1/6 Sideshow Snowtrooper 2012

[devilof76]

Looks like he just ripped off those snow guys from Star Wars to me.

 

[Invictus Sol]

Yep, I'd agree the commander (if it gets made) would be a separate release. Or maybe it would be packed in with the E-Web Cannon.

That would be a really sweet combo (hope they include the battery or ammo box -- not sure what the box is that's attached in the movie -- with the E-Web, too).

KKK? Seriously? I think your looking a little too hard. Simply because the trooper is all white? Camo, snow, white.

Let's not mention this again or GL will go back and make the snowtroopers rainbow colored.

Actually, to me, the design still has strong Nazi overtones. The design of the helmet and goggles seems to have been taken directly from troop designs of that era

Yep, agreed on all points, rushmore.

 

[galactiboy]

Well, can't argue about subconscious influences, I just think Lucas used the Nazis as a touchstone in the story for lots of reasons that go beyond their racism. Using the KKK as a design influence would be vulgar in comparison, as there is no larger context to them beyond being cowardly racists. The troopers wore identical anonymous outfits because they're clones, not because they're cowards, like the Klan. I can see where the comparison's coming from (basically all-white head-to-toe garb), but I just don't see it occuring to Lucas. Now that I've bet my future life's earnings, though, he'll probably come out with a quote tomorrow validating your theory!

I'd probably disagree there... a Klan member and a SS officer would rank pretty equally in my mind when it comes to vulgarity. I mean hell the first Kenner figure of an Imerial officer was called a Death Squad Commander (Nazi's also had death squads that carried out mass killings).

But again, as cultural reference it is easy to idenitfy with and feel that sense of they are the bad guys, we are the good guys. Also, the Klan was certainly a more prevalent force at the time then they are today. the original SW movie was only 13 years after the Civil Rights Act.

I would also agree with Rushmore though the helmets certainly do also retain a strong Nazi influence as well as the some of the gear.

So it might be a coincidence, it might not be... just a discussion about possibilities.

 

[devilof76]

I'm still trying to reconcile the idea of Nazis being more sophisticated than rednecks.

 

[galactiboy]

 

[devilof76]

I'm sure if you gave Mississippi the means for a Nuremberg rally and impunity, you'd get something just as rich and compelling as what Berlin's finest managed.

 

[Invictus Sol]

I'm not talking about moral equivilence, galactiboy/devil. Yes, both Nazis and the KKK are 'bad'... think that goes without saying and we all get it.

I said as a "design influence". The Nazi officer uniform was designed by Hugo Boss, so it's no wonder it might be copied to telegraph an 'evil empire' (same with their distinctive helmets) and likewise, think about the scale of WWII and then compare it with some dumb, violent yokels in white sheets driving around in pick-up trucks. Honestly, this is just such a ridiculous connection to make. If the KKK wore all black sheets, would you say the design of Vader was based on them? I think you guys are focusing on the simplest connection between the two groups and trying to make them equivent as story or design influences in Lucas' mind and I don't buy that for a second. No way would McQuarrie take the KKK for an influence when designing a soldier, sorry.

Ugh, but anyway, I find this topic a real stretch so that'll be the last I say about it. Just felt I had to respond as you and devil totally took what I said about "vulgarity" in a way I didn't intend and didn't think could be confused, so I felt I should clarify that point.

 

[galactiboy]

I might... but since they don't it's a moot point.


But a group of guys in white robes and (especially) white fabric face masks look a lot like Klan members.

And you might want to check your history; the Klan was an incredibly large (claiming numbers in the millions) and highly organized political group...there are some very interesting documentaries about them. It would be better if they were just some "backwoods yokels" but they were actually an incredibly powerful and influential group that spanned all levels of SES and severely f'd up stuff in the US in the early to mid 20th century.

Are they Nazi Germany... no, but with a bit more support they might have caused something similar in the US.

 

[Invictus Sol]

Galactiboy, the KKK was never an existential threat to a city or state, let alone a country. Yes, they were organized and maybe influential for the size they were, but you can't seriously be comparing them in scope to Nazi Germany. And no, conditions in the States would not have allowed for a takeover... Social/economic situation in Germany pre-WWII can't be compared to the States. Anyway, hopefully we can just drop this. It really has no place in this thread.

 

[Sachiel]

I'm still trying to reconcile the idea of Nazis being more sophisticated than rednecks.

Better outfits.

 

[devilof76]

Sol, I didn't think you were drawing moral connections. I thought you were suggesting that there was an intellectual gulf. Nazis were as dim as the Klan.

But design, yes. They had the advantage of the Weimar esthetic legacy.

 

[galactiboy]

And again, not saying they are of the level of Germany... but they also weren't a few isolated groups in the South. I'm referring to your over simplification.

But you are wrong to not think they never controlled towns or even some aspects of state goverment... you don't think the prevented people from voting? Influenced or made political decisions?

And regardless... Snowtroopers still look like Klan members; intentional or not. Although I still suspect their could have been intentionality behind it... but since neither one of us has the ear of those who created the design or were there when it happened the original point isn't really resolvable

Anyhoo...

 

[barryo]

some times the most interesting conversations come up in dollie threads..................

 

[devilof76]

And the best gifs.

Anyhoo...

 

[galactiboy]

It's amazing how off topic we can get when there's no new updates

 

[devilof76]

 

[swsqueakquels]

I'm not talking about moral equivilence, galactiboy/devil. Yes, both Nazis and the KKK are 'bad'... think that goes without saying and we all get it.

I said as a "design influence". The Nazi officer uniform was designed by Hugo Boss, so it's no wonder it might be copied to telegraph an 'evil empire' (same with their distinctive helmets) and likewise, think about the scale of WWII and then compare it with some dumb, violent yokels in white sheets driving around in pick-up trucks. Honestly, this is just such a ridiculous connection to make. If the KKK wore all black sheets, would you say the design of Vader was based on them? I think you guys are focusing on the simplest connection between the two groups and trying to make them equivent as story or design influences in Lucas' mind and I don't buy that for a second. No way would McQuarrie take the KKK for an influence when designing a soldier, sorry.

Ugh, but anyway, I find this topic a real stretch so that'll be the last I say about it. Just felt I had to respond as you and devil totally took what I said about "vulgarity" in a way I didn't intend and didn't think could be confused, so I felt I should clarify that point.

Lucas has directly acknowledged the Imperial/Nazi connection - he even goes so far as saying "Nazi" when referring to an imperial officer on the DVD audio commentary of ESB. We can conjecture all we want, but the KKK allusion has no basis in fact.

And while Hugo Boss is known as a fashion design house today, they were largely a manufacturer of Nazi uniforms, not a designer.

 

[Invictus Sol]

...We can conjecture all we want, but the KKK allusion has no basis in fact.

Just to be clear, you understand that I've never argued that?

And while Hugo Boss is known as a fashion design house today, they were largely a manufacturer of Nazi uniforms, not a designer.

I'm just going from a documentary I watched, but my understanding was that Hugo Boss, himself, was the designer, not just the manufacturer. Should be easy enough to clear up but unfortunately need to run to the airport. I'll try and look it up later.

 

[galactiboy]

Nope, pretty sure Invictus was the main proponent that Snowtroopers were based on the Klan

 

[Invictus Sol]

Lol. OK, checked it out and Boss was only a manufacturer of the uniforms and not a designer. Anyway, only point I meant to make by bringing up Boss was that the uniforms are well-designed and memorable, so it would make sense to take certain ques from them design-wise when it came to outfitting the Empire.