Pyro's G.I. Joe Digibashes

[Pyroclasm]

Hello everyone.
I recently was turned onto your site via Seibertron.com. There were three toy lines in the eighties that I absolutely loved. Transformers, G.I.Joe and Masters of the Universe. The 25th anniversary figures got me back into G.I. Joe, with my first purchase being Zartan. I'm not a completist, but hope to have every major Cobra character.
Anyways, enough about me. Ever since pictures of the cast of G.I.J.O.E. started popping up online, I had decided to take my Photoshop skills and tweak the images. At first it started out with just adding color to the bland uniforms, and eventually creating "new" characters from scratch. I thought as my first post I'd share these with you. As I create more, I'll post them. Hope you'll enjoy them.

My first attempt at "fixing" Scarlett (Added color to the bland uniform):
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/759/scarlettmr1.jpg
It was the first picture I'd seen, so I didn't have a good idea of the various armor separations. It was good enough at the time.

I then tackled my favorite character, the Baroness:
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/2379/baronessom3.jpg
I was glad they had dressed her in black leather, but from the test shots I thought they missed too many small character defining details. I lightened her skin, darkened and reddened her lips, blackened her hair, added back the fingers to her gloves, added her cobra belt buckle (from the toy), added her cobra chest emblem, and most importantly, gave her glasses! (Photos have since shown that they did eventually give her glasses.)

My next attempt was Duke:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6218/dukerc1.jpg
Again, I didn't think black fit the character, so I made a version using his traditional tan & green and one featuring browns. Notice I also added his army paratrooper insignia that is normally on his figures.

I do have more to post, but I'm going to space them out a bit so you can get to comment on them if you wish.

[richardthebrave]

Hey, it's cool! Great work!

Perhaps the movie characters can have the colors of the 80s figures be reflected on the powersuits as a salute to the original costumes.

Well it's just a wish and I don't know if Hasbro will still make any last minute changes.

[COBRACOLLECTOR]

Wow Great Job The Scarlett Is The Bestand The Duke Really Needs That Im Not Crazy About Them Making Evry Joe Member In A Black Suit They Need To Use Sum Of Ur Ideas

[C.I.A.D.]

Very nice indeed. Welcome to the Tank! Thanks for sharing your work with us!

[Shin Densetsu]

Duke looks neat in that pic...gives off a Serpentor vibe. Its better to have colored uniforms, since it brings out most of the detail that is obscured by black.

[gdztoyz]

Whoa...that is amazing, I like it! It fulfills the need for a "modern" look, but it nods to original color schemes. Great work!

[Pyroclasm]

Thanks for the comments, guys! Glad to be here.

Now for Hawk:
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7162/hawkfb3.jpg
He's probably the one that needs the least "correction". Still, I am not fond of the black and greys the costume designer likes. So, I gave him green camo pants and made his jacket brown. I beefed up his jacket arms a bit so he wouldn't look so wimpy. He normally wears what looks like a flight jacket, so Hawk always looked like a big guy to me. I didn't think he should go into a fight wearing medals and ribbons, so I opted to not add those in.

[SportingViper]

Thanks for the comments, guys! Glad to be here.

Now for Hawk:
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7162/hawkfb3.jpg
He's probably the one that needs the least "correction". Still, I am not fond of the black and greys the costume designer likes. So, I gave him green camo pants and made his jacket brown. I beefed up his jacket arms a bit so he wouldn't look so wimpy. He normally wears what looks like a flight jacket, so Hawk always looked like a big guy to me. I didn't think he should go into a fight wearing medals and ribbons, so I opted to not add those in.


Wow,Hawk looks a 1000X better in those colors.Can you get rid of the berret?

[hectorxd]

The hawk is the best so far.
Im not crazy about the baroness because she looks kind of dead with that make up.
There is no helping duke.
Hawk looks sweet.

[Pyroclasm]

Wow,Hawk looks a 1000X better in those colors.Can you get rid of the berret?
I'll add that to my to-do list. You're probably right he'd look better without it or even with a different hat.

[Pyroclasm]

The following digibash I had created was Stalker. Yes, I know he is supposed to be Ripcord, but if they wanted to hire Marlon Wayans, I don't understand why they didn't give him any of the perfectly viable African-American G.I.Joes for him to play. At first I thought I'd replace the actor to one more suitable for Ripcord, but decided against it. Instead, I decided to just change the character. First, I had to colorize his uniform an acceptable shade of green. I then added the G.I.J.O.E. Camo to the entire suit. I added a beret from an army surplus catalog, and added an Airborne Rangers patch to the beret. I'm not sure what division Stalker is supposed to represent, but his 25th anniversary action figure had an indistinct red patch on the beret (hence my choice in patch).
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/3387/stalkerjz4.jpg

[Deefuzz]

Wow! Great job on those!

I wish the outfits actually did look like that!

[MAJOR WOLF]

Looks Great! Good Job!

[Dropshot]

Amazing work!

[Pyroclasm]

I was never really satisfied with the original Scarlett digibash I post at the beginning of this thread, so when some more Scarlett pictures were released, I had to give it another go. They showed more of her costume which is what I wanted to show. I started by redoing the blue and yellow color scheme. I then found a figure that was green and gold.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2726/scarlettxg4.jpg
I continued to look through various figures and found some that were a little less gaudy. I think they complement her skin and hair better than the ones with the gold tones. My favorite is v4 which also has the G.I.Joe camo pattern added to it.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1250/scarlett2yc1.jpg

I guess when it comes down to it, if they make good "movie" action figures, I will probably buy and repaint them.

Just one more digibash to post, and the thread will be current.

[Cobra-Viper]

They are really cool man, I like the black suits but it would be very cool if they put the colors in it.

I actually prefer Baroness V4 to all the others!

[Pyroclasm]

This is my first attempt at recreating a character using miscellaneous images not associated with the G.I.Joe movie. As far as I'm aware, Tomax and Xamot will not be making an appearance in the first movie but that didn't stop me from imagining what they might look like. IIRC, besides being the Crimson Guard Commanders, they also run Cobra's "legal" businesses. The twins are mirror images of each other, save for the scar on Xamot's face. The one person that I thought could pull off their signature hairstyle is Tom Welling of Smallville fame. He can also do a pretty good "smug" look that I felt suited the snobbish brothers.
It didn't turn out perfect, but I think it turned out well enough.
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7677/twinsjm0.jpg

And with that, I'm current with the digibashes I had posted elsewhere. Next up is a revisit to Hawk, since it was requested that I do away with his beret.

[hectorxd]

Im digging it. He could do it but I wonder if he could be as obnoxious as the twins were in the cartoon.

[BigErn]

These look awesome man, it's amazing what adding a little color does for their looks. Would it have been so hard to go this route for the movie? Don't get me wrong, I like the black just fine, I just like these more.

I really like your take on Tomax and Xamot, very slick.

[SnakeEyes]

WOW...just WOW!!!! What a difference! My major complaint with the power suits was that they take away from the characters individuality. IMO that's what made them so popular to kids in the '80s. When you add the color, it pays homage to the old school while adding a futuristic look! And the switch to green on Hawk...perfect!!! That grey cammo looks awful! Bravo Pyro!!! I just wish that the costume designers could see these!!!!

And Tom Welling as the Twins...perfect choice!!! He definately looks the part!

[tile_mcgillus]

I'm going to come out against these. I just feel like I am looking at power rangers. General Hawk does look great though. The colored armors just feel cheesy. The colors take away from any sense of reality (besides the camo) and uniformity. I would rather Duke wear his actual costume in a talking dramatic scene and then slip into a black night ops costume. THEN Try to make the power suit feel like his dress uniform.

Each his own I guess.

[gunslingercbr]

I'm going to come out against these. I just feel like I am looking at power rangers. General Hawk does look great though. The colored armors just feel cheesy. The colors take away from any sense of reality (besides the camo) and uniformity. I would rather Duke wear his actual costume in a talking dramatic scene and then slip into a black night ops costume. THEN Try to make the power suit feel like his dress uniform.

Each his own I guess.
I agree. I certainly appreciate the skill involved because the image manipulation is perfect, but unfortunately the uniforms, which aren't great to begin with, do look better in black. coloring them just enhaces how unimaginitive they are. not that it makes them less realistic colored, but coloring them does give that Power Rangers feel where everyone is dressed the same but in unique colors.

[Pyroclasm]

Wow,Hawk looks a 1000X better in those colors. Can you get rid of the beret?
While deciding what to do with the beret, I found that when Abernathy became General he had two types of head-gear: 1) A green helmet with goggles, and 2) the garrison cap. I always thought he looked funny wearing that helmet with his jacket, so I opted to give him the garrison cap even though my research indicates that it isn't used by the U.S. Army anymore. I figure General Hawk is an older guy so he probably would wear the garrison cap for nostalgic reasons. (It's not like he's wearing "official" Army garb anyway.) :) Oh, and the figures with the garrison cap showed him with sunglasses, so I added those too.
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3043/hawk2cu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is the version I was emulating:
http://www.yojoe.com/action/00/generaltomahawk.shtml
Not sure I like v2, but there he is: General Hawk without the beret.

[SportingViper]

While deciding what to do with the beret, I found that when Abernathy became General he had two types of head-gear: 1) A green helmet with goggles, and 2) the garrison cap. I always thought he looked funny wearing that helmet with his jacket, so I opted to give him the garrison cap even though my research indicates that it isn't used by the U.S. Army anymore. I figure General Hawk is an older guy so he probably would wear the garrison cap for nostalgic reasons. (It's not like he's wearing "official" Army garb anyway.) :) Oh, and the figures with the garrison cap showed him with sunglasses, so I added those too.
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3043/hawk2cu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is the version I was emulating:
http://www.yojoe.com/action/00/generaltomahawk.shtml
Not sure I like v2, but there he is: General Hawk without the beret.

Wow...that's great stuff...now if you can only fix the script the way you fixed some of these outfits then we might be talking about a good movie.

[Pyroclasm]

Wow...that's great stuff...now if you can only fix the script the way you fixed some of these outfits then we might be talking about a good movie.
I don't think anyone could write a script that would appease everyone. Just like digibashes, comics or whatever. Some people will like it, some won't. I'm hoping it will be a fun and decent movie. The only thing I'm worried about is if it emphasizes cheese over all else. I don't want it to be this generation's "Street Fighter" or "Mario Bros."

[tile_mcgillus]

I don't think anyone could write a script that would appease everyone. Just like digibashes, comics or whatever. Some people will like it, some won't. I'm hoping it will be a fun and decent movie. The only thing I'm worried about is if it emphasizes cheese over all else. I don't want it to be this generation's "Street Fighter" or "Mario Bros."

Yeah. Completly agree. No one wants it to suck or be cheesy. No matter what the costumes look like, if the script sucks...we are screwed.

[G.I.Eddie]

these are awesome!...thank you for all the work you did, and showing how cool they could be...IMO

[Echo7Solo]

ok I like this thread. Great job. Keep up the good work. But I'd still like to see the helmet on Hawk.

[Pyroclasm]

ok I like this thread. Great job. Keep up the good work. But I'd still like to see the helmet on Hawk.
Ok, I'm feeling generous, so I will add that request to my list as well. First, though, I think I'm going to try and create another character not appearing in the movie. Still working on those details so I won't reveal anything yet. :)
BTW, if anyone has a suggestion for a character to attempt, I will be more than happy to entertain those ideas. I will not guarantee that any of them would be made, but rest assured I will consider them all. (The only stipulation is NO BEGGING.)

[BigErn]

How about Firefly?

And again, great work man.

[SportingViper]

How about Shipwreck?

[Ash Talon]

A little color does immensely help the dull black actual costumes. There's no denying it.

I guess all my Joe figures from the last 25 years look like Power Rangers, because they're different colors? What a rather feeble argument against adding color to admittedly plain costumes. I find the mindless, goosestepping "every choice about this movie is great" attitude is more annoying than the mindless hate.

Can this flick be fun? Sure. I just don't have much hope for it. I'm not mindlessly bashing it. I do, however, think there's a gross lack of creativity in the costumes shown so far. Adding a little color not only makes the costumes more interesting visually, but it honors the source material.

And don't throw in the realism argument. Despite some Hama-induced nuances and military terminology, GI Joe has never been about realism. They're basically superheroes vs supervillains but with guns and vehicles.

This can all be a moot point, if the revealed costumes are only black ops/Night Force types only used for a scene or two. Lord knows, Hasbro wants to sell toys. And multiple costumes are a way to do that. Time will tell, but I won't hold my breath.

BTW, nice job on the alterations. You're already ahead of the costume designers as far as I'm concerned.

[SnakeEyes]

^^^ What he said! Nailed it!

[hectorxd]

I want to see Firefly and a good looking storm shadow as well.

[Frostbite]

The following digibash I had created was Stalker. Yes, I know he is supposed to be Ripcord, but if they wanted to hire Marlon Wayans, I don't understand why they didn't give him any of the perfectly viable African-American G.I.Joes for him to play. At first I thought I'd replace the actor to one more suitable for Ripcord, but decided against it. Instead, I decided to just change the character. First, I had to colorize his uniform an acceptable shade of green. I then added the G.I.J.O.E. Camo to the entire suit. I added a beret from an army surplus catalog, and added an Airborne Rangers patch to the beret. I'm not sure what division Stalker is supposed to represent, but his 25th anniversary action figure had an indistinct red patch on the beret (hence my choice in patch).
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/3387/stalkerjz4.jpg

I wish that you were in charge of making the new movie.

I really mean that, because the people making the movie now are idiots.

[SnakeEyes]

Just a request, but I'd like to see a SE without the stupid mouth and nose. Also, could you tone down his "Batman" look?

[SportingViper]

Just a request, but I'd like to see a SE without the stupid mouth and nose. Also, could you tone down his "Batman" look?

Good request.

[mikeTime]

Nice work. Welcome aboard.

[Pimp Daddy Darklon]

Nice work! I can see these materialize in toy form. Just like how some TF movie characters has G1 color redeco.

[Pyroclasm]

This is that Cobra project I referenced earlier in the thread. I'm very much enjoying piecing together new characters over the colorizing/modding of the existing ones. The B.A.T. (Battle Android Trooper) was created using a base picture of an Army prototype "future armor". Made it darker while highlighting some of the plating and trim. Used the arms from a C-3PO costume prototype. The cobra logo is an embroidered patch, and the chrome faceplate comes from Iron Man's mask. I opted to not have Neon Orange/Hazard Yellow trim since that would just be too gaudy. His inner workings are a photo of an engine. Instead of having interchangeable hands in a backpack, his right arm would work like the Termanatrix' arm and simply convert to the weapon of choice. Hope you like it.
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4564/batpn4.jpg

[Pyroclasm]

Bump!

Currently on my project list (in no particular order):
Shipwreck (scratch build)
Snake-Eyes (See if I can improve the movie version)
Storm Shadow (See if I can improve the movie version)
General Hawk (v3, Revisit)
Firefly (scratch build)

[BigErn]

Cool idea for a BAT, I like the photo of an engine for his inner workings, that's a nice touch. The only critisizm I have is the suit needs to be lightened up a bit so we can see it's details, otherwise pretty cool man.

[Pyroclasm]

Cool idea for a BAT, I like the photo of an engine for his inner workings, that's a nice touch. The only critisizm I have is the suit needs to be lightened up a bit so we can see it's details, otherwise pretty cool man.
Thanks for the comments, BigErn. My monitor is a bit light, so I didn't realize he was so dark. I'll fix him and repost a bit later.

[G.I.Eddie]

A little color does immensely help the dull black actual costumes. There's no denying it.

I guess all my Joe figures from the last 25 years look like Power Rangers, because they're different colors? What a rather feeble argument against adding color to admittedly plain costumes. I find the mindless, goosestepping "every choice about this movie is great" attitude is more annoying than the mindless hate.

Can this flick be fun? Sure. I just don't have much hope for it. I'm not mindlessly bashing it. I do, however, think there's a gross lack of creativity in the costumes shown so far. Adding a little color not only makes the costumes more interesting visually, but it honors the source material.

And don't throw in the realism argument. Despite some Hama-induced nuances and military terminology, GI Joe has never been about realism. They're basically superheroes vs supervillains but with guns and vehicles.

This can all be a moot point, if the revealed costumes are only black ops/Night Force types only used for a scene or two. Lord knows, Hasbro wants to sell toys. And multiple costumes are a way to do that. Time will tell, but I won't hold my breath.

BTW, nice job on the alterations. You're already ahead of the costume designers as far as I'm concerned.

this by far one of the most educated answers i've heard regaurding the "constant bitching" we all do...thank you for putting into words what i have always wanted to convey...

pryoclasm, you are awesome!...your work rocks!...adding color and individality to these guys goes a long way in helping me enjoy something that, at this juncture, looks very bland...

maybe you could try doing a Gung Ho and Shippy as they were rumored to be in the movie...

[Pyroclasm]

Cool idea for a BAT, I like the photo of an engine for his inner workings, that's a nice touch. The only critisizm I have is the suit needs to be lightened up a bit so we can see it's details, otherwise pretty cool man.
I lightened the black a bit. Hopefully you can see it better. While I was at it, I figured I might as well do up a version paying homage to the Headhunter B.A.T.
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/192/batlx5.jpg

[VIPER 48]

Welcome to the tank and thanks for the pictures, they rock...

[Commando]

All the pics are great, but I love that Stalker pic.

[Darkness2393]

In a sense of sick irony, it seems that some of the movie costumes you did look hilariously better than the original version...
XD

Oh, and may I make a suggestion for a digibash of a Buzzer? You know Australian bikers are awesome.

[Pyroclasm]

ok I like this thread. Great job. Keep up the good work. But I'd still like to see the helmet on Hawk.
Request fulfilled, sir.
Found a current helmet on a military website. Scaled to Dennis Quaid using the original soldier's head. Actually made it smaller, because those helmets are X-Box HUGE. Added the G.I.Joe camo and changed the nametag from "CASEY" to "HAWK". (Though the tag is probably not visible at this size.)
I still think he looks like goofy with the helmet and jacket.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4849/hawk3et8.jpg

[G.I.Eddie]

i think it looks pretty good...maybe the bulkiness of his classic bomber style jacket coupled with his holster helped make the helmet look less jumbo...

either way, great job again...

[Echo7Solo]

oh man that is so cool. You do great work. Man that F'n rocks!

[Pyroclasm]

Just a request, but I'd like to see a SE without the stupid mouth and nose. Also, could you tone down his "Batman" look?
As per your request, here's Snake Eyes. First thing I did was eliminate the big rubbery creases in his torso, and removed the molded muscles. I then got rid of the molded nose and mouth. I darkened his upper torso and added a grain texture to slightly mimic the color and texture of the cloth parts of his costume. I was hoping the above changes would make him look a little less like he's wearing an old batsuit. His goggles were blackened so you can't see his eyes. (Why do they look transparent in the original photos?) Last thing I did was emboss and enhance the insignia on his shoulder.
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/9333/snakeeyesyy8.jpg

[gdztoyz]

Again, GREAT work. It's cool because I understand why they had to go with the beret. I mean the beret is Flint's "thing",(Falcon Stalker and Dial-Tone's, too, I suppose) but Hawk would look like a complete ass in the helmet. It worked for the cartoon, but in live action...not so much. The other look with the shades is pretty cool, but it just doesn't seem right to me. Now I'd be completely sold if they went with your old school color scheme!

And I've said it before especially after seeing him geared up. Wayans could've passed as Stalker, he looks the part. For the life of me, I don't know why they went with Ripcord *shrugs*. Not gonna cry foul; I just don't get it.

Great photo manips though!

[ceraurus]

Nice work on these. Thanks for sharing your talent! I do like that green camo color a lot.

[Pyroclasm]

To go along with my digibash of Snake Eyes is this version of Storm Shadow! He was fairly simple. I just broke up the plain white with red and grey. Added shuriken to his belt, and embossed a red cobra logo on his mask. I didn't hate the version the designers came up with, but for some reason it seems as if they only want to use black, grey or white in their designs.
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3990/stormshadowop6.jpg

Current projects in planning:
Shipwreck
Firefly
Dreadnoks

[Snake Eyes-Joe Ninja]

Really like your work, man. Nicely done. I wish some of the changes you made were authentic. Anychance I can buy the movie when it comes out, send it too you and have you fix every frame on the DVD, lol.

[Pyroclasm]

Really like your work, man. Nicely done. I wish some of the changes you made were authentic. Anychance I can buy the movie when it comes out, send it too you and have you fix every frame on the DVD, lol.
Ha! I've been asked that several times. But nobody seems to be willing to let me have access to some multi-million dollar post production equipment. :D So until somebody steps up, we unfortunately will have to deal with whatever they give us.

[Amberbratt]

i like your ideas pyro


to bad you don't work on the movie :)


yes it looks a little bit more "sci-fi' than 'military'

I still can't believe those power ranger comments...

but I am digging your designs.. for the first time... I got kinda excited about the "g i joe movie"

if nothing else I might buy a few and make customs off your photos lol