This is one of the first pictures I took of my G.I.Joe collection. One of my favorites, too, not to mention a milestone in my hobby.

Taken in late 2007 on the rooftop of our former apartment, I was initially planning to pose some figures with Bbi weapons. The results were gratifying! The cloudy weather undoubtedly helped with the lighting (I took the pictures at noontime!),  along with my attempts at getting depth of field for the shots,  but the over-all features of this red Cobra CLAW really carried the day.

I placed the figure on top of a damaged box-shaped water tank, with the satellite dishes, the door to the rooftop and the coconut fronds at a distance, giving the illusion of real-life scale to the Cobra CLAW.

But when I peered through my viewfinder, I was struck by the rich details of the CLAW, along with that weathered look. My Canon digicam’s macro feature really kicked in, bringing those fine details into sharp focus.

The Bbi Stinger was also a winner. Bbi definitely beats Hasbro when it comes to accuracy in scale and details. If only the material used is not that brittle…

My favorite shot. Look at the details of the Stinger’s sight! And the realistic weathering of the CLAW!

As I’ve said, these photos were a milestone in my hobby because they convinced me to appreciate (and collect!) G.I.Joe  and Cobra figures released between 2003 and 2006 (excluding the ARAH repaints). These so-called ‘new sculpts’ have more detailed features and they have matte surfaces, making them come out really nice in photographs. (The vintage ARAH figures, though I appreciate them for their sentimental value, appear too glossy in pics).

The Joes can be great fun while I take a break from my computer work at home. I’d pose them in my workspace, using the desktop PC, the table, paperweights and other knicknacks as props for a makeshift dio. Here’s one of them: Lady Jaye getting apprehended by a couple of Cobra troopers in gas masks.

…while a squad of Green Vipers cover them.

Finally, a glass display case for my G.I.Joe action figures! I was able to buy this case in Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown) in March this year with the help of another collector, Pandit. At 500 Baht each, this display case is a must-have. It can accommodate up to seven figures (more, if you don’t mind cramming them). It comes with three steps so that each figure can be given some prominence. Will try to get another one soon!

Toysoldier118 had a thread about coming up with dioramas in homage of comic covers from Marvel’s G.I.Joe series. One of my favorite storylines is the Cobra Civil War. I recently got hold of another HISS tank, along with a 25th Anniversary boxset Baroness and a single pack Serpentor. I tried to place a 25th Anniversary BAT in the tank’s cockpit, as the comic cover showed, but it was a no go–the BAT seems too big for the cockpit. With some strings snatched from my wife’s sewing kit, here’s my modest tribute to this particular cover:

What Cobra Vipers do during their downtime:

Viper 1: Hey guys, what’s up?

Viper 2: Sshhhh…!

Viper 1: PIGGERY!!!

Viper 2: Piggery? Bakit?

Viper 1: E kasi binababoy niya si Katrina!

Viper 3:  Ssshhh! Quiet! Di ko marinig iyong lyrics ng “Careless Whisper”!

With the Defender out of commission, the only chance for Hawk, Breaker and Rock and Roll to get back to base is to call for a ride.  Breaker reports getting only static. Looks like it’s going to be a long march ahead for the three of them.

Some studies of a Cobra Paraviper who just landed.

I had just finished shooting the snipers when my son Paulo started egging me to take picture of his Paraviper (he got it for Christmas). So we looked for an open spot in the park, someplace ideal for a DZ. It would’ve been better if I had a parachute and paracords for the paraviper, but well, we have to make do with what we have. So in this scene, the paraviper is assumed to have already shucked off his para gear and is getting ready to move out. I like how it turned out. I love the paraviper’s details: the balaclava, the MP5, the wrist altimeter, the oxygen tubes. Hhmm…I’m thinking of army-building this unit!

A stack of Vipers, with a Crimson Guard Immortal, prepare to storm a room.

These photos were taken almost a year ago. I had just watched a DVD copy of the film, “The Kingdom” and I was inspired by the cover jacket depicting Jamie Foxx and his team as they prepare to chase terrorists in an apartment complex.

Cross Hair and Chief Torpedo team up for a sniping mission.

“Rendition” is a another term for snatching enemy personnel. Here, a G.I.Joe team raids a suspected Siegie safehouse, and lifts a Crimson Guard–in full dress uniform, no less! 

 Tunnel Rat pulls up the barely conscious Siegie into the Humvee while his team mates provide cover.

 OK, target secured.

 Flint and Roadblock cover the front.

 As Tunnel Rat and Ripcord make sure the trussed up Siegie is on his best behavior.

 Securing the flexi-cuffs, just to be sure.

 Right. One dressed up Siegie ready for delivery!

 Flint is the leader of the snatch team.

 With Beach Head as second-in-command

 The rest of the team are: Ripcord;

 Leatherneck;

 Roadblock;

 Dialtone;

and Tunnel Rat, of course.