Countdown (1989)
Finally, I’m covering a Joe astronaut figure that wasn’t first a Star Brigade member. The mold did get repainted to death for the later astronaut sub-line, but I find this original version to be the best. Like other 1989 GI Joes, his interest for me lies in his accessories.
I recall seeing this figure listed on the back of 1990 figures when I began coming back into Joe collecting in 1991. Judging by the character art, he looked like quite an exciting figure. I never had the Defiant or Payload, so this seemed to be a chance to finally pick up a Joe astronaut. Unfortunately, all the ’89 figures were gone from local stores, and I didn’t pick him up until a few years later via flea market shopping. I had the Star Brigade molds from 1993, but without the unique accessories of the original, they just didn’t compare.
The accessories, which never made a reappearance in later versions, set the figure apart from the repaints. The backpack features not only pivoting maneuvering thrusters, but also a sliding action feature. I don’t know why I continue to be fascinated with toys that can slide down a string. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have a zipline in my backyard as a kid. Anyway, the sliding action doesn’t really simulate space activity, although I suppose it could be used to somewhat represent a spacewalk. The lone weapon, which according to the package art is a grappling gun, could also function as a hand held maneuvering thruster.
Ultimately, this figure isn’t may favorite Joe astronaut in terms of looks (the original Payload wins out) but I still enjoy his unique and fun accessories. I just have to hope that he doesn’t decide to turn yellow.
I love this figure, I found one at an antique shop around ’07 or so, along with Dee-Jay, the ’89 Deep-Six, and Metal-Head. For some reason, it has the same arm problem as the Eco-Warriors Flint I got a while back, in that either the shoulder is too big, or the arm slot on the torso is too small; either way, it causes a gap to appear between both halves of the torso.
Acer, I hate when a figure turns out to have that torso gap. It’s happened to me a few times as well.
I’ve never been a fan of the astronaut figures. The thing about Countdown is that I could never figure out his helmet. I can see Hasbro going for a “modern army” approach like they did in ’82 and giving us an stylized NASA suit, but that helmet didn’t quite fit in right somehow. Although I never had him, the first two Payload figures always looked more realistic.
Was it the bigger shoulder, or the smaller arm hole for you?
Nice figure!
Countdown is one of my favorites in my collection.
I’m not crazy about astronauts, and this one doesn’t look bulky enough to be one, but it’s an excellent pilot uniform. Would be a good update to ’83 Ace.
I dislike the holster in the middle of his chest, mucks up the design.
Also, he has darker skin than regular caucasian Joes. Never sure why that was.
Doesn’t look so dark to me. Then again, skin tone on older figures I’ve found is not too consistent.