You may think I’m crazy, or that I simply have no taste, when it comes to my appreciation of the more strikingly colored 90’s GI Joes and Cobras. Considering how many of them that I’ve already covered, I should probably pace myself. I wouldn’t want to run out of them too soon, and be forced to write about more 1982
Read moreRemember when Ripper traded in his trademark can opener rifle and jaws of life for a missile launcher? The 2000’s series, made a valiant effort to produce 12 inch versions of both classic and new Joes and Cobras. Ripper had been in the 3 & 3/4 GI Joe vs. Cobra series, and though he had changed up his attire, looked
Read moreAs the Joe team’s second undercover operations specialist, Mace looks more the part of police officer than soldier. That’s due to his original planned designation to be part of the second series of the Drug Elimination Force, or DEF. Like his teammates for that assortment, he came equipped with a decidedly cover blowing accessory, the helmet mounted missile launcher. Whereas
Read moreIs the ’86 Viper mold so popular that collectors will buy it in any flavor? Maybe so, unless the lower half has been replaced with BAT legs. Even then, the right color combo could cause a stir. Just look at the 2002 Crimson Strike Team Viper. The first ever repaint of the Viper is, at the very least, interesting. The
Read moreVarujan “Taurus” Ayvazyan or just Taurus to his friends, is a good example of the economic reuse of parts. As a member of the Slaughter’s Renegades set from the 2006 GI Joe convention, he used the same body mold as his teammates, Red Dog and Mercer. The original torso and leg mold belonged to Clutch, from the oft-ridiculed Mega Marines
Read moreI liked the Sigma 6 figures from the beginning, but as the series went on, and changed up its look a bit, I began to become even more interested in it. The initial offerings depicted the characters all outfitted in the same style of suits, with plugs and separately colored textured undersuits. Heads, weapons and detachable gear set each one
Read moreEach time a new iteration of GI Joe comes on the scene, there’s an inevitable wish list of characters that fans want to see made. Though there were quite a few homages to the old days during the new sculpt era, some of the popular classics were left out. One of my old favorites eventually saw a release in the
Read moreThe Medi-Vipers, in the Marvel comics, were the kind of troops that made for great ancillary detail among the well-known Joes and Cobras. I had wanted a figure version since I first saw them. Though the design was obvious and the old style doctor’s reflector on the head was a bit out of date, the concept was brilliantly simple. I’m
Read moreHere’s an intriguing concept, personal bodyguards for Cobra Commander. I thought he already had them in the Crimson Guard? Anyway, this figure is a mashup in need of a little more mashing. The Range Viper head sculpt I find to be one of the oddest in the RAH line. Is the top of the helmet supposed to resemble exposed brain?
Read moreLanard’s CORPS! line has long taken its design cues from Hasbro’s GI Joe. In the 80’s and 90’s, the figures closely resembled the popular brand. When Joe switched to a T-crotch construction and a softer plastic in the early 2000’s, Lanard followed suit. As of now, the company still has not attempted to recreate the modern Joe style of super
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