Chuckles (2009)
Chuckles gets flak for his shirt. I’ve never understood why. He’s supposed to be an undercover agent, right? What better way to maintain cover than to look a little ridiculous. I think it makes sense that a guy dressed in a bad shirt would be the last person in a crowd you’d think of as a highly trained and dangerous special agent. His pants have been the thing that’s bothered me over the years. They’re not the sort of thing you see on the average man on the street.
Like many of the Attack on Cobra Island exclusives, Chuckles was a noble attempt at giving collectors a much requested figure in the modern style. Unfortunately, the parts choices leave it looking more than a little odd.
The weird Shipwreck arms make another unwelcome appearance. Second only to the first 25th Duke arms in ugliness, the misshapen forearm appendages are also less than fully articulated. I often get confused as to which way to face the forearms, since the sculpted muscles are so oddly shaped.
I don’t know what’s going on with his left hand. It’s in one of those finger extended positions, only with two fingers out. Since the hand came from Spirit, I suppose that explains the pose, and also explains the rather large bracelet type piece on the wrist. Nevertheless, a very odd accessory for an undercover agent.
The accessories are more plentiful this time around. In addition to the very cool chest holster, he’s carrying a briefcase–Destro’s MARS briefcase, to be exact. Why is he carrying Destro’s case and gun? I don’t know. Maybe he stole it. Very odd.
Did I mention that this figure is odd?
I’m glad Chuckles got released, but yeah, he’s definitely an odd duck. And I really do dislike the Spirit hand. I hate any hand that keeps me from putting a weapon in it. At least “Angry Hands” Cobra Commander and Destro could be angrily shaking their fist. “Peace Sign” Chuckles/Spirit is just odd.
Whats got my attention is the paint on the legs; the same tone wasnt used
Easy to fix up–swap out the arms with those of the Crimson Twins mold, or say POC Dusty/Hawk.
As for the hands that get left over–I would suggest using the bracelet thing, two of them to be precise, for MU figures like Captain Marvel (painted gold, to act as his “Nega-Bands”). Or you can just use the one bracer for a custom 25th Wet-Suit.
Istill prefer my Chuckles v1, although I might try and find a briefcase to trick him out with now.
I was glad to see an updated Chuckles as well, but what is up with the gloves? Not exactly something you’d wear while working undercover.
Chuckles’ depiction has varied over the years. He started out as a huge guy, built like an NFL player so to speak. Then we got the DDP version who was thin and wore his hair long, kinda like the modern version of He-Man. This figure’s head sculpt harkens back to the original ’87 release more than anything else. At least they got that right. I also like the badass look on his face.
Was the huge Chuckles just McFarlane’s take on him? The only issue of the Marvel run I have is his first appearance that was drawn by McFarlane. I like the modern IdW take.
I have the Night Force Chuckles, is over the top!
Chuckle’s vintage pistol is impossible to track down!
@Tim:
McFarlane’s take was carried over into the Ron Wagner era. Check out issue #64 where Chuckles officially joins up with the team at the third Pit in Utah. Russ Heath inked that one.
Chuckles’ beefy look continued in the Special Missions series where he was mostly drawn by Herb Trimpe. There was an issue by Dave Cockrum with Chuckles in it where he was also rendered in McFarlane’s style, which wasn’t unlike the ’87 figure’s card art except his hair was much shorter in both the comic and Sunbow animated movie. Most other forms of media at the time (such as posters and puzzles) portrayed him in a similar manner.
He only began slimming down after receiving his own story arc once the DDP era was in full swing.
I like this figure. I changed out that peace sign hand with another gloved gun hand. Looks way better. I also removed the legs and cut down the diaper crotch so he can actually sit in a vehicle too.