The Power of Packaging: Desert Duel

A apology is in order from this GI Joe collector. I’ve been remiss in covering new releases since the Retaliation figures left shelves. I don’t hit much of the recent Collectors’ Club offerings as I simply don’t have the scratch to buy them any longer. I haven’t picked up the Joe SDCC offerings from many of the past few years because of Hasbrotoyshop (’nuff said). The past two years however have been kinder to me, as I’ve managed to pick up the Toy R Us Comic Con exclusives. I’ve yet to cover last year’s Danger at the Docks, so I thought I’d get a leg up on the 2015 sets by powering through them right away. So for the next several days, I’ll be highlighting the figures and vehicles from the two box sets. First up is the packaging itself.

This detailed box cover painting is not the first thing to greet you when you look at the box. There’s an outer slipcase that looks like an ammo box, complete with details on each side. There are even a few die-cut bullet holes. It’s a nice little extra, and alongside the amazing painting, is a welcome bit of exclusivity. I’m a sucker for cool packaging, and this is very well done. The 50th anniversary boxes have been generally very striking, but this one amps up the attractiveness. Can you imagine if the last film’s box art had been done in this way? As another bonus, the other Comic Con exclusive, when placed next to this box, forms a two-part mural.

Painted box art has long been a hallmark of great GI Joe product. It’s good to see a return to form with a modern release. Come back tomorrow, when we start with a look at some of the box’s contents.