It’s All Geek to Me – Troop Build(er)
Whether we’re talking Boom Tubes or retcons, there’s plenty of jargon in the world of comics. The PoP! Stars are here to ensure you’re not left scratching your head, saying “It’s All Geek to Me.”
Troop Build - v. 1) to purchase multiples of the same figure, usually a nameless grunt, to create the effect of having an army. n. 1) a collection of troop builders “That’s a great troop build you put together with those Clone Troopers, Chris.”
Troop Builder – n. 1) as above, a figure of a nameless soldier suitable for purchasing multiples of toward the end of amassing an army for display. 2) one who troop builds
Variation – Army build/builder – to collect multiples not only of figures, but vehicles as well
Troop building is a sub-hobby of the collector elite, most often those who lean toward opening and displaying their figures rather than leaving them mint-in-package. Not satisfied with merely having one of everything, the troop builder will purchase two or more of any nameless, faceless grunt to distinguish them from the unique characters and/or create a show of force. A single Shredder figure is fine, as there is only one Shredder – display only one Foot Soldier, however, and it becomes unclear that he’s part of a larger army.
As soon as the second figure makes its appearance in a display, the character’s status as a troop builder is established. Some collectors, however, carry troop building to an extreme, truly establishing whole armies.
If you're gonna spend that much money, you couldn't spring for a custom Cobra temple?
Filed Under: Columns • It's All Geek to Me
My problem solver for only owning 1 foot soldier… he was always “Steve” or “Joe” he had personality.
you know what ironic is i had one foot solider but 17 versions of michaelangelo. i had an army of pizza lovin cowabunga dudes to fight the one poor foot solider
Ha! That is ironic!
That was one of the biggest problems with the Turtles figures. I remember, though, even back as a kid… with the later waves of Joes, I’d always get two of every Viper. As soon as there were two, you knew these guys weren’t anybody special. Now I aim for anywhere between 3 and 10 of my favorites, as I feel that really conveys the presence of an “army.”
“That’s a great troop build you put together with those Clone Troopers, Chris.”
LMFAO
Thanks! I’m proud of it… #^_^#
For most TBs, I lean towards 5-10.
Sometimes, though…like with the TV series Clones, or the 25th Anni. Cobras…any time I see one – and have the money – I buy one.
Originally, I’d only intended three troop builds with the Joes… Troopers, Crimson Guards, and BATs. I currently, however, have a pair of EELs and a small squad of desert soldiers for the Joe team to rescue, and am hoping for some more readily available classic styled Alley Vipers and Range Vipers to build those armies as well. There’s no doubt in my mind though that with infinite resources, I’d end up with something a bit more extravagant. Maybe not row upon row of Hiss tanks, but… then again… maybe…
I should be more specific…
When I say “Cobras”, I’m talking the “Blue Shirts”.
For things like Vipers, EyeGees, CeeGees, etc. I only went with the standard “5 each”.
HA… I don’t even HAVE any IG’s.
OMG, I don’t have ENOUGH IGs…. <3<3<3
holy crap!