Since the debut of the 25th anniversary figures back in 2007, I’ve hoped that the discount stores would pick up some of the modern molds for single packs, much like in the Valor vs. Venom days. Back then, I was able to army build some Cobra troops quite affordably (3 bucks each!) But alas, the dream of some cheap figures
Read moreThe Predator homage came full circle with Shadow Tracker. With Jesse Ventura (I mean Recondo) and Sonny Landham (I mean Spirit), already in the line, all we needed was an Arnold figure, which almost came to us in the cancelled Joe-based Jurassic Park line. Wanna complete the Predator Joe team? Go hit up eBay for one, or ask your favorite
Read moreAlthough we’re getting what looks to be a pretty definitive modern set of Oktober Guard, the classic o-ring style also had its own great set in the form of comic pack figures. I’ve covered a few of the others, and I’m happy to say that this Daina is just as impressive as her comrades (wink wink). Even though the Lady
Read moreI’ve said it before, and I hate to sound like a broken record (oh, wow, I just totally dated myself there) but here’s a great mold that cries out for a modified color scheme. I should qualify that by pointing out that it just needs one of its colors changed. If that face plate and the other highlights were any
Read moreGallows was released as a part of the Steel Brigade vs. Plague Troopers pack. Aside from the mini-gun, he bears little resemblance to his comic counterpart, a SAW Viper. The Joe vs. Cobra Snake Eyes body somehow works well as a new character in this case, due in part to the mold’s lack of overt ninja styling. The new head
Read moreI don’t have much recollection of 12 inch GI Joes from my youth. I was of an age at which the bigger guys were phased out before I reached a level at which I wasn’t simply chewing or throwing all my toys. Consequently, my parents didn’t buy me many toys with arms or legs that could be pulled off, or
Read moreWith Joecon nearly upon us, and the announcement of this year’s enemy force as the Iron Grenadiers, I was reminded of a past year’s set, and its wonderful new troopers, the Iron Anvils. I’ll be honest, I was not much of a fan of Destro’s private army in the past, mostly due to the fact that it debuted during the
Read moreSo I guess at some point Dr. Mindbender gave up on a fully humanoid appearance for his battle androids and opted to crib from Terminator. I can’t believe a man as smart as Mindbender would need to blatantly copy like that. I suppose there’s no accounting for style plagiarism, as he also dressed like a 19th century Eastern European Chippendales
Read moreI have a different perspective when looking back on 1988-1990 figures. Those were the years during which I wasn’t collecting, so the years on either side hold different kinds of memories for me and also seem to affect my opinions. The ’82-87 period is most definitely colored by nostalgia, particularly the first four years. 1991 began my adult collecting, and
Read moreI enjoy a good updating and re-imagining of a classic character. The Pursuit of Cobra and 30th anniversary lines both managed a few figure updates that really impressed me. Hawk is a great new battle-ready version of the team’s long time field commander. When Hawk returned to the line as a general in 1986, he traded in his typical Joe team
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