Like her brother Zartan, Zarana is a master (or is it mistress?) of disguise. You certainly wouldn’t get that idea from looking at her outfit. Not something that blends in, unless you’re hanging around the film set of a low-budget 80’s Italian Mad Max ripoff. Maybe it’s what she wears on Cobra’s causal Fridays. Say what you will about her, but
Read moreToday is a very special day. It’s my son Will’s first birthday. I wanted to do something a bit different for this post, and luckily Will gave me the idea. Last week, I found the new Skystriker at Target, brought it home and sat it on the kitchen floor while my wife and I fixed dinner. Will was in the
Read moreReleased as part of the Battle Corps series, Law was originally intended to be a member of the DEF (Drug Elimination Force) a short lived sub-group of the Joe team that battled the evil Headman and his Headhunters, who were out to get all the kids of America high on drugs. Oh yes, the 90’s how I do miss you.
Read moreIntimidation. That’s the feeling I get from this version of Cobra Commander. The 2002 relaunch of 3 3/4″ Joes with the GI Joe vs. Cobra line was met with collector disdain, mainly due to the absence of the beloved O-ring articulation. Another love/hate element was the cartoonish sculpting style. Most of the figures were bulky, stylized and almost superheroic in
Read moreOriginal name, yes? Was the Cobra code name generator in the shop? 2008 saw the release of the Cobra FANG and CLAW vehicle two pack. Included were the Cobra Pilot and Cobra Viper. The mold is the 25th anniversary Cobra Soldier. Included is a new helmet, based on a design of a Cobra gas mask trooper from the Marvel comic.
Read moreWhen it comes to classic Joes, it doesn’t get more classic than Stalker. Prominently featured in early Joe media, including the Marvel comic and the Sunbow cartoon, he’s been around since the beginning and is still an integral part of the Joe mythos. In the Marvel comics before Duke’s arrival, he functioned as Hawk’s second in command of the Joe
Read moreThe Bronze Bombers vs. Pyros saga continues with Firebomb, the Arsonistic Warlord, part of Olmec Toys’ 1997 series featuring figures based on GI Joe driver molds. The file card describes a fairly generic villain type, who started on his criminal career by holding up a liquor store at the age of 21. He held up the store at 11:59pm on
Read moreWhen I started this blog, I wanted to keep things wide open in terms of what I’d talk about. Sure, the main Joe lines have enough figures that I’ll probably burn out on this before even coming close to running out of subjects. I also didn’t want to ignore the effect that the success the 3 3/4″ Joes have had
Read moreI’ve said it before, and I say it again. Nice pants. Why do I find myself drawn to crazy looking pants? I can’t explain it. But here we are with a remake of another classic character. Leatherneck is a fan favorite, and although the character is the second Joe marine, his original 1986 version is also many fans’ favorite marine,
Read moreFor the collectors out there: what got you back into Joes? Some folks were pulled back into collecting with the release of the 25th anniversary line in 2007. For others, it was the 2009 movie or even the most recent Pursuit of Cobra line. Some others never stopped collecting since their youth. When I think back on my time as
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