Preview Sideshow Collectibles G.I. Joe 12-inch Snake Eyes And 1/6 scale Timber Figure Set

Commando, Ninja... Silent Master. The enigma who came to be known as Snake-Eyes is one of the G.I. Joe Team's most valuable and deadly weapons. Without uttering a sound, while utilizing his extensive military background and training at the hands of the Arashikage Clan, the Silent Master has served Cobra many setbacks in their endeavor of worldwide terror.

Before Snake-Eyes was recruited by the G.I. JOE team, he lived in isolation in a cabin located in the High Sierras, refining his skills while seeking solace from the tragedies in his past and the world which molded him. During this period of solitude he was befriended by a wild wolf that came to be known as Timber. Though never truly tamed in the conventional sense, Timber developed a sense of protectiveness toward his companion, as Snake-Eyes did toward him. When Snake-Eyes joined the JOE team in its global pursuit of the terrorist organization Cobra, Timber remained close at hand and served just as critical a role in vital missions as his companion. The two companions are a constant thorn in the plans of Cobra and through swift and deadly measures they continue to stand in Cobra's deadly path.

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the Snake Eyes and Timber Sixth Scale Figure set. Featuring a detailed TAD Gear costume and a full arsenal of weaponry, the famed GI Joe Commando is joined by his indispensable companion Timber in this exceptional figure set.

The Snake Eyes and Timber Sixth Scale Figure Set features: 1/6 scale Snake Eyes with 12-inch Prometheus Body - Muscular Arm Version with 16 points of articulation. Timber comes Fully Posable with 12 points of articulation. There will be two Snake Eyes Portraits - one with visor, one with goggles and the detailed costume includes a TAD Gear Messenger Bag, Sweater and other new fabric elements. Snake Eyes' weapons include an Uzi, XCR PDW Rifle, MP-SMG, Grenade Launcher with multiple grenades, Pistol and Holster, Long Daito Sword, Scabbard, and Assortment of switch-out hands. Sideshow Exclusive: Additional Timber Portrait for Alternate Display

This would be Sideshow Collectibles G.I. Joe 1/6 scale Snake Eyes (version 2.0) 12-inch figure since they already released the first version some years ago (see pictures HERE). I believe Snake Eyes was the first figure in their G.I. Joe line of 12-inch figures. The first version Snake Eyes had a fabric / cloth cover / mask and visors but it looks like this time round, Sideshow Collectibles has gone for the molded mask look instead. I find that the molded mask with visor just don't match the outfit. The head just looks out of place with the outfit as the materials used are just too different and the head doesn't look like it should be sitting on the neck. I feel like they should have tried to match everything better.

Having been spoiled by the fantastic 1/6 scale modern military gear put out by Soldier Story, ToysCity, Playhouse, etc., I find Sideshow's attempts in the area of miniature military gear still lagging behind the market leaders.

Usually the later versions are an improvement over the previous releases but in this case, I feel that Sideshow has fallen short as this Snake Eyes doesn't look better than the first :(

And it gets WORSE! This is supposedly Snake Eyes with the alternate head sculpt (Sideshow chooses to call them portraits) and he looks nothing like the Snake Eyes I'm familiar with.

What's worse is that the goggles look like it's TOO SMALL on Snake Eyes' head as they don't seem to wrap enough of the head and looks too close set. The goggles should have been slightly bigger. They don't appear to be removable (so that they could be replaced) as all the preview pictures don't show Snake Eyes unmasked.

Looking at the two different headsculpts is like looking at two different characters and I totally do not recognize Snake Eyes with this alternate head.

The outfit (i.e. sweater) makes Snake Eyes look thick and bulky (also perhaps due to the small head sculpt with the even smaller goggles). How is he supposed to be stealthy when he looks so heavy laden?

Considering that this is a Version 2.0. with a supposedly better body, I was really hoping that it would look much better than the first version released but alas, it's a disappointment again :(

The weird looking knee pads don't work either. We've seen this new style of in-built knee pads on other manufacturer's military figures and outfits but it never looked so bad and out of place.

And the molded gloved hands don't seem to be able to hold the weapon properly. It looks like the pistol could slip out of his hand at any moment. A ninja with butter fingers? now that's a FIRST haha

And then there's Timber wolf. Nice attempt by Sideshow to make the 1/6 scale wolf articulated

But don't you think the wolf walks funny? More like limping with the curved front leg or perhaps it's trying to do the catwalk ;p

And what goes with Timber's front left paw? What's all that about? He's supposed to be a wolf, not a Pointer!

The Sideshow Exclusive version comes with an ddditional Timber Portrait for Alternate Display. This shows much more potential but have you noticed that even with the articulation added, in all of the pictures Timber is always in the same pose, as if it cannot be posed in any other way or it would look awkward or unnatural.

Snake Eyes is posed in different stances and with different weapons but in all the pictures shown, Timber might as well be un-articulated because it doesn't seem to be able to do anything else other than the pose it comes in

The Exclusive Snake Eyes and Timber Sixth Scale Figure Set, which will include an Additional Timber portrait for alternate display, will be priced at $199.99, while a regular edition, without the extra portrait will be priced at $199.99, and will have a $20.00 non-refundable deposit charged 24 to 48 hours after a Pre-Order of 2 pieces is placed. Additionally, both versions will have a FLEXPay option available as a payment choice! Make sure you log into your newsletter account on March 15th, 2012 to secure this piece for your collection.