Sometimes character variants seem like quick cash grabs or simple excuses to keep main characters on the pegs. These days, Snake Eyes, Duke and Storm Shadow make regular appearances in each new series. Back in the 80’s, Cobra Commander wouldn’t get a new figure on the shelves until 1987. However, this mail-in was available three years before. Unlike other early
Read moreIf the Joes got their top pilot in 1983 with Ace, Cobra followed suit the next year with Wild Weasel. The two even had a very memorable dogfight in the pages of the Marvel comic. However, that’s not my first memory of him. I first recall seeing him in Marvel issue 25 during the swamp battle with Zartan. Seeing a
Read moreThe first time I saw the original Alley Viper was at a flea market in the early 90’s. I had been out of GI Joe collecting for a few years, and had not yet discovered the wonderful Tomart’s guide that would present me with pictures of all the Joes and Cobras I had missed. The figure was sitting in a
Read moreThis figure, from the Retaliation Ninja Showdown three-pack, looks nothing like what we’ve seen of Storm Shadow in previews for for the new movie, and I have no problem with that. I’ve not been a fan of his movie look thus far. I would have been impressed had the movie version sported this more comic book inspired style. Or more
Read moreWow, is this ever a Cobra Commander for special occasions. It’s Fancy Dress Ball Cobra Commander. In the annals of tastelessly attired villainry, this one deserves a Hall of Fame spot. I suppose the red is meant to convey a sense of the regal and formal, but the plastic used make him look like a cheap Christmas ornament. It’s oddly
Read moreIf there’s one Joe character that gives me a Halloween vibe, it’s serpentor. When I say a Halloween vibe, for me it’s more about sitting down and watching the old Universal horror films of the 30’s than costumes and trick or treat. His very origin is the stuff of horror. Dr. Mindbender operates like HP Lovecraft’s Herbert West at a
Read moreThe Revenge of Cobra was filled with new and entertaining GI Joe characters. Among my favorite Joe additions like Flint, Lady Jaye and Shipwreck were a number of Cobras. Chief among the new baddies was an intriguing antagonist that confounded the Joes upon their first meeting. As a kid having watched the mini-series over and over, this same character was
Read moreI’m not afraid to say that I am a fan of gimmicks. There’s an added element of fun when an action figure can do something more than to be placed into different poses. Whether it’s light-up, projectile firing, water squirting, spring-loaded punching, color-changing or limb-swapping, I’m down for all of it. Other than the Lunartix aliens and the monumentally unusable Golobulus, I
Read moreHave I mentioned before that the 25th anniversary series both frustrates and inspires? Articulation, fit and proportion issues were balanced with innovations that would be improved upon in the modern line. For me, the accessories were the most solid aspect of the figures. Whether harnesses, backpacks or weapons, I was impressed. The designers improved on many of the old weapon
Read moreI only have memories of a few of the 1987 vehicles. I stopped buying Joes early that year, and the only ’87 vehicle I picked up was the Sky Sweeper. Yeah, not the best choice of a vehicle to go out of the line. I did look through the year’s catalog, and thought that the Cobra Sea Ray looked interesting.
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