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04-21-2008, 08:02 PM | #1 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 157
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What is the attraction? I never had any and still have ZERO interest. With all the amazing figures from the regular Joe line, why do some people care about the imports? I keep hearing Glenda and this is why I started the thread. Curious to hear other people's opinions regarding this matter.
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04-21-2008, 09:41 PM | #2 |
Soul Crusher
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 998
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For me personally, I started re-collecting in about 1993 which was pre-internet. Tomarts, Lee's AFN, and another magazine (whose name I forgot, but featured article by Thomas Wheeler) had feature articles that included foreign figures that I never knew about.
My first interaction was actually at Leonard Lee's studio for lack of a better term. It house tons of toys and prototypes. I had a chance and did buy the SAS Tripwire for about $40, but could have gotten a TNT, Ninja-Ku MOSC for $75, Satan for $65 MOSC, Quarrel, and Stalker. But no Glenda. I always wanted one and a TF Airtight. Lots of foreign figures provide extra characters or optional color versions of established figures. Glenda is a pretty simple repaint and would make me happier. MY 2 cents.
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04-21-2008, 09:57 PM | #3 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 5,352
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Why? Rarity of course. That's the big one.
I know that I started re-collecting GI Joe about three or four years ago. I quickly established a goal - every figure from '83-'86. I figured those were the "golden years" of the line, and I didn't have any interest in straight-arms, most post-'86 figures and vehicles in general. Once I started learning about international variants I didn't pay much attention at first, because I was into the stuff I had as a kid, or wanted. Once I got more into it, I started getting vehicles. Although I did want a few post-'86 characters originally, I became more open to characters I previously didn't think I cared for, like Tiger Force or Interrogator for example. The thing is, the closer I came to finishing my original goal, the more open I became to other parts of the hobby I wasn't originally interested in. Foreign figures were part of that. The Indian stuff stinks, as far as I'm concerned, but the fact that the UK exclusives are of the same quality and made from the same factories enticed me. I mean, if I can get Moondancer and Dolphin (repainted versions of Short Fuze and Zap in grey), it's like having an extra couple "original 13s" that I didn't know about as a kid! Some of them are kind of "meh" (if only Gaucho didn't have Gung Ho's trademark USMC tattoo), but most are great. I find the UK Spirit particularly good. As I got into Tiger Force, I of course wanted the UK exclusives, and the Brazilian ones too (c'mon, Tiger Force SHIPWRECK? Of course I want that!). I've lately been lucky enough to get several of these figures in mint condition. The point is, if you continue to collect GI Joe you'll find it to be an even more enriching hobby than you though it would be. You may not be into everything (I doubt I'll ever collect stuff like Eco Warriors for example) but there's a lot of cool stuff out there. The foreign stuff is a great example of that. If I'm still collecting GI Joe in ten years (I think I will be, too...) I'd like to think I'd be able to afford a minty Glenda or the other Argentinian second series figures! |
04-21-2008, 09:57 PM | #4 |
Cold Slither's Roadie
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,315
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Eh, to each his own, I suppose.
To me the foreign figures always just had a kind of kitsch appeal. I like seeing different interpretations of different characters, or even completely new characters. Though I will admit sometimes the color choices can be kinda loopy. From a diehard collectors standpoint, they can provide a more difficult challenge to collect, making scoring them even more rewarding. After you collect all the American figures, I mean what's left? |
04-21-2008, 10:02 PM | #5 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 5,352
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Remember also, all foreign figures are not created equal... The Indian stuff, although it had a few interesting repaints, are crap as far as I'm concerned. However other collectors have pointed out that some Indian figures are better constructed than others - I've only owned a Funskool Snowjob and he felt really, really cheap.
The UK stuff is EXACTLY the same as US, quality wise. Brazilian stuff is basically like the Slaughter's Marauders figures, or mail-away Quick Kick. Those were made in Brazil but released in the States. They're good enough - maybe a tad more brittle than US ones but the ones I have (Marujo and Ar Puro - TF Shipwreck and Airtight) fit in nicely. I can't speak to Argentinian figures, yet... One day though! |
04-21-2008, 10:53 PM | #6 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,102
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Well to each his (or her) own. For me, I began collecting Foreign releases because I pretty much completed the entire US run. As of right now some of my favorite and most prized ARAH style figures are mint carded ones from Argentina and the UK. I purchased my first Foreign figures in the late 97' or 98', Moondancer (UK) and caucasion Iceberg (India). After that I've rarely passed on a reasonably priced foreign figure, while many are of poorer quality, some like the Chinese Major Bludd are equal to the US releases (He's a great winter ops Major Bludd figure by the way).
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04-21-2008, 11:38 PM | #7 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,314
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Me.. I like to collect the foriegn figures because at times (variants - or even packaging) are really different.. and I love having pieces in my collection that not everyone owns.. if we where all to take photos of our current 25th collection - other then quantity or setup our collections will look the same..
and that sucks.. I want something to stand out in my collections - so that is when I start looking for overseas figs.. |
04-22-2008, 11:53 AM | #8 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 5,352
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BTW, this really should have been in the general discussion section, there aren't any foreign 25th Joes yet!
On that note, I wouldn't really care if there were, that can be a RAH era thing as far as I'm concerned. |
04-22-2008, 11:13 PM | #9 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,102
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04-23-2008, 11:22 AM | #10 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 306
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Honestly, the "story" behind something like Action Force appeals to me more than G.I. Joe. Joe is very "Rah-rah-America" and, as a Canuck, that gets old fast. Granted that all my Joes growing up had maple leafs and "Forces Canadiens" on the vehicles, which is a degree of flexibility that still impresses me.
But that's why I like the Internationals - COBRA isn't just in the States, and the notion that other countries are fighting back too is just cool.
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