The original Grand Slam was one of my favorite figures early on in my childhood GI Joe collecting days. It actually remained so and saw regular use even through the release of many more colorful and specific characters. Something about it resonated with me. I guess design wise it was the red pads, the deep green, and of course the
Read moreWhat a difference a little paint and parts swapping can make. I wasn’t overly impressed with the Duke figure upon which this Flint is based. I suppose some of it was due to the color, and some the character. The prospect of more Channing Tatum Dukes on the pegs doesn’t fill me with excitement. Flint here is another placeholder until
Read moreWhen movie action figure lines are released, they usually contain multiple versions of the main characters, usually each with a different action feature. I find it a bit strange that the first movie Firefly released is this one, but I can see the reasoning to get the more kid-friendly figure out first. Features are what this figure is all about,
Read moreI don’t know why, but every time I take photos of the original Beach Head mold, I’m inspired to write a haiku. For your consideration: Green Funskool Beach Head. Can a ranger be a lime? Existential dilemma.
Read moreThe action figure gods giveth. Case in point: a couple of days ago, I raved about the Snake Eyes figure from this same wave, and how it’s a well detailed and articulated figure with a fun action feature. The action figure gods also taketh away. Case in point: this Storm Shadow. I swear I’ve seen this figure before. Heck, I
Read moreRoadblock in GI Joe Retaliaton is apparently a man who’s well prepared. His latest action figure sure is. He comes equipped with what’s called Battle-Kata, a sort of Swiss Army by way of Lego weapons system. It sounded like a goofy concept when I first heard about and saw it (especially the wave one version of it) but the toy
Read moreThere are times in movie action figure lines when the makers go for playabaility, and times when film accuracy and articulation are a focus. Usually, the former applies first, and if a line is lucky enough to stick around for a few assortments, the latter will be released as well. Fortunately for the Retaliation toy line, we’ve gotten both in
Read moreNew Cobra troopers are always welcome in my collection. Going beyond the regular blueshirts was exciting to me as a kid, whether they were generic troops or named characters. The Eels and Snow Serpents were the first specific duty troops that got me hooked on Cobra’s increasing diversity. Later in the 80’s, it seemed like Cobra had a new specialist
Read moreIs it too soon to cover one of these again? I don’t care, because I’m too fascinated by them. Sorry folks. I’m sure the feeling will pass eventually and I’ll be back to the usual mix of the ridiculous and the sublime in a more familiar scale. For now though, it’s Yo Kre-O! Quick Kick distills the essence of both
Read moreBarrel Roll was the case of a figure whose update was a pretty far cry, design-wise, from the original. The first figure looked like a young hotshot character, and his uniform supported that idea. Outfitted in a loose fitting uniform, done up in blue and grey, he seemed to be geared more towards the pseudo-military/adventure side of GI Joe. He
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