Back in 2017, Red Laser Army produced the Sightline figure. For quite a while, the figure was the toast of the collecting world. The combination of being an homage to a well liked collector and also a visually distinctive figure added up to a release that skyrocketed on the secondary market...even though it wasn't supposed to be sold. 8 years later, the figure remains extremely high priced. Some of the militancy around selling the figure has, sadly, subsided. But, at the same time, Sightlines have gotten much more sporadic in their appearance.
There was a time when Joe creators love the figure and used it whenever they could. Slowly, though, Sightline has fallen in popularity. These days, you rarely see Sightline used in any capacity. Part of that is just that we're so far removed from the figure's release that many newer creators don't own the figure. But, even for people who have had him for a while, Sightline remains a rare sight. I don't use him nearly as often as I should. He's a figure I see in the drawer, want to use, but can never think of the perfect scenario for him. I may try to rectify that in the future. But, I say it about many figures: few of whom ever return to their former glory.
The reality is that Sightline is one of the most popular figure profiles on this site. He was widely viewed upon publication and, every so often, gets a nice bump in views. Usually, this is due to someone else using the figure and having many newer collectors ask about Sightline and why the figure matters to so many. It's a good way to gauge if there's discussion about the figure or character occurring, somewhere.
In recent years, many other classic Joe molds have been painted up in the "Sightline" color scheme of grey cammo and red accents. None of them capture the pure joy of the original figure, though. I don't think of 2017 as being that long ago. But, in terms of the Joe world, it was an unrecognizable time. Prices hadn't risen and there wasn't the professional dealer class who artificially inflates the market. Figures were made for fun because Hasbro didn't care about the brand at all. Really, it was a good time.
Seeing Sightline out and about, though, helps bring some of that feeling back. I don't think of this figure as a "rare collectible" that requires me to wear plastic gloves if I want to handle him. No. I think of a fellow collector (Wowboy) offering me his figure in the spirit of the Sightline project. I think of all the fun I had talking about this figure with other collectors. And, I remember old message boards full of great collectors who are long gone and all the awesome discoveries and discussions that could be had. In that spirit, here's Sightline doing what Sightline was intended to do: be a fun and unique part of a Joe collection.
This is kind of like those DeSimone exclusive figures. Had it’s moment of glory, but became nothing more than a niche novelty.
ReplyDeleteNone of the stuff that’s too difficult to obtain, beyond just price, ever sticks with the Joe community. This guy, Convention paradrop figures, the alt logo TBM Python Troopers. If they can’t permeate into enough hands, there’s no real ability for re-discovery or getting a trend going, instead they rot away.
You also have to factor in, RLA stuff became increasingly irrelevant as time has gone by, as frankly a lot of it, isn’t very good, the 2018 stuff took FOREVER to come out, and was full of unannounced part swaps and design changes, and there was always a ton of sketchiness and drama coming out of that camp. COIL Con figure scam, Viper coloured BAT charity scam.
Hopefully the Ninja line eventually gets off the ground, but it’s one of those things where the cart’s before the horse on a lot of things there (packaging looks good, but all sorts of mold issues weren’t known about).
I'll never do a pre-pay for anything non-Hasbro again. The COIL figures cured me of that.
DeleteI really do wonder if we'll ever see another trendy figure in the community that's other than a new release. I don't think there's enough photographers or content creators left who have a big enough audience to do for a figure what General Hawk did for Hit and Run and Interrogator.
I think the community is too decentralized at this point.
DeleteAssuming you’re Mike T., I’d honestly argue you actually had a far more significant impact on figure trends than Hawk. You’re the only reason the Brazilian Sky Patrol COBRAs had the standing they did, same with The Python Airborne and Rip Cord.
You also had a significant impact on Sea Slug, to the point no one used him for the first decade and a half of the 2000s
it is me. Can't login on my work laptop. And, not home to use my personal.
DeleteI wish the community had a central, well moderated hub. But, too many prima donnas run off and start their own group the minute a bigger dog comes into the discussion. Plus, all the FB groups are really just thinly disguised trading forums for the mods to promote their wares over everyone else's.
I do hope I've had legacy on the hobby. But, my cynical attitude towards Hasbro and others has limited my sphere of influence. :) Truly, though, I never knew about the Sea Slug. I just figured it was a one off that no paid attention to. I might have to get some more details from you for an updated profile I've been struggling with on him.
A cool figure, I liked the modern era version very much.
ReplyDelete