This listing is for Figure Fantasy: The Pop Culture Photography of Daniel Picard Loot Crate Exclusive Edition Hardcover. 

Publisher: Insight Editions; Illustrated Loot Crate Exclusive First Edition (December 2016)

Language: English

Hardcover: 120 pages

ISBN-10: 1608875512

ISBN-13: 978-1608875511

Figure Fantasy: The Pop Culture Photography of Daniel Picard is a wholly unique collection of meticulously composed images, showcasing a variety of comic book and movie icons in realistic and often hilarious everyday settings. Using fan-favorite figures from Sideshow Collectibles, celebrated photographer Daniel Picard gives these classic heroes and villains a fresh twist, presenting them in a perfectly arranged, to-scale environment that create believable scenes and tongue-in-cheek parodies. Among the gallery of wonderfully conceived images in this coffee-table book are photographs of a storm trooper with a desk job, the Joker shopping for a Batman Halloween costume, and Harley Quinn taking a mirror selfie. Featuring an introduction by Daniel Picard detailing his one-of-a-kind take on pop culture parody, Figure Fantasy is a true treasure for fans, collectors, and photographers alike.

This is a great book, which collects the unique images of Daniel Picard. You do not have to be a fan of these pop culture references, but it certainly helps. Picard uses Sideshow Collectable action figures, which are very expensive and very detailed, and stand about 12" tall. They are not really toys; they are display-worthy figures designed for adults. I do not own any (out of my price range), but I do have a collection of figures on my desk. He mainly uses figures from Star Wars, GI Joe, and the DC Universe, such as Batman and Joker. There are a few other figures, but these are his main subjects.

Picard takes these 12" figures and photographs them in unique settings. For example, there is a Stormtrooper at an office desk with paper surrounding a basket (because as everyone knows, Stormtroopers have bad aim). Or a Snow-trooper plowing snow in his drive way. Or a picture of the Joker building a Batman Lego set. There are many things that makes these photos amazing. First, every scene is of a real figure. Second, and most importantly, he shoots these images and combines them in Photoshop to create a perfectly lit and perfectly scaled scene. If you look at the image, you might think it was a person in a costume, and you have to remind yourself that these are all action figures. This is the kind of book you have to look at to appreciate.

Finally, the best part of the book is the irony Picard creates with each image. If this matches your sense of humor, you will laugh. I thought the Joker pics were the best. The Joker is shopping for a Halloween costume...and is looking at a Batman suit. The Joker is in a museum...and taking a selfie with a Batman bust. The Joker is taking a picture...of Harley Quinn doing a handstand on some rocks. Moments like this occur on every page. This gives the book an immense amount of charm. And as it turns out, these pictures can tell a story. I showed my 5 year old son these pictures, and before I knew it, I was telling a story about the image. There were no words on the page--just my imagination describing why Yoda was sending a text message as he force-pushes some Stormtroopers. And if you do this for each image, you actually have a pretty good book to "read." I have gone through each page more than once, admiring Picard's photograph skills, as well as his Photoshop composition skills. Yes, I wish there was more insight into how he did all of this. I wish there were a few more of his quotes to accompany each picture. As it stands, I am very happy I bought this book, and it is well worth the price. I look forward to a sequel set of pictures, and finding out how these action figures "survive" in the real world.

About the Author: Daniel Picard combines work and play in his series of whimsical figure art, bringing collectibles to life in countless imaginative ways. His dynamic portfolio of photography extends across genres, including pop culture, sports, and portraiture.

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