Dragonsky (2006)
11 hour ago
by Rob Buzan
Here’s hoping we get a Dragonsky as an attendee exclusive at this year’s con. Hey, it could happen, after all, his first figure showed up that way in 2005. Which brings me to this figure, released just one year later. I find myself liking both figures for different reasons, the con version’s strengths being the helmet and incredible camo, and the comic pack version’s being its more faithful comic look.
This version also manages to salvage part of a mold I really can’t stand. I’ve never cared for the SAW Viper, and this figure utilizes half of it. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from its reuse in the making of the 2001 Zartan. The original SAW Viper also doesn’t stand up to the hulking evil look of the comic portrayal; in fact, the ’90 figure is downright puny.
I adore all of the comic pack Oktober Guard, and like his teammates, Dragonsky’s parts and paint choices come together perfectly. The padded uniform is well replicated, and who would have thought that Ice Cream Soldier and Sky Creeper parts could work so well together on the same figure?
Oh, and the head is very nice too. It would make an excellent choice for an unmasked Inhumanoids Auger custom. If I only had an extra…
Skull Squad Trooper (2006)
62 days ago
by Rob Buzan
Poor Sebastian Bludd. The man was quite the mercenary in the Marvel GI Joe comics, yet was relegated mostly to being a field commander in the Sunbow cartoon. At least he showed a lot of pride and motivation in his job; one of my favorite Bludd moments being from the Revenge of Cobra, with his valiantly crying “Cobra!” and then immediately running off-screen on his mission to retrieve the weather dominator fragment. You just don’t see that kind of excitement in terrorist organizations these days.
For the 2006 con set, Major Bludd was given his own troops, and this time more than just a group of rank and file Cobra troopers. These are the Skull Squad, part of the mercenary themed box set. I enjoyed the trooper focused con sets, especially when new Cobras were involved.
I never would have thought that a Battle Force 2000 figure could be the basis for a good troop builder. Now that I look at this mold with a different head, I think I’ve realized that the BF2K figures fall flat because of their goofy heads. The masked Cobra trooper head, with removable helmet makes all the difference. The armored and padded uniforms are a good fit for troops following Bludd, even echoing elements of his look. The armor on the left shoulder is another appropriate nod to the Major. If only they had gone the whole nine yards and given them all an entirely armored right arm.
The Major Bludd color scheme does wonders for this mold, and though it still suffers from a weirdly rounded torso, the Avalanche body makes for an impressive trooper. The head with removable helmet is a nice addition. Not coincidentally, the same helmet was released the previous year with the DTC Major Bludd. The unit emblem (complete with eyepatch!) is a great added detail.
Beachhead (1993)
82 days ago
by Rob Buzan
The Battle Corps series of the final years of the Real American Hero line gave rise to quite a few core character redesigns. Some, like Duke, Roadblock and Gung Ho were updates of the character’s established look and specialty. Others like Flint, were placed into unfamiliar roles. Beachhead fortunately remains a ranger, but gets a sort of SWAT look that seems like it could have fit in with the DEF series alongside Shockwave and Mutt.
Speaking of Shockwave, the legs are from the 1988 version of that character. Maybe the parts reuse subconsciously made me think of a SWAT theme. The colors aren’t too bad for those who like their Joe togs a little more on the subdued side. The same can’t be said for the 1994 repaint, who traded in his black vest for a safety yellow model. Speaking of yellow, as much as I’m a fan of the bright paint jobs of the later RAH years, I can’t in good conscience bring myself to outfit this Beachhead with any of the weapons included on his yellow accessory tree. I like the figure too much to do that to him.
A couple noteworthy items from later series are worth mentioning. First, the file cards with sometimes helpful, sometimes uselesss equipment call-outs. A cool idea in general, but do we really need to know about Beachhead’s water proof combat pants? Also from the file cards, the propensity to give characters a secondary specialty as a driver of a current vehicle–a cross-sell technique that’s about as subtle as a velvet cudgel.
General Tomahawk (2000)
93 days ago
by Rob Buzan
What’s in a name? Well, when it came to GI Joe in the 2000′s, added ranks, lost rights and odd new monikers. It was a dark time for those whose hackles were raised by characters’ classic names changing. Scarlett became Agent Scarlett, Stalker became Sgt. Stalker, and on and on. I guess name copyrights have some kind of magical “use or lose” qualities.
Hawk’s name metamorphosed like a butterfly over the years. First, just Hawk, then General Hawk. Finally by the 2000′s, his name fully flowered into General Tomahawk. Thankfully, things turned around later in the decade, and at least his real name was added to the mix.
The General Formerly Known as Hawk came to us in the collector edition two packs, a noble experiment not only in renamings, but also in new coloring methods. Tomahawk here has been subjected to some pretty horrendous paint wipes. I’m all for adding a little depth with a paint wash or wipe, but holy cow, the man’s uniform looks like a month-old chocolate bar.
At least there was enough forethought to include talking battle commander Hawk weapons. I’ve always been fond of the Dirty Harry manhood extension pistola (with scope!) Because a high-caliber hand cannon requires precise aim. You wouldn’t want to miss by even a micron.
Storm Shadow (2012 Dollar General)
64 days ago
by Rob Buzan
Since the debut of the 25th anniversary figures back in 2007, I’ve hoped that the discount stores would pick up some of the modern molds for single packs, much like in the Valor vs. Venom days. Back then, I was able to army build some Cobra troops quite affordably (3 bucks each!) But alas, the dream of some cheap figures (and exclusive repaints) never came to pass, even in the 2009 movie year.
But hold the phone! It’s finally happened! Joe has made a triumphant return to dollar stores! Granted, what’s considered cheap now is a matter of opinion, although 6 dollars each is still less painful than $10.99. Just seeing repackaged figures at this price would be terrific, but Hasbro put out a little extra effort and gave us not only repaints, but also managed to put together some effective homages, a couple of which are right up my weird alley.
I’ve covered both Ninja Force and Renegades Storm Shadow before, and am incredibly fond of both. Ninja Force Stormy is the kind of ostentatious 90′s figure that I love, but was lacking in articulation. As soon as Renegades Storm Shadow came out of the package, the figure became my favorite of the last several years. He was accessorized to the hilt, amazingly poseable and realistically sculpted. So what would you get if these two figures were combined? Is it the best of both worlds?
It’s a very nice, albeit simplified, homage. The Renegades mold is intact, save for a different head with removable hood. The hood fits fairly well, but does have a tendency to move around on the head. The paint scheme is a good approximation of the Ninja Force figure, but not quite an exact copy. The dalmatian spots, gold shoulder pads and grenades are missing, but not missed too much. Overall, the look is quite nice, and again, I’d buy the Renegades Stormy mold in just about any flavour, including orange sherbet.
Make no mistake, these discount figures aren’t loaded with accessories as we’ve become accustomed these last few years. Storm Shadow includes just one sword and a bow. There’s no backpack to store the sword, but that’s not such a big deal, as most 25th collectors probably have plenty of ninja accessories hanging around. All in all, it’s a very cool figure, and thankfully didn’t end up as a barely articulated figure like the Hasbro Marvel figures on sale in the same store. They saved those for the Retaliation vehicles <rimshot>.
Shadow Tracker (2011)
65 days ago
by Rob Buzan
The Predator homage came full circle with Shadow Tracker. With Jesse Ventura (I mean Recondo) and Sonny Landham (I mean Spirit), already in the line, all we needed was an Arnold figure, which almost came to us in the cancelled Joe-based Jurassic Park line. Wanna complete the Predator Joe team? Go hit up eBay for one, or ask your favorite Chinese connection, if you’re the hooked-up type (which I’m not, so pick one up for me, willya?).
Shadow Tracker is one of the baddest looking Cobras to come along in a while, and it was an agonizing wait from the time he was first shown to the time he was on shelves. I never saw him on shelves, by the way, and lucked out in getting him during one of the ten seconds that he showed up at Amazon.com.
The figure is impressive even without the cool mystery man aspect. Early samples appeared to feature a removable mask, and lurking under it was a creepy skull face. That’s the kind of total weirdness I can really get into, and it’s unfortunate that the final figure’s mask is glued on. I suppose it can be removed, but probably not without destroying what’s underneath.
I can also appreciate the color, especially the yellow on the jacket. Yeah, that won’t blend in to the jungle, but who cares? And the pants–I haven’t said this in a while but–nice pants. Like many other recent figures, he’s absolutely loaded with gear, some of which is quite playable, like the bow with removable arrow and the capture net.
Shadow Tracker really was worth the wait and the pain of tracking down. His mysterious look, a load of great accessories, and even some splashes of color came together to create one of the standout figures of the Pursuit of Cobra line.
Daina (2005)
76 days ago
by Rob Buzan
Although we’re getting what looks to be a pretty definitive modern set of Oktober Guard, the classic o-ring style also had its own great set in the form of comic pack figures. I’ve covered a few of the others, and I’m happy to say that this Daina is just as impressive as her comrades (wink wink).
Even though the Lady Jaye mold on which the figure is based had become overplayed by the 2000′s, you can’t blame its continued use, simply because of the limited amount of female molds. Speaking of which, the figure is smaller than its vintage counterpart. Was it a remold that was pantographed smaller, or a resculpt? Regardless of the little differences, the figure is still essentially the old mold.
The color choices are again part of what make the figure stand out as something more than a simple repaint. By giving the old Lady Jaye mold a two tone color scheme, Hasbro offset some of its tiredness. My only wish for the paint job would be for a more detailed and crisp camo pattern. I shouldn’t complain too much, however, as the paint details are very well done. They even painted the zipper!
The head is the big draw, and is yet another successful newly added element of these comic pack Oktober Guard figures. Though it is a tad pinheadish, I’m glad they didn’t cheap out and stick a Sonya Blade head on the poor gal. As this is meant to represent the Guard’s first comic appearance, Daina is outfitted in a fur cap, rather than the tanker cap that she would later wear.
Crimson Guard Commander (1993)
111 week ago
by Rob Buzan
I’ve said it before, and I hate to sound like a broken record (oh, wow, I just totally dated myself there) but here’s a great mold that cries out for a modified color scheme. I should qualify that by pointing out that it just needs one of its colors changed. If that face plate and the other highlights were any other color but yellow, I think the CG Commander could have been as big a hit with collectors as the Headhunters, another excellent late line mold. Like that figure, it has a strong aesthetic that reminds me of earlier Cobras.
As far as its function within Cobra, the CG Commander is a blank slate, since the figure wasn’t featured in any media of the time. The file card presents it as an elite officer within the Guard, and like the rank and file CGs, is loyal strictly to Cobra Commander himself. I think it makes a nice squad level leader, much like the Cobra Officer of old. Then again, the moniker of Crimson Guard Commander was previously reserved for Tomax and Xamot, so the role of high level command could also fit. Like quite a few of the late line Cobras, the CG Commander is a trooper that can fill a number of uses in a collection.
Gallows (2006)
91 week ago
by Rob Buzan
Gallows was released as a part of the Steel Brigade vs. Plague Troopers pack. Aside from the mini-gun, he bears little resemblance to his comic counterpart, a SAW Viper.
The Joe vs. Cobra Snake Eyes body somehow works well as a new character in this case, due in part to the mold’s lack of overt ninja styling. The new head sculpt is nicely detailed, although again it doesn’t look much like a SAW Viper helmet.
The mini-gun, a borrow from Spy Troops Roadblock, is still a great weapon, although the figure has a bit of difficulty holding it convincingly.
In the end, the Plague Troopers set was a noble attempt at some then-current characters, but was a bit disappointing in execution.
Adventure Team Commander (2010)
51 week ago
by Rob Buzan
I don’t have much recollection of 12 inch GI Joes from my youth. I was of an age at which the bigger guys were phased out before I reached a level at which I wasn’t simply chewing or throwing all my toys. Consequently, my parents didn’t buy me many toys with arms or legs that could be pulled off, or tiny bits that could be ingested or sucked up a nostril. I also didn’t have an older brother or cousin to share or pass down older toys. My earliest memories of action figures are the Fisher Price Adventure People, a 3 & 3/4 inch toy line. Later, I was introduced to some toys from a galaxy far, far away that took up most of my toy attention until the small Joes came on the scene.
My only childhood memory of 12 inch Joes goes back to a neighbor kid, a few years older than me, who had Adventure Team figures as well as the HQ. I remember being fascinated by the big strange figures, and especially the vinyl building in which they were hanging out. We played with the Joes together just one time, and actually I had forgotten about the experience just until I began to write this entry.
In my college days, my interest in the 60′s Joes was high, and I picked up quite a few figures. The 70′s era didn’t hold much interest for me at the time, but that has changed over the years along with my tastes. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have an appreciation for the more strange corners of Joe history. A lot of the Adventure Team appeals to that side of me. Some of it is the 70′s kitsch factor, but more of it is the sheer playability and imagination of the Adventure Team toys.
The collector club really struck a nerve with me by bringing the AT into the small scale. The 25th anniversary parts worked well in approximating the mod styles of the 70′s. The Commander is set apart from his teammates thanks to the longer safari style jacket of the vintage figure. At first, I didn’t realize that the jacket extension came from arctic Snake Eyes, an impressive reuse. The head sculpt is an excellent shrunken rendition of the old fuzz head. It’s too bad the series didn’t continue, as I’d love to see the AT
