411 (1997 Bronze Bombers)
Do I kick myself in the butt for not buying up a pile of the 1990’s Bronze Bombers set that showed up at Toys R Us? Sure, but hindsight is 20/20. When these guys were on the shelf, I think my reaction was wonder at the use of actual GI Joe molds, then bemusement at the sight of some of the newly created heads. I will say this for the Olmec face sculpts; they are certainly expressive. This one bears a strong resemblance to Arsenio Hall. He’s also sporting a decent hi-top fade, although it doesn’t reach the stratospheric height of Kid Reid.
411 is the Bronze Bombers’ Minister of Information. Minister of Information? Isn’t that a title usually reserved for government officials? Actually, the strange title fits pretty well into the earnestly off-center Bronze Bombers mythos. At first, the code name and title brought to mind a communications specialist, not unlike the Joes’ Dial-Tone, but a reading of the file card paints a picture of a man who holds more of an education and intelligence role. According to the bio, he’s an educator and philosopher and is “quick on wit and thorough on detail…never ceases a moment to drop the 411 on anybody or anything.”
The body again uses the Track Viper mold, and honestly, the red works much better here than blue did for his team mate Hard Drive, who left me so uninspired that I was almost speechless. 411 at least holds attention thanks to his colors (he’d make for a nice crimson Track Viper) and interesting specialty.
He reminds me of one of the guys from Captain planet. The one that had the dirt ring
Also that plastic looks a bit cheap.
And on the subject of knockoffs.I stumbled across this really odd Joe figure one day. At least i thought he was a Joe figure. He had a red chest with sergeants stripes, green pants and a blue/silver darth vader esque head. I couldnt find him on Yojoe or any other website. Turns out he was a knockoff.
@Skymate
It was probably a Power Commando figure..
To me, he looks more like Big Lob as portrayed by a young Chris Rock.
@5h4rk
He’s Metel Hawk. I found him in the knock it off section.
BTW are you the same 5h4rk who is on Hisstank?
A perfect Big Lob!
@Neopolitan Joe – certainly a better Big Lob than the official figure!
Having just found out about the Bronze Bombers in the past two years, I’m impressed. Some of the heads are awesome (some just comical), and the colors rival the Hasbro originals (like Crazeblaze v. Darklon). I use this guy as my supreme Cobra armor commander.
@Skymate: The plastic is cheaper. Or at least more brittle. These guys break like sun-bleached ’82/’83 figures. Even broken they fetch $20-30 each, though. Rob was wise not to wedge that rifle in the figure’s hands.
@Skymate
Yep!
I agree!
@5h4rk
I’m not allowed to read your comments in the hisstank forum when my Mother visits. I think its something to do with the sig
I’ve never seen any toys from this line in person, but I like the look of this figure. The head’s original and I think they did a good job on it and I like the paint scheme they gave to the body. This one would look good alongside the Joe line.
@Skymate
Hahaha! ..want me to remove it? Lol!
I’ll do better than that..I’ve made another one just for ya! I’ll use it for a few days..lmk what you think 😉
You dont need to change your sig just to please my Mother. Seldom is she over when i’m reading the forum comments
I picked this set of awesome figures up at Toys R Us. HOW COULD YOU NOT!! I’d like to unload them now. Where can I find the going price on them?