While painting a pair of NS Snake Eyes (commando version) legs, I realized the incredible amount of artwork and subtle flair that someone put into creating them.
The Joe figures are toys, but to the nameless sculptors that turned drawings into physical objects, their work is undoubtedly art.

For every horrid figure with bad proportions or a sloppy face that we collectors are quick to notice, there's an equally brilliant figure that doesn't quite get enough credit for its sculpt work.

Some of the figures/parts have always impressed me for their artistic undertakings.

The head of Muskrat V2. Not a figure I have much good to say about, except for the head. It's an amazing example of a face that's slightly caricatured every so slightly that it looks perfect.

Likewise, the '84 Joe faces/heads (Recondo, Tollbooth, Ripcord) still stand out as good examples of sculpting. Many collectors are quick to dig on this wave because the heads don't look "heroic" enough. That's the point- they're more reflective of real people.

The head of the ARAH comic back Roadblock was a great bit of work, too.

The open fingered hand of the "Demon of the Deep" really stood out as unique among the ARAH figures.

The 25A Firefly's backpack. Wow. That's some intricate work there.

The 25A Baroness body. Perfectly sculpted. The overpainted glasses detract a bit, but its a near perfect figure.

What figures/parts have you always gotten a sense of true art from?

I am a huge fan of all of the Battle Corps Joe heads. So much so that all of my existing leftover Joes sport them. They seem much more mature and serious. I daresay the Star Brigade Duke head is what the V1 should have had.

I.A.F. Spirit's Dineh boots are a great sculpt. So are BC Outback's legs and boots. Great looking "Goretex" look there. The best scultping work I appreciate has been on the backpacks though. Many of the mid to later run backpacks are just filled with all manner of great detailing.

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