No, you’re not seeing things, that is a 6" Snake Eyes action figure!
Click on for the full scoop!
There are a lot of custom action figures available on the aftermarket. From hand made one-offs to small run resin figures and figure kits. I received this figure as a review copy from a contact in Hong Kong who told me that this was NOT your average custom and worth a look. I don’t know too much about the exact origins of this figure or the product, but it is definitely a unique item. They show up now and again on eBay for $55 to $95 shipped (Just search "Custom 6-inch Snake Eyes"). Very high price for a standard 6" action figure, not so bad for a custom. So what is it and does it warrant the price tag? Let’s find out:
From what I can tell this is a very sophisticated "Custom Figure." It appears to be a scaled up version of the 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe Snake Eyes, including a display base, rifle, sword, backpack and sub-machine gun. Accessories are clean and sturdy, no warped or drooping weapons and the hands grip them very nicely.
This is definitely NOT a modified existing 6" action figure. It’s molded in what appears to be high quality injection molded plastic, with sturdy joints and a clean finish.
The paint job is excellent for what is essentially an all black action figure, as the matte finish on some areas contrasts nicely with the gloss black used on others.
The size is a slight problem, as it’s closer in size to the Hasbro Marvel Legends than the older Toy Biz ones, so Snake is a bit on the small side compared to most of his Marvel Brethren. (You can see by the above pic that he needs his base to match up more or less to the Marvel Daredevil in height).
I have to admit I don’t normally review custom figures, but this one stands out in that it’s as close to a production figure as I’ve ever seen.
Now the big question: Is it a bootleg? From what I can tell it was produced professionally most likely in a factory. But it’s not a cheaply made widely available knock-off like you’d find in a Dollar Store. It’s more akin to the custom figures I’ve seen around the web that are hand-cast resin made from molds taken off of actual products, but with a difference. This is not a "Custom Figure" in the sense that it was hand made by an individual. From what I can tell it’s more like a toy custom made using actual production methods. I could be totally wrong and it’s a very clever use of hand cast resin, but if it is, it’s the highest quality resin I’ve ever seen.
The idea of a highly articulated 6" G.I. Joe or Star Wars line is one that collectors have argued for and against for years. Unless Hasbro decides to go down that road, this is a physical representation of that "What if…". Sure, you can mix your Joes with your Marvel Universe and Infinite Heroes, but theres something very cool about a Joe in what is widely considered THE superhero figure scale.
The price is high, but as they "lookin’ is free," and I think this is an item that is definitely worth a look!
‘Til Next Time!
Spy
He looks awesome! I’m always thinking WHY Star Wars and G.I. Joe have gone the 12” route but shunned the 6” range that Marvel Legends and DCUC have made so popular. I would think that a 6” Darth Vader and Darth Vader would be no-brainers. So how about a Han Solo to go with Snakes here? It’s one of those things that NEED doing, like mixing chocolate and peanut butter or serving fries with burgers. LOL!
WWWWWOOOOOWWWWWWwwwww!! I remember coming across one of these on Ebay and a group of friends was trying to figure out it’s origin – scaled up Joe, custom, etc. It looks great man, nice pick up. Hopefully, whoever is responsible, will do more of these.
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I am waiting for the day when THE superhero figure scale is 3-3/4″
that thing is cool the way gijoe figures should be done that size. Hasbro should hire the person who made that if they ever decide to go that size for gijoe.
It looks to be cast from probably low-yield molds made from a 2-up master. All illegal by the way. I’ve collected various “knock-off” items that are indeed factory produced, using tooling or materials illegally because they can get away with it. Sometimes tooling or masters will go “missing” and oddly there isnt a whole lot the industry can do about it. Toybiz even fought to get some of their original tooling back which if I’m not mistaken they never did get all of it. It just depends on how regulated the factory-source is. The people involved probably already work for Hasbro through their particular factory but no one from Hasbro would know them by name which is part of how concealing it can be so easy.
I’m thinking it uses the new Hasbro Deadpool base?
Look at the ankle bags(?) and compare the artic to DD.
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@ stew – shush! some of think (reasonably) bigger is better!
(wait…what?)
Having had the pleasure of seeing this figure in person I can testify that it really is all that. Even though I prefer smaller scale I was super jealous of this. The contrast between the matte and gloss paint apps really did stand out. The only reason I’m hesitant to throw my support behind a 6″ line of SW or GI Joe is because I don’t want to get sucked in! Thanks for the review, J!
I’ve learned the actual story of this and picked one up from a guy very close to the source of the actual production of these if you are interested in the details. Contact me.