Fan-favorite manufacturer explains packaging design for new 1:6 scale line...

Sideshow Collectibles has updated their website with some insightful information regarding the new G.I. Joe line of 12" figures, specifically focusing on the packaging design...

From the Sideshow Website:

A lot of fans and G.I. Joe collectors have been wondering about the design inspiration for the G.I. Joe 12-inch figure packaging. Well, Sideshow's Graphic Design department has been hard at work to design something that would pay homage to the G.I. Joe legacy. Here to shed a little light on the process is Matt Bischof, avid Joe fan and one of the graphic artists behind Sideshow's Joe' 12" box art:

"The packaging for the G.I. Joe line emerged from a desire to show some respect to the 80's Real American Hero packaging as well as giving it an injection of something new. Sideshow's G.I. Joe line is a reflection of the classic RAH figures combined with current, authentic gear and weaponry. We wanted to attempt to represent the idea of these two worlds merging into the packaging. The packaging is the first thing the collector is going to see after cracking open that yellow shipping container, so we wanted the Joe-ness to start permeating at that point.

I know that many of the individuals adding Snake-Eyes to their shelves are die hard Joe fans who are more than familiar with G.I. Joe lore and, more than likely, have a shoebox of their old Joes from the 80's with some crudely cut out file cards. With that in mind and myself being one of the aforementioned, I really wanted to incorporate some of the original packaging elements, and with a multi-panel box, there is definitely room to include them. To honor the 'classic' cards, the famous explosion is there - not the digitized late-80's explosion, the classic painted explosion that silhouetted those great character paintings on the card fronts. We also had to have the dossier file, which was one of the coolest parts on the Joe packages. In addition, with G.I. Joe and COBRA being internationally based organizations, it made sense to highlight this as well as giving it a current, digital and streamlined feel.

The mechanics of the package are the same as the Star Wars and Indiana Jones figures with the magnetic flap enclosure. The Joe and COBRA packaging will be similar in the sense of layout, but they will have different colors, where the Joe olive drab will be replaced by the COBRA rank and file blue. For the most part, the weapons included with the figures are based off tangible, existing weapons. Many of these figures will be loaded with weapons. We thought it would be cool to include a weapons load out with images of the weapons so collectors can know which weapon was which in case they weren't familiar. The package also has some great photography, which could make it a great backdrop for Snake-Eyes when he's up on collectors' shelves. As a fan of G.I. Joe figures, cartoons and comics, it was beyond an honor to be able to work on this, and I hope that other Joe fans dig it."

Thanks, Matt!

These highly anticipated figures are on their way to collectors' shelves in the new year, so keep an eye out for updates! And if you haven't already, be sure to add your name to the Cobra Commander Wait List or the Snake Eyes Wait List today or preorder yours at one of our fine sponsors (below)!

Yo Joe!

12/09/08

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