A Real Missed Opportunity–that should have been the tagline for the 2002-2006 GI Joe era. Most every time I pull out a figure from the period that strikes me as memorable, my thoughts are usually prefaced or end with some kind of disappointment in at least one aspect of the figure. Don’t get me wrong, I still like the era
Read moreWhat kind of strange forgotten items do you come across when you’re a Joe completist randomly rummaging through storage bins? How about a repainted Snake Eyes from a Rhino DVD set. This 1983 Snake Eyes remold (with 1986 Roadblock’s waist) was released umpteen times. Did I really need another–this time in blue with brown pouches? Probably not. But it is
Read moreI’ve said it before, I’m a sucker for clear and translucent figures. I can’t explain why; the best I can liken it to is the old mountain climber adage: because it’s there. Mirage was the strangest part of the Winter Operations Toys R Us exclusive of 2005. The package art and the file card make no mention of what the
Read moreDespite being a relatively popular character and making frequent comic appearances, Cover Girl only received two figures (23 years apart) in the course of the GI Joe non-movie lines. I’d rather not mention the straight up fugly movie version. Released as part of a fans’ choice comic pack that also included Devil’s Due versions of Spirit and Serpentor clone Hannibal,
Read moreThe original Croc Master, one of the 1987 Cobra crew of crazed concepts often got short shrift due to his incredibly specific duties as well as his look. Did Cobra really need a reptile trainer, when they didn’t even have a dog handler? Croc Master could have easily been a Spider-Man villain with his black facemask, croc themed shirt and
Read moreThe 2002-2006 Joe lines, being a more kid-friendly approach to the brand than today’s offerings, had a strong play-oriented focus. It began with the two-pack figure concept, a battle-on-a-card. Kids got two figures for the price of one, usually a Joe and a Cobra. How can you beat that? Naturally, with a kid-oriented line, action features are a given. Action
Read moreSpy Troops was a series that held promise with a great concept, but was ultimately wildly uneven in execution. The idea of clip on accessories to transform Joes and Cobras into the opposing force was novel and fun. I enjoy added play value, especially when the feature isn’t molded into the character in such a way that it restricts movement
Read moreDeaths in comics have become tiresome. Every major character who’s killed off, no matter how much the writers repeat, “yes he’s staying dead”, don’t stay dead. Even Captain America’s Bucky, long held out in the “staying dead” camp, was brought back to modern comics. General Flagg, the Joe team’s commanding general, was the first member to be killed in action
Read moreAgent Faces, the Joe team’s infiltrator, was a new addition in the Spy Troops line. A natural Joe counterpart to Zartan, he was even packed alongside the infamous master of disguise. While the secrets of Zartan’s abilities remained a mystery, Agent Faces was revealed to be a gifted mimic who was trained to become a make-up artist and create disguises.
Read moreIn 2006, Sgt. Slaughter’s Renegades returned as part of a convention exclusive set that also included the Sarge himself. The mold use was a good reuse of some maligned 90’s figures, the Mega Marines. The story for the con set had the Rednegades outfitted in special armor, so instead of each member’s unique look, the team shared a common body,
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