[HissHissFangFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk

25th Anniversary...haha. I made updates to almost all my 25th OG13, but Photobucket wiped out the pics and I'm too lazy to redo the pictures. Maybe I will redo the pics just for fun.

25th Annivesary works for me for these O13 (OG13?) sets, since they purpose use body parts from earlier years, but not for my Cobra sets. 50th Anniversary for the Cobra sets doesn't fly cuz the math doesn't add up, especially for the Cobra concept.

BTW I definitely remember your OG13th updates, particularly the patented rolled ups sleeve mods and the Grand Slam DTC head replacement!

Do you not have backups of your old photos? I've decided to go at least triple backup with local copies, Google Photos and Flickr. I also like how Flickr photo sharing to sites lets you use the filename. But I have a feeling Flickr is next in line for a Photobucket fiasco...

[nighthawk]

I use Imgur now. I have access to most of the pics, but some I don't have anymore. Also, my picture taking sucked back then so I might want to redo the pics anyways...haha.

[HissHissFangFan]

2) SNAKE EYES

Likely everyone has grown weary of this figure and its parts. But to this day, I still feel the effects of how this figure more than any of the first 25th 25—one of the first of the “modern” era—absolutely blew me away with its sculpting and articulation. Really, the only things that bug me (once they fixed the diaper crotch) are the height and slenderness. This build of the first waves is about the only one that holds up to later waves.

Earlier Snake Eyes figures weren’t necessarily a must for me—my first was the 2004 o-ring comic repack. Some of the later VvV versions tempted me, but just never pulled the trigger. That said, he has always been one of my favorite characters (in my top 5 Joes), mostly from the comic, but also from the cartoons. And I pull no preference between v1 and v2. But here, we are all about the O13.

GiJoe_O13-SnakeEyes-Classic25th_2017-1028a by J Perez, on Flickr

Build:
•Body, Head, Webgear, satchel: 25th Box Set Snake Eyes, version C (corrected crotch).
•Weapon: Uzi (from body build figure); Backpack: Resolute Cobra Trooper
Paints:
•Body: Testors Flat Black; Buckles, Googles: Citadel Leadbelcher, Testors Gloss Black for lenses

Notes:
For a while I was using the carded rerelease of the 25th Snake Eyes v1, favoring the all black to the dark grey of the first 5-pack box version. But that all-black scheme didn’t work well all with the O13 set, both in hand and in photos. With all the touchups I was doing with the other figures, Snake started to just fade out as a big black blob. So I went with the original dark grey for the webgear and straps per the 2004 comic pack version—by using the original battle box figure, and painting the main bodywear black—to get some very slight color tone variation on him.

No real body work or kitbashing on this one. I get tempted to beef up or heighten the legs, but the height as is works fine with Scarlett and Stalker.


GiJoe_O13-7SnakeEyes_2018-0420b by J Perez, on Flickr

For the desert “tan” versions, black versions would likely have worked, but was looking to change them up. Dark brown was the easiest route, though not that practical and no past reference to it. For the o-ring version, I switched out the “Flash” lower legs with the traditional legs. I was never a fan of the original lower legs—and Flash and Grand Slam were two of my original figures. For the 25th, I use 30th POC head—readily available in case I want to switch out my 25th classic version above.

Both comics versions were inspired by the 25th cartoon DVD figure, giving me another chance to move away from all black versions for something different. For the o-ring, this would be the first time I transplanted a 25th head onto an o-ring body. The head was affixed to an extra neck peg for o-ring figures (from so many 2004 O13 o-ring figure head transplanted to 25th bodies), using aves sculpt and maybe superglue. I thought the original 2004 Snake Eyes head was too big compared to the smaller heads trending on the other 2004 O13 (likely those other heads were undersized), and that the 25th head matched in size better.

When I took this group shot, I forgot that on my To Do list was to find a home in this set for that 2004 head I replaced. In the end, I decided to use it on my classic o-ring figure. The figure is really a cheap knock off, a kitbash of various vintage and 2004 parts anyway, so no destruction of my childhood or vintage value, and the original head sculpt was not great to begin with. I haven't had a chance to get some pics of this guy with the other classic o-rings though, so we'll see if this sticks...

Shown below are the o-rings figures with the head transplants:

GiJoe_O13-SnakeEyes-BonusPic1_2018-0510b by J Perez, on Flickr

[rip_cord]

Incredible work. These are all great, but I absolutely LOVE the Classic and Comic Stalker figures ... can't wait for the 'focus' post on him.

[ponygt]

Great stuff!! Excellent work!!

[HissHissFangFan]

3) STALKER

I could go on for pages about Stalker. In sum, he’s my ultimate favorite Joe of all time, period. He was one of my first swivel arms along with Scarlett—two figures I knew I wanted once I really got into this line. He got great use in the MASS Device cartoon, and in the comic—and the thing that stands out about him is how helps define G.I. Joe as a team. He can fit the role of either trusted reliable teammate, or can be leader when situation calls. This dual role also applies to how he’s used as a character, against other main characters (SE, SS, Scarlett, Hawk). He’s got a distinctive look among the O13, and is an Army Ranger.

Though there have been many updated looks for Stalker through the years, for me, nothing beats the original. I’ve tried to think of and create my own updates, but can’t seem to surpass this O13 look. Also, back in 2007, I wasn’t aware of the current Joe fandom, and also didn’t think that Stalker was all that popular. So when Stalker was revealed as one of the limited 25 figures—the initial expected run of the 25th Anniversary—and would be based on the classic look, I couldn’t be happier.

The hunt for Stalker in 2008 was my first full on toy hunt in my adult years, armed knowledge of the best places to look, when to look, and what to look out for (no diaper crotch, no yellow and green (!)). I actually found and bought the diaper crotch version first because I couldn’t leave it—it looked so good despite!

Today, this figure still remains one of my favorites of the Joes. And if you think about it: of the 2007 25 first figures, and of the 25th O13, there’s been no real demand for a redo for him (though we did get a nice one for POC/30th). As a result, my O13 25th Classic version of him is basically the original release, with a little bit more gear and paint.


GiJoe_O13-Stalker-Classic25th_2017-1028b by J Perez, on Flickr

Construction:
•Body & Webgear: 25th Stalker v15; Weapon: M32 Pulverizer (common)
•Backpack: 25th Airborne, painted; Goggles: 25th Comic 2pack Firefly
Paints:
•Body straps, gloves, backpack touchups: Testors Flat Black; Webgear accents: Citadel Leadbelcher

Notes:
As noted above, I was pretty happy with the original figure as produced, but wanted to give him some TLC, and make him slightly different than default release. I couldn’t, however, get myself to change any of the body parts. The body is a little small and slim compared to later figures, but is still a damn fine sculpt, and painted well. And head sculpt is to still day my favorite Stalker head, and probably of the hole line: The beret is nice and tight, and the facial expression is cool and stern.

That didn’t leave much else to do, much to my dismay. Hands are painted black, rather than try to shave off the glove wrinkles and then try to paint match the face flesh tone. Goggles were added to just bring in more accessories, as well as give a flash of red around the neck in homage to the comic book red collar. And anyone in the set except drivers get backpacks (unless their ponytails get in the way).


GiJoe_O13-7Stalker_2018-0420b by J Perez, on Flickr

For the desert/tan versions, the o-ring version was inspired HissTanker nova’s version here: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...n-stalker.html. , with the idea of switching the light and dark green with tan and brown—both o-ring and modern versions to follow the camouflage patterns of the green versions. The modern desert version is a test of POC/30th head on the older body. It looks okay, but again I favor the 2008 head for my Classic 25th.

For the comic versions, the o-ring is basically unchanged from the original 2004 release, and the 25th version simply emulates that o-ring pattern’s colors and the 2008 version’s camouflage pattern. I merely painted over the original dark green with the Citadel Warpstone Glow green used for the other comic O13 figures, and painted the black boots, webgear, etc Citadel Zamesi Desert Tan similarly.

Now after having recently gone back through the comics, this two-tone green color scheme used on my Comic versions is not the one most seen in the comics. Hasbro did release a second comic o-ring Stalker in darker colors, and have a 25th version of similar hue in the Target Ultimate Battle Pack. I thought I liked how the first lighter version fits in my set better (having Stalker in the lighter base BDU similar to the classic), but the darker version seems interesting. I don’t have that ready at this time though.

I did just repaint my 25th comic’s skin a lighter and more vivid brown (as well as change black part to a very dark flat grey), in the spirit of the comic inspiration, so here’s that update, with an accessory that gets tied to Stalker a lot in the early comics and the first cartoon mini:

GiJoe_O13-Stalker-BonusPic1_2018-0513c by J Perez, on Flickr

[rip_cord]

Thanks for posting! Reading above, there are surprisingly few, but very effective changes you made to make an already great figure, incredible. Stalker is one of my favorite Joes as well, and I agree, his figure is one of the few early 25th releases that still stands on his own. I LOVE the comic version action shot! I look forward to seeing your darker comic scheme ... (with your love for Stalker, not sure how you wouldn't get around to this at some point, ha) Again, incredible work!

[jlw515]

Love all of theses updates. I really like how you added the goggles with red lenses to Stalker. Whether intentional or not, it gives kind of that comic look where they typically colored his collar red.

What technique do you use to paint the camo pattern? Do you free hand, make a stencil and hand paint or make a stencil and air brush?

Jason

[HissHissFangFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rip_cord

Thanks for posting! Reading above, there are surprisingly few, but very effective changes you made to make an already great figure, incredible. Stalker is one of my favorite Joes as well, and I agree, his figure is one of the few early 25th releases that still stands on his own. I LOVE the comic version action shot! I look forward to seeing your darker comic scheme ... (with your love for Stalker, not sure how you wouldn't get around to this at some point, ha) Again, incredible work!

Thank you so much ripcord! I was really surprised how well the jump pack shot came out. It's gonna be my new device wallpaper for a while. When the darker version comes together, I'll circle back to Lorenzo, along with a little POC tweak...

[HissHissFangFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw515

Love all of theses updates. I really like how you added the goggles with red lenses to Stalker. Whether intentional or not, it gives kind of that comic look where they typically colored his collar red.

What technique do you use to paint the camo pattern? Do you free hand, make a stencil and hand paint or make a stencil and air brush?

Jason

Thanks for the thoughts Jason, as always About the red googles: check out the notes--it was purely intentional. Also on the cover of the vol 13 of the Classic TPBs, those flashes of red stuck in my mind. It's crazy you picked up on that on your own though. I'm wondering if I should got give away some of the easter eggs on future figures...

The camo was done by hand (brush actually). Just eyeballed it, hoping no one would tell the diff. Camo throws me off, given my precise engineering nature. But I'll be working on the technique specifically for a future Satlker idea other than the dark comic one.