Conrad “Duke” Hauser (2009 Rescue Mission)
Aren’t you a little thin for a toy version of Mr. Tatum? Oh yeah, that’s because this exclusive figure was based on Breaker, a toy based on an actor of decidedly less beefy proportions. Duke looks a little odd, like his head doesn’t quite belong to his body. That’s a shame, since the training uniforms similar to the one shown here were more interesting to me than the funky armored stillsuits worn by the Joes for much of the film.
Thinking back to the release of the second film, I really missed the plethora of store exclusives that were available at the time of Rise of Cobra. As time went by last year, I held out hope that some sort of exclusive would surface at Target at least. No.dice. These packs are a comparative example of the push Hasbro made for the first film. Even though the film merchandise didn’t move well and somewhat soured Joe’s viability in the eyes of the major retailers, we at least got some interesting figures out of the deal, and hey, many made it to clearance. Wait, that wasn’t a good thing, was it. Oops.
The storyline around the Target pack that Duke came in was that he had been captured by Cobra, and Snake Eyes was effecting a rescue. Actually, it appears that Duke had been captured during a workout session, or just after a bike ride. Wait, that’s it, I’ve got a purpose for this figure now. Maybe I can give him one of those goofy looking Retaliation Mouse or Flint helmets. Anyone know of a place that sells 1/18 scale bicycles, so I can make my movie cyclist Duke custom?
Actually that helmet won’t fit this particular head. Not many helmets will except vintage ones, the ears are too wide, the head too round. I used this figure and made him into British Action Man with Renegades Duke head. Now there’s a Club idea- Action Man!
@Rob
Do you have K-marts in the u.s?
Overhere, K-marts sell bikes in 1:18th scale in the hotwheels aisle. Not to mention Lanard corps bikes would also be a good substitute.
Well overhere the R.O.C line did poorly for a couple of reasons. Firstly the general audiances memories of Gi.joe are mostly about “The sailor and that guy with a metal mask” and the characters were so different to what people remebered they couldnt identify with them. Lastly, the shops ordered in more stock then what they could move [same problem happened a year before with the Indiana Jones toys] plus kids just werent interested in toy soldiers anymore.
Youknow i never see kids in toy aisles anymore. Its always parents and grandparents.
That’s a shame, since the training uniforms similar to the one shown here were more interesting to me than the funky armored stillsuits worn by the Joes for much of the film.
One of the better descriptors of the “Reactive Armour” costumes I’ve seen. LOL
Anyone know of a place that sells 1/18 scale bicycles, so I can make my movie cyclist Duke custom?
Now, now, Rob, no self-respecting cyclist would be caught dead wearing bulky cargo pants and high-top boots… 😉
I actually quite like this body, though. Given a different pair of arms, it would make a nice alternative version of the same FROG-shirted aesthetic represented by the prolific Cobra Shock Trooper body. The head’s nicer than the regular Tater sculpt from the first film’s toy-line, too. The latter looks oddly long and thin, as though he’d gotten his head stuck in a vise.
You know i never see kids in toy aisles anymore. Its always parents and grandparents.
Damn video games…
This’d be a pretty good figure if the neck were a little longer. The shortness of his neck and roundness of this head makes him look squat-ier than he should. At clearance prices, the RoC figures made for good custom fodder. You could probably whip a regular Duke head on this figure and call it a day.
Mister potato!