In a previous post, I remarked on Hasbro’s recent track record of successfully using existing parts to create new and interesting figures. Well, as my dad says, “Somebody’s gotta graduate at the bottom of the class.” For me, that somebody is the Air Trooper.I haven’t seen such a nondescript code name since the Cobra Pilot. I guess Cobra forgot to
Read moreThe Pursuit of Cobra line has been a source of both joy and frustration for me. When I first saw the prototypes at the 2009 Joecon in Kansas City, I was excited by the designs that built upon the articulation improvements of the movie line, yet paid homage to classic designs. Overall, the series has been great, and I think
Read moreI bought my first GI Joe vehicle back in 1983, the Falcon glider with Grunt. It was basically a foam glider that was counterweighted by attaching the figure to the harness. Naturally it was fragile and quickly broke, but it did fly well, and it was a fun toy while it lasted. Fast forward to 1991 and Hasbro’s release of
Read moreThe Ice Viper, driver of the Cobra WOLF is an interesting figure for the time, considering the accessories included: a helmet and two sais, extra acessories that set him apart from the usually weaponless drivers. I never really understood why he came with tradtionally martial arts weapons. Maybe he uses them as ice picks. The WOLF was a fast attack
Read moreWhat’s in a name? In this case, a bad pun related to a famous TV infomercial. This is T’Gin-Zu, the driver of the Ninja Raider Pile Driver vehicle. The GI Joe line’s loathed ninja sub-group had just three vehicles to its name, two of which were strange four-wheeled rotating affairs with an upright pilot compartment in the center. Not exactly
Read moreOh Lemon Yellow Neo-Viper, how I love your Day-Glo goodness. It’s like you stepped right out of 1993. What can I possibly say that this picture doesn’t? Doesn’t it take you back to your first lemonade stand back in the day? Or maybe it reminds you of the hard hat you wore on your old construction job. You know, I’m
Read moreDid you know that Hasbro tried out a Lego-like building system with its properties years before the Kre-O line? Both GI Joe and the Transformers received the treatment with the Built to Rule line from 2003 to 2005. Each set could be built into two or more different vehicles, and included a driver. The Joe line seems a natural for
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 moreOkay, I talked about Big Brawler, and at the time I thought he had the worst Joe code name. I still think he does. It’s generic and ridiculous at the same time. When looking through candidates to write about next, Skidmark’s name struck me as the best unintended double-entendre code name. Make up your own joke here… Skidmark, in collector
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