it certainly looks like the worst Papo prehistoric thus far.

[suspsy]

They are retro but still nicely done.

The Polacanthus once in hand was quite nice really.  The Amarga I want to see more pics of but it certainly looks like the worst Papo prehistoric thus far.

I still think the Tylosaurus is the worst.

[Reptilia]

Any release dates?

Here's what Everything Dinosaur claimed in their overview post, back in november:

At Everything Dinosaur, we will publish more information when we receive it, but for the time being here are the proposed release dates:
Quarter 1 (between January and the end of March) – Young Spinosaurus, the prehistoric man, Papo Amargasaurus.
Quarter 2 (between the end of March and the end of June) – Papo Iguanodon and the Papo Therizinosaurus models.

While on the post regarding the Acrocanthosaurus retirement they said the new version might be available around march. I guess these are very vague indications, Papo usually don't give any reliable release date for their products, so the first wave might just start popping up next month. I would keep an eye open on german online shops, at least in the last couple of years they were the first to get new Papos in stock.

They are retro but still nicely done.

The Polacanthus once in hand was quite nice really.  The Amarga I want to see more pics of but it certainly looks like the worst Papo prehistoric thus far.

Agree, both marine reptiles are nice representations of retro style paleoart. I'm not a big fan of the Tylosaurus, but as a figure has its point. The Plesiosaurus is pretty cool in my opinion, and although the pose is quite Nessie-esque I think the head sculpt is unrivaled among all plesiosaur models. The Polacanthus might be weird, mostly for the helmet head, but you can't really tell that is lacking detail. Probably the Amargasaurus is the very first faux pas for Papo, in more than a decade of producing prehistoric figures.

[Syndicate Bias]

For herbivores I'd like to see a remake of their parasaur and an ouranousaurus a shunosaurus and a kentrosaurus.

For carnivores a remake of their allosaurus and a better cryo pose and acro.
A tyrannotitan and giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus and mapusaurus would.be nice even though they are all almost identically the same. A concavenator and neovenator and Sinraptor and adult pachycephalosaurus would be nice. Also an albertosaurus or daspletosaurus as none of those ever get any love