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06-29-2012, 10:34 AM | #1 |
Braves fan!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 100
|
My first Joe was a straight-arm Flash and I still remember the first time I read issue #1 of the comic in 1982.
But the mid-90’s were dark days in Joe Fandom as the line and comic were both coming to an end. To entertain myself, I re-read my comics, discovered online communities, and began customizing figures. I was always a huge fan of the Oktober Guard. Every great story has to have compelling antagonists, no? Not only did I have Thomas Wheeler’s fanzine, I also customized my own team circa 1994. And I even expanded the ranks to include pilots, astronauts and other specialties. I took a break from Joe during the whole Spy Troops/Valor Vs Venom/Joe vs Cobra period. The body type was just so darn unappealing. I think I have *maybe* 3 figures from a ten-year period? But the 25th anniversary pulled me back in. Plus, my own son, 4 at the time, really started to enjoy GI Joe. We were, and are, able to enjoy Joe together. I enjoyed “tweaking” the 25th anniversary figures into what I thought were more accurate depictions. As in Grand Slam, Steeler, and Grunt…. When they released Brekov/Red Star with Duke in the comic two-pack, I figured the rest of the Oktober Guard was inevitable. So I waited in vain. I mean, come on. If they were going to make Slaughter’s marauders and Extreme Conditions Desert Assault Squad, surely they would make the Warsaw Pact version of GI Joe. Right? Right?! But when I saw that they would be convention exclusives, and how much I’d have to pay, I realized I could make my own that would be somewhat comparable, and possibly better than the factory versions. But, hey, I’m not taking anything away from the convention figures—they look awesome. Sooooo, before we get to my OG, first you have to understand my mindset when it comes to customs. I don’t consider myself lazy, but if an existing part, be it a head, helmet, or gear is sufficient on its own, I go with it. For instance, I thought Ripcord (Spec. Altitude) has a uniform that was just *fine* for my Sgt Misha figure. Would it have looked better if I had tried to paint a camo pattern on it myself? Probably not. So for Sgt. Misha, all I needed was a suitable head and headgear. Why try harder? And some customs just fall into your lap. For instance; Dragonsky. But we’ll get to that in a minute. Anyhow…. Col Brekov I just repainted him a better shade of tan and used a German officer’s pile cap from 21st Century Toys. Diana ROC Cover Girl, painting the uniform of Diana in her first appearance. Diana’s hair changed stle and color many times in the comics. So when I saw that her hair color was very similar to that of Star Wars X-wing pilot, Shira Brie, I went with a simple headswap. Schrage (2 versions) Head: ARAH Schrage Body: 25th Duke Boots: Star Wars Rebel Fleet Trooper Bullets: Jin Roh Panzer Cops Head: ARAH Schrage Body: Indiana Jones Russian Colonol Gloves: Star Wars x-wing pilot Horror Show Easily the most difficult. I used the 25th Bazooka, but put on a vest from a German 21st Century Toys officer and sculpted in sculpy, which was quite a hassle. At first I had his uniform trousers the same brown that I was using for the rest of the OG—that would have provided some visual unity, but the green just seemed to fit better. Stormavick Body: ROC Sandstorm. I highly recommend this body. Very articulated and “baggy” uniform. Head: Dusty Beret: Maurader Gun Runners Belt: 21st Century German soldier Suspenders: ROC Heavy Duty Dragonsky Never a big fan of this guy. I mean, using outdated military tech is one thing. But trying to take seriously a guy who wore…pink? Come on, guys. But you could argue that if you’re doing Oktober Guard, you need to do Dragonsky. And, as I mentioned, this guy fell into my lap. Looking in my spare pieces box, I noticed the body of some kind of urban warfare Destro. I ‘d purchased the Destro for his removable web gear, which I used for this custom of a 25th Lightfoot: Body armor: check Muscular sculpt: check Dark red color: check And it was off to the races. Add a helmet and then paint it and the armor a metallic purple. Find a bald head and BAM, you’re done. Sgt. Misha, as I mentioned, came together quickly. Body: Ripcord from Cobra Island 5-pack. Head: Zap Glasses: Dr. Henry Jones from the Indiana Jones line—a tip from a fellow customizer. Lt. Gorky Pretty easy. Head: Hawk Body: Heavy Metal Beret: Marauder Gun Runners Volga Cap was from the ARAH Volga Head: Star Wars Dorovia Bold Body: Lady Jaye Original Team Full Team Newest member |
06-29-2012, 10:42 AM | #2 |
Braves fan!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 100
|
Trying to upload more images, but the "uploader" seems to be down. Will try again later.
Smitty |
06-29-2012, 10:48 AM | #3 |
Epically lazy bastard!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: My Recliner
Posts: 23,983
|
Smitty....I love your Oktober Guard...Especially Stormavik.
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06-29-2012, 12:00 PM | #4 |
Braves fan!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 100
|
Trying to post more photos....
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06-29-2012, 12:03 PM | #5 |
Braves fan!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 100
|
More
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06-29-2012, 06:40 PM | #6 |
Christian Soldier
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,244
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Let's hear it for the OG! I'm wanting to change my gorky to black too.
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