me and my husband collects both valaverse and classified and both have great attributes! my husband is a veteran and his family is military all the way up to his great grandfather. everything in my husband’s life was living on military bases and he recalls great childhood collecting the gi joes of the 1980s with his father. Both lines complement each other! we always use the valaverse weapons and kits for classified and i was happy to find an Akiko from the snake eyes movie which i kitbashed her to look like me in a tactical vest and helmet. i could never called Valaverse Action Force a ripoff because they are very well made.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

You had me at you and your husband Both collect! WISH my wife collected like that. Very lucky guy. Most of us grew up similarly to your husband. Military backgrounds collecting joes with our fathers. Couldn’t agree more! Both lines do indeed compliment each other and that’s kind of the point. Some may say VAF is a joe ripoff, you cannot deny how well they go together. That is awesome that you made a figure of yourself! Would love to see that. VAF definitely needs more Asian/ethnic characters but we will probably see more from gi joe first in that regard but i wouldn’t could VAF out. Thanks for the great comment!

@maddrop

7 ай бұрын

A ripoff does not mean that the figures are bad...

It’s easier to get them looking through the scope when the firearm isn’t shouldered properly. Hasbro is still changing the size of their head balls and wrist pegs, so it’s not universal throughout the line, Action Force at least all fits within its line, you can even put the mens boots on the female legs.

I collect both lines. I don't care about the backstory of Valaverse. I just use the troopers for SWAT and regular infantrymen. Guys like Condor I use as some random PMC or mercenaries to go against my Marvel Legends.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Same exactly

@patientmental875

7 ай бұрын

I dont think anybody cares about the backstory of Valaverse

The lady in all black looks like a female version of Snake-Eyes or it does to me. Just say, yet really cool figures.

I like and collect both.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Nice!! As you should!

Didn't know that Valaverse plans on releasing some figures with soft goods. Aside from Joes, Action Force and Black Series, MEZCO and other 3rd party companies that release all soft goods figures make up the majority of my collection. I've also already customized/kit bashed some of my Action Force figures and Joes with soft goods.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

I don’t know if they’ll go full soft goods or maybe just do more things like sarges jacket. Couldn’t agree more tho! 3rd party are killing it these last couple of years and I find myself too gravitating more towards them. The cats out of the bag that soft goods don’t cost that much after that inuyasha figure just got announced fully clothed for $45 shipped! At this point it’s either companies are ripping us off or the overseas companies are taking them for a ride.

at equal quality, more is better, so no for me. one can totally pick his favorites and just walk away. another thing is multiple factions, civilians, and outside characters. good scripts - stories include more than Joes and Cobras, it includes mission related people, Vala fills this space. also, the heads fit? mmm, I d love to have a civil dressed Hawk, the Vala undercover guy s body would do nicely. and now Vala comes with vehicles, this is where I think they ll really compete. when they come up with towed vehicles, cannons, mobile HQ, ect, we fans will rejoice over what s available. I use Punisher and Cap America to fight Cobra in some scenes, does legends compete with Joes? no, but they complement very well in some instances no? good show bro.

Just found your channel today. Nice to hear a refreshing voice. As for, "is it a bite", I would say "YES". Bobby V. is a former Hasbro employee, so how could he not. He may not admit it, but previous practices has to be in his subconscious. I like soldiers and I found joy in some G.I.Joe and Valerverse figures. Also have complaints with both. Hopefully we have more future 1/12 scale offers coming soon. BB Toystore new line looks good. Hopefully it will feel good in hand as well.

@shadowtoysphotography

8 ай бұрын

This comment made my night, thank you! Also spot on assessment! Couldn’t agree more with everything you said. Also looking forward to the bbts new soldier line. Always good to have some competition for these guys. Praying they come out good as well. Happy someone is doing more zombie figures 1/12 scale at least. That and guys that look like the mercs from Logan.

Your Scarlet looks sweet.

@shadowtoysphotography

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! She’ll be a nice place holder until hasbros new one.

Whered you get the cigarette eclipse is holding?

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

It’s actually a joint from the mezco pink skulls rock band set.

@ronfriedrich7385

9 ай бұрын

O ok, thank you

People who say Action Force is a knock off are misguided at best and Hasbro fanboys at worst. Of course both are going to be seen as similar. Ignoring how Bobby used to work on G I Joe, both, SHOCKER, are inspired by the US military. One is more realistic and up to date while Classified has a crisis of "do we modernize it or keep it in the 80s?". At the end of the day, they are both military toys who wear their roots on their sleeves. Real tired of people thinking its a rip off just because one character uses an assault rifle or has a short haircut or has a hawaiian shirt on during a secret mission. Hasbro does not have a copyright on soldiers.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Good point but people call it a ripoff because some say Bobby stole a bunch of hasbros ips, knew the joe line was coming, and copied their designs.

@ncopictures7182

9 ай бұрын

@@shadowtoysphotography Bobby has stated before that there was a G I Joe 6 inch scale line being made that he was a part of when at Hasbro. However, it was cancelled before he was laid off and his designs were rejected. He didn't know Classified was being made, and so got inspired to make Action Force to fill in that void of a 1/12 military line. The original kickstarters were made well before Classified was announced. Given the aesthetics chosen for Classified at the time, I don't see how AF copied any designs since none of the OG Action Force figures have stupid nerf guns.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

@ncopictures7182 for the record let it be known that I could care less either way. I’m just playing devils advocate here. Based on the evidence, what’s been said, what behaviors have been displayed, and what’s been seen, it’s highly unlikely that it was all just a coincidence that gi joe and af came out at the same time. Bobby 100% knew it was coming. Bobby still has friends at hasbro that feed him information. The figure design aesthetics are almost 1-1. That’s why everyone says both brands blend so well together. Was not talking about the guns, was talking about the figure design itself. The dated neck and ankle joints are 100% a hasbro design. Only hasbro and valaverse use those ugly hinges which further proves the fact of a ripoff. What the point of the video is saying that yes he did rip them off, but I’m saying is I don’t care. He didn’t reinvent the wheel, but he’s giving hasbro some competition which is always a good thing. Companies competing against one another only helps you and I gain better quality products is the point.

@ncopictures7182

9 ай бұрын

@shadowtoysphotography I agree with competition and thst yes it is coincidental, but everything else? No I have to still disagree. Nothing personal with you, I love both lines too, it's just mesmerizing how many people claw at trying to claim its a SHAMELESS and UNACCEPTABLE ripoff. It's like saying Hotwheels is a rip off of Matchbox just because they're both about cars.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Not unacceptable but maybe a little bit shameful to bite, copy, or steal so obviously. There’s no denying it’s a rip, but that’s ok. If an employee of matchbox was rightfully bitter they fired them and then created hotwheels in response then yes it is absolutely a bite in this example. Here’s a real world example-Todd Mcfarlane. Worked for marvel, left on bad terms, made his own company by copying ghost rider and calling it spawn. Spawn is awesome and great competition for marvel, but he’s still a rip of ghost rider. Same thing with Vala and Hasbro.

Well, you can say a lot of things are a rip off of others. Like marvel is a rip off of DC. GI Joe is a rip off of SGT fury and the howling commandos. So, saying that Valaverse is a knockoff doesn’t hold too much water unless you’re willing to acknowledge the others and there’s more than just those examples I gave. Like Superman being a knockoff of John Carter. Flash is a ripoff of Hermes and etc. there are similarities and homages but the story is completely different. I feel as if GI Joe collector elitists get so bent out of shape when another toy line does anything military inspired. Like GI Joe was the only brand to ever do it. It just scream dumb blatant ignorance. I love GI Joe but I know it’s not the end all be all. It just seems very short sighted or tunnel visioned. It’s just weird to me that people put themselves in a box.

@shadowtoysphotography

3 ай бұрын

Joebros are intolerant to anything non-official gi joe, Valabussies are over sensitive to any criticism, the real winners are the ones who collect the best of both. Agree with your point that everything is ripped, inspired or taken from something else but how blatantly is the issue.

Tony, gave me some shit on a Live Stream once over a very light joke, for a former Special Forces guy he can dish it out better then he can take it.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

“Allegedly” special forces. Thought the SaS were bad asses. He’s making them look like weaksauce.

@ncopictures7182

9 ай бұрын

@@shadowtoysphotography Can't say allegedly when there are photographs.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Doesn’t mean anything. You know how the British loveee their war re-enactments.

@ncopictures7182

9 ай бұрын

@shadowtoysphotography Ah yes, reenactments. In Iraq. In the desert. With equippment you would never ever see outside of bases or battle zones. Your logic makes so much sense.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Could of been any desert. You can buy military equipment in any army/navy store. The military has all kinds of heavy equipment that they put in outdoor museums and in children’s playgrounds. Also, photoshop is a thing…

I have two Vala figs, Pandora and Kill Switch which I like and merged in a Joes and Cobra on my shelf. But really, I like classified better I like my Joes semi futuristic and ridiculous.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Very cool! Merging is definitely the way to go. Finding myself looking for more of a world war z/ Logan mercenaries aesthetic look for my joes/vaf.

very expensive to buy now. I've been looking for a deal. the thing with Joes, is they are like super heroes. Why would they wear the same clothes forever. I love that Duke head on a different body. Its recognizable as Duke, but its his infiltration gear.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Are you talking about Valaverse? If so they should be having a sale this month/early next month. Don’t go to eBay just yet…

@LandofMert76

9 ай бұрын

@@shadowtoysphotography she isn't available on valaverse, at least not last I checked.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Who eclipse or Pandora?

@LandofMert76

9 ай бұрын

@@shadowtoysphotography Pandora. I hadn't realized that Valaverse were so limited release.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

@LandofMert76 yeah they go pretty fast. I know she’s sold out on bbts but keep an eye on them as well. Amazon too maybe. Pandora is Bobby’s baby and a staple of the brand I can guarantee they’ll make more of her. I recommend signing up for the valaverse newsletter. They will send you emails when preorders are going up.

Valaverse has some good figures but there is too much hate in the people behind the brand, and the die hard collectors. They will attack anyone who points out one bad thing about the line. That desert rat old bloke is a bitter sad person, i feel sorry for him.

@patientmental875

7 ай бұрын

Dont feel sorry for any of them because they wouldnt for you

Alright, those are good comparisons, but let's give a more definitive answer. Of course the Valaverse "Action Force" figures are GIJOE Knock-Offs. The very first and most obvious reason is in the name, "Action Force." Action Force is what GIJOE was branded as when they sold in the UK. Since Hasbro was no longer selling under that name, they allowed the trademark to expire. Bobby Vala picked it up on the cheap. So anyone familiar with Action Force is going to immediately associate this IP to GIJOE. It didn't help matters that Bobby both worked at Hasbro and did some GIJOE work...but also the rumor mill has suggested that Bobby was fired from Hasbro because he was pushing them to make a 6 inch GIJOE line. When they refused and fired him, he kick started Action Force as a way to make his 6 inch GIJOE line dream come true. Hasbro saw his success and immediately launched their 6 inch GIJOE line, starting with Snake Eyes. Now, to stick it further to Hasbro, Bobby had enough capital to afford to buy the rights to Sgt. Slaughter from the man himself. THAT is a definitive swipe from GIJOE, no doubt about it! Then, when Hasbro flubbed the Gung Ho release, Vala made a "declassified" pack that had the turquoise vest and hat, so people could kit-bash a more classic Gung Ho. In yet another gut-punch to Hasbro, Bobby bought the rights and trademark to "Steel Brigade." Another GIJOE faction of figures that Hasbro allowed the trademark to expire. The design is extremely close to GIJOE's design, right down to the colors. With that said, Bobby has created many new, non-GIJOE factions, characters, and stories. For all intents and purposes, Action Force is its own thing, yet can co-exist with GIJOE Classified, which means we ALL WIN! :D One other thing, Hasbro seems to be looking to Valaverse's moves to determine any pivots they make on GIJOE. With the exception of Zarana, which Hasbro released before Pandora. For example, after the rights for Sgt. Slaughter expired from Action Force, Hasbro immediately snatched it up to make their Classified Slaughter release. Bobby decided to make female troop builders and not long after that, Hasbro started releasing female troop builders. After Action Force's success with "Steel Brigade" Hasbro announces "Steel Core". Bobby announces his first vehicle, the Vanguard and then Hasbro announces the VAMP. I think it's a healthy thing to put Hasbro in check. Then...let's not forget that this does work both ways. Emily announced Chuckles during Pulse Con 2022....and then Bobby releases Undercover Condor....who.....looks like Chuckles. ;) I collect both and use them interchangeably. I especially use the Delta Troopers and Desert Troopers as GIJOE grunts.

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Great observation and answer! Couldn’t agree more. As far as when valaverse/ gi joe first came out, timeline wise, is splitting hairs. The joes were the first in ppls hands but they came with those crappy guns. AFs gun/ weapons pack is what first got the masses paying attention to valaverse, then all the rest fell into place. As far as a definitive answer goes: the answer is- it’s both, exactly like you’ve explained above. These two companies competing against one another only makes US the winners. Can’t wait to have the vamp lead the rezvani carrying troops into battle. It’s guna be great!

@maddrop

9 ай бұрын

Bobby had enough capital to afford to buy the rights to Sgt. Slaughter... Wrong Hasbro has also the rights....

@jessiemartinez3056

9 ай бұрын

great video but any word as when will hasbro make a transgender joe or cobra? so tired of all the cis women figures and typical macho conservative joes? thanks

@shadowtoysphotography

9 ай бұрын

Thank you! If there is a big enough demand for one then they might. Gi joe is all about inclusion so it may happen eventually.

@jessiemartinez3056

9 ай бұрын

@@shadowtoysphotography good to know..thanks for your response