by KansasBrawler Ultimate Flint is definitely a bit of a tough nut to crack. While I was okay with Roadblock’s ultimate incarnation being a Retaliation figure, I’m still not sure what I think about Ultimate Flint being based on the movie just because his portrayal wasn’t that great. There were definitely Flint-y moments of cockiness and brashness, but at the
Read moreIs it just me, or is this Gung Ho really pale? He appears quite pallid, like he’s just seen a ghost. Though the series of figures released after the late 90s Toys R Us sets were an interesting mix including later molds, the paint schemes and even the plastic itself were of a strangely different quality than what was produced
Read moreby Twitziller The Patriot Grizzly was part of the second series of Built To Rule sets which debuted with a limited release in 2004. The set shares the name of the Spy Troops Patriot Grizzly released in 2003 and the Valor vs. Venom Night Force Patriot Grizzly released in 2004. The primary mode is a main battle tank, which means
Read moreMany of the 1997 collector figures were a disappointment. Missing molds and poor substitutions made for a frustrating experience the first time I found the toys. Gone were the cool repaints as pictured in Previews magazine, replaced with monstrosities like Stars and Stripes Breaker, and bland redecos like battle armor Cobra Commander. The arctic figures were a highlight for me,
Read moreAren’t you a little thin for a toy version of Mr. Tatum? Oh yeah, that’s because this exclusive figure was based on Breaker, a toy based on an actor of decidedly less beefy proportions. Duke looks a little odd, like his head doesn’t quite belong to his body. That’s a shame, since the training uniforms similar to the one shown
Read moreby Twitziller Though a part of the second series of Built To Rule sets which debuted with a limited release in 2004, the Freedom Defense Outpost received a delayed release in 2005, and is one of only two playsets in the BTR line. The Freedom Defense Outpost partially shares a name with one of the 1986 G.I. Joe Battlestations, the
Read moreHoly cow, did the GI Joe world need forty seven Big Ben figures between 2002 and 2006? At least with this one, the old body was replaced with another. The only problem: it was General Hawk, whose Talking Battle Commander look is just too easily identified to be a good substitute. On the other hand, it is nice to get
Read more
The Micro Force was a fun and unexpected concept during the second film’s short-lived merchandising blitz. I must confess to not initially understanding the appeal of the blind-bag phenomenon, but as I’ve picked up bits of a few lines (thanks to having a four year old son) I’ve seen what the draw is all about. I’m also reminded of some
Read moreDoes a team of night operatives really need a flamethrower trooper? Wouldn’t a huge spout of flame negate all those efforts toward dark camouflage? I know, I know, it’s only a toyline. I should relax and try not to think too much, but honestly, when you write about this crap every day, you kind of can’t help it. Charbroil has
Read moreby KansasBrawler If anything made the Joe line iconic to me as a kid, aside from their great articulation, it was the simple concept of the animal sidekick. I don’t know why, but for some reason, the idea of a Joe trooper working alongside an animal to accomplish their mission seemed really cool. I realize that they weren’t “pets” per
Read more