It's come up a few times recently, so I got to thinking:

-The 82-94 period was deemed "Real American Hero", or RAH. Now it's referred to as "vintage" as well.

-The lines after that, at different scales had their specific names: Extreme, Sgt. Savage, etc

-2002-2006 is generally known as the "new sculpt" era, when the figures had o-rings, but mostly didn't follow the standard buck of the RAH era. It's also known as the Joe vs Cobra era (JvsC), as the figures were typically two packs

-2007 saw the 25th era, with the swivel chest and no o-ring, but we've moved past that moniker as we've transitioned to Rise of Cobra, Pursuit of Cobra, 30th Anniversary, and Renegades style figures. While they all share the same style and are typically known as "Modern Era", I think a different name needs to be chosen to define this time period. In 15 years it seems weird to call a past era of figures as the "Modern Era". I think of "modern" as "happening right now".

So, what do you think we should refer to this era of GI Joe action figures? Taking suggestions!

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If I can't define the exact marketing term for the brand at the time (ie RoC, PoC, Resolute) I tend to lump them together as Modern Era. I also do that with New Sculpt by trying to refer to the branding the figure came from (VvV, JvC, or Spy Troops).

To me Modern Era works because that style is still being used right now. It has evolved but not any more than the O-ring figures from 82 to 94. We don't change how we refer to the straight arm or neck ball figures other than noting they have mechanical differences. They are all still RAH figures.

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I still call 'em 25th style. But Modern era works better I guess.

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Yeah, I still call them 25a... less keystrokes than modern, and I'm that lazy.

I tend to call out the new sculpt era by the annual marketing storyline... 2002 was JvC, 2003 was Spy Troops, and 2004 was VvV. Everything exclusively sold at HTS I call DTC.

However, I have found myself calling the figures made between 82 and 94 "vintage" while referring to RAH style figures made between 97 to current as "neo-vintage," "97+ RAH", "newer RAH," "post-vintage RAH," and some I can't recall. This is actually the era of figures I have the most difficulty in quantifying, and usually just refer to the figures more specifically such as "late 90s TRU exclusives," "RAHC," "JvC/ST/VvV RAH," "Comic Pack RAH," "TRU 6-pack," "Con RAH," and the recent "Then and Now Snow Job."

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ARAH
New Sculpt
Modern

I would classify anything pre-1982 as being "vintage"

Original 3-3/4" Joes = RAH

JvC, Spytroops, VvV sometimes stand on their own, but mostly = new sculpt (which will also be a hilarious terminology as newer sculpts come out)

25th and beyond is a little tricky. I do like ME (Modern Era) as a lump, but If I say ME Snake Eyes, well there have been 28 Snake Eyes released since 2007, so I do have to break it down somewhat by 25th, Resolute, Renegade, ROC, POC, and 30th.

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I kept seeing everyone referring to 'ME', but never made the connection. I had to google it to figure it out. Now I know...

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And knowing is half the battle.

I'd say Modern Era (ME) fits the 25th + figures quite nicely.

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I guess I prefer 'modern era.' To those who are worried about the next generation, we can do like art and literature and refer to that as 'post-modern era.'

25th is ok, too.



Well said.

I just usually don't use the term "modern era" because if they change the style again...

It would basically have to be a revolving term and the current style referred to differently again. So I've still stuck to 25th until I see something else.

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If the figure construction evolves again for the next generation of figures, we'll probably call them Super Articulated Joe... or under articulated depending on budget cuts...

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And I notice no one refers to the Tcrotch era at all...

I am totally finding love for those now for my 2 year old.

- R

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The problem with the name Modern Era is that if Hasbro ever tries another standard sculpting style, ME will no longer apply.

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Hence what I said about post modern. Of course, the engineer and practical side of me agrees with you.

I'll always call 'em 25th or 25A style