By KansasBrawler It’s hard to deny that once Cobra Commander finds a good look, he sticks with it. He doesn’t generally stray too far from the blue dictator suit and either a hood or a helmet. It makes sense that the first two 25th Anniversary Cobra Commander figures represented those looks. It’s his classic look, however, my inner kid was
Read moreSome fans of Sunbow’s GI Joe cartoon have for years clamored for toy versions of the series’ interpretations of some key characters. From the slightly different, like Flint in a new shade of fatigue shirt or Cobra Commander with a striped battle helmet, to the radically altered like Airborne and Steeler. Some of the changes make for oddities that only
Read moreYes, there are a lot of versions of Storm Shadow. Maybe one day, I will have covered them all, before I call the blog quits. Most of the recent versions came from the 2007 with the 25th Anniversary line. As comic pack figures go, this one is somewhat interesting in terms of its look. Based on the character’s appearance in
Read moreby KansasBrawler I have fond memories of my brother’s Outback figure growing up. The figure was pretty simple, but at the same time, that look fit the Joe’s survival expert very well. When I first heard Outback was up for inclusion in the 25th Anniversary line, I was happy. He definitely deserved it. I wasn’t sure if he was the
Read moreWhat csn I say about Marvel’s GI Joe issue 21 that hasn’t already been said by minds wiser than mine? Nothing much, except to relate my own experience with the legendary comic. I picked up the issue at my regular 1984 comic book haunt, 7-11. I had picked up a few issues of the Marvel comic by that point, but
Read moreWith all the focus on the Crimson Guard as an elite force of Cobra soldiers, it’s a bit surprising that the group didn’t get another official officer figure until this Toys R Us exclusive. Part of the Senior Ranking Officer sets, it’s a flashier repaint of the 25th Anniversary CG mold. The same year saw the release of a silver
Read moreSometimes as a collector of large, long lived toy lines, you get burned by the repetition of main characters. Often, it doesn’t hurt so bad to buy multiple versions of one person. For instance, the vintage Star Wars line, for all its representations of Luke, Han and Leia, the big three were wearing outfits significantly different than the last. Of
Read moreI’ll admit that I was one of many who began to compile a wish list of figures once the 25th anniversary line appeared to be successful enough to continue beyond a couple of assortments. High on that list were the 1983 offerings, and the nostalgic feelings that they spurred. After all, what 80s kid wouldn’t want their old favorites upgraded
Read moreThe Marvel comic inspired multi figure packs continued into the 25th anniversary, and the Cobra troopers were one of the few repeats from previous releases. The colors, although a bit more muted than the o-ring predecessors, were nonetheless inspired by the bright hues of 1980s comic printing. There’s something missing from modern comics, in a tactile sense. I remember the
Read moreAs repaints go, this Shipwreck isn’t a bad one. Though most folks probably picked up his comic pack simply to get a modern version of Copperhead, the figure at least adds an interesting new accessory. Shipwreck, while he sported some very traditional military attire, spent the 80s in said “sailor suit”, and not getting another re-do until his Battle Corps
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