Many 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 moreThe 2000 Real American Hero Collector series were, for the most part, a drab lot in terms of paint schemes. That wasn’t a liability when it came to producing a nice homage to the original Bludd figure. Based on the Super Sonic Fighter figure, Major Bludd has been given the kind of repaint treatment that fans of 90s molds have
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 moreWell, if you like your GI Joe figures done up drab and gritty, this is the Firefly for you. The third appearance of a classic mold, and one that would wear out its welcome by the end of the decade, Firefly worked for me in whatever environmental variation Hasbro chose to place him. This could be jungle Firefly, or even
Read moreby KansasBrawler Much like Ultimate Cobra Commander, I wasn’t 100% sure I needed an Ultimate Storm Shadow based on his original look. First of all, like Cobra Commander, that look kind of got done to death during the 25th Anniversary line. Secondly, I’ve always had a lot stronger attachment to his 1988 look. That is one of the three figures
Read moreI really really dig the version 2 Alley Viper, even though it’s yellow. Heck, I think I like the funky orange and blue repaint even more. I never picked up this version at retail in 1997, and waited until the early 2000s to get one along with his ride, the Rage. I was on something of an Alley Viper squad
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Almost another year has gone by for the blog, and that means it’s time for the annual Joe A Day podcast extravaganza. Like previous years, I’m opening it up for anyone who’s interested in participating. If you’ve got the capability to chat via Skype, and want to spend a little time talking GI Joe with me and a few others
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
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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
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