G.I. Joe Classified Series: The Chatty Pointless Thread & Performance Art

[Ru1977]

That was definitely my in. I got the first Snake Eyes, then I got Storm Shadow and that was it for me for a couple years. Then I lost my mind, but being able to get some of the big names made a lot of difference. If I could only get CC, Destro, and Baroness by paying 5x retail, I'd probably still only have Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.

Also, you mentioned Cobra blueshirts, and yeah... I think army builders make sense in every damned line, and Stormtroopers are actually pretty easy to get these days, even at a little below retail if you look around some, and Classified has that option. As the One A Day poll will show, I still have versions of the Cobra Officer and Trooper waiting. Cartoon, original filecard art, etc. Depending on how they do Scarface, he could have army-building options as well.

 

[Alt]

The other day I saw pricing on Retro Snake Eyes.

G.I. Joe 6" Classified Series Snake Eyes (Retro)

Snake Eyes (Retro): This Snake Eyes figure comes ready for action, with multiple points of articulation for high poseability and 7 accessories inspired by the character

www.actionfigure411.com

They were clearanced out at my TRU for $21 at the end. Had a whole shelf of him. I have two. If this chart is within any margin of error, I hate past me for not buying it out.

 

[Alt]

That was definitely my in. I got the first Snake Eyes, then I got Storm Shadow and that was it for me for a couple years. Then I lost my mind, but being able to get some of the big names made a lot of difference. If I could only get CC, Destro, and Baroness by paying 5x retail, I'd probably still only have Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.

I've noticed how passionate people are about SE 1 and 3. It only hit me recently that while they are cool (gotta rep the Silent Issue on my desk). the SE that brings me JOY is '91 and NF. Because that's what I owned.

The only reason I even like SE 2 is because of Resolution and his masterclass sequences. I never owned him as a kid.

 

[Ru1977]

I've noticed how passionate people are about SE 1 and 3. It only hit me recently that while they are cool (gotta rep the Silent Issue on my desk). the SE that brings me JOY is '91 and NF. Because that's what I owned.

The only reason I even like SE 2 is because of Resolution and his masterclass sequences. I never owned him as a kid.

And that's gotta be an age thing, which Classified seems to respect, thankfully.

Huh... now that I think about it, Snake Eyes V1 was my only Joe until 1984. I guess that's how I roll.

And honestly, I like V2 but yeah, he was never really my main Snake Eyes. partly because I hated the lips on his mask, but I loved the original so much, and V3 I think is more like an ultimate version of that. So yeah I'm in that same V1/V3 group. He was definitely V2 the longest though, and since 1994, that one became the default.

 

[AceofKnaves]

As someone who purposefully bought all 5 ARAH Snake-Eyeses, each has a special place for me:

-v1 was the first action figure I picked out for myself
-v2 took me FOREVER to get and I wound up getting it at a convenience store in Paris, France a couple years after its release
-v3 is one of the Big Deals from 1989 that truly shaped me, along with all the movies that came out that year, he was my favorite figure that year even beating Batman stuff
-v4 was the first one I saw in a collector magazine preview before seeing it on shelves, ooooh I got so excited seeing him and the BATv2, I remember sneaking over to Toys R Us during dinner with my parents, pretending I had bad diarrhea so I had time to buy Joes next door
-v5 is the one that got away, of course I had him but I was sooooooo fucking frustrated by his shit articulation scheme and limiting action feature, of COURSE he and Scarlett, my two favorite Joes, got the shit end of the stick

So I *need* them all, and the two I want most are yet to come, although I truly retro redux of v2 is also a major priority, and yeah I want a really tactical/detailed new “commando” version to go on ops with rugged Duke.

 

[Damien]

I'm actually surprised, and kind of impressed, that Hasbro has resisted the urge to do a v2 Snake Eyes in the Retro line. There's got to be a balance there between wanting to do it and not wanting people to accuse them of constantly having Snake Eyes taking up slots.

I'd be down for a really good v2 Snake Eyes, but my big wants at this point are definitely v5 and v3, in that order.

 

[AceofKnaves]

This also brings me to my assertion that there should be a single-carded Snake-Eyes of some kind available each year at regular retail.

 

[Ru1977]

-v2 took me FOREVER to get and I wound up getting it at a convenience store in Paris, France a couple years after its release

-v3 is one of the Big Deals from 1989 that truly shaped me, along with all the movies that came out that year, he was my favorite figure that year even beating Batman stuff

Hot damn!

Well, for the year he wore that costume, he was kinda the Batman of GI Joe, plus killing.

-v4 was the first one I saw in a collector magazine preview before seeing it on shelves, ooooh I got so excited seeing him and the BATv2, I remember sneaking over to Toys R Us during dinner with my parents, pretending I had bad diarrhea so I had time to buy Joes next door

This is amazing. Sneaking out not for sex or drugs but action figures.

-v5 is the one that got away, of course I had him but I was sooooooo fucking frustrated by his shit articulation scheme and limiting action feature, of COURSE he and Scarlett, my two favorite Joes, got the shit end of the stick

I don't often admit this but... I had all five too, and that NF figure was the worst one in my entire Joe collection. If I'd been that kinda kid, I would have melted him.

So I *need* them all, and the two I want most are yet to come, although I truly retro redux of v2 is also a major priority, and yeah I want a really tactical/detailed new “commando” version to go on ops with rugged Duke.

I quietly decided to get all five Snake Eyes too, and would absolutely trade up for a better commando version. No hesitation, day one pre-order.

 

[Ru1977]

I'm actually surprised, and kind of impressed, that Hasbro has resisted the urge to do a v2 Snake Eyes in the Retro line. There's got to be a balance there between wanting to do it and not wanting people to accuse them of constantly having Snake Eyes taking up slots.

You're absolutely right. But even if people do accuse them of that, and they will, fuck those people. There are so many figures I skip but wouldn't begrudge because some of you guys are so thrilled about them. Even if I don't want them, it helps me see the appeal and appreciate them more.

I'd be down for a really good v2 Snake Eyes, but my big wants at this point are definitely v5 and v3, in that order.

Psh. Though, I will be shocked if they don't do V5 before V3.

This also brings me to my assertion that there should be a single-carded Snake-Eyes of some kind available each year at regular retail.

Absolutely. If anyone should get an annual figure (and CAN, look at yojoe.com and see how many damned variations there are, even without delving into Tiger Force etc... but come on, Night Force Snake Eyes?! Or is that what the battle box one is?)....

 

[AceofKnaves]

Same thing happened with the Viper. Business trip with family = souvenirs, and I chose A Real American Hero in France.

Well, for the year he wore that costume, he was kinda the Batman of GI Joe, plus killing.

Yup! My favorite comic from that time was Storm Shadow putting a killing-machine trance on Snake-Eyes and then S-E just parashooted into Boravia and started blasting.

This is amazing. Sneaking out not for sex or drugs but action figures.

I *did* sneak out for sex eventually, but throughout junior high and high school, sneaking out for action figures was what I did all the time. Zero drugs, zero alcohol; my spending money and free time went only to the comic shop or the toy store, nowhere else.

I don't often admit this but... I had all five too, and that NF figure was the worst one in my entire Joe collection. If I'd been that kinda kid, I would have melted him.

I played with him out of pure spite. I often thought about how unfair it was that Zartan was only fucked out of waist articulation while they turned Snake-Eyes into a wide-crotched loser. I would stare at the card art and just seethe, because he’s so jacked and scary and badass on there.

Psh. Though, I will be shocked if they don't do V5 before V3.

I’ve got a feeling we will see him before the end of the year.

Or is that what the battle box one is?)....

That one is based on a sticker misprint and also an early design scheme for v1 Snake-Eyes before they decided to cut paint costs and just leave him all black.

I will be swapping on Law legs and, I think, Low Light arms for that smoothly pinless experience.

 

[canprime]

The other day I saw pricing on Retro Snake Eyes.

G.I. Joe 6" Classified Series Snake Eyes (Retro)

Snake Eyes (Retro): This Snake Eyes figure comes ready for action, with multiple points of articulation for high poseability and 7 accessories inspired by the character

www.actionfigure411.com

They were clearanced out at my TRU for $21 at the end. Had a whole shelf of him. I have two. If this chart is within any margin of error, I hate past me for not buying it out.

That happened with me and Retro Storm Shadow. I found him at a local Walmart (x4) and only picked up one. Kicking myself for not getting at least a second one. I have been lucky with the Retro Classified figures. I have been able to get all of them either at regular price, or on sale. I'm also a bit surprised, and relieved, that they haven't gone back to the well on most of the characters so far in Classified. I have no doubt if the line continues on for another 6+ years they'll eventually go the Marvel Legends route and start releasing slightly upgraded molds of figures we already have. Maybe with a couple new accessories.

I was also watching the Circle of Jerkz podcast a couple months ago and the main host talked about finding a carded Retro Snake Eyes at a flea market for only $25US. Looks like the seller didn't know the market value on it, which is seemingly rarer and rarer in today's collectibles market.

 

[Ru1977]

Same thing happened with the Viper. Business trip with family = souvenirs, and I chose A Real American Hero in France.

Heh, awesome though. I'm sure I would have done the same. I mean, I guess the first time I ever went to Canada, I hit Toys R Us first thing.

Yup! My favorite comic from that time was Storm Shadow putting a killing-machine trance on Snake-Eyes and then S-E just parashooted into Boravia and started blasting.

SAME. He also got into the Cobra headquarters like he had an invitation.

'Parashoot' is exactly what Snake Eyes did.

But, I mean, I'll always love a shackled Snake Eyes still killing three guys then treating their costumes like a wardrobe salad bar.

I *did* sneak out for sex eventually, but throughout junior high and high school, sneaking out for action figures was what I did all the time. Zero drugs, zero alcohol; my spending money and free time went only to the comic shop or the toy store, nowhere else.

I guess I snuck sex in, heh. Finding ways to make that happen despite my dad's restrictions. Actually, while he was home may have added to the thrill.

I played with him out of pure spite. I often thought about how unfair it was that Zartan was only fucked out of waist articulation while they turned Snake-Eyes into a wide-crotched loser. I would stare at the card art and just seethe, because he’s so jacked and scary and badass on there.

Right? I would have been okay just losing the waist. I don't remember the comics too well but I remember him being in that suit in the comics at least, but the art took too much of an Image turn for me around then too.

I’ve got a feeling we will see him before the end of the year.

Mhm, I know of what you speak.

That one is based on a sticker misprint and also an early design scheme for v1 Snake-Eyes before they decided to cut paint costs and just leave him all black.

Thank God for cheapeness for once.

 

[Alt]

I give no fucks what people think or would complain about Snake Eyes taking up a space because with a little self awareness, they'd realise their Hawkeye and Red Hood and Lt. Falcon are taking up the space for dudes I want.

I can't even get on that mindset of looking at the Despoiler and thinking it denied me something that I wanted. It's just the thing that got put out on the shelf. They will make a toy I want at some point. They do every other f****** day.

 

[Damien]

You're absolutely right. But even if people do accuse them of that, and they will, fuck those people. There are so many figures I skip but wouldn't begrudge because some of you guys are so thrilled about them. Even if I don't want them, it helps me see the appeal and appreciate them more.

I am fully in favor of making sure the most popular Joes are regularly available. That is how lines survive. When you stop providing for new collectors and appeal only to people who already have all that stuff, that's when lines begin to shrink and die.

Psh. Though, I will be shocked if they don't do V5 before V3.

Ditto.

 

[canprime]

I give no fucks what people think or would complain about Snake Eyes taking up a space because with a little self awareness, they'd realise their Hawkeye and Red Hood and Lt. Falcon are taking up the space for dudes I want.

I can't even get on that mindset of looking at the Despoiler and thinking it denied me something that I wanted. It's just the thing that got put out on the shelf. They will make a toy I want at some point. They do every other f****** day.

HOW DARE YOU!!!! Don't you know that because toy "A" was put out I won't get toy "B?" C'mon man why do you hate me so?

I get the idea behind it that something they don't like takes away from something they want. I mean if we are being realistic there is only so much room for legacy properties because they can't get to everything made over 40+ years at retail. It is why the club had to pick up the slack after the 25th/ME/POC/ROC era ended. Same thing will happen with Classified eventually, unless they get lucky like Marvel Legends.

So I get the idea behind that thinking. I don't agree with being whiny about it, but I guess that comes with the fandom for pretty much everything.

Also I know people like to think it isn't a zero sum game with the line, but in reality it is a zero sum game (to the fans). Someone makes the decision about what gets made and doesn't. So if something gets made, something else didn't. Does that mean it won't ever get made? No. However it also isn't guaranteed that it will ever get made. Something has to be sacrificed to allow something else to be made. The hope is that the line can go long enough to allow for as much to be made as possible.