As someone who writes about toys frequently, one thing I’ve often puzzled over is what to call figures that are of main characters in multiple outfits. I’m talking Battle Armor He-Man, Arctic Batman, Undercover Donatello, that sort of thing.
Calling them variants is misleading. I think most collectors think of a “variant” as the result of a production error or a running change in production. An example of a production error is “Party Angela,” a figure in McFarlane Toys’ Spawn line where the factory infamously neglected to paint her panties on. An example of a running change is the recent flocked-ears & unflocked ears Moss Man. So while some collectors do still use “variant” to describe the likes of Battle Armor He-Man, I’ve always wanted to come up with a separate term.
Once upon a time I tried variations, which is still the term I use, but it’s unsatisfying. It still sounds too much like variants and doesn’t really convey the idea properly.
“Costumes” is another option, but the word doesn’t quite fit in all cases (is AoA Weapon X a different “costume”?), and moreover, it evokes images of 12″ figures with real cloth outfits. The same goes for “outfit,” “uniform,” and so forth.
Looking over the thesaurus entries for “costume,” one word that might work is “guise.” Unlike costume or outfit, “guise” doesn’t solely refer to the physical clothing–adopting a “guise” can refer to a role or identity. So let’s try that out: Mattel sells He-Man in various guises, including Battle Armor He-Man, Ice Armor He-Man, and so forth.
Hmmm…not bad, not bad. This just might work. What do you think? Any alternative suggestions?
I don't think it has the right ring to it. It just won't catch on in the collector vernacular.
The worst offender in variations where those Bass fishing and Soccer spiderman figures a while back…
For me a variant is a smaller run of a figure with a minor costume difference (for example) so 'Modern' Dr Fate in DCUC or Dr Impossible.
Otherwise just referring to the figure by name is usually enough.
Skydive Jungle Shopping He-Man usually is enough to let you know you're getting a parachute, camo loin cloth and tote bag.
If not I suggest 'version'.
I've always used version to identify the same character offered in a new outfit. Thus, battle Armor He-Man would be He-Man version 2. It is easy and has some precedent in the collecting community (I believe yojoe.com and the Connor and Anderson G.I. Joe guides use this system.
Some of the old Lee's guides might use this too.
Plus, it keeps the V alliteration going. Versions, Variations, and Variants.
I tend to think of a Variant as an intended difference released at the same time, such as flocked or unflocked ear Moss Man, while a variation is something that was unintentional or released to fix a problem, such as party angela w/ and w/o panties.
I like the term "version" not variant to describe for example BA he-man.
I don't know if its used throughout the entire GI Joe collector community, but over at YoJoe.com, they use "version" for each incarnation of every character. So if you were to look up Snake Eyes or Baroness they'll have a list of all versions V 1.0, V 2.0, V3.0, etc. This encompasses all paints, re-paints, re-decos, variants, variations, resculpts, repacks, etc. of each character in a particular scale, like the 3.75" figures versus the Sigma Six figures.
I think saying "Ice Armor Version" or "Battle Armor version" doesn't sound too bad.
Version works too (in writing the piece I had a total brain block, so an obvious word like that didn't present itself), if a bit boring…
Yeah, version is sorta boring. When I hear version I either think Windows Version 3.0 or AOL Version 7.0 or something.
Undercover Don was awesome! I have him, Samurai Leo, Surfin' Mike, and Astronaut Raph.
In a line as large a G.I. Joe w/ plenty of versions, variations and variants, it is also common to see versions labeled for example:
Snake Eyes version 1, with a variation or variant as 1.2 or 1.3. It might seem crazy, but it does help some people organize their collections and know what they are buying online.
Yeah, cuz I could say, "hey, I'm selling a TFAC Storm Shadow" but they made like a dozen of them, so it helps to clarify things.
For instance, we could have MOTUC Classics Skeletor:
Version 1.0 – the original release.
Version 1.1 – the re-release
Version 1.2 – the DCUC/MOTU 2-pack
Version 2.0 – NA Skeletor
Version 3.0 – Terror Claws Skeletor, etc.
@BBQ: Sorry mate, I didn't realize you said the same thing I was trying to say (only more eloquently) before I posted. Wasn't trying to negate or contradict what you said. I'm not thinking very clearly today. No drama!
Prfttear. That is exactly what I mean and exactky how I catagorize figures. It is a great system. Too bad it hasn't caught on. We would just need lots of sites that have a database of toys to start listing them like that.
It makes you wonder how terms that we take for granted now caught on and became part of main collector's vernacular. Scalper, MOC, kibble (when referring to extra bulky parts hanging off a Transformer left over from its alt-mode), pegwarmer (we all know what that means, unfortunately).
Some terms are set by the industry, Marvel has BaFs, DC has C&Cs. We've got variants, re-paints, exclusives, etc, so who's the ony setting the standards for names, the fans or the companies?
Yo over at OAFE is trying to get the term G3 to catch on for "Generation 3" of GI Joes, encompassing (I'm guessing) 2007-present. Poe is using "Millennium" to replace the clumsy 200x. Will any of these catch on like any of the other collector jargon? I guess we'll have to wait and see!
I think a lot of it depends on the line. Like for some characters, there are an absurd amount of variants, like Iron Man. Each of them is unique and distinct, while other characters are less so.
As someone who collects Super Hero Squad, we use the term “variant” to mean any character that has been released before.
And Poe, of ALL the TMNT to call out, you went with Undercover Don? At least the turtles actually WORE that outfit in the cartoon! I mean, have you HEARD of Dwarf Don? http://ninjaturtles.com/toys/1994/wfsdon.htm
Back to the topic, I do think there needs to be a new word but none of the one’s you listed seemed to click for me. Plus, we need to know where the break is for a variant and whatever the new term is.
I just put undercover Don on my desk the other day
I use the term variants for figures that were released as variants by the companies. I consider clear Deadman or GITD Spectre variants. But the SP Parademon and Dr. Fate IV are also variants even though they're own characters.
Ocean Warrior (Water Camo) Aquaman, that was a separate release, wouldn't be a variant. I don't know that I'd group them together with a specific word. Hmm.
As far as MOTU, I think only Moss Man and He-Ro have what I would consider "variants".
I like versions as well. Alternate or alternate version works as well.
@PrfktTear: No problem man. Apparently this is just an exciting topic! lol
I don't consider DCUC Dr. Impossible a variant, he's a completely different character. The amonut of production shouldn't have any say in making a figure a variant.
I wouldn't consider Faker a variant if they just repainted a He-Man, they're different characters.
Every one of you who supports "version" is probably right. But now "guise" has grown on me and I think I'm gonna use it anyway. I don't expect it to catch on.
I'm definitely going to keep sticking with "Millennium" for the 2002-2004 He-Man line, too, because I hate "200X." The original line is Vintage (or "1980s"), and the current line is Classics.
I think yo go re has an uphill battle with "G3," however. It's way too much of a buzzword with the whole cellphone thing right now. Plus the whole G1-G2 thing is the Transformers, not G.I. Joe. I think "Millennium" would work just as well for G.I. Joe, frankly.
To me,a variant is a figure released in the same package. That way both Party Angela and Marvel Legends maskless Wolverine are variants. It doesn't matter to me whether it's a "running change" or a "chase figure",they're both variants. A "version" would be like Battle Armor He-Man. He comes on his own card,he's his own figure.
Question to Poe about "Millenium":
Isn't MireGoji/Millenium Godzilla called that because the title of the movie he was in contained the word "millenium"? How's that apply to G.I. Joe or He-Man?