Black Out (2003)

Black Out is one of my absolute favorite figures and characters of the new sculpt era. The 3 & 3/4 inch figure, which I’ve covered before, is as another Man in Black might say “a victim of the time.” That figure, while it isn’t without a host of issues common to the era, still intrigues me thanks to an interesting file card.

The idea that Cobra has in its employ a man who washed out of the GI Joe team is one of those great concepts that makes you wonder, “why didn’t they think of that before?” And yes, while the idea that his sister and brother being rivals on the Joe team isn’t exactly original, it sure makes for a welcome bit of continuity in the shadow of the Real American Hero era.

Much like the body styles of the new sculpt era, the 12 inch figure bodies of the time had problems. Most notably, the common lack of a cloth uniform shirt. While the sculpted shirt is quite detailed, the thin arms and the contrast of molded plastic against real cloth elsewhere on the figure make for an off-putting combination. Of course, the problem can be remedied by putting a black cloth shirt on the figure–an easily performed customization. The most frustrating aspect of the missing shirt is the fact that some figures of the time did include full cloth uniforms. Weird.

An excellent head sculpt tops off the figure with the appropriate expression of aloofness and disdain that fits Black Out’s personality. As much as I love the smaller scale, the 12 inch format really allows the sculptors a greater range of facial expression and detail. Other design elements of the smaller figure are effectively represented in the gear, and though the parts reuse that was common in the 2000’s 12 inch line is present, I continue to find myself drawn to Black Out. He’s just a cool character, warts and all, big or small.