Talking Adventure Team Commander (2009)

The GI Joe Collectors’ Club is focused mainly on the 3 & 3/4 inch era these days, and that’s only natural considering that those of us who grew up with the brand in the 80s and 90s are now of an age to pass through a time of nostalgia as well as access to some discretionary funds. Of course, some fans of the 12 inch figures may not be enthused about the attention given to the smaller Joes. While the Club doesn’t have a Figure Subscription Service for the large scale figures (which could be an interesting idea, but I’m guessing that cost and demand would be barriers) they still crank out a membership figure and convention set each year. During the last year, I’ve been revisiting my collection of the 12 inch Joes, and going back to pick up some that I had missed. The 2009 reissue of the black talking Adventure Team Commander was high on my list.

The club had been working its way through the Adventure Team figures for some time by 2009, and had already produced a reproduction of the Caucasian Adventure Team Commander and the black Land Adventurer. This one incorporates the same voice as the earlier re-release, and I’ve heard it was even the same voice actor that recorded the vintage version.

Per the club’s usual routine with the membership offering, the figure itself was packaged clothed in a simple shirt and shorts (with a nifty AT pattern). The box and uniform were sold as an add-on. My figure seems to be a bit heavy on the flocking around the mouth, but maybe Joe just went on a long mission without his grooming kit. Then again, this figure does have its origins in the 70s, a particularly hairy decade.

While some don’t care for re-issues, I find them to be an economical way of getting a cool display figure, and also one that won’t make me cringe if one of the kids gets their hands on it. The whole package, from the figure to the features and accessories, is very nicely done, and accurately depicts the totally groovy style of the Adventure Team in the 70s.