TOXIC DILEMMA

(click to enlarge)

I've recently come upon my greatest challenge as a blogger and I see no solution in sight. Weeks ago I attempted to make a "quickie post" out of this Toxic Avenger figure that I unexpectedly found inside a bag of Halloween-themed dollar store toys. I intended to make a humorous, yet poignant remark about how we as consumers expect the highest level of competency from those who manufacture the goods we buy, and yet if the makers of this particular bagged assortment of toys had any standards whatsoever they probably wouldn't have tossed a licensed toy like Toxie into the mix alongside the generic gargoyles and haunted trees, and I would have been far less delighted.

My troubles began early this summer when I first set out to photograph the little plastic guy. I soon realized that his neon hue plays havoc with the camera, and the images turned out blurry or the color would overpower the details. For weeks I would finalize each of my "photo sessions" with yet another attempt at capturing the essence of the figure. But every effort ended in failure. That is, until tonight. I shan't disclose the amount of time I invested in the task, but I feel that I have finally generated an acceptable (though not necessarily good) likeness of my plastic Avenger.

But I went too far. I somehow managed to get two adequate photos, each with it's own unique merits, and therefore I am faced with a more diabolical question.. which one to use. Neither of the images truly represent the effigy as it appears to the naked eye. The one on the left is closer, but there's something sterile and lifeless about it. The one on the right possesses an "artistic flair" with its dramatic lighting and yet the highlights are "blown out" and his expression is almost lost. I fear that the wrong choice will disgrace the sculptor who originated this piece. If you have a preference please share it.