Variations on a Theme – Part 1: Fuera de la Ley (Argentinian Destro)

This latest series is dedicated to the wonderful(ly insane) world of toy collecting and will showcase variants: alternate versions of a given toy that differ from one another in ways ranging from subtle (stickers or paint applications) to more profound (materials used, plastic colors, or changes made to molds during production to correct design flaws or for purely aesthetic reasons).

We’ll be kicking things off with Fuera de la Ley by Plastirama Toys, the Argentinian version of Destro from the second wave of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline releases in 1983. For reference purposes, your garden variety North American version of the figure is located on the left and the variant of the day on the right in the following picture:

"Nuestras cabezas son buenas y brillantes!"

There’re a couple of key features separating Destro and Fuera de la Ley, which I’ll be covering in order of decreasing obviousness (please note that the following list is not exhaustive):

1. The most prominent difference would be the shades of red used in their costumes: while Destro is giving off more of a ketchup vibe with his, Fuera de la Ley’s deep, dark crimson is reminiscent of the color of blood. Score one for Argentina in the badass department, though even this barely manages to offset the stupidity of the character’s indigenous name (which translates into English as the descriptive-yet-highly-unimaginative “Outside the Law”).

2. Destro’s shoulder rivets have been painted black while Fuera de la Ley’s retain their shiny metallic appearance.

3. In a classic example of blink-and-you’ll-miss it, these figures have different waistpieces. For some unknown reason, a black version of the one used for the 1983 incarnations of Doc and Duke was substituted for the standard Destro waistpiece.

Waistpieces (from left to right): Destro (1983), Fuera de la Ley (1983), Doc (1983), Duke (1983), and Gung-Ho (1983).

Note that the article on Fuera de la Ley on the Yo Joe! website – which is where I first learned about this variant – contains a factual error: while similar in appearance, Gung-Ho‘s waistpiece is not the same as Doc and Duke’s. Though both have belts sporting a cross-hatch pattern, the former has a square buckle and no pouches while the latter has a circular buckle and two front pouches. Also, Gung-Ho’s pants have a single vertical and horizontal crease while Doc and Duke have a double vertical crease.

Special thanks to G and the ever-helpful Trina Swank for Spanish language assistance.

The Lunar Archivist’s Sketchbook – Part 5

Today’s sketch is one of my most treasured pieces of original artwork by virtue of the fact that it was done by a popular mangaka. So, without further ado, here’s a nice profile shot of Katsumi Liqueur from Silent Möbius by creator Kia Asamiya.

The Grim Peeper

There’s only one thing creepier than getting off on death. And that’s Death getting off on you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we've discovered a new type of necrophilia.

This sexually disturbing metaphor courtesy of Empowered – Volume 6 (September 2010) by Adam Warren.

It Came From The Toy Chest – Part 2

Why use a Robot Master weapon when your entire body can be a weapon?

Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth...

Today’s models are the Mega Man 1/10 Scale Full Action Plastic Kits of Proto Man, Roll, and Mega Man by Kotobukiya.

Strange Moments in Video Gaming – Part 2

There’re awkward conversation topics. And then there’re awkward conversation topics with the armless Rin Tezuka.

True friendships don't require time outs once a month.

This combination of brutal honesty and too much information courtesy of Katawa Shoujo (かたわ少女/Disability Girls), a freeware visual novel developed by Four Leaf Studios.

Casual Friday – Part 2

It takes a certain kind of man to exude authority while wearing a purple dress and dainty white gloves. Commissioner James Gordon is that man.

SOMEONE had to lighten the mood at the Gotham City Police Department.

This drafty moment in a veteran policeman’s career courtesy of Batman and Robin #16 (January 2011) by Grant Morrison, Cameron Stewart, Chris Burnham, and Frazer Irving.

Costume Hijinks – Part 1

Ted Barton wonders about a lot of the same things that comic book readers do. But, unlike the latter group, Ted Barton got one of his question answered by Kid Flash.

Now Ted Barton should ask Jim Lee why the hell he has everyone wearing those damn Nehru collars.

Today’s moment in costume design enlightenment has been brought to you by Sins of Youth: Kid Flash & Impulse #1 (May 2000) by Dwayne McDuffie, Angel Unzueta, and Jaime Mendoza.

The Lunar Archivist’s Sketchbook – Part 4

Since this will be my last post for this calendar year, here’s something special from my collection: Catwoman by Jim Balent.

See you in 2012 everyone!

I’ll Be Doom For Christmas

In the interest of promoting peace on earth and good will towards men, I present to you the following yuletide tale from What The–?! #10 (January 1991) by Scott Lobdell and John Byrne. (Yes, that Scott Lobdell and that John Byrne. )

Happy Holidays, everyone!

It Came From The Toy Chest – Part 1

When you have too many toys and too much time on your hands, things can get real weird real fast. Case in point:

Given that Mumm-Ra's undead, a shotgun should work wonders on him.

Today’s models are the Highschool of the Dead – Saya Takagi 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted Figure by Chara-Ani and Thundercats Classic Lion-O by Bandai.