The Medi-Vipers, in the Marvel comics, were the kind of troops that made for great ancillary detail among the well-known Joes and Cobras. I had wanted a figure version since I first saw them. Though the design was obvious and the old style doctor’s reflector on the head was a bit out of date, the concept was brilliantly simple. I’m
Read moreHere’s an intriguing concept, personal bodyguards for Cobra Commander. I thought he already had them in the Crimson Guard? Anyway, this figure is a mashup in need of a little more mashing. The Range Viper head sculpt I find to be one of the oddest in the RAH line. Is the top of the helmet supposed to resemble exposed brain?
Read moreLanard’s CORPS! line has long taken its design cues from Hasbro’s GI Joe. In the 80’s and 90’s, the figures closely resembled the popular brand. When Joe switched to a T-crotch construction and a softer plastic in the early 2000’s, Lanard followed suit. As of now, the company still has not attempted to recreate the modern Joe style of super
Read moreHow many GI Joe figures can you think of that have a tail? Okay, outside of animal sidekicks, I mean. And the aliens or mutant monsters of the 90’s. I honestly had forgotten that Swamp Rat had a tail until I pulled him out of his slumber at the bottom of a plastic storage tote. I’ve got to get a
Read moreAs a kid, I found the Tele-Viper to be a very lame Cobra troop. Some of my feeling was based on the sculpt, which was both plain and odd looking. Some was based on the specialty (how cool could a communication trooper be?). Some was based on the accessories (was that a Wham-O Air Blaster he was carrying) and some
Read moreSeems my favorite New York ninja has traded in his sneaks for some leg wraps. What is it with Joe martial artists and their odd footwear? In the meantime since his Ninja Force days, he’s also become the Joe team’s martial arts instructor. Why not have the big guns like Snake Eyes of Storm Shadow train the troops? Maybe that
Read moreIn a recent episode of Flag Points, we spoke to former GI Joe marketer Kirk Bozigian about what he felt made the line great during the 80’s, and what could be done to return it to its former glory. Kirk said that in his day, the toyline was marketed in a way that made it seem bigger than in was.
Read moreIf there’s one Sigma 6 figure who almost outshines Lt. Stone as my favorite, it’s Lockdown. Coming near the end of the grand experiment that was S6, he stands out for me as an ideal example of the line’s wonderfully toyetic appeal. First off, he scores points with me for being a brand new character. While I like to see
Read moreI’ve often wondered why Dragonsky is such a favorite among fans of the Oktober Guard. Is it because of his specialty? Is it because he looks so different from his teammates? Is it because his name is a really bad pun? This Dragonsky, part of the 2005 convention attendee exclusives, definitely looks different. I’m a fan of the figure thanks
Read moreIt’s easy for us children of the 80’s and 90’s to focus on our favorite era, and forget that Joe at one time wore real pants. Well, real cloth pants. I would be remiss as a Joe fan if I didn’t recognize a figure with fabulous cloth pants. Coming at the time of the new sculpt Spy Troops line, the
Read more