Between ugly artwork and short-run discs that sell out before you even have a chance to click on a link to preorder them, it’s a frustrating time to be a SteelBook collector these days. Here’s a look at three upcoming cases that you may either not want, or may want but can’t get.
‘Wonder Woman’
Available at: Best Buy
Release date: September 19, 2017
Price: $34.99
Video Formats: 4k Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital Copy (no 3D)
The breakout hit from the DC Cinematic Universe was always certain to get a SteelBook edition. I just wish it looked better than this. I understand that the studio is trying to play up the character’s comic book origin with this artwork, much as Fox did for the ‘Logan’ SteelBook and Sony is doing for ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming‘, but all of them look kind of crappy in my opinion.
Moreover, the way the artist has put the character in a sexualized pose with her breasts thrusting forward (and looking enlarged compared to the actual actress’ chest) feels like it undercuts the feminist tone that the movie is supposed to be all about.
‘Blade Runner’
Available at: Zavvi
Release date: November 13, 2017
Price: $30.81 (currently sold out)
Video Formats: Blu-ray (no UHD)
With a sequel coming to theaters soon, now is clearly a good time to reissue Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic. Warner Bros. has prepared an Ultra HD edition with a new Atmos soundtrack that might justify the double-dip for fans. Sadly, the UK SteelBook is standard Blu-ray only with just 5.1 audio, which leads me to assume that it’s the exact same disc first released in 2007 and reissued numerous times since then. (Note that it’s also only the Final Cut version.)
I received an email notification from Zavvi about this SteelBook earlier this week, and it has already sold out in the meantime. Check back closer to release, as these sometimes come back in stock for brief periods as impulsive buyers cancel their preorders.
The artwork is just a variation on the movie’s traditional poster art that has been reused countless times over the years, which doesn’t excite me very much.
I hesitated on preordering this because I already own a ‘Blade Runner’ SteelBook that was released in 2011. Unfortunately, I’ve never been satisfied with that case, which has a flat matte finish that looks very dull in person. I hope that the new one can at least improve upon that aspect.
‘Serenity’
Available at: Zavvi
Release date: September 4, 2017
Price: $21.43
Video Formats: Blu-ray (no UHD)
Joss Whedon’s cult TV series ‘Firefly’ and its spinoff movie have a devoted cult audience willing to collect new editions of them whenever they’re released. Similar to the ‘Blade Runner’ situation, Universal recently announced an Ultra HD edition of ‘Serenity’ yet the SteelBook is disappointingly Blu-ray only.
‘Serenity’ is also another instance where the last SteelBook was such a disappointment (an ugly “comic book” concoction) that the chance for a do-over might seem appealing.
While this new one is arguably better, it’s still fairly bland and lame. Perhaps someday someone will get this right, but I don’t think we’re there yet.
Chris B
Man, all of those do look pretty damn ugly. Especially the WW one. Why do anything to try and “enhance” Gal Gadot anyways?
Aaron Johnson
Gal Gadot is perfect, so you’re right…there is no way to enhance her.
David W
Isn’t the distributor of Spider-Man: Homecoming on blu-ray Sony Pictures rather than Disney or did Disney design the covers?
Josh Zyber
AuthorYou’re right. I’ve corrected that sentence, thanks.
Lou Bitup
Would you look at the knockers on Wonder Woman! Yowza!!!!
cardpetree
Dem some Tig Ol Bitties.
EM
Wonder Woman: Come for the breasts, stay for the feminism.
Rob Behrens
Regarding the sexualized cover art for Wonder Woman, have you seen the cover art for the 3D edition? That pose seems kind of sexualized as well in my opinion, her breasts once again thrusted forward.
Csm101
You’re kidding, right?
Lou Bitup
If Wonder Woman was about feminism she would be wearing a pant suit and have short hair, not a strippers outfit.
Elizabeth
Thank goodness the menfolk showed up to define what is and isn’t feminism. What a relief. I might have had to think for myself; that could have been a disaster.
Curt Myers
Haha. Why doesn’t she smile more? Jk
cardpetree
When the Wonder Woman comic book was created, who was the intended target audience?
Krawk
I had WW on pre-order with best Buy. When the artwork was revealed I canceled in 15 seconds.
Serenity’s 4K cover art looks good – why can’t they use that on the Steelbook?
And for Blade Runner – why not use the famous unicorn cover?
Krawk
Josh – have a look at the Best Buy SteelBook for Supergirl Season 2. The designer look familiar?
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/supergirl-the-complete-second-season-blu-ray-steelbook-only–best-buy/5901942.p
Timcharger
Another problem with the cover art of the domestic release of the WW Steelbook, is that she looks like she is using her lasso as a swing. Her lasso ain’t no Tarzan vine.