If I had to point to a single impressive element of the 25th anniversary series, it would be the detailed accessories. The small GI Joe scale certainly has a history of amazingly intricate weapons, backpacks and other gear, and the revamped figures continued the tradition. As the modern figures have evolved, Hasbro refined its approach to the layered style of
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Imagine my surprise when coming back to GI Joe collecting in 1991 and discovering that a member of the Oktober Guard had been released as a GI Joe figure. Red Star, though not one of the original members I remembered from the Marvel comic in the 1980s, nonetheless represented an element of the GI Joe mythos that I never though
Read moreI’ve often wondered why Dragonsky is such a favorite among fans of the Oktober Guard. Is it because of his specialty? Is it because he looks so different from his teammates? Is it because his name is a really bad pun? This Dragonsky, part of the 2005 convention attendee exclusives, definitely looks different. I’m a fan of the figure thanks
Read moreHere’s hoping we get a Dragonsky as an attendee exclusive at this year’s con. Hey, it could happen, after all, his first figure showed up that way in 2005. Which brings me to this figure, released just one year later. I find myself liking both figures for different reasons, the con version’s strengths being the helmet and incredible camo, and
Read moreAlthough we’re getting what looks to be a pretty definitive modern set of Oktober Guard, the classic o-ring style also had its own great set in the form of comic pack figures. I’ve covered a few of the others, and I’m happy to say that this Daina is just as impressive as her comrades (wink wink). Even though the Lady
Read moreIt’s amazing what the right combination of parts, and a solid color scheme can accomplish. Over the years, many figures have been put together using a variety of reused parts. Sometimes the result is fantastic, and the mix isn’t even evident. Other times, it looks as though Dr. Frankenstein made a trip to China and raided the GI Joe molds.
Read moreI hear tell that the Oktober Guard is making the news lately in the GI Joe world. While I appreciate all that the modern style has done for bringing realistically styled and proportionate figures to collectors, at heart I’m an old curmudgeon who really loves the old O-ring construction. So Schrage came to us back in the halcyon days of
Read moreHorrorshow, the Russian Oktober Guard’s no-nonsense bruiser, was a figure long requested by fans of the comic series. The comic packs were a perfect opportunity for Hasbro to get fan requested figures such as this released. A character with such a distinctive look demanded a lot of newly tooled parts. Luckily Hasbro didn’t skimp on this one. The quilted field
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