Conrad “Duke” Hauser (2013)

I’m not sure how I’ll come down on what are now called the modern era figures, or those since the Rise of Cobra through Retaliation. It’s not that they’re bad figures in any sense, but I don’t think I’ll know how I really feel about them until a little more time passes. Maybe that’s a bad thing to admit, being a guy who writes about them constantly. I have a definite feel for the other eras of GI Joe, from those big fellas before my time, to the revamped little guys with whom I spent both my youth and the beginnings of my adult collecting. Even the relaunch years, Sigma 6 and the 25th Anniversary figures elicit a definitive reaction. Perhaps after a few years, I’ll make a final decision on how these toys fit into my personal pantheon.

For now, I do appreciate the artistry and attention to detail that’s happened within the last few years. The modern construction style has evolved into something much more playable, and the realism in both sculpts and paint apps are at an all time high. Does this translate into more fun for me? Not on the whole, but these figures are great fun to pose and set up on a shelf or in a diorama.

This Duke was dubbed an “ultimate” movie version, and its articulation and detail sure earn that term. The likeness to actor Channing Tatum is very good, and the uniform more accurately reflects what was onscreen than the previous version. The over the top elements for me are the accessories. If anyone ever pines for the return of accessory packs to GI Joe, you pretty much get your wish here. Duke is packed with an absolute arsenal of rifles. Amazing. He’s also equipped with a drone, and my favorite part, an alternate helmeted head. This head not only serves to change Duke into a faceless troop builder, but also gives us a more appropriately articulated version of the Night Fox mold that was stuck with five points of movement thanks to being a Retaliation driver figure. If only this figure were molded in black. Maybe I can pick an extra figure and some black Rit dye. Time for an Ultimate Night Fox!

 

13 comments

  • I’ll agree with you, Rob. I’m still not sure where these guys fit in my collection just yet. However, I’ll admit, the later Retaliation stuff has given me a lot more play-with-me feel that Pursuit of Cobra and I like that. The PoC stuff is amazing, but it just doesn’t feel quite as playable and I kind of miss that. However, Ultimate Duke is playable and I’ve gotten so many adventure ideas to send this Duke on.

  • The helmeted head reminds me of a video game character: “Ghost recon”?. I dont know much about modern video games. Anyway he certainly looks like a good figure. But if you ask me “Ultimate” Duke is version 4 from Battle Corps.

  • Told you he was coming…

    Now, if only I could get a half-dozen or so more of these guys…

  • Nice looking figure, especially with the second head. Just wish GI Joe was still available in the shops over here.

  • Probably the best “military” action figure ever made i.m.o.!

  • Well, I know my opinion on modern era figures-they’re decent for what they are-the detail prevalent in most of them are indeed impressive-if you can ignore that dumb chest joint and the top of the legs which have never looked right. I believe that I’m ambivalent towards the modern stuff is because :A I didn’t grow up with this stuff unlike the o-ring guys, so no emotional/nostalgic connection for me and B: The lack of playsets in particular dampers my enthusiasm for the new stuff quite a bit. Where’s an updated HQ, Command Center, a new Terrordrome? Even the new vehicles have a difficult time fitting modern figures which were designed to accommodate them ! The old ring figures LOOK like toys-the new stuff has such a cold aesthetic that to me has no charm. As the later years of Hasbro just before the 25th anniversary showed, Hasbro had really stepped up the sculpting on the o-ring style before they abandoned it altogether.

  • I miss the o-ring figures but I’ve been happy with most of the stuff we’ve gotten since PoC such as Low-Light, Sci-Fi, Lifeline, Renegades Airtight, Kwinn, Ultimate Cobra Commander, Ultimate Storm Shadow, and Blind Master.

    If they go with with classic ARAH characters done right, I wouldn’t mind the new body construction and use of web gear over sculpted parts so much. The working holsters are a neat innovation and most of the accessories have grown by leaps and bounds. I only lose interest whenever the movie toys take precedent over ARAH. Same deal with Transformers and that Michael Bay crap Hasbro keeps dishing out.

  • I really like these latest Retaliation figures. You guys shouldn’t lament the aesthetic of them when you consider that GIJoe has been constantly evolving. The insane amount of articulation and detail they’ve reached now, I have no idea how they can top what’s now come. Maybe that’s why the brand is taking a rest now. But I do agree, without accompanying playsets, it does feel a bit stale. Superior figures like this deserve WHALE and FLAGG quality vehicles and playsets to really knock it out of the park.

  • @Clutch
    I might be hardcore Transfan who has supported the brand through its darkest hours but i for one am sick of the way the movie crap [and i do mean crap] just pushes everything aside. Shops throw away valuable shelf space for stupid things like Gravity bots, botshots those other glorified action master things and countless versions of Bumblebee and Optimus. I dont know why Hasbro thought making so many different versions of Prime and Bumblebee was a good idea. They made the same mistake with the R.O.C toyline by making so many versions of Tatum’s Dukes.
    My prediction for Transformers 4 is that the film will be primarily composed of crude humor and needless stockfootage of the army guys.

    @Vaughn Allan
    I dont understand why Hasbro doesnt make playsets anymore. Ninja turtles is doing gangbusters at the moment and they have a playset which i selling pretty well.

  • Hasbro should dip their toes in the water by rereleasing the Death Star playset, since their primary focus is Star Wars anyway. And then go from there.

  • “Hasbro should dip their toes in the water by rereleasing the Death Star playset, since their primary focus is Star Wars anyway. And then go from there.”

    THIS.

    Spot on!

  • @Clutch
    I think the last star wars playset Hasbro relesed was one for the third prequel [Mustifar duel] and they most likely havnt made another one due to poor sales of that item. I for one would like to see them re-do the old Kenner death star playset. That way, it could be retooled into a Terrordrome.

  • I like the route the toys are going. Very good takes on the teams as a whole.
    Sure I miss the vehicles/playsets, but I glad to get the figs period.
    Short packing, limited availability and scalpers are putting a chokehold on it all.
    This fig and many in its vein are good toys just really hard to come by is all. . .

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