Anthony “Flash” Gambello (2005)
The comic packs were a great way for Hasbro to release figures that may not have been well known or popular enough to warrant a single carded release. As such, many heavily fan requested comic characters finally made appearances in the toy line. Along with those demanded figures were a share of what might best be described as fill-ins.
The disappointment here is the fact that Flash, one of the most unique looking and popular of the original thirteen 82-83 Joes, was not re-released in his traditional and iconic padded uniform. Instead, he’s outfitted in a space suit. The mold itself is pretty great, being based on the 30th Salute astronaut, a figure that was previously available only in a five pack. The astronaut mold was given a new head, which is covered with a hood. This figure could really be anyone, and it’s too bad Flash couldn’t get a nice helmetless head.
This wasn’t the fist time collectors were shorted on the team’s laser rifle trooper. The 1997 Stars and Stripes set famously omitted Flash’s old mold, replacing it with an awful pastiche of Roadblock and Hawk parts. A prototype photo of the real Flash was even pictured on the packaging. At least that didnt happen here.
It’s a great figure, it’s just not the Flash we all know and love. There were a lot of “one page wonders” during this era which turned out to be disappointments for many collectors: This version of Flash, holographic CC, Scarlett in martial arts gear, Blonde Grunt in undercover threads, and so forth.
Maybe its meant to be a different Flash? [he of the saviour of the universe fame?]
I remeber the star wars comic packs a few years ago were real letdowns too. I really got sick of the sets which included the characters which werent integeral to the story or were only on one page. I hated that set that came with yet another Jedi robes Aniken and an obscure droid only seen on one page.
Outstanding figure!
I like the obscure as long as they are decently done (so, NOT martial arts Scarlett). That said, they needed a standard Grunt and Flash. And Grand-Slam, too.