Background
This project was part of the Injustice 2 Versus Collection, with Brainiac released alongside Batman as a paired collectible set designed to recreate the confrontation between the two characters.
Brainiac was the more visually complex figure of the pair, especially because of the six large mechanical tentacles extending from his back. These tentacles played a major role in creating the size, presence, and threatening appearance needed for the character to stand against Batman as part of the same display.
To achieve the right visual quality, the tentacles needed to be made from metal. However, due to cost limitations, the body and base could not use the same material, which introduced additional challenges around weight balance and structural stability.
Challenge
The first challenge was weight distribution. The six metal tentacles were concentrated behind the character, while the body and base were made from lighter materials. Once fully assembled, the center of gravity shifted backward, making the statue more likely to lean or become unstable.
The second challenge was the facial expression. Most of Brainiac’s face is covered by mechanical armor, leaving the eyes as one of the few areas capable of communicating his cold and threatening personality. Because the eye area is so small, even minor differences in the pupils, highlights, or surrounding shadows could make the character look lifeless. Final market feedback reflected this issue, with one reviewer describing the eyes as relatively flat and dull compared with the character’s appearance in the game.
What I did
To solve the balance issue, I avoided changing the material of the entire body or base, as this would have significantly increased the cost. Instead, I proposed adding hidden metal counterweights to the rear section of the base.
This allowed us to redistribute the overall weight and lower the center of gravity with minimal additional cost, helping the statue remain stable even after all six metal tentacles were installed.
For the facial expression, we also worked on the eyes and surrounding details to strengthen Brainiac’s threatening appearance. However, looking back at the final result, I believe this part could have been handled better. The eyes did not fully capture the intensity and character presence we originally wanted.
Outcome
Structurally, the additional counterweights successfully improved the balance of the statue without requiring a major change in materials or a significant increase in production cost.
Overall feedback on the sculpt, mechanical details, and paintwork was positive. The reviewer particularly appreciated the leg sculpt and the overall appearance, noting that Brainiac still came across as dangerous and threatening. She also described the overall sculpt and paintwork as very strong.
The eyes, however, remained one of the weaker parts of the final product. I agree with that feedback and believe there was still room for improvement.
For me, this project was a good reminder that successful product development is not only about solving structural and cost problems. In character collectibles, very small details—especially around the face and eyes—can have a major impact on whether the character truly feels alive.
