The Story Of The Vintage G.I. Joe Snake Eyes Proves The Cost Of Paint Apps

When the 3.75" G.I. Joe line launched in 1982, there was one figure the captured the imagination of kids: Snake Eyes. The all black clad, uzi carrying ninja was the instant draw of the original nine figures, but that design that was so captivating wasn't an aesthetic choice. It was an economic one. Hasbro was under pressure to keep the cost of the inaugural line of nine figures down, but the paint applications were coming in over budget. Instead of "cheapening" the first 8 figures, they decided to make one figure "deco-less". That figure was Snake Eyes, which doesn't have a single paint application for the 1982 release.

It's a lesson on how expensive paint is when it comes to action figures. Deleting them from a figure was the difference between the original nine G.I. Joe figures coming in on budget or not. Paint applications are also one of the factors that separates a premium line from a budget line. It's not just articulation, which is what prompted us to write THIS ARTICLE. So 1) paint applications are expensive and 2) they are part of what defines quality. This is all getting around to the recently revealed Vintage Collection Reva figure:


If you can't tell, the accessory load out is impressive. You have three sabers, one of which is the full length double saber, plus the d-ring hilt. It's not just the number of accessories, but the size. Two full sabers plus a double saber feels like it's something that would call for a push to the deluxe line these days, but then it occurred to me: Reva has barely any paint applications below the neck. Aside from a few flashes of silver, and perhaps an Imperial cog tampo on the shoulder, this is essentially a modern day Snake Eyes. Once again, it shows you how expensive paint applications are, or how much you can afford when they are eliminated.

---

comments powered by Disqus