Sgt Stalker (2010)
It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since the end of the 25th Anniversary series. As much as I was at times non-plussed by the figures themselves, I have to admit that I miss the presence of assortment after assortment at retail. At times, refreshed cases of Joe product were frustratingly slow to appear. The multi-packs were much easier to come by, and thankfully I was lucky to score some of the assortments via online retailers.
The Resolute figure pack’s designs can either be thought of as incredibly unified (standard for a military unit) or a convenient (and cost-saving) reuse of existing molds. Made up of parts from Snake Eyes and Duke, Stalker cuts an impressive figure. He’s a bit thin on the torso, but the paint scheme pulls the two halves together nicely. Molded in a simple green, the standard Stalker camo isn’t missed too much.
In fact, the departures from the character’s norm are refreshing. The head sculpt is the most impressive new component, and the pulled-back dredlocks are an effective detail. His stern, determined expression also fit the character’s no nonsense attitude. Finally, he’s also equipped with the large collar that seemed to be de rigeur in the set.
The more I revisit the limited Resolute toys, the more I appreciate what was done with them. Despite the parts reuse, the set served as a preview of what was to come in the impressive Pursuit of Cobra and 30th Anniversary figure assortments.
I dislike the long hair and the goatee
I love the torso and turtleneck, but hate those types of ankle details on figures. Make them look like they raided Scrooge Mcducks gaiter closet.
Have to agree with Skymate. I am not a fan of the hair. Call me a bit of a purest, but Stalker (originally) served during the Vietnam era. Dredlocks were not a popular style outside of the Caribbean Islands or pirate films. Stalker was a career soldier, and as such would have been a bit more…rigid about his style.
He’s sort of an “alternate universe” Stalker, updated for the ’00s. The Resolute figures were like that; you could tell who they were, but it didn’t quite have the same feel. Still after seeing the 25th Stalker a lot, this guy was a unique change.
Nice figure!
I think Stalkers classic background as a member of a gang is more important than a certain period or location of military service. Even with that, the long hair is a bit of a stretch and should have been omitted. This character to me had discipline even when he was “bad.”
The thing that makes Stalker stand out to me was his change in attitude, his “self-respect.”
With that, I like the facial hair, but at the same time, that almost takes away from the man’s self-discipline angle.
The basic uniform look is fine, but the neck piece, floating gear straps, and vacuum sealed shirt, make for a decent enough toy, but a cobbled together piece of minimum-investment/ maximum profit figure.
Great figure, I just don’t see him as Stalker.