They have to move on eventually. For now, I’m glad to finally see classic looks in 6-inch form, and I’m sure they want to knock out a bunch of those before getting crazy with more modern concepts. It’s probably a matter of them placing the majority of their focus on the designs that are likely to have the highest demand overall. If the line had continued with aesthetics like wave 1 Scarlett, I probably wouldn’t be as invested in it. That first Scarlett is a fine action figure on its own merits, but she just isn’t really Scarlett enough for me.
I'm fine with the hybrid modern/classic blends over the pure new or pure classics, with a couple of exceptions where they are totally unrecognizable or personal faves... (I would love a classic Firefly variant.) However, what I really want is a little more articulation and extra variant hand sculpts (or maybe even variant head expressions). On troop builder Cobras, I want variations in skin colors and would love a way to vary body type with swapping parts.
I was kinda disappointed Storm Shadow didn’t have those tattoos on his arms like in some of the artwork…I thought those looked badass. I’m pretty flexible with the details on most of these. I just want there to be a version of each character that is recognizable as the ARAH/Sunbow character it represents. I’d be happy with a Shipwreck that uses Spirit’s body (with dark blue pants) and a Shipwreck head. Maybe even use the Lady Jaye approach to give him sailor cap/no sailor cap looks. A lot of these figures are a head swap and repaint away from being “good enough for me” versions of lots of different characters.
I kinda hate the worst-of-all-worlds approach where it fails to really satisfy either camp because it neither looks new and fresh enough because it's still hamstrung by being named/look somewhat like a classic figure, nor authentic nostalgic enough to be a true 6" recreation of the original. Much prefer they give us what we want with these nice 6" classic looks and then re-use the molds however they want to create brand new figures to test the waters with that somewhere down the road. And we'll all pretend to act surprised when they try to come up with new Joes that never existed in ARAH and they don't sell quite as well.
I dunno about that tattooed Storm Shadow. Over in Japan there is still a huge cultural rejection of tattoos so much so that you can be barred entry from certain places if you display any ink. If you have a tattoo you are considered a dishonest criminal just by your appearance. Storm Shadow is normally portrayed as having a bit of an ego, but still protecting family honor above all else. The Arishikage are "honorable Ninja" (if such a thing is possible) and he's not into selling drugs or general Dreadnok-like mayhem. Put tattoos on Storm Shadow and he's an unrepentantly evil killing machine and not just a wayward sword brother. Edit. Some info on tattoos in Japan. A Guide to Visiting Japan With Tattoos
Interesting. I wonder if that had anything to do with their decision to not put tattoos on him? Either way, I still would have liked the tattoos! Maybe he’s just a rebel and the tattoos could signify that he is honorable (to the extent that a Cobra asshole can be honorable) despite the presence of the tattoos.
While all of that is true and consistent (though glacially changing) for Japan today, that has not always been the case. The Arashikage being a secret continuation or a resurrection of a centuries old order of ninja could maintain an archaic pre-Meiji view of tattoos. Plus there is current precedent for modern groups to have secretive tattoos that are not shown to outsiders. Not just criminal groups either. Some of the few traditional swordsmiths are rumored to have maintained more low-key versions of their tattoo traditions. It is also becoming more popular among younger former defense force members. Though those are mostly "tattoo now" style that easier to cover up than traditional Edo style irezumi. It probably did. American military toys and fiction has a following in Japan (though not as big as it was 20+ years ago). There is always a chance GI Joe Classified could sell in Japan, though the original attempt in the 80s fell flat. Having Japanese or Japanese linked characters with tattoos is a no go even if the customers such toys appeal to won't likely have the general modern view. Some of the American military nerds from Japan I met would get what they thought were American military tattoos. Always in a spot easy to cover up though.
I don't have an answer for that, but Reprolabels/Toyhax may be interested in obtaining them for reproduction, seeing as that's their gig.
Has anyone tried actually swapping the shin-guards of Flint/Duke/AlleyViper left-right? My Alley Viper's seem like they'll come off fairly cleanly, but I don't want to risk it if swapping actually makes it worse. (it looks like the attachment point is off-center, but hard to tell)
I did on the first 2 Alley Vipers I got. It made them look too far off center in the opposite direction so I switched them back the following day.
Unphased with the idea of the Arashikage being a pseudo Triad/Yakuza, I like tattoos and it was a cool design update, I wasn't even bothered by the "Shredder" like arm and leg guards, and I loved the ninja mask, made him look like he could've fought underwater or in the Himalayas, it was nice for him to Modernize as much as SE "iconic" (I hate that thing by the way) face shield.
Hmmmn. Too far out is better than too far in IMHO, though probably not worth the effort if it still doesn't really look "right".
