Ace (1997)

Ace is one of those Joe characters you can almost always expect to show up in a new line. The team usually has a fighter aircraft of some sort, and who else can function as well as this guy as a pilot figure? Of course the original version is iconic, but the new sculpt and modern eras also featured Mr. Armbruster somewhere in its offerings. Heck, he even showed up in a comic pack despite the fact his Skystriker wasn’t on toy shelves. He’s cool and he’s dependable.

He’s also most likely outfitted in something not at all flashy. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment considering that this particular mold first saw life in the 90s. Its initial appearance as a Battle Copter Pilot was a comparatively utilitarian blue and grey in a world awash with neon. Even his Ghost Striker getup wasn’t garish. You’ll notice I don’t have his mask hooked up fully, since the plastic appears to be less flexible than previous releases.

When the 1997 Toys R Us vehicles were released, the figures and their rides were done up in drab style. Per usual, Ace was given a conservative paint job. It’s simple, and that’s just fine. Ace doesn’t even need a fancy colored helmet. He’s just the best there is, and doesn’t have to brag. Men want to be him, and I bet the ladies want to be with him. As folks have often commented about another well-known Ace, “What a guy.”