Here's an eBay auction that might be worth watching: A rather spiffy looking bronze statue of an Orcish Wolf Rider. While the statue looks pretty awesome on its own, what's intriguing is the source: the seller claims that this is the statue created exclusively for Blizzard by WETA employed sculptors Eden Small and Daniel Cockersell. You may recall this article in the OC Register (Alex Ziebart reported on it for WoW Insider here), which mentions the commission of a 12 foot high version of this statue for the courtyard of their new headquarters, to be installed this summer. Certainly, the statue looks pretty good, and it has an impressive pedigree. Daniel Cockersell himself has also created some pretty good looking Warhammer sculptures, and Small and Cockersell have also worked together on official merchandise for the upcoming Prince Caspian Movie and Doctor Who, among other things.
I'm not sure I'll have the money to get in on this auction, since I imagine it'll get pretty high, but I do sort of want to head down to Irvine this summer just to drool over the larger version. I'm sure it'll look pretty sweet if this smaller statue is any indication.
I have to admit to being curious as to which Blizzard employee decided they'd rather have a bit of extra pocket money instead of the statue, though, or if there's another reason that this statue has appeared on eBay, and from a seller in Ireland, at that.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-14-2008 @ 8:15PM
Kryptonls said...
Strange, no bids since it was listed on 6th April.
Looks like you'll get the chance to bid after all, Daniel!
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4-14-2008 @ 8:20PM
Ronin said...
Hate to burst any bubbles..but in order to "see" this on Blizzards new campus (the 12 foot high version) you'll have to get past the security guards at the front gate. Their new campus is a lot like a movie studio...and if you aren't on the list...you aren't getting in. (There's a reason why their old building had NO signage on the outside...)
I've been there and seen the empty spot where it will stand in their courtyard. If they capture 1/2 the detail in the large version as in the small one this will be an amazing piece of art sitting at the heart of their campus.
I think I heard they are giving a version like this to every Blizz employee as well. So this might be one of those.
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4-14-2008 @ 10:51PM
Daniel Whitcomb said...
Bah, I play a Feral Druid! I'll totally just prowl in. Totally.
4-14-2008 @ 8:42PM
Moshnerd said...
I want that in my bedroom!
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4-14-2008 @ 8:53PM
Kyle said...
I'm waiting until tomorrow then throwing in a bid. Hopefully it isn't outrageously high by then.
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4-14-2008 @ 9:12PM
Dah said...
If this is as it claims to be, it's in pretty bad tastes for the employee who got this to e-bay it.
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4-14-2008 @ 9:55PM
crsh said...
Meh, people don't care anymore; a quick buck for a limited-issue piece of "art" (whatever rocks your boat) is the way to go. I find it strange it's listed for only 100 euros, personally.
4-14-2008 @ 10:03PM
TotalBiscuit said...
More interesting to me is the fact that these fellows actually do stuff for Forgeworld, which those of us Warhammer-nuts know, is the place to get exceptionally high quality and unique models.
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4-14-2008 @ 11:15PM
Badger said...
... Seriously? The sculptors work for Forge World, too?
All I have to say is: Baneblade resins FTW.
4-14-2008 @ 10:44PM
woez said...
I was a little less impressed to see that it's actually faux-bronze, meaning plastic.. if you're going to go to all that trouble, don't cheap out at the end..
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4-14-2008 @ 11:37PM
Pingping said...
Fitting that the folks over at Forge World made these. Just about everything Blizzard releases is a rip off of some Games Workshop property.
Look familiar?
http://store.us.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.us?do=List_Models&code=301738&orignav=300976&ParentID=251857&GameNav=13
Tons more examples about 5 minutes on any Warhammer site and you'll be amazed what you find.
Starcraft is just as bad at ripping off 40k.
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4-15-2008 @ 2:02AM
NeSuKuN said...
Hello, welcome to medieval-fantasy universes, I hope you don't mind that here everything is a rip-off of a previous universe
4-15-2008 @ 4:55AM
SaintStryfe said...
Well, GW only has itself to blame -
Back in the mid-90's, Blizz had a WH game all made up, ready to release when GW got cold feet. With a giant property developed, a little tweeking of the story, most of the same models with minor changes, and we get Warcraft.
Warcraft goes on to be a world-wide phenomina, while GW and Warhammer continues to be something geeks in mom's basements obsesse over.
4-15-2008 @ 9:22AM
Badger said...
I dunno if I agree with the 'Mom's basement' thing, but other than that, you're right on the money.
Also, NeSu, there are some innovative settings out there - the word 'Steampunk' comes to mind - but mostly, yeah, they all start to blur together and look the same after a while.
4-15-2008 @ 3:20PM
Brian said...
Funny then that Mark Gibbons (ex GW artist from back in the 90s) is doing concept art for Wrath of the Lich King and Andy Chambers is working on Starcraft II. Around the time 40k was first launched GW had a very 'cartoony' style. They dropped this style in favour of their more gothic edgy look and blizzard continued with it. I like both styles of fantasy art. As for the who did what first: Read the Battle of the 5 Armies from the Hobbit.
4-15-2008 @ 3:16AM
BFail1987 said...
Some what little known fact, Warcraft; orcs and humans was originally going to be a warhammer property. The game was bailed on by GW and some changes where made so it was a stand alone as "warcraft". Thats what I have read at least, but I suppose its all based in myth and tolkien anyways so whatever.
Its pretty common to see GW distributors selling models they get at "limited editions" the same way on ebay, I suppose its your's to do with as you like once you are given it and if that is to make more money, then thats fine in my book.
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4-15-2008 @ 4:03AM
Elentari said...
Maybe this statue is being sold from Ireland because Cork is one of the new blizzard support centers
Ireland FTW...
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4-15-2008 @ 7:51AM
kiaus said...
Woah, 'family', ? Sounds a bit culty to me ;)
I agree though, selling on a gift is a bit cheap, although maybe they really needed the cash, or got the shove anyhow.
Glad to see the Warhammer roots of this IP being recognised.
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4-15-2008 @ 8:57AM
Reyja said...
I'd be willing to be that the person who received it is either planning on quitting, has quit, or was laid off for some reason. I doubt a current Blizzard employee would sell it. They put the fear of God into their employees.
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4-15-2008 @ 9:24AM
Badger said...
That's absolute insanity, Reyja! They wouldn't do anything to intimidate or otherwise un-nerve their staff members. After all, they're family!
Just scroll up if you don't believe me!
/brainwash