Shadow Strike Ninja (2013 Wolverine)
When the Renegades Storm Shadow was released, I made a comment that it was such a cool figure, I would buy the mold in any flavor. So far, I’ve kept up with that promise, from the myriad ninjas from the Retaliation line based on the mold, even to the point of buying this new version from the Wolverine line. I guess I should use the term new version lightly, as although the sculpt itself retains much of the detail of the Joe figures, the poseability is greatly reduced. I know, I know. It’s a GI Joe mold with five points of articulation. Don’t let the nerd rage get the better of you. Repeat this phrase with me: “I must not rage. Nerd rage is the mind-killer. Nerd rage is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my nerd rage. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the nerd rage has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” See? Don’t you feel better now?
As much as it pains me as an adult collector, I completely understand Hasbro’s reasoning in producing less articulated figures. The trend started a few years ago with the vehicle drivers from the movie based Marvel lines, and I suppose that’s why I wasn’t all that surprised when it happened with Joe. Hasbro of late at least seems to be applying some kind of consistent pattern to its action figure lines. Even the Star Wars juggernaut hasn’t been immune to cost-cutting this year.
The Shadow Strike Ninja retains the great detail and style of its Joe cousins, and the paint scheme is at least interesting, particularly the eerie looking pupil-less eyes. Accessories aren’t much to speak of, simply a flimsy katana and a bow that can’t be held too well.
Without ball joints, the sculpt itself really shines through, and though the figure can’t obtain too many poses, it does look good sitting on a shelf. It’s also quite durable, with no worry of hands or feet popping off while the kiddos bash it about. Though it’s probably an oddity and even an aberration to most GI Joe collectors, I found myself weirdly drawn to the figure. Maybe it’s just the inherent coolness of the mold, but then again, maybe I’ve just been spending too much time with vintage Star Wars figures these days.
Hahahaha, excellent points.
Anyway, my toy collecting mantra are “It’s a toy. If I’m not having fun with it, I’m doing it wrong” and “Don’t like it? Don’t buy it”.
I’d actually not realized they’d cut the articulation on that particular figure. It must still sell pretty well because all I’ve ever seen on pegs are a couple Wolverine variations and the Silver Samurai. It is a testament to the design that it still looks pretty sharp even if it can’t move that much. I really do like the paint scheme they chose for him, though I think it is kind of a shame they cut his articulation down, it does make sense for the line since the rest of the figures in the line aren’t super articulated.
Nerdrage is a cancer that is destroying the fanbase of every property. I was really disturbed when i saw “The people VS George Lukas”. Star wars fans used to show their devotion by playing trivia games and dressing as stormtroopers. Now their devotion is mesaured by who gets the angriest over such minor matters [like the colour of a laser beam being changed]. The only time i suffered from star wars rage was when i couldnt finish Force Unleashed. My copy of it is now being looked after by “top” men.
As far as current action figures go, this guy is fine. Its really good to see more characters in a super hero toy line then just the hero in different outfits. He’s also an army builder which is really good. The articulation doesnt bother me. Look at those hideous Batman 3 action figures they are mostly unpainted chunks. Whoever is responsible for those should be fired.
I hate to be a “gloomy Gus”, but the conspiracy theorist(world politics) part of me says that the golden age of toys is already past. Nobody wants to say the Emperor has no clothes-or the reason we’re getting less articulated toys is because of the crappy world economy. I find it disheartening that they’re actually MAKING toys with 5 points of articulation. 5 P.O.A. is fine for baby toys or dollar store toys-not for people who truly love the medium.
@Troublemagnet
I hear that. Within the next twenty years there will be no more action figures. Whenever my two year old nephew comes over, the first thing he heads for is my laptop rather than the bin of toys i have for him. He only plays with the toys as a last resort.
Unless there is some sort of mass epidemic which causes every video game console and tacky Japanese card game to shut down or just cease to be then toys will be a thing of the past.
What i wouldnt give for a flux capacitor
I agree the golden age is past, especially for Star Wars, except it’s China’s improving economy that is causing production costs to rise, meaning action figure costs keep rising. I’ve little interest in modern 5 POA figures, and zero interest in high end collector lines. Fans embracing 5 POA toys will get the toy line they deserve, and some of the rest of us can move on with our lives.
Seeing the above comment just makes me wish that our government would stop being cowardly enough to force big companies to open new factories HERE that fall under great environmental standards. “You gotta spend money to make it”, right?
@Acer
Indeed. If i ever meet that bean counter who thought it a good idea to rerelese old star wars figures in new packaging. Or what about the countless Bumblebees in the Transformers lines. Its called “Transformers” Not “Bumblebee”
I dont know how bad it is in your neck of the woods. But in my country nothing is domestically owned or made anymore. My Dad used to work at a boot factory. The big wigs chose to shut it down so they could save a few dollars on taxes and move it overseas so they didnt have to provide workers with health benefits should they get injured. Even the factories that made the uniforms for the Australian defence forces have undergone the same process. The Australian army slouch hat which has been the armies trademark for nearly a century is now made in overseas
@Skymate
Just as power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, money (most of the time) corrupts, and a near-limitless amount of money corrupts without limit.
I hate to sound like Sheldon Cooper [because i hate that guy] but isnt that a quote from the Star trek episode with the Nazi planet?
Great headsculpt!