Wow!

A company taking the time to respond to us on our own site!

Before I even checked out the links I saw this response and I said to myself, that's class right there.

I would like to thank LG for taking the time to respond to our questions and comments several times.

Any company that is swift to address the questions and concerns of its' products is one I am gonna remember.

We here at joecustoms are always looking for unique items that will put our own efforts over the top. From a customizer's stand point, we purchase a lot of product we intend to modify, disassemble, repaint, and even cut up (yes, we do cut up perfectly good products)

We have a section in our customs submission criteria to fill in what products were used to make each custom, a recipe if you will. I don't have actual numbers, but people do follow the latest additions to the customs and pay attention to what parts were used. We do recognize specific products, so seeing the company name there could lead someone to purchase your products for themselves.

We, as collectors too, also look for the unique items that cross over different genres. From the few pictures I saw of the figures, I got several ideas on how I could use each one. The 'Knight' figure gave me a Monty Python Holy Grail vibe (make removable limbs to follow the movie). The Samurai looks like it could easily be a 'suit of armor' in somebody's Silent Castle, etc). There was another that seemed like it would fit very well with the Indiana Jones figures coming out.

Our biggest concerns with any new product from any company are:

1) availability/distribution: getting the product to the stores quickly and in numbers to satisfy us rabid fanboys and girls

2) price: decent MSRP = more sales generated, also the value/worth ie-the 'bang for the buck'

3) construction: flimsy parts vs sturdy (value again), and easy to take apart (I know, not something you might exactly wanna hear about the product)

4) support: knowing a company is open to suggestions (I want a Musketeer myself), willing to accept feedback (positive and negative, because we will let you know), and gonna be there and not cut us off after only a few products released

Can you tell us any information as to the construction of these figures? How are they put together?


Oh, welcome to joecustoms!

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Dark Jedi,

Excuse the late reply. Have been in and out this week with the ol' flu bug.

At this time, AGES OF ACTION is set to feature the 'classic' style of 3.75" articulation you can see in our BRAVO TEAM program, i.e. cut joints, hinge joints, cup/hinge joints at the shoulders). Wrists, waists and ankles will also be articulated. They will also come with a stand
accessory.

Thanks again for humoring me here in your forums. As I am able to give confirmed answers to your questions, I will do so. And thank you for your welcome!

Best to you,

L.Gatdula
Panache Place, Inc./Unimax Toys, Ltd.

I finally picked up two of the WWII Bravo Team figures tonight (SSG Martin Stranko and Obergrenadier Johann Holzer). Having seen both BBI and Dragon WWII figures, I have to say:

These blow BOTH of them out of the water! The fleshtones are warmer and the detailing is superb on both figures and equipment, right down to the added layer of drybrush; and of course, the articulation is much better (I rather like the t-crotch design, and that these figures don't suffer the "wide stance" problem inherent in say, Star Wars figures.) The addition of the interchangeable "shooter finger" is nice, similar to Dragon but much better constructed.

If I had one complaint it's that SSG Stranko's arms tend to pop a bit too easily out of the swivel joints...but I'm thinking that's meant to be, so it's easier to get his pack on? I noticed Holzer (who doesn't have a pack) has much tighter joints there, so I'm guessing it's a design feature, and not flaw.

Just wanted to pass this on to anyone looking for a great WWII era figure and to praise you guys for the work you put into them. Next time Target restocks (I grabbed the last two) I think I'm going to have to add a few more to my growing pile.

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WOW! I may have a new hobby.

Not sure how I missed this thread until now. Those historic figures look great, and the addition of the books makes them exponentially better.

About a decade ago I attempted to break away from my GI Joe addiction by diving into those little, lead cast, historic warriors for sale at the role-playing stores. I think I bought a series from the 12th century of tribes I'd never heard of, and a history book to guide me in painting them. Painting those little things was never destined to happen, they're still in a box in teh closet untouched. But I loved the idea of combining a neat history lesson and expanding my mind with my hobby.

I look forward to having a shelf with all these figures in chronological order. I just hope the line lasts long enough to expand into lesser known cultures, and less "popular" periods in history.

Super Cool Ig2 - keep us posted.

-CJack

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Doc Rob---

Appreciate the kudos and review of our Bravo Team figures.

With experienced competition like BBI, 21st Century, and Dragon Model out there, it behooves us to try and do the best job we can being the 'new kids on the block' in the 1:18.

Again, I know our overseas team would like to hear your sentiments and comments. Please email us at support@panacheplace.com and 'cc' our parent company at sales@unimax.com.hk. The voices of our consumers can be an important part of the development process.

Thank you again for the kind comments. We'll keep the quality up and do our best to get
new offerings into the pipeline for you guys this year and next.

Best Regards,

L. Gatdula
Panache Place, Inc./Unimax Toys, Ltd.

Cabana Jack,

I'm keeping the fingers crossed for AGES OF ACTION as well. As I've posted before,
we've worked hard to get these out there and are hopeful they'll be supported by the collector
community, parents, and kids who can appreciate an assortment of 'real world' warriors straight from history. Like our marketing copy states: "...they never swung from a web or possessed laser vision, but they REALLY existed!" That's the coolest part of these for me.

Thanks for your support!

Best Regards,

L. Gatdula
Panache Place, Inc./Unimax Toys, Ltd.

Fixed that for ya.

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AdrienVeidt---

It's all good. Gotta sate that inner child, man!

L. Gatdula

Praise sent and CC'ed. Actually as I was sitting there typing it, I was playing with Obergrenadier Holzer's arms--the articulation is amazingly smooth and yet surprisingly tight (you can do it with one finger); great for posing and staying in that pose, and I don't feel as if I'm going to snap the thing off (a problem with 25A GI Joe, some older Joes, and particularly Dragon figures--well, the ones that have articulation.)

And I'm STILL wowed by the detailing...I think the best part of all is you get all this at a lower price point ($4.99 locally) than you'd pay for the less-authentic figures produced by Bbi ($5.99-$7.99 locally, and which I've noticed, don't fly off the pegs as fast as the FOV stuff does.)

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Doc Rob,

Thanks for the compliments. We're pleased that the line has been
successful thus far.

We'll keep on delivering well put together, deatiled figures for you guys
to enjoy---and will look forward to your feedback as consumers and collectors.

Best to you,

L. Gatdula
Panache Place, inc./Unimax Toys, Ltd.

You're welcome. I just sent another e-mail though over a couple of (small) issues I noticed; things that don't affect me but might be a problem for other collectors.

Meanwhile, I've added two more of these figures to my collection (both US Army) and am building up quite a little combat force on the desktop...I am just really, really liking these guys. I mean, they even stand up well on their own, without their stands--something else I have to praise, since I can't find too many other figures in any line that'll do the same!

(Haven't been this giddy about a toy since the original Joes first showed up in 1982!)

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Doc Rob,

I'll keep an eye out for your email. Thank you again for your thoughts---!

Best,

L. Gatdula
Panache Place, Inc./Unimax Toys, Ltd.