Lanard’s CORPS! toy line has had a long long history of repaints. In my time of collecting the series, I’ve found that the original versions of the figures are increasingly harder to find than the myriad of repaints produced through the 90s. The Max Power series featured many of the original molds in a variety of odd camo patterns. Cybor
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 moreYes yes, I laughed at the name too, but it’s not any worse than Skidmark. The CORPS! line had a few figures that looked like they could be villains, but were not. With his gas mask and shirtless look, Gasman sure looks like he should be a member of the enemy forces. Wait, as near as I can tell, there
Read moreAs much as people who want to bag on 80’s Joes use that lame resemblance to the Village People joke, at least there’s no Joe of the time who’s a direct resemblance to a 70’s motorcycle cop. Lanard’s CORPS! on the other hand, had Chopper here around since ’86. Feast your eyes on Ponch and John’s long-lost partner, complete with
Read moreAs the years go by, I find myself drawn more and more toward the odd and unusual in my toy collecting. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten my fill of vintage Joe, and want to explore other similar lines. The most similar line I can think of is Lanard’s CORPS!, the Joe wannabe that I’ve focused on in a few posts.
Read moreStorm Shadow is the leader of Ninja Force–excuse me, got confused there. Rain is the leader of Shinobi Squad, a specialized ninja assault team and sub-group of the Corps! When Lanard’s Corps! line transitioned to the T-crotch in the 2000’s, I found most of the figures to be oddly proportioned and a little too busy with details. But over the
Read moreSay what you will about Lanard’s Corps! line and its copycatting of RAH GI Joe, there’s no denying its appeal to collectors of the odd and unusual. At the line’s beginning, there were plenty of cribs from Joe, including some incredibly close representations of Joe equipment. For years, I’ve had a backpack that resembles Major Bludd’s as well as a
Read moreWhen the original o-ring GI Joe line ended in 1994, Lanard’s me-too series The Corps! (don’t forget the exclamation point) rolled on. Many if its 1986 molds continued to be produced in varying excitingly horrid hues and odd camo patterns, but there were a few new mold additions. Whispering Willie is one of those original Corps! characters to get a
Read moreI’m sure most Joe fans have a story or two about getting an “almost” Joe gift from a well-meaning but ill-informed relative for Christmas, birthday, etc. I had a one of those experiences, too. Give Grandma a break; everybody doesn’t pay attention to name brands and such, especially when there’s a cheaper and similar looking figure hanging on the pegs
Read moreA Corps! figure? Really? Yes, what can I say–Ive been inspired by Joe knock-offs/wanna-bes lately. Lanard’s Corps! (don’t forget the exclamation point) have been around since Joe’s heyday in the 80’s, and continue to be produced today. The series has always been kind of like a less refined cousin of Joe, and if you squint the old 80’s versions looked
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